IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON MICROWAVE THEORY AND TECHNIQUES, VOL. 65, NO.

11, NOVEMBER 2017 4593

Reflectionless Adaptive RF Filters: Bandpass,

Bandstop, and Cascade Designs
Dimitra Psychogiou, Member, IEEE, and Roberto Gómez-García, Senior Member, IEEE

Abstract— A class of frequency-reconfigurable input-reflection- bandpass filters to carry out the adaptive signal-preselection
less/absorptive RF/microwave filters is presented. They consist functionality required by these RF systems. Spectral con-
of tunable complementary-duplexer architectures that are com- trollability is also desired in bandstop or notched-band fil-
posed of a main and an auxiliary channel with opposite filtering
transfer functions. By loading the auxiliary channel with a ters to flexibly mitigate external frequency- and power-agile
reference-impedance resistor and by taking the output node of interferers that can appear due to the progressively congested
the main channel as the output terminal of the overall circuit, electromagnetic (EM) environment.
a filtering network of the same type of the main channel with It is well known that most of the available topologies
theoretically perfect input-reflectionless behavior at all frequen- of microwave filters obtain their transfer function by means
cies can be realized. This technique can be applied to design
spectrally agile completely input-reflectionless filters with any of a frequency-selective reflection process of the RF sig-
kind of transfer function, such as low-pass, high-pass, and sin- nal energy at their input port [3]–[5]. Nevertheless, these
gle/multiband bandpass/bandstop filters. The theoretical analysis signal-power reflections in their stopband range(s), which
of the first-order absorptive bandpass/bandstop filtering sections result in a reactive input impedance at these frequencies
based on a coupling-matrix formulation is detailed. Furthermore, for these filters, can adversely affect the performance of
the synthesis of high-selectivity reflectionless filters either by cas-
cading multiple first-order cells or using high-order channels in the active stages of the entire RF chain. This is the case
a single complementary duplexer is also described. For practical- for the amplifiers and the frequency-conversion mixers in
demonstration purposes, frequency-tunable lumped-element and transceiver architectures, whose operational behavior can be
microstrip prototypes are manufactured and characterized. They seriously damaged by the presence of reactive loads since
correspond to first- and second-order bandpass/bandstop filters. this creates multiple power reflections at their terminals. Note
In addition, their in-series cascade connection is used to imple-
ment a bandpass filter with spectrally controllable passband and that, at the system level, this reduces the overall linearity
out-of-band notches. and efficiency and could lead to the complete malfunctioning
Index Terms— Absorptive filter, adaptive filter, bandpass filter, of the entire mobile handset or the blinding of the receiver
bandstop filter, duplexer, filter cascade, lumped-element filter, in a radar application. Furthermore, this problem becomes
microstrip filter, multiband filter, planar filter, reconfigurable more critical for frequency-reconfigurable filters, since their
filter, reconfigurable front end, reflectionless filter, tunable filter. in-band input-power-matching characteristics are usually dete-
riorated with center-frequency tuning due to the dispersive
I. I NTRODUCTION behavior of their coupling elements. As a result, additional

M ODERN wireless-communication systems, such as 5G,

are intended to provide the user with multiple services
at ultrahigh data rates in a fully dynamic radio-access sce-
lower-level signal-power reflections can be generated within
the filter passband range(s) in which the RF system operates.
One typical solution to reduce RF-signal-power reflections
nario. As a result, more-sophisticated microwave circuits and is the use of isolators, circulators, and fixed attenuators as
subsystems need to be conceived for the development of the impedance-matching blocks between stages. However, this is
complex RF front ends of their mobile terminals. Specifi- done at the expense of increased size and volume, noise-figure
cally, frequency-reconfiguration and multiband operation are degradation, and power consumption due to the need for exter-
envisioned as very-desired capabilities for these antenna- nal biasing in the case of active isolators and circulators. The
interface microwave components toward the implementation of employment of absorptive/reflectionless microwave filters,
highly versatile quasi-universal RF transceivers [1], [2]. This in which the signal energy that is not transmitted to the load
necessity is even more prominent in the case of microwave is dissipated inside the filter itself instead of being reflected
Manuscript received March 31, 2017; revised July 4, 2017; accepted back to the source, could be a more-suitable option in this
July 17, 2017. Date of publication August 11, 2017; date of current version context.
November 3, 2017. This work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Econ- Several approaches of reflectionless filters that exploit dif-
omy and Competitiveness under Project TEC2014-54289-R. (Corresponding
author: Roberto Gómez-García.) ferent circuit networks and RF principles have been pro-
D. Psychogiou is with the Department of Electrical, Computer, and Energy posed in the technical literature. In addition to the trivial
Engineering, University of Colorado at Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309 USA solution of placing an isolator at the input of a reflec-
(e-mail: [email protected]).
R. Gómez-García is with the Department of Signal Theory and Communi- tive filter, some of these design techniques make use of
cations, University of Alcalá, Polytechnic School, Alcalá de Henares 28871 quadrature hybrids in balanced arrangements, directional cir-
Madrid, Spain (e-mail: [email protected]). cuits, all-pass networks in parallel-cascaded configurations,
Color versions of one or more of the figures in this paper are available
online at http://ieeexplore.ieee.org. and lossy multimode resonators [5]–[9]. However, in the
Digital Object Identifier 10.1109/TMTT.2017.2734086 majority of their physical structures, the necessity for hybrid
0018-9480 © 2017 IEEE. Personal use is permitted, but republication/redistribution requires IEEE permission.
See http://www.ieee.org/publications_standards/publications/rights/index.html for more information.

Authorized licensed use limited to: VIT University. Downloaded on April 29,2022 at 16:56:28 UTC from IEEE Xplore. Restrictions apply.
4594 IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON MICROWAVE THEORY AND TECHNIQUES, VOL. 65, NO. 11, NOVEMBER 2017

couplers and directional topologies that exhibit limited oper-

ational bandwidth and can be hardly tuned has restricted
their usefulness to frequency-static absorptive-filter realiza-
tions of mostly bandstop type. More-recent configurations
of fixed-frequency reflectionless filters exploit original sym-
metrical two-port networks with complementary even- and
odd-mode equivalent circuits for lumped-element, microstrip,
and monolithic microwave integrated circuit technologies
(see [10] and [11]), as well as dissipative impedance-matching
sections as in [12] to cancel the reflected wave in lumped-
element filter implementations. However, whereas the for-
mers require a high number of circuit elements even for
low-order designs, the latter only addresses the first-order case.
Microwave filters with input-power absorption in some specific
spectral regions have also been developed in various tech-
nologies. For example, in [13], multilayer stripline multiplex-
ers formed by channels with compensated input-susceptance
curves, in which all the branches except for the one that
defines the overall-filter response are loaded with a reference
impedance, were employed for multiharmonic absorption in
RF power amplifiers. The V -band filter reported in [14], which
can be exploited as output stage of transmitting tubes in
radar-system applications, also attains power absorption in the
harmonics of an evanescent-mode filter for the 75–138-GHz
frequency range using a periodic leaky-wall input filter.
In relation to frequency-tunable absorptive filters, a vari-
Fig. 1. (a) Normalized coupling-routing diagrams and operational principles
ety of circuit schemes developed in several technologies of the proposed first-order absorptive tunable bandpass/bandstop filtering
have been described in the last few years [15]–[19]. Among sections based on a complementary-duplexer architecture [black circles with
them are microstrip, lumped elements, cavity resonators, and arrows: tunable resonating nodes; gray circles: zero-reactance NRNs; white
circles: unitary source (S) and load (L); contiguous lines: couplings; : nor-
hybrid acoustic-wave-lumped-element resonators to develop malized frequency; and Z 0 = 1/Y0 : reference impedance for impedance
mobile-form-factor high-quality-factor reflectionless filters. normalization]. (b) First-order absorptive bandpass filtering section from the
These filter implementations have used varactor diodes, coupling-routing diagram in (a). (c) First-order absorptive bandstop filtering
section from the coupling-routing diagram in (a).
mechanically adjustable capacitors, and piezoelectric actu-
ators as tuning devices depending on the selected res-
onator geometry. However, they have only been applied to in Section III. Finally, some concluding remarks of this paper
bandstop-type filter designs. To the best of the authors’ are summarized in Section IV.
knowledge, their extrapolation to realize other kinds of reflec-
II. T HEORETICAL F OUNDATIONS
tionless frequency-agile filtering functionalities, such as tun-
able single/multiband bandpass type, remains unexplored. This section describes the theoretical operational princi-
In this paper, a class of reconfigurable microwave fil- ples of the proposed reflectionless filter that is based on
ters that feature theoretically zero power reflection at their a complementary-duplexer architecture. First, the conceptual
input terminal for the entire frequency range in bandpass scheme and coupling-matrix analysis of the devised first-order
and bandstop regions are presented. They make use of a absorptive bandpass/bandstop filtering sections are detailed.
frequency-adaptive duplexer-based arrangement formed by From this study, the design conditions to obtain perfect input-
complementary-transfer-function channels. By synchronously reflectionless behavior in the entire frequency range in these
controlling the resonating nodes in the duplexer branches and filtering networks are derived. Subsequently, higher-selectivity
their appropriate synthesis, they facilitate the design of tunable and quasi-elliptic-type absorptive filter realizations that exploit
input-reflectionless filters with any kind of transfer function. either the in-series cascade of multiple first-order cells or the
The rest of this paper is organized as follows. In Section II, use of higher-order channels in a single duplexer are presented.
the circuit architecture and RF operational principles Finally, the capability of this reflectionless filter topology for
of the engineered fully reflectionless reconfigurable filter the synthesis of multiband transfer functions is demonstrated.
approach are analyzed under a coupling-matrix formal-
ism for the first-order bandpass/bandstop case. Further- A. First-Order Bandpass/Bandstop Filtering Sections
more, solutions for the realization of higher-selectivity and The normalized coupling-routing diagram and opera-
multiband implementations for this absorptive filter concept tional foundations of the first-order absorptive tunable
are discussed. For practical-verification purposes, mechani- bandpass/bandstop filtering sections associated with the pro-
cally tunable lumped-element and microstrip prototypes of posed reconfigurable reflectionless filter concept are shown
absorptive bandpass/bandstop filters are fabricated and tested in Fig. 1. As can be seen in Fig. 1(a), it consists of a

Authorized licensed use limited to: VIT University. Downloaded on April 29,2022 at 16:56:28 UTC from IEEE Xplore. Restrictions apply.
PSYCHOGIOU AND GÓMEZ-GARCÍA: REFLECTIONLESS ADAPTIVE RF FILTERS 4595

duplexer network with two first-order channels that exhibit or normalized-low-pass-to-denormalized-low-pass frequency
complementary bandpass/bandstop filtering transfer functions. transformations, respectively, and impedance scaling [3], [4].
Frequency tunability is obtained by making its resonating The condition of null power reflection at the input port of the
nodes spectrally controllable. From this circuit topology, first- complementary duplexer for the entire normalized frequency
order bandpass/bandstop filters that exhibit null power reflec- range can be mathematically expressed as detailed below:
tion at their input node for the entire frequency range can be
implemented as follows. YBPF () + YBSF () = 1 ∀. (3)
1) For bandpass-filtering operation, the input/output Note that this condition does not imply a power-reflectionless
accesses of the bandpass channel (main channel) are behavior at the output terminal, at which the power-reflection
taken as the input/output terminals of the overall cir- profile is determined by the main channel loaded by the
cuit, whereas the output port of the bandstop channel parallel connection of the source impedance and the auxiliary
(auxiliary channel) is loaded with a reference-impedance channel at the opposite extreme.
resistor [Fig. 1(b)]. Hence, the power-transmission char- From (2) and (3), the relationships to be met by the coupling
acteristics of the complete filter are defined by those coefficients of the first-order bandpass/bandstop filtering sec-
of its bandpass channel. On the other hand, all the tions in Fig. 1(b) and (c) to attain a fully reflectionless behavior
signal energy reflected by this branch is dissipated in at their input access are deduced. They are as follows:
the loading resistor of the bandstop channel. 2 2
2) For bandstop-filtering operation, the roles of the M12 = M23 = K A2 (4)
duplexer branches are interchanged [Fig. 1(c)]. Thus,
2
M14 = M46
2
= K B2 (5)
2
the overall power-transmission profile is defined by the M45 = K A2 K B2 . (6)
bandstop channel (main channel), whereas the bandpass
channel (auxiliary channel) absorbs the signal reflected Under the design conditions in (4)–(6), the formulas pro-
by the former. vided below for the transfer functions HBPF () and HBSF ()
of the first-order absorptive bandpass/bandstop filtering sec-
In order to attain input power reflection equal to zero at
tions in Fig. 1(b) and (c), respectively, are derived
any frequency value for the first-order bandpass/bandstop
filtering sections in Fig. 1(b) and (c), respectively, appropriate HBPF () ≡ S21
BPF
()
design relationships between their coupling coefficients must
= 2(R + j U + j M)−1 3,1
be satisfied. Taking into account the node numbering indicated 
in Fig. 1(a), a coupling matrix M that models the suggested K A2 j ( + β R ) − K A2
= (7)
first-order absorptive bandpass/bandstop filtering sections is K A4 + ( + β R )2
given in (1) HBSF () ≡ S21
BSF
()
⎛ ⎞
0 M12 0 M14 0 0 = 2(R + j U + j M)−16,1
⎜ M12 M22 M23 0 0 0 ⎟ 
⎜ ⎟ ( + β R ) ( + β R ) + j K A2
⎜ 0 M 0 0 0 0 ⎟ =− (8)
M=⎜ ⎜ 23 ⎟. (1) K A4 + ( + β R )2
⎜ M14 0 0 0 M45 M46 ⎟ ⎟
⎝ 0 0 0 M45 M55 0 ⎠ where R and U are 6×6 matrices with all their elements equal
0 0 0 M46 0 0 to zero except R1,1 = R3,3 = R6,6 = U2,2 = U5,5 = 1—Ai, j
The analytical expressions of the normalized-to-Y0 is the element of matrix A in its i th row and j th column—and
admittances at the input terminals of the first-order 3dB = K A2 is their 3-dB normalized cutoff frequency. Note
bandpass/bandstop filtering channels, YBPF () and YBSF (), that these transfer functions that have been obtained under
respectively, are as follows (Y0 = 1/Z 0 is the reference the design conditions in (4)–(6) do not depend on the coeffi-
admittance): cient K B . This is also the case of the multistage and multiband
absorptive filter schemes described in Sections II-B and II-C,
2
M12 2
M14 respectively, that employ these first-order sections as build-
YBPF () = YBSF () = (2)
Y R () + M23
2 M45 2
ing blocks. In particular, for K B = 1, the nonresonating
Y R () + M46
2
node (NRN) of the first-order bandpass section can be directly
where  ∈ [−∞, ∞] is the normalized frequency and replaced by the unitary loading resistor at its output so that one
Y R = j ( + β R ) is the normalized admittance associated admittance inverter [i.e., M46 in Fig. 1(b)] can be eliminated.
with the resonating nodes whose susceptance β R represents Furthermore, the condition |HBPF ()|2 +|HBSF()|2 = 1, ∀,
their normalized-frequency offset with regard to  = 0 (i.e., is satisfied, which equivalently results in the expected null
M22 = M55 = β R ). Thus, a low-pass/high-pass-type filtering power reflection at the complementary-duplexer input port for
behavior is equivalently obtained in these first-order sections in the entire normalized frequency range.
the normalized frequency range [0, ∞] for the case β R = 0. For illustration purposes, Fig. 2 depicts several examples of
From these first-order sections for β R = 0, their associated the analytical transfer functions in (7) and (8) in magnitude of
bandpass/bandstop or low-pass/high-pass filtering circuit net- the first-order absorptive bandpass/bandstop filtering sections
works in the denormalized frequency domain can be obtained in Fig. 1(b) and (c). In particular, bandpass/bandstop-type
by applying conventional normalized-low-pass-to-bandpass power transmission responses with different bandwidths and

Authorized licensed use limited to: VIT University. Downloaded on April 29,2022 at 16:56:28 UTC from IEEE Xplore. Restrictions apply.
4596 IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON MICROWAVE THEORY AND TECHNIQUES, VOL. 65, NO. 11, NOVEMBER 2017

Fig. 2. Examples of the theoretical transfer functions HBPF () and HBSF ()
in (7) and (8) in magnitude of the first-order absorptive bandpass/bandstop
filtering sections in Fig. 1(b) and (c). (a) Bandwidth variation (β R = 0 for all
responses). (b) Center-frequency variation (K A = 1 for all responses).

center frequencies are drawn in Fig. 2(a) and (b), respectively.

This reveals the suitability of this approach to design tunable
absorptive filters that can maintain the reflectionless behavior
at their input for any reconfigured state.

B. Higher-Selectivity and Quasi-Elliptic-Type

Filter Designs
Higher-selectivity realizations of the proposed tunable
absorptive filter concept can be designed through two different
techniques as follows: 1) by means of the in-series cascade of
multiple first-order filtering sections and 2) using higher-order
filtering channels in the complementary duplexer. Fig. 3. Normalized coupling-routing diagrams of multistage in-series-cascade
realizations of the proposed absorptive tunable filter concept [black circles
In relation to the cascading procedure, Fig. 3 shows dif- with arrows: tunable resonating nodes; gray circles: zero-reactance NRNs;
ferent multistage absorptive filtering networks composed of white circles: unitary source (S) and load (L); contiguous lines: couplings;
the in-series connection of K first-order sections. Note that, and Z 0 = 1/Y0 : reference impedance for impedance normalization].
(a) Absorptive bandpass filter with K identical first-order bandpass sections.
under the design conditions in (2) and (3), all their con- (b) Absorptive bandstop filter with K identical first-order bandstop sections.
stituent first-order sections feature zero power reflection at (c) Absorptive quasi-elliptic-type bandpass filter with two out-of-band notches
any frequency at their input port. This implies an input formed by one first-order bandpass section (stage 2 that defines the passband
range) and two first-order bandstop sections (stages 1 and 3 that create the
impedance equal to Z 0 for the entire spectral range. As a notches).
result, they can be directly cascaded without the need of
additional admittance inverters between sections, such as
matching transmission-line segments. In particular, the archi- filtering response with two out-of-band notches created by
tectures in Fig. 3(a) and (b) correspond to K -stage absorp- its bandstop stages. It should be remarked upon that all
tive bandpass/bandstop filters that are, respectively, shaped these multistage filter implementations maintain the complete-
by identical first-order bandpass/bandstop sections. On the reflectionless behavior at their input terminal inherent to their
other hand, the circuit scheme in Fig. 3(c) consists of one first building section.
bandpass section and two bandstop sections that are cascaded For a K -stage filter formed by K 1 first-order band-
for the synthesis of a quasi-elliptic-type absorptive bandpass pass sections and K 2 first-order bandstop sections so

Authorized licensed use limited to: VIT University. Downloaded on April 29,2022 at 16:56:28 UTC from IEEE Xplore. Restrictions apply.
PSYCHOGIOU AND GÓMEZ-GARCÍA: REFLECTIONLESS ADAPTIVE RF FILTERS 4597

that K 1 + K 2 = K , its overall transfer function HBPF,

Casc
BSF ()
is as follows:

K 
K 
 1
(i)
 2
(k)
Casc
HBPF, BSF () = HBPF () HBSF () (9)
i=1 k=1
(i) (k)
where HBPF () (i = 1, 2, . . . , K 1 ) and HBSF () (k =
1, 2, . . . , K 2 ) are the transfer functions of their constituent
first-order bandpass/bandstop filtering sections, respectively.
For the specific multistage filter arrangements in Fig. 3(a)–(c),
the previous formula is particularized as (10)–(12)
Casc
HBPF () = [HBPF()] K (10)
Casc
HBSF () = [HBSF()] K (11)
(1) (2) (3)
BSF () = HBSF ()HBPF ()HBSF ()
Casc
HBPF, (12)

where the transfer functions of the constituent first-order

sections have been renumbered in (12) according to the stage
numbering indicated in Fig. 3(c).
Illustrative examples of the theoretical transfer func-
tions in (10)–(12) associated with the multistage filtering
networks in Fig. 3(a)–(c) are drawn in Fig. 4. First, K -stage
bandpass/bandstop transfer functions (K = 1, 2, . . . , 4)
for the same 3-dB normalized bandwidth are plotted
in Fig. 4(a) and (b), respectively. As shown, higher power-
rejection levels in the stopband regions are obtained as K is
increased. In addition, different cases of the quasi-elliptic-type
bandpass response in (12) with two out-of-band transmission
zeros (TZs) are depicted in Fig. 4(c). Note that the control of
the locations of the notches that are created by the bandstop
sections allows adjusting the out-of-band attenuation profile
and the passband width of the filter. Moreover, as proven
in Fig. 4(c), the realization of all-reject responses in the filter
with zero power reflection at its input terminal for all fre-
quencies is feasible through the devised circuit configuration.
This capability that results in intrinsically switched-OFF states,
since they are obtained without the use of RF switches, is
attained through the positioning of the two TZs at the center
frequency of the bandpass section. Casc (), H Casc (),
Fig. 4. Examples of the theoretical transfer functions HBPF BSF
From the circuit schemes in Fig. 3(a) and (b), it is deduced Casc
and HBPF, BSF () in (10)–(12) in magnitude of the multistage absorptive
that a total of 5K admittance inverters are necessary in the Casc () [Fig. 3(a)]: K = 1 : K = 1;
filtering networks in Fig. 3(a)–(c). (a) HBPF A
realization of a K -stage absorptive bandpass/bandstop filter K = 2 : K A = 1.248; K = 3 : K A = 1.402; and K = 4 : K A = 1.518
Casc
(β R = 0 for all responses). (b) HBSF () [Fig. 3(b)]: K = 1 : K A = 1;
based on the in-series-cascade design approach. Fewer admit-
K = 2 : K A = 0.802; K = 3 : K A = 0.714; and K = 4 : K A = 0.659
tance inverters are required if higher-order filtering channels (β R = 0 for all responses). (c) HBPF, Casc
BSF () [Fig. 3(c)]: (β R2 = 0,
are employed in a single complementary duplexer. This is K A1 = K A3 = 1, and K A2 = 0.6 for all responses).
illustrated in Fig. 5 for the second-order case, which results in
the need of 3K +2 admittance inverters in its K th-order gener-
alization. This means 2(K −1) less admittance inverters that in a classic nonmodular cross-coupled filter network in which
the K -stage in-series-cascade solution that is further reduced the tuning of one TZ affects the others [20]. Furthermore, the
to K − 1 if the NRN that is closer to the output port of the theoretical design process for the circuit networks in Fig. 5
bandstop channel(s) is directly replaced by a unitary resistor becomes more tedious with the increase of the filter order.
for an unitary admittance inverter between them. However, this In particular, Table I provides the mathematical relationships
is achieved at the expense of less adaptivity than in the multi- to be met by the coupling coefficients of the second-order
stage approach in a frequency-tunable realization, in which the absorptive bandpass/bandstop filtering sections in Fig. 5 so
characteristics of its constituent first-order bandpass/bandstop that zero power reflection at their input node is obtained for the
sections can be controlled independently, e.g., as proven full spectral range. They have been obtained after following an
in Fig. 4(c) for the realization of fully reflectionless bandpass analogous reasoning to the one described in Section II-A for
filters with spectrally agile out-of-band notches, in contrast to the first-order bandpass/bandstop sections. Note that even for

Authorized licensed use limited to: VIT University. Downloaded on April 29,2022 at 16:56:28 UTC from IEEE Xplore. Restrictions apply.
4598 IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON MICROWAVE THEORY AND TECHNIQUES, VOL. 65, NO. 11, NOVEMBER 2017

Fig. 5. Normalized coupling-routing diagrams of the proposed second-order

absorptive tunable bandpass/bandstop filtering sections based on a com-
plementary duplexer with second-order channels [black circles with
arrows: tunable resonating nodes; gray circles: zero-reactance NRNs; white
circles: unitary source (S) and load (L); contiguous lines: couplings;
and Z 0 = 1/Y0 : reference impedance for impedance normalization].
(a) Second-order absorptive bandpass filtering section. (b) Second-order
absorptive bandstop filtering section.

TABLE I
D ESIGN C ONDITIONS FOR THE S ECOND -O RDER A BSORPTIVE
BANDPASS /BANDSTOP F ILTERING S ECTIONS IN F IG . 5
Fig. 6. (a) Example of theoretical transfer functions in magnitude of the
second-order absorptive bandpass/bandstop filtering sections in Fig. 5 and
their two-stage in-series-cascade absorptive bandpass/bandstop filter counter-
parts as in Fig. 3(a) and (b) (second-order sections: M22 =√M33 = M66 =
M88 = 0, M12 = M15 = M23 = M57 = M56 = M78 = 1/ 2, and M34 =
M79 = 1; two-stage absorptive bandpass filter: β R = 0 and K A = 1.049;
and two-stage absorptive bandstop filter: β R = 0 and K A = 0.674).
(b) Comparison of the normalized in-band group-delay curves associated with
the theoretical bandpass transfer functions in (a).

frequency transformation (i.e., normalized-frequency map-

ping  → MB ) is considered for an N-band design:
a filter order of two, they consist of several nonlinear equations N −1
with multiple solutions to be numerically derived.  α 2Ri
 → ( ) =
MB
(13)
As an illustrative example, Fig. 6 shows the theoretical MB + β Ri
i=1
transfer functions in magnitude of the second-order absorp-
tive bandpass/bandstop filtering sections in Fig. 5 for one where β Ri and α Ri are real coefficients associated with the
specific solution of the set of design equations in Table I. normalized center frequency and bandwidth of the i th band,
For comparison purposes, the transmission responses of the respectively, in the normalized multiband frequency domain.
two-stage in-series-cascade bandpass/bandstop filter networks By applying this frequency transformation to the coupling-
as in Fig. 3(a) and (b) for K = 2 and the same 3-dB routing diagrams in Fig. 1(b) and (c) for the first-order absorp-
normalized bandwidth are also represented, as well as the tive bandpass/bandstop sections under the design conditions
associated in-band group-delay curves normalized to their in (4)–(6), their multiband counterparts are derived. They are
maximum for the bandpass case. As can be seen, in addition to represented in Fig. 7(a) and (b), where the transformation of
the aforementioned advantage in terms of reduced number of the original resonating nodes of β R susceptance into sets of N
admittance inverters, higher selectivity is obtained by means of resonating nodes of β R + β R1 , β R + β R2 , . . . , and β R + β R N
the design approach based on higher-order filtering channels. susceptances is shown. Moreover, the design relationships to
Furthermore, as it was demonstrated in Fig. 2 for the first-order be fulfilled by the converted coupling coefficients to attain null
bandpass/bandstop sections, the center frequency and band- input power reflection at all frequencies in these first-order
width can also be adjusted in these higher-selectivity filter multiband bandpass/bandstop sections are also indicated.
implementations through their appropriate design parameters. The transfer functions HMBPF (MB ) and HMBSF (MB ) of
the first-order absorptive multiband bandpass/bandstop sec-
tions in Fig. 7(a) and (b) can be expressed as follows:
C. Multiband Filter Designs
HMBPF (MB ) = HBPF ((MB )) (14)
The proposed tunable absorptive bandpass/bandstop filter
HMBSF ( MB
) = HBSF (( MB
)) (15)
concept can be extended to synthesize multiband filtering
responses for all the previously described realizations. For this where HBPF (), HBSF (), and (MB )
were given
purpose, the following normalized-to-normalized-multiband in (7), (8), and (13), respectively. These transfer functions

Authorized licensed use limited to: VIT University. Downloaded on April 29,2022 at 16:56:28 UTC from IEEE Xplore. Restrictions apply.
PSYCHOGIOU AND GÓMEZ-GARCÍA: REFLECTIONLESS ADAPTIVE RF FILTERS 4599

Fig. 8. Examples of the theoretical transfer functions HMBPF (MB ) and

HMBSF (MB ) in (14) and (15) in magnitude of the first-order absorptive
multiband bandpass/bandstop filtering sections in Fig. 7(a) and (b) (N = 2,
β R = 0, β R2 = 4, K A = K B = 1, and α R2 = 1 for all responses).

Fig. 7. Normalized coupling-routing diagrams of the proposed first-order

absorptive tunable multiband bandpass/bandstop filtering sections (N bands)
based on a complementary-duplexer architecture [black circles with on the in-series cascade of two first-order bandstop filter-
arrows: tunable resonating nodes; gray circles: zero-reactance NRNs; white
circles: unitary source (S) and load (L); contiguous lines: couplings; and ing units and one two-stage bandpass filtering unit; and
Z 0 = 1/Y0 : reference impedance for impedance normalization]. (a) First- 4) single- and two-stage microstrip bandpass filters. These
order absorptive multiband bandpass filtering section. (b) First-order absorp- experimental lumped-element and microstrip circuits were
tive multiband bandstop filtering section.
developed to feature spectral reconfiguration in the frequency
ranges 150–350 MHz and 0.8–1.1 GHz, respectively. Note
that for a more-compact realization in all prototypes and
have N bands centered at MB 1 = −(β R + β R1 ), MB2 =
according to the theoretical results given in Section II, the load
−(β R + β R2 ), . . . , and  N = −(β R + β R N ). Furthermore,
MB
resistor in all bandstop channels was directly connected on
for the multipassband case, the N transmission bands are
the NRN after being transformed by its precedent admittance
separated by N − 1 TZs with one TZ between each pair of
inverter in order to eliminate this inverter between them.
contiguous passbands at the normalized multiband frequencies
The design process of the implemented tunable filter pro-
zk , k = 1, 2, . . . , N − 1} that satisfy the equation below:
{MB
totypes consisted of the following steps. First, its normalized-

N coupling-matrix-based synthesis was accomplished after
α 2Ri
= 0. (16) applying the design methodology described in Section II. Sub-
i=1
MB
zk + β R + β Ri sequently, for its physical realization and starting from these
ideally synthesized normalized-coupling-matrix networks, the
As a particular case, for N = 2 that results in a dual-band
impedance scaling of the input/output-port impedances as
bandpass response the interband TZ position is as follows:
 well as of the resonating nodes and NRNs was intro-
α 2R1 β R2 + α 2R2 β R1 duced [3]. Finally, depending on the selected physical
z1 = −
MB
+ βR . (17) filter structure to be implemented, the admittance invert-
α 2R1 + α 2R2
ers or couplings and tunable resonators were realized by
Fig. 8 represents examples of frequency-symmetrical/ means of conventional filter implementation techniques [4].
assymmetrical dual-band transfer functions HMBPF (MB ) Specifically, the admittance inverters were designed as
and HMBSF (MB ) (i.e., as in (14) and (15) for N = 2) of the quarter-wavelength transmission-line sections that were rep-
first-order absorptive multiband bandpass/bandstop sections resented by their lumped-element π-type-network equivalents
in Fig. 7(a) and (b). Note that the dual-band bandpass filtering for the discrete-element prototypes. Frequency reconfigu-
responses, in accordance with (17), present a TZ between the ration was enabled in the developed filters by inserting
two passbands at MBz1 = 0 for a symmetrical transfer function
variable-reactance elements realized as adjustable capacitors
and MB = −0.3235 for an asymmetrical transfer function. into their resonators.
z1
For circuit manufacturing, an RO4003 microstrip substrate
with the following parameters was used: relative dielectric
III. E XPERIMENTAL R ESULTS
permittivity εr = 3.38, dielectric thickness H = 1.52 mm,
To demonstrate the practical usefulness of the pre- metal thickness t = 17.8 μm, and dielectric loss tangent
viously presented RF design principles of reflection- tan δ D = 0.0027. The lumped inductors, capacitors, and
less tunable filters, several 50--referred prototypes have resistors were implemented with commercially available dis-
been manufactured and tested. They are as follows: crete components from Coilcraft (inductors), Johanson Tech.
1) single- and two-stage lumped-element bandpass filters; (static and mechanically adjustable thin-trim trimmer capaci-
2) single- and two-stage lumped-element bandstop filters; tors of 1–5-pF range and with a Q > 1, 000 at 100 MHz),
3) quasi-elliptic-type lumped-element bandpass filter based and Panasonic (resistors). The ground connections were done

Authorized licensed use limited to: VIT University. Downloaded on April 29,2022 at 16:56:28 UTC from IEEE Xplore. Restrictions apply.
4600 IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON MICROWAVE THEORY AND TECHNIQUES, VOL. 65, NO. 11, NOVEMBER 2017

Fig. 10. Simulated and measured power transmission (|S21 |) and

input-reflection (|S11 |) parameters and measured power output-reflection
(|S22 |) parameter of the manufactured single- and two-stage absorptive tunable
lumped-element bandpass filter prototypes for one example state (estimated
Fig. 9. Manufactured single- and two-stage absorptive tunable quality factor Q = 300 and Q = 600 at 250 MHz for the static and variable
lumped-element bandpass filter prototypes (L 1 ≡ 0908SQ22N, L 2 ≡ capacitors, respectively). (a) Single-stage prototype. (b) Two-stage prototype.
1206CS101, L 3 ≡ 1008HQ82N, L r ≡ 1515SQ90, C1 = 6.3 pF, C2 = 2.8 pF,
C3 = 1.4 pF, C4 = 9.8 pF, C5 = 6.1 pF, C6 = 2.3 pF, Cr = 1–5 pF,
and R = 45.9 ). (a) Single-stage prototype: circuit schematic and photo-
graph. (b) Two-stage prototype: photograph (C3 in the first stage and C1 in A comparison between the simulated and measured power
the second stage are grouped in a single capacitor of 7.7 pF). transmission and reflection responses of these filtering devices
for one example state is shown in Fig. 10. In the simulation
through 1-mm-diameter metallic via holes. Note that the process, the S-parameters for the inductors provided by the
final values of the lumped components were derived from manufacturer were used and the loss effects of the capacitors
post-layout full-wave EM analysis of the physical filter geom- through their finite quality factors were considered. As can
etry. This process was performed with the software package be seen, a fairly close agreement between simulated and
Advanced Design Systems from Keysight in order to account experimental results is obtained. Note that the attainment
for all layout parasitics of the filters. Their measurements in of perfectly null input power reflection at any frequency is
terms of S-parameters were obtained with an Agilent E8361A not feasible in practice due to several aspects, such as the
network analyzer. They include the effects of the input/output frequency dependence of the real admittance inverters that is
SMA connectors, as well as those of the transitions in the not considered by the coupling-matrix formalism, deviations in
filter-cascade assembly. the values of the commercial components from the ideal ones,
and fabrication tolerances. The measured characteristics of the
A. Lumped-Element Bandpass Prototypes single-stage filter are as follows: center frequency of 247 MHz,
As the first experimental demonstrators, frequency-tunable 3-dB absolute bandwidth of 24.5 MHz (i.e., equal to 9.9%
single- and two-stage absorptive bandpass filters using in relative terms), minimum in-band power insertion-loss
lumped-element technology were developed and mea- level of 0.84 dB, and minimum input-power-matching lev-
sured. They were designed to show reconfigurability in els of 24.8 dB and 17.6 dB within the 3-dB bandwidth
the 150-350-MHz spectral range and to feature a 3-dB relative and 150–350-MHz range, respectively. For the two-stage pro-
bandwidth of 10% for a 250-MHz center frequency in the totype, they are center frequency of 256 MHz, 3-dB absolute
single-stage filter case. The photographs of these filter pro- bandwidth of 16.5 MHz (i.e., of 6.4% in relative terms),
totypes and the circuit schematic for the single-stage circuit in-band power insertion-loss levels higher than 1.74 dB, and
are given in Fig. 9. Note that the indication of the lumped- minimum input-power-matching levels of 21.6 and 15.6 dB
element components that were used for their realization is also for the 3-dB bandwidth and 150–350-MHz frequency interval,
included. respectively.

Authorized licensed use limited to: VIT University. Downloaded on April 29,2022 at 16:56:28 UTC from IEEE Xplore. Restrictions apply.
PSYCHOGIOU AND GÓMEZ-GARCÍA: REFLECTIONLESS ADAPTIVE RF FILTERS 4601

Fig. 11. Measured center-frequency tuning capabilities in terms of power

transmission (|S21 |) and input-reflection (|S11 |) parameters of the manufac-
tured single- and two-stage absorptive tunable lumped-element bandpass filter
prototypes. (a) Single-stage prototype. (b) Two-stage prototype.

By synchronously controlling the variable capacitors

inserted into the tunable resonators of the filter proto- Fig. 12. Manufactured single- and two-stage absorptive tunable
types, their center frequency can be tuned. This recon- lumped-element bandstop filter prototypes (L 1 ≡ 0908SQ27N, L 2 ≡
1206CS82N, L 3 ≡ 100HQ82N, L r ≡ 1515SQ90, C1 = 5.8 pF, C2 = 8.6 pF,
figuration capability is demonstrated in Fig. 11 in terms C3 = 2.2 pF, C4 = 5.4 pF, C5 = 3 pF, Cr = 1–5 pF, and R = 740 ).
of measured S-parameters. For the single-stage filter, the (a) Single-stage prototype: circuit schematic and photograph. (b) Two-stage
center frequency is tuned from 190 to 292 MHz for a prototype: photograph.
variation of the minimum in-band insertion-loss level and
a 3-dB absolute bandwidth from 1.25 to 0.81 dB and its stopband of 15% around a center frequency of 250 MHz.
from 19.5 to 32.6 MHz (i.e., from 10.3% to 11.2% in rel- The photographs of the constructed prototypes and the circuit
ative terms), respectively. For the two-stage filter, the center schematic for the single-stage circuit with indication of their
frequency is modified from 183 to 294 MHz for a variation of commercial lumped components are shown in Fig. 12.
the minimum in-band insertion-loss level and 3-dB absolute The simulated and measured power transmission and reflec-
bandwidth in the ranges 2.3–2.4 dB and 10.1–22.5 MHz tion responses of these manufactured filtering devices for
(i.e., from 5.5% to 7.6% in relative terms), respectively. It must a particular tuned state are compared in Fig. 13. Again,
be noticed that, since the admittance inverters were designed the agreement obtained between simulations and measure-
at the middle frequency of the overall center-frequency tuning ments is reasonable. Some small deviations are observed in
range of the filters, their input-reflectionless behavior gets the two-stage filtering circuit within its stopband. They can
slightly deteriorated for the center frequencies that are situated be attributed to mismatches existing between the commer-
at the extremes of this spectral interval. cial components employed in its first-order stages. For the
single-stage prototype, the measured rejection depth of its
notch that is located at 236 MHz is equal to 33.2 dB. Its 3-dB
B. Lumped-Element Bandstop Prototypes absolute stopband width is 33.4 MHz (i.e., of 14% in relative
Single- and two-stage lumped-element absorptive tunable terms) and the minimum input power-matching levels within
bandstop filters have been built and tested as second practical this 3-dB bandwidth and the represented 160–310-MHz range
examples. They exhibit similar reconfiguration properties as are 18.4 and 14 dB, respectively. The measured performance
the bandpass prototypes in Section III-A. The single-stage metrics for the two-stage circuit are as follows: rejection depth
filter was synthesized to have a 3-dB relative bandwidth for of 46.2 dB at the notch frequency 227 MHz, 3-dB absolute

Authorized licensed use limited to: VIT University. Downloaded on April 29,2022 at 16:56:28 UTC from IEEE Xplore. Restrictions apply.
4602 IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON MICROWAVE THEORY AND TECHNIQUES, VOL. 65, NO. 11, NOVEMBER 2017

Fig. 13. Simulated and measured power transmission (|S21 |) and

input-reflection (|S11 |) parameters and measured power output-reflection Fig. 14. Measured center-frequency tuning capabilities in terms of power
(|S22 |) parameter of the manufactured single- and two-stage absorptive transmission (|S21 |) and input-reflection (|S11 |) parameters of the manufac-
lumped-element tunable bandstop filter prototypes for one example state tured single- and two-stage absorptive tunable lumped-element bandstop filter
(estimated quality factor Q = 300 and Q = 600 at 250 MHz for the static and prototypes. (a) Single-stage prototype. (b) Two-stage prototype.
variable capacitors, respectively). (a) Single-stage prototype. (b) Two-stage
prototype.

stopband width of 55.1 MHz (i.e., of 23.6% in relative terms),

and minimum input power-matching levels within this 3-dB
bandwidth and the 160–310-MHz interval of 20 and 15.3 dB,
respectively.
Fig. 15. Lumped-element absorptive tunable filter-cascade assembly: photo-
The measured frequency-reconfiguration features in terms of graph.
S-parameters of the built absorptive bandstop filter prototypes
are shown in Fig. 14. In particular, the single-stage filter is
tuned in the interval 177–305 MHz for a notch-depth variation units to implement a quasi-elliptic-type absorptive bandpass
from 30.7 to 34.4 dB and a 3-dB absolute stopband width filter with spectrally agile passband and out-of-band notches.
in the range 26.6–49.9 MHz (i.e., 3-dB relative bandwidth It exploits a modular approach composed of three separate
from 14.5% to 16.8%), respectively. In the two-stage filter building blocks, as follows: the two-stage bandpass filter
case, its response is reconfigured between 186 and 292 MHz. in Section III-A (stage 2) and two replicas of the first-order
The notch depth in this interval goes from 41.6 to 54.5 dB bandstop filter in Section III-B (stages 1 and 3). A photograph
and its 3-dB absolute stopband width from 186 to 292 MHz of this filter-cascade assembly is provided in Fig. 15.
(i.e., from 23.9% to 27.4% in relative terms). Note that the The measured power transmission and input-reflection para-
filter input-reflectionless behavior is reasonably maintained meters of this tunable filter-cascade arrangement for differ-
for all the reconfigured states. Nevertheless, similar to the ent reconfigured states are shown in Fig. 16. For all these
lumped-element bandpass filter prototypes in Section III-A, responses, the input-reflectionless behavior can be noticed.
this characteristic is more notorious for the middle-frequency In particular, Fig. 16(a) illustrates center-frequency control of
state of the entire center-frequency tuning range. the transmission band from 232 to 262 MHz with minimum
in-band insertion-loss levels and 3-dB bandwidths in the
C. Lumped-Element Bandpass/Bandstop-Cascade ranges 3.4–3.9 dB and 15.2–18 MHz, while maintaining the
Prototypes locations of the lower and upper stopband TZs fixed at 190
The third practical verification corresponds to the in-series and 305 MHz, respectively. On the other hand, for a static
cascade connection of tunable bandpass/bandstop filtering transmission band centered at 244 MHz, out-of-band isolation

Authorized licensed use limited to: VIT University. Downloaded on April 29,2022 at 16:56:28 UTC from IEEE Xplore. Restrictions apply.
PSYCHOGIOU AND GÓMEZ-GARCÍA: REFLECTIONLESS ADAPTIVE RF FILTERS 4603

Fig. 17. Manufactured single- and two-stage absorptive tunable microstrip

bandpass filter prototypes (Cr = 1–5 pF and R = 45.9 ). (a) Single-stage
prototype: layout and photograph (dimensions in mm: w0 = 3.42, w1 = 2.97,
w2 = 0.3, w3 = 1.12, w4 = 0.56, l0 = 10, l1 = 40.4, l2 = 10, l3 = 13.4,
l4 = 29.4, l5 = 19.2, and l6 = 26.2). (b) Two-stage prototype: photograph.

Fig. 16. Measured reconfiguration capabilities in terms of power transmis-

sion (|S21 |) and input-reflection (|S11 |) parameters of the lumped-element
absorptive tunable filter-cascade assembly and its measured power output-
reflection (|S22 |) parameter for one example state. (a) Center-frequency con-
trol of the passband for static TZs. (b) TZ control for a static center frequency
of the passband. (c) TZ-tuning process that results in an intrinsically-switched-
OFF/all-reject state.

control by reconfiguring the positions of the out-of-band

notches is verified in Fig. 16(b). Note that this inherently
provides a mechanism to dynamically adjust the filter pass-
band width so that narrower bandwidths are obtained with Fig. 18. Simulated and measured power transmission (|S21 |) and
closer-to-passband TZs. Furthermore, when the two TZs get input-reflection (|S11 |) parameters and measured power output-reflection
(|S22 |) parameter of the manufactured single- and two-stage absorptive
spectrally closer each other around the passband center fre- tunable microstrip bandpass filter prototypes for one example state (estimated
quency until they reach its value, an intrinsically switched- quality factor Q = 100 at 1 GHz for all variable capacitors). (a) Single-stage
OFF /all-reject state can be reconfigured in the filter cascade. prototype. (b) Two-stage prototype.
This TZ-tuning process is illustrated in Fig. 16(c) for a
center frequency in the bandpass filtering unit of 275 MHz. 120–380-MHz frequency range and input power-matching
In particular, for the all-reject state, a minimum power levels higher than 10 dB throughout the spectral interval
transmission attenuation level of 14.8 dB within the plotted 115–363 MHz are measured.

Authorized licensed use limited to: VIT University. Downloaded on April 29,2022 at 16:56:28 UTC from IEEE Xplore. Restrictions apply.
4604 IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON MICROWAVE THEORY AND TECHNIQUES, VOL. 65, NO. 11, NOVEMBER 2017

Different measured states in terms of S-parameters for both

microstrip prototypes and several tuned center frequencies
are plotted in Fig. 19. Specifically, the single-stage prototype
is reconfigured throughout the 0.88–1.07-GHz spectral inter-
val, for which the measured minimum in-band insertion-loss
level and 3-dB absolute bandwidth are, respectively, main-
tained within the ranges 0.42–0.5 dB and 123–133 MHz
(i.e., between 12.1% and 14.8% in relative terms). For
an identical center-frequency tuning range, these measured
characteristics for the two-stage filter are kept within the
intervals 0.5–0.8 dB (minimum in-band insertion-loss level)
and 88–90 MHz (3-dB absolute bandwidth which corre-
sponds to 8.4%–9.8% in relative terms). For all these mea-
sured responses, the input power matching levels are higher
than 10 dB for the 0.55–1.45-GHz frequency range represented
in Fig. 19.

IV. C ONCLUSION
Tunable microwave filters with theoretically zero power
reflection at their input terminal for both their bandpass and
bandstop regions have been proposed. They consist of a
reconfigurable-duplexer-based architecture that is shaped by
two complementary-transfer-function branches referred to as
main and auxiliary channels. Whereas the input/output ports
of the main channel are taken as input/output accesses of
the overall filter to determine its transmission behavior, the
Fig. 19. Measured center-frequency tuning capabilities in terms of power auxiliary channel absorbs the signal energy reflected by the
transmission (|S21 |) and reflection (|S11 |) parameters of the manufactured
single- and two-stage absorptive tunable microstrip bandpass filter prototypes. main channel in the reference-impedance resistor that loads
(a) Single-stage prototype. (b) Two-stage prototype. its output terminal. Furthermore, this operational principle
is maintained with the synchronous tuning of the natural
frequencies of the resonating nodes of both channels. Thus,
D. Microstrip Bandpass Prototypes frequency-reconfigurable fully input-reflectionless low-pass,
high-pass, and single/multiband bandpass/bandstop filters
Microstrip counterparts of the absorptive bandpass filter can be designed through this approach. A coupling-matrix-
prototypes in Section III-A for a center-frequency tuning range based analysis of the first-order absorptive bandpass/bandstop
of 0.8–1.1 GHz have been constructed and characterized as filtering sections has been provided and expanded to the
final experimental demonstrators. In this case, the single-stage second-order and multiband cases. In addition, the realiza-
filter was designed to feature a 3-dB absolute bandwidth tion of higher-order and quasi-elliptic-type input-reflectionless
of 12.5% for a center frequency of 1 GHz. Their photographs tunable bandpass filters by cascading multiple first-order
and the layout for the single-stage circuit with indication of stages with identical and dissimilar behavior has been
dimensions are depicted in Fig. 17. shown. For experimental-demonstration purposes, several
The measured and simulated power transmission and reflec- mechanically reconfigurable 150–350-MHz lumped-element
tion responses of the developed microstrip prototypes for one and 0.8–1.1-GHz microstrip prototypes have been devel-
specific center frequency are compared in Fig. 18. They show oped and measured. They consisted of six first/second-order
a close agreement between them. The main measured perfor- bandpass/bandstop filters, as well as one tunable-passband
mance metrics of the single-stage filter can be summarized filter with frequency-adaptive out-of-band notches made up of
as follows: center frequency equal to 1 GHz, 3-dB absolute the in-series cascade connection of independently controllable
bandwidth of 127 MHz (i.e., of 12.7% in relative terms), bandpass/bandstop filtering units.
minimum in-band power insertion-loss level of 0.47 dB, and
input-power-matching levels higher than 17.3 and 12.2 dB ACKNOWLEDGMENT
within the 3-dB bandwidth and 0.55–1.45-GHz frequency Author D. Psychogiou would like to thank Keysight for
interval, respectively. For the two-stage prototype, they are providing a free license of the software package Advanced
center frequency of 0.98 MHz, 3-dB absolute passband Design System (ADS).
width of 86 MHz (i.e., equal to 8.8% in relative terms),
minimum in-band power insertion-loss level of 0.91 dB, R EFERENCES
and input-power-matching levels above 16.5 and 10 dB [1] R. Gómez-García, J.-P. Magalhães, J.-M. Muñoz-Ferreras,
J. M. N. Vieira, N. Borges Carvalho, and J. Pawlan, “Filling the
for the 3-dB bandwidth and 0.55–1.45-GHz spectral range, spectral holes,” IEEE Microw. Mag., vol. 15, no. 2, pp. 45–56,
respectively. Mar./Apr. 2014.

Authorized licensed use limited to: VIT University. Downloaded on April 29,2022 at 16:56:28 UTC from IEEE Xplore. Restrictions apply.
PSYCHOGIOU AND GÓMEZ-GARCÍA: REFLECTIONLESS ADAPTIVE RF FILTERS 4605

[2] W. J. Chappell, E. J. Naglich, C. Maxey, and A. C. Guyette, “Putting Dimitra Psychogiou (S’10–M’14) received the
the radio in ‘software-defined radio’: Hardware developments for Dipl.-Eng. degree in electrical and computer
adaptable RF systems,” Proc. IEEE, vol. 102, no. 3, pp. 307–320, engineering from the University of Patras, Patras,
Mar. 2014. Greece, in 2008, and the Ph.D. degree in electrical
[3] I. C. Hunter, Theory and Design of Microwave Filters. London, U.K.: engineering from the Swiss Federal Institute of
IEEE Press, 2001. Technology, Zürich, Switzerland, in 2013.
[4] J.-S. Hong, Microstrip Filters for RF/Microwave Applications, 2nd ed. From 2013 to 2016, she was with Purdue
New York, NY, USA: Wiley, 2011. University, West Lafayette, IN, USA, as a Research
[5] G. L. Matthaei, L. Young, and E. M. T. Jones, Microwave Filters, Scientist. She is currently an Assistant Professor of
Impedance-Matching Networks, and Coupling Structures. Norwood, electrical, computer, and energy engineering with the
MA, USA: Artech House, 1980. University of Colorado at Boulder, Boulder, CO,
[6] A. C. Guyette, I. C. Hunter, and R. D. Pollard, “Design of absorptive USA. Her current research interests include RF design and characteriza-
microwave filters using allpass networks in a parallel-cascade config- tion of reconfigurable microwave and millimeter-wave passive components,
uration,” in IEEE MTT-S Int. Microw. Symp. Dig., Boston, MA, USA, RF-MEMS, acoustic wave resonator-based filters, tunable filter synthesis, and
Jun. 2009, pp. 733–736. frequency-agile antennas.
[7] I.-C. Hunter et al., “Transversal directional filters for channel com- Dr. Psychogiou is currently an Associate Editor of IET Microwaves,
bining,” IET Radar Sonar Navig., vol. 8, no. 9, pp. 1288–1294, Antennas, and Propagation and serves on the Technical Review Board of
Sep. 2015. various IEEE and EuMA conferences and journals.
[8] H. Lobato-Morales, A. Corona-Chávez, T. Itoh, and
J. L. Olivera-Cervantes, “Dual-band multi-pole directional filter for Roberto Gómez-García (S’02–M’06–SM’11) was
microwave multiplexing applications,” IEEE Microw. Wireless Compon. born in Madrid, Spain, in 1977. He received the
Lett., vol. 21, no. 12, pp. 643–645, Dec. 2011. degree in telecommunication engineering and Ph.D.
[9] A. C. Guyette, I. C. Hunter, R. D. Pollard, and D. R. Jachowski, degree in electrical and electronic engineering from
“Perfectly-matched bandstop filters using lossy resonators,” in IEEE the Polytechnic University of Madrid, Madrid, in
MTT-S Int. Microw. Symp. Dig., Long Beach, CA, USA, Jun. 2005, 2001 and 2006, respectively.
pp. 513–516. Since 2006, he has been an Associate Professor
[10] M. A. Morgan and T. A. Boyd, “Theoretical and experimental study of with the Department of Signal Theory and Com-
a new class of reflectionless filter,” IEEE Trans. Microw. Theory Techn., munications, University of Alcalá, Madrid. He has
vol. 59, no. 5, pp. 1214–1221, May 2011. been, for several research stays, with the C2S2
[11] M. A. Morgan and T. A. Boyd, “Reflectionless filter structures,” Department, XLIM Research Institute, University of
IEEE Trans. Microw. Theory Techn., vol. 63, no. 4, pp. 1263–1271, Limoges, Limoges, France, the Telecommunications Institute, University of
Apr. 2015. Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal, the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, Microwave
[12] T.-H. Lee, B. Lee, and J. Lee, “First-order reflectionless lumped-element Technology Branch, Washington, DC, USA, and Purdue University, West
lowpass filter (LPF) and bandpass filter (BPF) design,” in IEEE MTT- Lafayette, IN, USA. He is an Adjunct Part-Time Professor at the University
S Int. Microw. Symp. Dig., San Francisco, CA, USA, May 2016, of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China. His current
pp. 1–4. research interests include the design of fixed/tunable high-frequency filters
[13] Y. Morimoto et al., “A multiharmonic absorption circuit using quasi- and multiplexers in planar, hybrid, and monolithic microwave-integrated
multilayered striplines for RF power amplifiers,” IEEE Trans. Microw. circuit technologies, multifunction circuits and systems, and software-defined
Theory Techn., vol. 65, no. 1, pp. 109–118, Jan. 2017. radio and radar architectures for telecommunications, remote sensing, and
[14] S. Bastioli and R. V. Snyder, “V-band waveguide bandpass filter with biomedical applications.
wide stopband and harmonics absorption,” in Proc. 46th Eur. Microw. Dr. Gómez-García was a recipient of the 2016 IEEE Microwave Theory and
Conf., London, U.K., Oct. 2016, pp. 245–248. Techniques Society (MTT-S) Outstanding Young Engineer Award. He was
[15] D. R. Jachowski, “Compact, frequency-agile, absorptive bandstop fil- an Associate Editor of the IEEE T RANSACTIONS ON M ICROWAVE T HEORY
ters,” in IEEE MTT-S Int. Microw. Symp. Dig., Long Beach, CA, USA, AND T ECHNIQUES from 2012 to 2016, and the IEEE T RANSACTIONS ON
Jun. 2005, pp. 513–516. C IRCUITS AND S YSTEMS —I: R EGULAR PAPERS from 2012 to 2015. He was
[16] D. Psychogiou, R. Mao, and D. Peroulis, “Series-cascaded absorptive a Guest Editor of the 2013 IEEE J OURNAL ON E MERGING AND S ELECTED
notch-filters for 4G-LTE radios,” in Proc. IEEE Radio Wireless Symp., T OPIS IN C IRCUITS AND S YSTEMS “Special Issue on Advanced Circuits
San Diego, CA, USA, Jan. 2015, pp. 177–179. and Systems for CR/SDR Applications,” the IET Microwaves, Antennas, and
[17] T. Snow, J. Lee, and W. J. Chappell, “Tunable high quality-factor Propagation 2013 “Special Issue on Advanced Tunable/Reconfigurable and
absorptive bandstop filter design,” in IEEE MTT-S Int. Microw. Symp. Multi-Function RF/Microwave Filtering Devices,” and the IEEE Microwave
Dig., Montréal, QC, Canada, Jun. 2012, pp. 1–3. Magazine 2014 “Special Issue on Recent Trends on RF/Microwave Tunable
[18] T.-H. Lee, B. Kim, K. Lee, W. J. Chappell, and J. Lee, “Frequency- Filter Design.” He is currently an Associate Editor of the IEEE J OURNAL OF
tunable low-Q lumped-element resonator bandstop filter with high E LECTROMAGNETICS , RF, AND M ICROWAVES IN M EDICINE AND B IOLOGY
attenuation,” IEEE Trans. Microw. Theory Techn., vol. 64, no. 11, and IET Microwaves, Antennas, and Propagation, and a Senior Editor of the
pp. 3549–3556, Nov. 2016. IEEE J OURNAL ON E MERGING AND S ELECTED T OPICS IN C IRCUITS AND
[19] D. Psychogiou, R. Gómez-García, and D. Peroulis, “Acoustic-wave- S YSTEMS . He is also a reviewer for several IEEE, IET, EuMA, and Wiley
lumped-element-resonator filters with equi-ripple absorptive stopbands,” journals. He serves as a member of the Technical Review Board for several
IEEE Microw. Wireless Compon. Lett., vol. 26, no. 3, pp. 177–179, IEEE and EuMA conferences. He is also a member of the IEEE MTT-S
Mar. 2016. Filters and Passive Components (MTT-8), the IEEE MTT-S Biological Effects
[20] S. Amari and U. Rosenberg, “New building blocks for modular design of and Medical Applications of RF and Microwave (MTT-10), the IEEE MTT-S
elliptic and self-equalized filters,” IEEE Trans. Microw. Theory Techn., Wireless Communications (MTT-20), and the IEEE CAS-S Analog Signal
vol. 52, no. 2, pp. 721–736, Feb. 2004. Processing Technical Committees.

Authorized licensed use limited to: VIT University. Downloaded on April 29,2022 at 16:56:28 UTC from IEEE Xplore. Restrictions apply.