Filter selection for a harmonic radar

In a harmonic radar system design, one of the most important components is the filter used to remove the self-generated harmonics by the high-power transmitter power amplifier, which is usually driven close to its 1-dB compression point. The obvious choice for this filter is a low-pass filter. The low-pass filter will be required to attenuate stop band frequencies with 100 dB attenuation or more. Due to the high degree of attenuation required, multiple low-pass filter will likely be required. Most commercially available low-pass filters are reflective devices, which operate by reflecting the unwanted high frequencies. Cascading these reflective filter causes issues in attenuating stop band frequencies. We show that frequency diplexers are more attractive in place of reflective low-pass filters as they are able to terminate the stop band frequencies as opposed to reflecting them.

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