Hybrid Simulation Technique for Planar Filters Electromagnetic Optimization

A hybrid simulation technique to design microwave filters is presented. It is based on electromagnetic (EM) models and circuit elements. EM models are created to perform filter optimization in circuit simulation environment. Thanks to these EM models, optimization and tuning circuit tools can be directly used. Hybrid simulation technique leads to a faster filter optimization process and allows a broadband accuracy. In order to illustrate the efficiency of this technique, a 7th-order X-band bandstop filter has been designed. Then, a EM model of this filter elements have been created and integrated in circuit libraries. Finally the filter response has been optimized with the EM models over a wide frequency range. The hybrid simulation results are in a very good agreement with the whole filter electromagnetic response.