Frequency-Selective Limiters Using Triple-Mode Filters

This paper presents the first frequency-selective limiter (FSL) with both power-activation and user-prompted override that also features a reconfigurable threshold power and frequency tuning with closed-loop feedback. The FSL is based on a tunable absorptive bandstop-to-all-pass filter with integrated electronics. Three distinct modes are available: user-defined bandstop, power-activated bandstop, and all-pass mode. In the user-defined bandstop mode, the FSL presents a measured notch of 45–55 dB at an user-defined center frequency within 1.5–2 GHz tuning range. The out-of-band insertion loss is less 0.8 dB. In the power-activated mode, the FSL switches intrinsically between its bandstop and all-pass responses based on the incident power level at any user-defined power threshold and frequency within the 1.5–2 GHz range. In the all-pass mode, the measured loss is less than 3.1 dB at the user-defined center frequency and less 0.8 dB elsewhere. The measurements are conducted including the two SMA connectors and the associated connector-to-microstrip transitions. The threshold power level is tunable in the −45 to +8 dBm range. The filter is designed and fabricated with high-quality substrate-integrated cavities with an extracted resonator unloaded quality factor ( $Qu$ ) of 300. The unique features and the measured RF performance of the presented FSL are state-of-the-art results.

[1]  Spike leakage and suppression in frequency selective limiters , 2000, 2000 IEEE MTT-S International Microwave Symposium Digest (Cat. No.00CH37017).

[2]  H. Joshi,et al.  In-situ control of tunable evanescent-mode cavity filters using differential mode monitoring , 2009, 2009 IEEE MTT-S International Microwave Symposium Digest.

[3]  Eric J. Naglich,et al.  Frequency-Selective Limiters Utilizing Contiguous-Channel Double Multiplexer Topology , 2016, IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques.

[4]  J. D. Adam,et al.  Magnetostatic Wave Frequency Selective Limiters , 2013, IEEE Transactions on Magnetics.

[5]  L. Katehi,et al.  A 3.4 – 6.2 GHz Continuously tunable electrostatic MEMS resonator with quality factor of 460–530 , 2009, 2009 IEEE MTT-S International Microwave Symposium Digest.

[6]  Rafael Perea-Robles,et al.  Three-Port Frequency-Selective Absorptive Limiter , 2017, IEEE Microwave and Wireless Components Letters.

[7]  T. Billeter.  EPR frequency-selective limiter , 1968 .

[8]  Dimitrios Peroulis,et al.  Tunable Cavity-Based Diplexer With Spectrum-Aware Automatic Tuning , 2017, IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques.

[9]  Eric J. Naglich,et al.  RF-Power-Activated and Signal-Tracking Tunable Bandstop Filters , 2017, IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques.

[10]  A. Berman,et al.  Multiple-Carrier Behavior of a Frequency-Selective Ferrite Limiter , 1964 .

[11]  D. Peroulis,et al.  Extended Passband Bandstop Filter Cascade With Continuous 0.85–6.6-GHz Coverage , 2012, IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques.

[12]  L. Katehi,et al.  High-$Q$ Tunable Microwave Cavity Resonators and Filters Using SOI-Based RF MEMS Tuners , 2010, Journal of Microelectromechanical Systems.

[13]  S. N. Stitzer,et al.  Frequency selective limiters for high dynamic range microwave receivers , 1993 .

[14]  Jr. R. Wyndrum.  Microwave filters, impedance-matching networks, and coupling structures , 1965 .

[15]  I.C. Hunter,et al.  Nonlinear Matched Reflection Mode Bandstop Filters for Frequency Selective Limiting Applications , 2007, 2007 IEEE/MTT-S International Microwave Symposium.

[16]  I. Hunter,et al.  Frequency-Selective Limiters Using Nonlinear Bandstop Filters , 2009, IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques.

[17]  A. Wolf,et al.  A passive parametric limiter , 1960 .

[18]  K. Kotzebue.  Frequency-Selective Limiting , 1962 .

[19]  J. Maynard,et al.  Ka Band power limiter for satellite channel amplifier , 2009, 2009 SBMO/IEEE MTT-S International Microwave and Optoelectronics Conference (IMOC).

[20]  A. Suarez,et al.  Nonlinear analysis and design of frequency selective limiters based on parametric circuits , 2008, 2008 IEEE MTT-S International Microwave Symposium Digest.

[21]  J. Adam,et al.  MSW frequency selective limiters at UHF , 2004, IEEE Transactions on Magnetics.

[22]  D. Jackson,et al.  A frequency-selective limiter using nuclear magnetic resonance , 1967 .

[23]  Dimitra Psychogiou,et al.  L-band high-Q tunable quasi-absorptive bandstop-to-all-pass filter , 2017, 2017 IEEE MTT-S International Microwave Symposium (IMS).

[24]  S.N. Stitzer,et al.  A Multi-Octave Frequency Selective Limiter , 1983, 1983 IEEE MTT-S International Microwave Symposium Digest.

[25]  Dimitrios Peroulis,et al.  Real-time temperature compensation for tunable cavity-based BPFs and BSFs , 2018, IET Circuits Devices Syst..

[26]  A.J. Giarola,et al.  A review of the theory, characteristics, and operation of frequency selective limiters , 1979, Proceedings of the IEEE.

[27]  Dimitrios Peroulis,et al.  PULSE INJECTION FOR REAL-TIME MONITORING OF TUNABLE HIGH-Q FILTERS , 2014 .