Passive Microwave Component Design Using Inverse Scattering: Theory and Applications

Abstract

We briefly review different synthesis techniques for the design of passive microwave components with arbitrary frequency response, developed by our group during the last decade. We provide the theoretical foundations based on inverse scattering and coupled-mode theory as well as several applications where the devices designed following those techniques have been successfully tested. The main characteristics of these synthesis methods are as follows. (a) They are direct, because it is not necessary to use lumped-element circuit models; just the target frequency response is the starting point. (b) They are exact, as there is neither spurious bands nor degradation in the frequency response; hence, there is no bandwidth limitation. (c) They are flexible, because they are valid for any causal, stable, and passive transfer function; only inviolable physical principles must be guaranteed. A myriad of examples has been presented by our group in many different technologies for very relevant applications such as harmonic control of amplifiers, directional coupler with enhanced directivity and coupling, transmission-type dispersive delay lines for phase engineering, compact design of high-power spurious free low-pass waveguide filters for satellite payloads, pulse shapers for advanced UWB radar and communications and for novel breast cancer detection systems, transmission-type Nth-order differentiators for tunable pulse generation, and a robust filter design tool.