Frequency Tunable Non-Reciprocal Bandpass Filter Using Time-Modulated Microstrip λg/2 Resonators

This brief presents a novel frequency reconfigurable microstrip non-reciprocal bandpass filter based on time-modulated microstrip
$\lambda _{g}/2$
resonators. The modulation is achieved by loading both ends of the
$\lambda _{g}/2$
transmission line resonators with time-modulated capacitors. The modulation voltage source is connected at the center of the resonator, where there is a natural voltage null, and a single inductor is used to further enhance the biasing isolation. The wideband nature of this isolation scheme enables the tuning of the devices over a wide frequency range. With more than 30-dB RF to modulation isolation, the proposed resonator structure also enables low insertion loss by eliminating RF signal leakage to the modulation ports. A 3-pole bandpass filter example is simulated and measured, showing a minimal insertion loss of 3.9dB, a 20-dB isolation bandwidth of 42MHz at 1.0GHz, and frequency tuning range of 885–1031MHz.