Dielectric image-resonator multiplexer

Abstract

A two, three or four channel multiplexer can be operated in the TE 01δ or HE 11δ modes, each channel of the multiplexer has one bandpass filter, with each filter usually having a plurality of cavities. One cavity of each filter is a common cavity with all of the other filters of the multiplexer. The common cavity contains one independent dielectric quarter-cut or half-cut image resonator for each filter representing a channel- of the multiplexer. Each resonator is mounted on a suitable support the common cavity provides a common junction and contains a loop coupling to couple electromagnetic energy between the various· channels. The multiplexer has at least one input and at least one output. Previous microwave multiplexers have a plurality of bandpass filters arranged on a coaxial manifold. With the multiplexer of the present invention, the manifold can be eliminated. Further, at the S-band or L-band, substantial weight and volume savings can be achieved using the multiplexer of the present invention without sacrificing performance. This can be very important for space applications.