US006064285A

United States Patent (19) 11 Patent Number: 6,064.285

Harron et al. (45) Date of Patent: May 16, 2000

54). PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD HELICAL 5,036,301 7/1991 Takao et al..

RESONATOR AND FILTER APPARATUS 5,202,699 4/1993 Hemmie et al..
5,343,176 8/1994 Hasler.
75 Inventors: Gerald D. Harron, Martensville; 5,392,020 2/1995 Chang ..................................... 336/200
Surinder G. Kumar, Victoria, both of FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
Canada
58-80805 5/1983 Japan ..................................... 336/200
73 Assignee: Wavecom Electronics Inc, Canada 58-157109 9/1983 Japan. . . 336/200
60-140901 7/1985 Japan .............................. 333/202 HC
21 Appl. No.: 09/209,295 Primary Examiner Justin P. Bettendorf
1-1. Attorney, Agent, or Firm Terry Leier; Blake, Cassels &
22 Filed: Dec. 11, 1998 Graydon LLP
(51) Int. Cl. .................................................. H01P 1/20
52 U.S. Cl. .................. ... 333/202; 333/177 57 ABSTRACT
58 Field of Search ..................................... 333/177, 180, A filter described which includes helical resonator elements
333/184, 185, 202; 336/200 constructed using printed circuit board (PCB) materials and
fabrication techniques. A helical resonator element is formed
56) References Cited from conductive traces on either side of a double sided PCB
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS Substrate with interconnection of the traces using plated
through holes to form a three dimensional Serpentine or
2,854,642 9/1958 Boothe .................................... 333/18O helical conductor path. Multiple resonator elements are RF
3,820,045 6/1974 Igarashi .... ... 333/185 coupled using ferromagnetic coupling elements. The shape
3,992,691 11/1976 Molthen ............... ... 336/200 and number of the coupling elements may be selected to
4,429,289 1/1984 Higgins, Jr. et al. ............... 333/202 X control RF coupling between resonator elements and the
4,682,131 7/1987 May. tuning of the filter.
4,897,623 1/1990 Reindel.
4,990.870 2/1991 Reindel.
4,990.871 2/1991 Reindel. 12 Claims, 3 Drawing Sheets

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1 2
PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD HELICAL wire of a relatively large dimension to form the Structure of
RESONATOR AND FILTER APPARATUS helical coils. Moreover, there exists a need to fabricate
helical coils without the requirement to have wire forming
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION apparatus to bend wire into a helical Structure to form the
5 reSOnator.
The present invention generally relates to helical
inductors, particularly resonator helical filters and more SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
particularly to RF helical filter arrangements formed using
printed circuit board techniques. The present invention provides a helical filter apparatus
RF helical filter apparatus incorporating one or more which is constructed using printed circuit board techniques
helical resonators are known in the art. Typically, these filter and materials. In accordance with the invention, a helical
arrangements include a plurality of resonators constructed filter resonator is fabricated using the equipment, materials
from conductors forming helical coils. The resonator coils and production methods as used to produce a printed circuit
encircle a cylindrical Space. The helical coils are mounted on board assembly. In accordance with the manner of construc
a Suitable base plate which spacedly disposes the resonator 15
tion of a helical filter using the principles of the present
helical coils. The coils themselves are connected to electrical invention, the need to provide wire having Structural capa
ground at one end and a signal tap lead to connected to the bilities to construct the helical resonators in filter is elimi
helical coil at a Selected tap point. Frequently, a tuning Slug nated. Moreover, with the present invention, helical resonant
is provided to change the electrical characteristics of the coil filters can be produced yet the need to provide equipment to
to tune the filter. When provided, the tuning Slug is generally form wire into a helical configuration is eliminated.
threadably received in the upper portion of the helical coil In another aspect of the invention, an RF filter arrange
distal from the mounting plate. The tuning Slug is rotated to ment constructed from resonatorS fabricated in accordance
axially displace the tuning Slug with respect to the helical with the invention have a shielding can enclosing the filter
coil to change the tuning of the coil. assembly which has a Single cavity eliminating the need or
The coils themselves are formed from a wire material to 25 requirement for inner walls to form apertures to control the
extend in a helical fashion. Where a tuning Slug is used, the RF coupling between adjacent helical resonators.
tuning Slug is dimensioned to be received in the cavity or In another aspect of the invention, adjacent resonators
bore centrally formed by the helically disposed wire coil. have one or more magnetizable elements interposed there
Commonly, helical filter arrangements have three resonator between to control the RF coupling between adjacent reso
coils encased within a shielding case or can to contain the nators. The shape, mass and positioning of the magnetizable
radio frequency (RF) Signal radiation emanating from each elements are Selected to obtain the desired RF coupling to
coil. The shielding case includes a baffle Structure forming facilitate operation of the filter in accordance with the
a contiguous box structure to encase each resonator coil requirements of the application in which the filter will be
Separately. The baffle Structure provides an aperture in the incorporated.
common wall of the box cavities encasing each of the 35 These and other objects and advantages of the present
Separate resonator coils to permit RF coupling to occur invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art in
between adjacent resonator coils. The shape and size of the the context of the present invention as described in the
aperture is configured to control the RF coupling between Specification, drawings and claims herein. Referring to the
each coil. In a three coil filter arrangement, the central drawings, like reference numerals identify like features of
resonator is RF coupled to two end resonators by apertures 40 the invention in the Several figures throughout. The preferred
in the common side walls contained within the overall embodiments of the invention will now be described with
Shielding can that encloses the resonator apparatus. The end reference to the drawings in which:
resonators are connected to a tap lead that extends from the
helical coil to a Signal conductor trace formed on the printed BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
circuit board to Supply Signalling to or receive Signalling 45
from the resonator filter. Each tap point associated with a FIG. 1 is a perspective view of helical filter apparatus
helical resonator is Selected to provide an impedance match constructed in accordance with the invention;
to the circuit to which the filter arrangement is to be FIG. 2 is a cross-section of one of the helical resonators
electrically connected. of FIG. 1;
Heretofore, construction of resonator filter helical coils 50 FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a shielding can which is
required the Supply of a relatively large gauge wire which is used to enclose the helical resonators,
wrapped in a helix forming device and then cut to form the FIG.3a is a bottom plan view of a prior art shielding can;
helical resonator. Such a construction method has Several
disadvantages including the need to provide wire of a FIG. 3b is a bottom plan view of a shielding can con
Structural dimension to form the helical resonator. Also, 55
Structed in accordance with advantages of the present inven
forming equipment is needed to wrap and bend the wire and tion; and
cut and configure it into a helical Structure for use in the FIG. 4 is a plan view of a printed circuit board assembly
reSOnator. including the inventive helical filter apparatus.
The complexity and cost of producing printed circuit DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
board assemblies incorporating RF helical filter resonators 60
PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
could be reduced if the need for relatively large gauge
formed wire could be eliminated. Furthermore, the cost of FIG. 1 shows a four resonator filter assembly constructed
producing printed circuit board assemblies that include RF in accordance with the principles of present invention and
helical filter resonators could be reduced if the need for wire designated generally by reference numeral 10. Each reso
forming equipment to form wire helix Structures could be 65 nator 12 is constructed in accordance with the principles of
eliminated. Accordingly, there exists the need for construc invention and it should be understood that is not necessary
tion of helical resonators which do not require the Supply of that the Structural features of each of the helical resonators
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be identical. A printed circuit board 11 forms a base upon traces 18 and through which communicating apertures in the
which resonator Structures 12 are mounted to extend verti form of drilled through holes are provided. By way of
cally therefrom. The base Supports a conductive Surface example, two apertures from row 20 are shown in FIG. 2,
forming a ground plane 13 which cooperates with overall namely, 20N and 20N+1. Each of the apertures forming rows
shielding can 43 (shown in FIG. 3) to enclose the RF 20 and 22 are provided to enable an electrical conductor to
electromagnetic radiation emanating from the resonators 12 extend from the front Surface of the PCB Substrate to the
to confine the RF radiation within the cavity formed by back Surface. By way of example, one end of elongate trace
Shielding can 43 and ground plane 13. Extending from 18 is interconnected with one end of reverse Side elongate
ground plane 13 are ground leads 14 electrically coupling trace 24 by an aperture which is provided to facilitate
the one end of the resonator to ground. plated-through conductor 26 to interconnect these traces to
Each resonator 12 is formed on printed circuit board form a loop or winding. Each adjacent loop is connected in
(PCB) substrate material 16. In the preferred embodiment of Similar fashion with plated through conductor at the other
the invention, each side of board 16 is provided with a end of the elongate traces. In this fashion interconnected
plurality of elongate conductive traces 18 extending between loops formed and interconnected as described provide an
rows of apertures 20 and 22. The rows of apertures 20 and 15
inductor which extends in a substantially “helical” manner
22 are preferably constructed as holes drilled through the to form an inductor or resonator. In an RF filter assembly,
PCB substrate 16. The elongate conductive traces 18 extend multiple resonators are spacedly mounted on PCB 11 to
between the apertures Such that a conductor extending from extend upwardly from the base PCB 11 to form a helical
aperture “N” in row 20 extend to aperture “N” in row 22. resonator filter assembly.
The reverse side of the printed circuit board 16 has elongate FIG. 3 shows a bottom perspective view of a portion of a
conductive traces that are inclined Such that a trace extend
printed circuit board 11 incorporating the helical filter con
ing from aperture “N” in row 20 extents to or interconnects Struction of the present invention. The helical resonators are
with aperture "N+1" in row 22. encased in an enclosure Shielding can 43 which is a structure
that is impervious or opaque to or Substantially attenuates
For RF filter assemblies, it is necessary for each of the EM fields. Typically enclosure can 43 will be constructed of
resonators to couple to the adjacent resonator to pass the 25 a metal conductor. The enclosure shielding can 43 is used to
signal to be filtered from the input lead 28 to the signal contain the RF radiation emanating from resonators 12 (of
output lead 30. In the RF filter depicted in FIG. 1, four FIG. 1). To complete the RF enclosure structure, the PCB
resonator coils are provided. The Signal from the input lead Surface below the enclosure Shielding can 43 is convention
28 is Supplied to the first resonator coil by means of an input ally provided with a grounding plane 13 that is electrically
tap line 32. Input tap line 32 extends from the Signal input connected to the enclosure Shielding can 43 itself by means
lead to a predetermined location on the “helix' of the first of Several tabs 47 extending from and generally forming part
resonator coil, the location is Selected to provide an imped of enclosure can 43. Such tabs are soldered to the PCB
ance match to the circuitry Supplying the input signal. AS ground plane 13 to provide physical means to attach the
previously noted, one end of the resonator coil is provided enclosure shielding can 43 to the PCB board 11 as well as
with a ground tap 14 which completes the Signal Supply 35 provide electrical connection to ground plane 13. Also
circuit for the input Signal arriving at the resonator on input shown in FIG. 3 are resonator mounting slots 38 which are
tap line 32. The presence of an input Signal on input Supply used to provide a physical mounting System for mounting
line 28 causes an electromagnetic (EM) field to be produced resonators 12 on PCB board 11. Any one of several means
in the interior volume of the resonator “helix' which extends can be used to mount the resonators on the PCB board 11
to the Space Surrounding the resonator in accordance with 40 including gluing or providing a metal shoe on the lower
well understood principles of EM fields. The EM coupling portion of the resonator Structure which can be Soldered to
with the next adjacent resonator can be controlled by pro the ground plane 13 of the PCB board 11. By way of
Vision of a ferromagnetic element. Each ferromagnetic ele example, there are two configurations of mounting slots 38
ment is preferably in the form of a wire to allow the shown, namely, a Single slot arrangement and a slot pair
Specification of the EM coupling behaviour by parameters 45 arrangement.
Such as wire material, wire gauge and wire length. While A bottom plan view of the enclosure shielding can 43 of
only one ferromagnetic element 34 is shown between each the present invention is shown in FIG. 3b. In accordance
adjacent resonator coil, it will be understood that more than with the invention, Shielding can 43 is constructed to provide
one ferromagnetic element 34 may be provided there a single internal cavity 44 to enclose all of the resonators
between. For example, the PCB substrate 11 in FIG. 1 has 50 provided in the RF filter. FIG. 3a shows the construction of
four mounting holes 36 shown between each resonator to prior art RF shielding can enclosures at 41. Prior art shield
allow up to four ferromagnetic elements to be positioned ing cans or enclosures provide common walls forming
between adjacent resonators. AS will be understood by those communicating apertures 46 for RF coupling of each reso
versed in the art, these ferromagnetic elements control the nator coil to the next. Such internal common walls are not
filter tuning and response. The interconnection between 55 needed in the construction of the RF filter assemblies of the
traces 18 through the printed circuit board is best explained present invention thereby Simplifying the construction of the
with reference to the cross-section shown in FIG. 2. Another shielding can enclosures to the structure shown in FIG. 3b.
factor which controls filter timing and response is the FIG. 4 shows a plan view of a printed circuit board
inductance of each of the helical resonators. The inductance assembly incorporating two RF filters 43 and 48 to illustrate
of each resonator can be controlled by 60 incorporation of the filter assemblies of the present invention
(1) the thickness of the printed circuit board 16 material into a printed circuit board assembly.
(2) the spacing of the traces 18 and 24 (shown in FIG. 2), While the invention has be disclosed with reference to the
and description and drawings hereof, it will be apparent to those
(3) the number of loops or turns of the traces on the skilled in the art that many modifications and Substitutions
printed circuit board forming the resonation 12. 65 may be made to the Specific embodiments herein described
Referring to FIG. 2, PCB substrate 16 forms a non without departing from the Spirit and Scope of the invention
conducting Structure onto which the elongate conductive as defined in the claims appended hereto.
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What is claimed is: 7. RF filter apparatus comprising:
1. RF filter apparatus comprising: (a) a base;
(a) at least two resonator inductors each spacedly dis (b) at least two resonator inductors spacedly mounted on
posed from another, each Said resonator comprising: and perpendicular to Said base, each said resonator
5 comprising:
(i) an electrically non-conductive Substrate; (i) an electrically non-conductive Substrate;
(ii) a circuit printed on said Substrate to provide at least (ii) a circuit printed on said Substrate to provide at least
one electrical loop conductive trace circumscribing a one electrical loop conductive trace circumscribing a
Volumetric portion of Said Substrate; and Volumetric portion of Said Substrate; and
(b) at least one magnetizable element interposed between (b) at least one magnetizable element interposed between
an adjacent pair of Said resonators to influence the an adjacent pair of Said resonators to influence the
electromagnetic coupling there between. electromagnetic coupling there between.
2. RF filter apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein Said 8. RF filter apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein said
Substrate is a Substantially planar element forming flat
Substrate is a Substantially planar element forming flat 15 opposed first and Second Surfaces.
opposed first and Second Surfaces. 9. RF filter apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein each
3. RF filter apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein each Said electrical loop comprises:
Said electrical loop comprises: (i) an elongate conductive trace on Said first Surface, (ii)
(i) an elongate conductive trace on Said first Surface; an elongate conductive trace on Said Second Surface;
and
(ii) an elongate conductive trace on Said Second Surface; (iii) a conductor passing through an aperture formed in
and
Said non-conducting Substrate to interconnect one end
(iii) a conductor passing through an aperture formed in of each said elongate conductive traces.
Said non-conducting Substrate to interconnect one end 10. RF filter apparatus as claimed in claim 9 further
of each Said elongate conductive traces. 25
including a connecting conductor passing through an aper
4. RF filter apparatus as claimed in claim 3 further ture formed in Said non-conducting Substrate for each pair of
including a connecting conductor passing through an aper electrical loops to interconnect Said electrical loops to form
ture formed in Said non-conducting Substrate for each pair of a Substantially helical inductor.
electrical loops to interconnect Said electrical loops to form 11. RF filter apparatus as claimed in claim 10 wherein
a Substantially helical inductor. each Said electrical loop is a conductive trace extending
5. RF filter apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein each Substantially helically along the Surface of Said non
Said electrical loop is a conductive trace extending Substan conductive Substrate.
tially helically along the Surface of Said non-conductive 12. The RF filter apparatus of claim 7 further including an
Substrate. RF shield to surround said resonators and said at least one
6. The RF filter apparatus of claim 1 further including a 35
magnetizable element.
RF shield to Surround Said resonators and Said at least one
magnetizable element. k k k k k