Design of microstrip bandpass filters based on stair-step patch resonator

Abstract

In this research article, single pole bandpass filter using stair-step patch topology based on symmetrical and asymmetrical step impedance resonators has been designed for industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) band application. This filter has been modelled by Microwave Office simulator using RT/Duroid substrate constant of 10.8, the substrate thickness of 1.27 mm, loss tangent of 0.0023 and copper metallisation thickness of 0.035 mm. To enhance the stopband levels of filter response, two microstrip bandpass filters have been designed as two-pole configurations based on edge, and cross-coupled stair-step patch resonators using the same simulator tool and substrate specifications. The proposed filters have compact sizes of (0.311 x 0.233 for single pole filter, (0.578 x 0.24) for two-pole edge coupled filter and (0.566 x 0.234for two-pole cross-coupled filter designed at centre frequencies of 2.4, 2.46 and 2.41 GHz, respectively. These filters have interesting insertion loss and return loss magnitudes, narrow band frequency responses, second harmonic suppression and good stopband levels. Apart from ISM band applications, the proposed filters can be adopted in WLAN systems and Bluetooth applications for short-range devices. The experimental results for designed filters are of good consistency with the simulations.