Hindawi

Wireless Communications and Mobile Computing

Volume 2018, Article ID 8430626, 5 pages
https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/8430626

Research Article
Compact Microstrip Lowpass Filter with Low Insertion Loss for
UWB Medical Applications

Mohammed A. Aseeri , Meshaal A. Alyahya, Hatim A. Bukhari, and Hussein N. Shaman

National Centre for Sensors and Defense Systems Technologies (NCSDST), King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST),
Riyadh 11442, Saudi Arabia

Correspondence should be addressed to Mohammed A. Aseeri; [email protected]

Received 21 February 2018; Accepted 13 May 2018; Published 6 June 2018

Academic Editor: Seyed M. Buhari

Copyright © 2018 Mohammed A. Aseeri et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution
License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly
cited.

A microstrip lowpass filter based on transmission line elements for UWB medical applications is proposed in this paper. The filter is
constructed of two symmetric shunt open-circuited stubs and three series unit elements. The filter is designed to exhibit an elliptic
function response with equal ripple in the passband and the rejection band. A prototype is successfully designed, fabricated, and
measured, where a good agreement is attained. The filter shows a high filtering selectivity and an ultra-wide stopband up to 20 GHz
with an attenuation level of more than 20-dB. The filter is compact and has a low insertion loss and an ultra-wideband (UWB)
rejection which makes it attractive for many technologies such as UWB medical applications.

1. Introduction the stopband, the low-impedance line can be replaced with a

quarter guided wavelength open-circuited stub [2]. The open-
Ultra-wideband (UWB) technology has several features circuited stub shorts can out the transmission at the resonant
which makes it suitable for the application of medical moni- frequency and therefore a wider rejection band with a trans-
toring such as penetrating through obstacles, high precision mission zero can be obtained. Alternatively, a longitudinal
ranging at the centimeter level, low electromagnetic radia- slot can be implemented in the ground plane of a stepped-
tion, and low processing energy consumed. These monitoring
impedance filter to enhance its performance [3]. Due to the
applications could be patient motion monitoring, wireless
slow-wave effect of the slot-back microstrip line, the filter can
vital signs monitoring of human body, and the medicine
exhibit a wider stopband and a sharper cut-off compared with
storage monitoring. One of the primary passive components
of the UWB systems is lowpass filter which is necessary the conventional filter. Other techniques can also be used to
for blocking unwanted signals and suppressing spurious enhance the performance of the stepped-impedance filters
harmonics. such as stepped-impendence hairpin resonators [4, 5], folded
Lowpass planer filters with sharp roll-off, wide stopband, stepped-impedance resonators [6], defected ground-plane
compact circuit size, and low insertion loss are in high structures (DGS) slot [7–12], and interdigital or semicircle
demand in modern wireless communication systems and defected ground-plane structures (DGS) [13, 14]. In addition,
military radar receiver systems for blocking unwanted signals various methods and structure have been developed to
and suppressing spurious harmonics. A general common enhance the performance of microstrip lowpass filters such
microstrip structure of lowpass filter is using high and low as using circular-shaped patches and open stubs [15], rat-race
impedance (stepped-impedance) transmission lines which is directional couplers [16], stepped-impedance spiral resonator
known as stepped-impedance lowpass filter [1]. This type [17], combination of DGSs and a transformed radial stub
of filter has simple design methodology but it exhibits a (TRS) [18], T-shaped microstrip resonator cells [19], and
poor skirt selectivity and a very low attenuation level at the coupled-line stub-loaded hairpin unit [20] and triangular and
rejection band. In order to improve the filter performance at radial patch resonators [21].
2 Wireless Communications and Mobile Computing

Table 1: Circuit parameters for the proposed filter at 4.0 GHz.

Parameter 𝑍𝑜 𝑍𝑠 𝑍1 𝑍2 𝜃𝑠 𝜃1 𝜃2
Value 50 Ω 96 Ω 170 Ω 20.2 Ω 90∘ 30∘ 60∘

cos 𝜃𝑛 𝑗𝑍𝑛 sin 𝜃𝑛

[ ]
𝑀𝑛 = [ 𝑗 sin 𝜃𝑛 ]
cos 𝜃𝑛
[ 𝑍𝑛 ]
(2)
Figure 1: 3D view of the proposed microstrip lowpass filter.
For a feed line impedance of 𝑍𝑜 , the insertion loss (𝑆21 ) and
return loss (𝑆11 ) responses can be computed as follows:
Lowpass filter can also be designed using distributed 2 (𝐴 𝑡 𝐷𝑡 − 𝐵𝑡 𝐶𝑡 )
elements such as open-circuited stubs and unit elements [2]. 𝑆21 =
𝐴 𝑡 + 𝐵𝑡 /𝑍𝑜 + 𝐶𝑡 𝑍𝑜 + 𝐷𝑡
This type of filter has spurious harmonics and therefore, it (3)
requires more elements to enhance its performance. Alter- 𝐴 + 𝐵𝑡 /𝑍𝑜 − 𝐶𝑡 𝑍𝑜 − 𝐷𝑡
𝑆11 = 𝑡
natively, a cross-coupling can be introduced between the 𝐴 𝑡 + 𝐵𝑡 /𝑍𝑜 + 𝐶𝑡 𝑍𝑜 + 𝐷𝑡
input/output feed lines to allow the filter to exhibit additional
transmission zeros at the rejection band [22]. This proposed In general, a transmission line filter with quarter-wavelength
filter can be used in many technologies such as UWB medical elements (𝜃𝑠 = 𝜃1 = 𝜃2 = 𝜆/4 at 𝑓𝑜 ) has all of its transmission
applications [23]. zeros at a single frequency, e.g., midstopband frequency
(𝑓𝑜 ). Therefore, it requires more elements to enhance the
A compact lowpass filter with an elliptic function
selectivity and to increase the bandwidth of the rejection
response and a very wide rejection band is introduced in this
band. Alternatively, the circuit elements are designed to have
paper. The filter is constructed of three series unit elements
different or unequal electrical lengths to allow the filter to
and two shunt open-circuited stubs. The filter is designed to
exhibit three transmission zeros inside the rejection band,
provide an equal ripple in the passband and the rejection
at 𝑓𝑜 /3, 𝑓𝑜 , and 5𝑓𝑜 /3. In this case, the electrical lengths are
band. It is designed to have a passband with a sharp selec-
chosen to be 𝜃𝑠 = 3𝜃1 = 2𝜃2 at the midstopband (𝑓𝑜 ). In order
tivity and an ultra-wide stopband. The proposed designed is
to show the performance of this new structure, the filter is
implemented on a microstrip substrate and fabricated using
designed to have a cut-off frequency at about 3.0 GHz. The
printed-circuited-board (PCB). The filter design, analysis,
filter is also designed to have a return loss of more than 24-
and measurement results are demonstrated in detail.
dB within the desired passband and an insertion loss of more
than 20-dB over the whole rejection band. Furthermore,
2. Filter Design the filter is designed to generate three transmission zeros
at the rejection band at 4.0 GHz, 12 GHz, and 20 GHz. In
The 3-dimensional view of the microstrip design of the order to achieve this, the circuit model is optimized based
proposed filter is shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2 illustrates on the above formulations and the calculated parameters
its transmission line equivalent circuit model. The filter is are displayed in Table 1. The calculated magnitude response,
comprised of two symmetric shunt open-circuited stubs, of the circuit model using the parameters values in Table 1,
with a characteristic impedance of 𝑍𝑠 , separated by three is demonstrated in Figure 3. As can be noticed, the filter
series unit elements or connecting lines with characteristic exhibits three transmission zeros which are widely separated
impedances of 𝑍1 and 𝑍2 . The open-circuited stub has an from each other providing a very ultra-wide rejection band
electrical length of 𝜃𝑠 while the electrical lengths of the unit with high selectivity. These transmission zeros are generated
elements are described by 𝜃1 and 𝜃2 . by the two open-circuited stubs. This is because the length
The 𝐴𝐵𝐶𝐷 matrix (𝑀𝑡 ) of the equivalent circuit model of each open-circuited stub (𝜃𝑠 ) is a quarter-wavelength at
can be written as 4.0 GHz and therefore, its fundamental resonant frequency is
generated at 4.0 GHz and it has spurious resonant frequencies
𝐴 𝑡 𝐵𝑡
𝑀𝑡 = [ ] = 𝑀𝑠 𝑀1 𝑀2 𝑀1 𝑀𝑠 , (1) occur at odd multiples of the fundamental one. Hence, the
𝐶𝑡 𝐷𝑡 first and second spurious resonant frequencies are located
at 12 GHz and 20 GHz as shown in Figure 4. Since the first
where 𝑀𝑠 is the 𝐴𝐵𝐶𝐷 matrix of the open-circuited stub and three resonant frequencies of the open-circuited stubs are
𝑀𝑛 is the 𝐴𝐵𝐶𝐷 matrix for the unit elements (for 𝑛 = 1, 2) located inside the rejection band, the filter exhibits vey wide
which can be defined by stopband. The filter exhibits an equal ripple for the return
loss at the passband and for the insertion loss at the rejection
1 0
[ ] band. Furthermore, addition, the first resonant frequency of
𝑀𝑠 = [ 𝑗 tan 𝜃𝑠 ] the stub is located close to the cut-off frequency of the lowpass
1
[ 𝑍𝑠 ] filter leading to a sharp rate of cut-off.
Wireless Communications and Mobile Computing 3

  
I/O ：1 ：2 ：1 O/I

s ： Ｍ ： Ｍ s

Figure 2: Equivalent circuit model of proposed lowpass filter.

0   
−5 g g      
−10  
  
−15 Feed Line Feed Line
 g
Magnitude (dB)


−20
−25 Figure 5: Microstrip layout of the proposed filter.
−30
0
−35
−5
−40
−10
−45
−15
−50
Magnitude (dB)

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 −20
Frequency (GHz)
−25
S21 −30
S11
−35
Figure 3: Calculated performance of the circuit model in Figure 2 −40
with the parameters values in Table 1. −45
−50
0 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20
−5 Frequency (GHz)

−10 S21 calculated S11 Simulated

S11 calculated S21 Simulated
−15
Insertion Loss (dB)

−20 Figure 6: Calculated and simulated responses of the proposed filter.

−25
−30
the parameters of the microstrip layout are as follows: 𝑊𝑜 =
−35 0.75 mm, 𝑊𝑠 = 0.7 mm, 𝑊1 = 0.05 mm, 𝑊2 = 3.4 mm,
−40 𝐿 𝑠1 = 3.0 mm, 𝐿 𝑠2 = 4.65 mm, 𝐿 𝑠3 = 3.15 mm, 𝐿 𝑠4 =
−45 3.65 mm, 𝐿 𝑠5 = 2.3 mm, 𝐿 1 = 4.2 mm, 𝐿 2 = 8.2 mm,
−50
𝑔1 = 𝑔2 = 0.25 mm, and 𝑔3 = 0.3 mm. The open-cir-
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 cuited stubs are folded in a rectangular spiral shape to
Frequency (GHz) reduce the filter size. The distance 𝑔2 is optimized to have
no effect on the filter performance. The microstrip layout
Zs
is simulated using a commercially available tool [24] and
Figure 4: Calculated insertion loss of the open-circuited stub the simulated performance is compared with the calculated
connected to 50 Ohm line. results as depicted in Figure 6. Good agreement between the
theoretical and simulated responses is obtained. However,
there is a slight difference between the simulated and the
3. Microstrip Design and Experiment Results theoretical passband. The microstrip layout can be further
tuned to reduce the effect of discontinuity and to obtain a
The proposed filter design is constructed on a RT Duroid better agreement. A prototype of this filter is successfully
5880 substrate with 𝜀𝑟 = 2.2 and thickness 0.254 mm and fabricated and measured and Figure 7 shows a photograph
the microstrip layout is demonstrated in Figure 5. Based on of the fabricated filter. The fabricated filter is very small with
the microstrip design equations in [2] with a slight tuning, an overall size of about 18.0 mm by 3.75 mm. The measured
4 Wireless Communications and Mobile Computing

Table 2: Performance comparisons between published works and

proposed filter.

Ref Relative stopband Rejection Up to

bandwidth level (dB)
[3] 0.92 20 6.8 GHz
[4] 1.54 14 17 GHz
[5] 1.52 10 12 GHz
[7] 0.85 15 5 GHz
Figure 7: Photograph of fabricated filter.
[8] 1.45 20 20 GHz
[9] 1.07 10 10 GHz
0 [11] 0.58 15 10 GHz
−5 [12] 1.2 30 10 GHz
−10 [13] 1.36 10 16 GHz
−15 [16] 1.42 10 6 GHz
Magnitude (dB)

−20 [17] 1.14 15 11 GHz

−25 [18] 1.2 10 20 GHz
−30 [19] 1.2 10 8 GHz
−35 [20] 1.407 20 4.5 GHz
−40 [21] 1.3 20 19 GHz
−45 [22] 0.8 30 5 GHz
−50 This work 1.5 20 20 GHz
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20
Frequency (GHz)
S11 Simulated S11 calculated selectivity and an extended stopband up to 20 GHz with an
S21 Simulated S21 calculated attenuation level of more than 20-dB. Due to the small size,
Figure 8: Simulated and measured insertion and return losses of the low insertion loss, and wide rejection band, the proposed
fabricated filter. filter looks attractive for making it attractive for many
technologies such as UWB medical applications.

performance of the prototype is compared with the simulated Data Availability

results and demonstrated in Figure 8. The experimental filter
shows excellent results with an insertion loss of about 0.4 dB The data used to support the findings of this study are
at the passband centre frequency. It also exhibits an ultra- available from the corresponding author upon request.
wide rejection band up to 20 GHz with three transmission
zeros and an attenuation level of more than 20-dB. The filter Conflicts of Interest
shows an equal ripple for the return loss at the passband
and for the insertion loss at the stopband. A performance The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.
comparison between published works and proposed filter is
demonstrated in Table 2. It can be noticed that the proposed
Acknowledgments
filter shows wider stopband bandwidth.
This work is sponsored by King Abdulaziz City for Science
4. Conclusion and Technology (KACST).

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