Automated EM-based design of side-coupled filters and multiplexers by parameter extraction and sensitivity analysis

The temperature compensated Ku-band output (TCKO) multiplexer is becoming the hot research issue in the satellite payloads for its superior thermal and high power capability recent years. It is basically side-coupled multiplexer with temperature compensated device. A novel design methodology for side-coupled filters and multiplexers is presented in this paper. Mode-matching electromagnetic (EM)-based simulators, parameter extraction, sensitivity analysis and COM technology are combined to produce an efficient and automated design of high precision. Mode-matching electromagnetic(EM)-based simulator is used as a fine model of each channel filter, and coupling matrix representation is used as coarse model, screws and irises of filters are included in the fine model. The mapping between the fine model and the coarse model is exploited by parameter extraction and sensitivity analysis. Adaptive frequency sampling (AFS) technology is used to reduce the calculation time. And component object model (COM) technology is used to make the whole progress automated. Finally the methodology is illustrated through design of a four-channel Ku-band output multiplexer with side-coupled filters.