High-Order Input-Reflectionless Bandpass/Bandstop Filters and Multiplexers

A coupling-matrix approach for the theoretical design of a type of input-reflectionless RF/microwave bandpass filters (BPFs) and bandstop filters (BSFs) is presented. They are based on diplexer architectures with arbitrary-order bandpass and bandstop filtering channels that feature complementary transfer functions. The transmission behavior of these reflectionless filters is defined by the channel that is not loaded at its output, whereas the input-signal energy that is not transmitted by this branch is completely dissipated by the loading resistor of the other channel. Analytical formulas for the coupling coefficients for the first-to-fourth-order filter designs are provided and validated through several synthesis examples. This theoretical design methodology, along with an optimization step, is also exploited to design input-quasi-reflectionless quasi-elliptic-type BPFs with a transmission-zero-(TZ)-generation cell in their bandpass filtering channel. In addition, the application of the proposed input-reflectionless BPF and BSF networks to input-quasi-reflectionless multiplexer design is approached. It is shown that a single resistively terminated multi-band BSF branch can absorb the input-signal energy not transmitted by the multiplexer channels in their common stopband regions to achieve quasi-reflectionless characteristics at its input. Moreover, experimental microstrip prototypes consisting of 2-GHz third-order BPF and BSF circuits, a 2-GHz sharp-rejection third-order BPF with two close-to-passband TZs, and a second-order diplexer device with channels centered at 1.75 and 2.1 GHz are developed and measured.