Wideband Low-loss Tunable Band-Pass Filter (BPF)

The continued frequency spectrum expansion of software defined radio (SDR) applications combined with the need to simultaneously transmit and receive through a common antenna in smaller form-factors, requires the development of dramatically improved tunable band-pass filter technology. These filters must be able to cover the entire frequency band of operation for both current and future SDR applications with minimal insertion loss, handle the transmit output power in a thermally efficient design, and be integrated into a small form-factor drop-in module. To address the problems faced by modern SDR platforms and the short-comings of currently available filtering solutions, Omega Micro Technologies, Inc. (OMT) intends to capitalize upon their expertise in the fields of Low Temperature Co-fired Ceramic (LTCC) substrate design and fabrication, vertical integration techniques, and embedded filter design to develop a broadband, low-loss tunable filter module in partnership with Rockwell Collins. The developed broadband tunable low-loss band-pass filter module will be directly applicable to either lower power transmit applications as well as receiver front-end applications.