Improvement of stopband performance in parallel-coupled bandpass filters using quasi-lumped elements

This paper is aimed at improving the rejection level as well as overcoming the bandwidth limitations for classical coupled-line filters. A planar microwave coupled-line filter employing a quasi-lumped element resonator considerably improving the stopband characteristics is presented. The proposed bandpass filter has a compact footprint, and exhibits good stopband rejection with no repeated passband at twice the center frequency in comparison with the traditional coupled-line filter. By introducing the quasi-lumped element resonator, two transmission zeros at upper and lower stopbands are created, with adjustable locations of transmission zeros for desired performance. The device is fabricated in standard thick-film manufacturing technology. Based on parallel-coupled line theory, the impedance inverter model for this device is developed. The passband filter centered at 5.5 GHz with a 3 dB relative bandwidth of 60 % is implemented with an area of approximately lambda/6 times lambda/4. Measured and simulated results exhibit good agreement.