Tunable hairpin-line resonator ferrite microstrip bandpass filters with low power drives

Metamagnetics Inc. proposes to address the limitations of currently available commercial-of-the-shelf tunable microwave filters in terms of cost, insertion loss, linearity, tuning speed, etc. by developing innovative surface mountable ferrite filter technology. The proposed concept offers the potential advantages of low insertion loss, low dc power consumption, high rf power handling capability, fast response time, planar geometry, and compact size. Metamagnetics"researchers will develop microstrip ferrite filters that exhibit low power tuning by combining innovative device design concepts, magnetic circuit design, and packaging methods. The tunable filter technology will be transition to the Navy to address extreme electromagnetic interference issues in next generation rf systems and existing multi-function rf systems, such as communications and radar sharing the same platform. The proposed technology described herein combines the low loss, high power handling, reliability, and radiation hardness of today's ferrite filter devices with planar, cost-effective, low power consuming, and fast responding drive technology.