Microstrip tunable bandstop filter with constant absolute bandwidth

This paper presents a novel designing approach for tunable bandstop filters (BSPs) with constant absolute bandwidth (CABW). A simple bandstop unit is introduced to design tunable BSPs. Through the analysis, the bandwidth and center frequency of the unit can be fully controlled. Furthermore, when the center frequency is tuned, the bandwidth can be kept constant by choosing proper loaded stub impedances. Then, profiting from this unique property, tunable filter designs with CABW are introduced. A compact cascade structure is adopted to satisfy the tuning requirement on J-inverter while designing tunable filters with CABW. For demonstration, second-order tunable BSP is designed, fabricated, and measured. The filter can be tuned from 1.55 to 2.21 GHz with CABW, a wide fractional tuning range up to 43%. High rejection levels are realized at the mid-stopband. The measurement shows good agreement with the simulation.