OPTIMIZED E-PLANE BANDPASS-FILTERS WITH IMPROVED STOPBAND PERFORMANCE

A computer-aided synthesis technique for E-plane bandpass filters with improved stopband performance is developed. An optimization procedure based on equal ripple optimization is adopted. The design of a symmet rical E-plane bandpass filter with improved stopband performance is co nsidered; higher order mode interaction between E-plane discontinuitie s is included in the design, The predicted filter performance shows im proved stopband performance and reduced filter dimensions compared wit h conventional E-plane bandpass filters. The validity of the method is confirmed by the measurement of a fabricated five resonator E-plane b andpass filter with improved stopband performance.