JP2014138295A - Resonator, filter and filter bank - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a resonator which can reduce characteristic variation due to etching error and restrain breakage and temporal change in characteristics of a signal conductor even when subjected to mechanical vibration.SOLUTION: A resonator includes: a metal housing; a flat plate-like first metal plate having a first ground conductor which is fixed to the metal housing, and a first signal conductor which extends from the first ground conductor and whose length is equal to odd number times of 1/4 wavelength of a predetermined operation frequency; and a flat plate-like second metal plate having a second ground conductor which is joined to the first ground conductor, and a second signal conductor which is joined to the first signal conductor so that the marginal part thereof to be jointed to the first signal conductor is arranged on the side more inward than the marginal part of the first signal conductor when viewed from the vertical direction of the joint surface.

Description

  The present invention relates to a resonator used in a microwave band, a filter using the resonator, and a filter bank.

  A conventional distributed constant bandpass filter using a conventional resonator has one end connected to the ground conductor between the input and output terminals, and the other end opened, and is an odd number of about 1/4 wavelength in the passband. This is realized by arranging a plurality of doubled signal conductors (open end stubs) so as to obtain desired electrical characteristics. (For example, refer nonpatent literature 1).

G. Matthaei et al., "Microwave Filters, Impedance-Matching Networks, and Coupling Structures", p.614. (Artech House, 1980)

However, the prior art has the following problems.
When a conventional bandpass filter is realized using a hollow triplate line, a hollow coplanar line, or a hollow microstrip line without using a dielectric substrate to reduce loss, the length is about 1/4 wavelength. The vicinity of the front end of the signal conductor having an open end that is an odd multiple is not mechanically supported. For this reason, when a band-pass filter is realized using a thin metal plate, when a vibration is applied from the outside, the signal conductor mechanically resonates. There is a problem that the base part of the rupture occurs due to metal fatigue.

  In addition, when a band-pass filter is realized using a thin metal plate, if a vibration is applied from the outside, the signal conductor mechanically vibrates, so that the resonance frequency of the resonator constituting the filter changes with time. There is a problem that the characteristics of the filter change with time.

  On the other hand, there is a method of increasing the thickness of the metal plate forming the signal conductor as a method for making it difficult for the signal conductor to break or change in time characteristics even when vibration is applied from the outside. However, when a metal plate is processed by double-sided etching that etches by applying an etchant from both sides of the metal plate, the etching error is generally about ± 10% of the thickness of the metal plate, and the etchant is applied from one side of the metal plate. When single-sided etching is used, the thickness is approximately ± 100% of the thickness of the metal plate. That is, when the metal plate is processed by etching, the etching error increases as the thickness of the metal plate increases, so that the dimensional variation of the signal conductor and the like increases. For this reason, there is a problem that the filter characteristics vary.

  That is, when a band-pass filter is realized by using a thin metal plate so as to reduce an etching error, the signal conductor is broken or temporal characteristics are changed when vibration is applied from the outside. On the other hand, when a bandpass filter is realized using a thick metal plate in order to prevent breakage of the signal conductor and temporal characteristic change even when vibration is applied from the outside, the etching error becomes large, There is a problem that the filter characteristics vary.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems. While reducing characteristic variations due to etching errors, signal conductors are broken or temporal characteristics are changed even when mechanical vibration is applied. The object is to obtain a difficult resonator, a band-pass filter, and a filter bank.

The resonator according to the present invention is:
A metal housing;
A first ground conductor fixed to the metal casing, and a first signal conductor extending from the first ground conductor and having a length that is an odd multiple of a quarter wavelength at a predetermined operating frequency. A first metal plate having
The first signal conductor is flat and has a second ground conductor joined to the first ground conductor and an edge of a portion joined to the first signal conductor as viewed from a direction perpendicular to the joint surface. A second metal plate having a second signal conductor joined to the first signal conductor so as to be inside the edge of
It is characterized by comprising.

  The effect of the resonator according to the present invention is that by overlapping a plurality of thin metal plates, the mechanical strength increases even when mechanical vibration is applied from the outside. It is difficult for characteristic changes to occur.

  In addition, since the thin metal plate is etched, the etching error can be reduced, so that the characteristic fluctuation due to the etching error can be reduced.

  In addition, when the first metal plate and the second metal plate are overlapped and connected, generally, the first metal plate and the second metal plate are connected due to a manufacturing error such as an etching error or a positional deviation between the first metal plate and the second metal plate. There is a possibility that the metal plate and the second metal plate are joined with their positions shifted. At this time, when the second signal conductor protrudes from the first signal conductor, it is electrically equivalent to a change in the width and length of the resonator, and there is a problem that the resonance frequency varies. However, even if a manufacturing error as described above occurs, the edge of the second signal conductor does not protrude from the edge of the first signal conductor, and the edge of the second ground conductor on the second signal conductor side By determining the dimensions so as not to protrude from the edge of the first ground conductor, the edge of the second signal conductor can be prevented from protruding from the edges of the first signal conductor and the first ground conductor. . Since the first signal conductor has a wider line width than the second signal conductor, the characteristics of the resonator are substantially determined by the shape of the first signal conductor and the first ground conductor. Even if manufacturing errors such as the above-described etching errors and metal plate misalignment occur, there is an effect that the characteristic change of the resonator can be reduced.

  Further, by reducing the thickness of the first metal plate and increasing the thickness of the second metal plate, the etching error of the first metal plate that determines the resonance frequency is further reduced, and the second metal plate. Thus, the mechanical strength can be maintained. In other words, by reducing the thickness of the first metal plate and increasing the thickness of the second metal plate, it is not necessary to adjust the resonance frequency, and the signal conductor breaks even when mechanical vibration is applied from the outside. There is also an effect that it is possible to realize a resonator that is difficult to change with time.

1 is a configuration diagram showing a resonator according to a first embodiment of the invention. Top view showing a part of the resonator according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Sectional drawing which shows the resonator by Embodiment 1 of this invention Top view showing a part of the resonator according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Sectional drawing which shows the resonator by Embodiment 1 of this invention Top view showing a part of the resonator according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a resonator according to a first embodiment of the invention. Top view showing a part of the resonator according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Sectional drawing which shows the resonator by Embodiment 1 of this invention Top view showing a part of the resonator according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Sectional drawing which shows the resonator by Embodiment 1 of this invention Sectional drawing which shows the resonator by Embodiment 1 of this invention Top view showing a part of a filter according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. Sectional drawing which shows the filter by Embodiment 2 of this invention Top view showing a part of a filter according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. Sectional drawing which shows the filter by Embodiment 2 of this invention Configuration diagram showing a filter bank according to a third embodiment of the present invention Top view showing a part of a filter bank according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention Sectional drawing which shows the filter bank by Embodiment 3 of this invention Sectional drawing which shows the filter bank by Embodiment 3 of this invention

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a resonator and a filter using a hollow line according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts will be described with the same reference numerals. .

Embodiment 1 FIG.
1 is an overhead view of a resonator according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In FIG. 1, 1 is a first metal plate, 2 is a second metal plate, 3 is a metal housing, 4 is a screw for fixing the first metal plate 1, the second metal plate 2 and the metal housing 3. It is. FIG. 2 is a top view of the first metal plate 1 and the second metal plate 2. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA ′ in FIG.

  The first metal plate 1 has a flat plate shape, and includes a first signal conductor 10, a first ground conductor 11, a third ground conductor 13, and a fourth ground conductor 14 in FIG. One signal conductor 10 extends from the first ground conductor 11, and one end of the first signal conductor 10 is connected to the first ground conductor 11. The first ground conductor 11 is connected via a third ground conductor 13 and a fourth ground conductor 14. The fourth ground conductor 14 is disposed adjacent to the first signal conductor 10.

  The second metal plate 2 has a flat plate shape. In FIG. 2, the second metal plate 2 includes a second signal conductor 20, a second ground conductor 22, a fifth ground conductor 25, and a sixth ground conductor 26. One end of the second signal conductor 20 is connected to the second ground conductor 21, and the second ground conductor 22 is connected via the fifth ground conductor 25 and the sixth ground conductor 26.

The resonator according to the first embodiment includes a first metal plate 1, a second metal plate 2, and a metal housing 3. The first metal plate 1 and the second metal plate 2 are electrically connected by diffusion bonding. Mechanically and mechanically joined.
Accordingly, the first signal conductor 10 and the second signal conductor 20, the first ground conductor 11 and the second ground conductor 22, the first ground conductor 11 and the second ground conductor 22, and the third ground conductor. The conductor 13 and the fifth ground conductor 25, and the fourth ground conductor 14 and the sixth ground conductor 26 are joined to each other.

  Further, even if a positional deviation between the first metal plate 1 and the second metal plate 2, an etching error of the first metal plate 1, and an etching error of the second metal plate 2 occur, the second signal conductor The 20 edges do not protrude from the edge of the first signal conductor 10. That is, when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the joining surface where the first signal conductor 10 and the second signal conductor 20 are joined (upper surface direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 2 which is a top view), the second The dimension of the second signal conductor 20 is determined so that the edge of the second signal conductor 20 of the metal plate 2 is inside the edge of the first signal conductor 10 of the first metal plate 1. ing.

  In the first embodiment, two input / output lines 30 as input / output means are arranged around the resonator, and the first ground conductor 11 and the third ground conductor 13 are electrically connected to the metal housing 3. Connected and mechanically fixed.

  The length of the first signal conductor 10 is about ¼ wavelength of the resonance frequency. In the resonator according to the first embodiment, the tip of the first signal conductor 10 is opened, and the other tip is connected to the first ground conductor 11. For this reason, it electrically resonates at a frequency at which the length of the first signal conductor 10 is an odd multiple of about ¼ wavelength. Therefore, it operates as a resonator with this frequency as a predetermined operating frequency.

  Therefore, in the signal input from one input / output line 30, only the component near the frequency at which the first signal conductor 10 electrically resonates is coupled to the resonator, and the first signal conductor 10 is electrically connected. Only the component near the resonating frequency is coupled to the other input / output line 30 and output. That is, the circuit including the resonator according to the first embodiment operates as a single-stage bandpass filter.

  When mechanical vibration is applied to the resonator according to the first embodiment from the outside, the first signal conductor 10 and the second signal conductor 20 are connected by diffusion bonding, and the mechanical strength is improved. Mechanical resonance is less likely to occur and breakage is less likely than when a signal conductor of a resonator is realized using one thin metal plate.

  In the etching process, an etching error range is determined approximately in proportion to the thickness of the metal plate. Therefore, since the first metal plate 1 which is a thin metal plate is etched in the resonator according to the first embodiment, the dimensional error due to the etching can be reduced, and therefore the frequency fluctuation due to the etching error is small, and the resonance frequency is adjusted. Is no longer necessary.

  In the resonator according to the first embodiment, the positional deviation between the first metal plate 1 and the second metal plate 2, the etching dimensional error of the first metal plate 1, and the etching of the second metal plate 2 are performed. Even if a dimensional error occurs, the edge of the second metal plate 2 does not protrude from the edge of the first signal conductor 10 so that the edge of the second signal conductor 20 does not protrude from the edge of the first metal plate 1. For example, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the second metal plate 2 is diffusion-bonded with the position shifted from the first metal plate 1, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. However, the second metal plate 2 does not protrude from the first metal plate 1. Even if the positions of the first metal plate 1 and the second metal plate 2 are shifted, the first signal conductor 10 has a wider line width and a longer line length than the second signal conductor 20. These characteristics are substantially determined by the dimensions of the first signal conductor 10 in the first metal plate 1. Therefore, even if the positions of the first metal plate 1 and the second metal plate 2 are shifted and joined, the resonance frequency does not change. Therefore, the resonator according to the first embodiment has a small frequency fluctuation due to a manufacturing error.

  In the resonator according to the first embodiment, the second metal plate 2 is disposed on the upper surface of the first metal plate 1, and the metal housing 3 is disposed on the lower surface of the first metal plate 1. Since the return current of the current flowing through the signal conductor mainly flows through the metal housing 3, the electrical characteristics of the resonator according to the first embodiment are not the dimensions of the second signal conductor 20 but are close to the metal housing 3. It is substantially determined by the size of the first signal conductor 10. Therefore, by adopting the structure of the first embodiment, the influence of the etching dimensional error of the second metal plate 2 is reduced.

  From the above, the resonator according to the first embodiment reduces the frequency fluctuation due to the etching error and the displacement of the metal plate, and does not break the signal conductor or change the temporal characteristics even when mechanical vibration is applied. small.

  In the first embodiment, the first signal conductor 10 and the second signal conductor 20 are straight lines. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and at least the first signal conductor 10 is provided as shown in FIG. It may be bent. By bending the first signal conductor 10 and the second signal conductor 20 as shown in FIG. 6, the distance between the second ground conductor 22 and the fifth ground conductor 25 can be shortened without changing the resonance frequency. Can be reduced in size.

  In the first embodiment, the single metal housing 3 is used. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the first metal plate 1 and the second metal plate 2 are covered as shown in FIG. Two metal casings 3 may be used on both upper and lower sides. By using two metal housings 3 so as to cover the metal plates 1 and 2 as shown in FIG. 7, leakage of the electromagnetic field to the periphery of the resonator can be reduced, and the amount of interference with the peripheral circuit can be reduced. .

  In Embodiment 1, one second metal plate 2 is used. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a plurality of second metal plates 2 may be used as shown in FIGS. good. FIG. 9 shows a B-B ′ cross section in FIG. 8. FIG. 11 shows an F-F ′ cross section in FIG. 10. By using a plurality of second metal plates 2 as shown in FIGS. 8 to 11, the mechanical strength is further improved, and the frequency fluctuation due to the etching error and the displacement of the metal plates 1 and 2 is reduced, while the mechanical strength is reduced. Even if a large amount of vibration is applied, the breakage of the signal conductor and the temporal characteristic change can be made smaller than in the case where one second metal plate 2 is used.

  In the first embodiment, the first metal plate 1 and the second metal plate 2 are connected by diffusion bonding. However, the first metal plate 1 and the second metal plate 2 are not limited to this, and mechanically using solder, conductive adhesive, or the like. As long as they are fixed and electrically connected, they may be joined by different methods.

  In addition, when manufacturing the 1st metal plate 1 and the 2nd metal plate 2 by an etching process, the etching dimension error at the time of using the double-sided etching process which etches by applying an etching liquid from the both sides of the metal plates 1 and 2 is used. Is approximately ± 10% of the thickness of the metal plates 1 and 2, and the etching error when using a single-sided etching process in which an etching solution is applied from one side of the metal plates is approximately ± 100% of the thickness of the metal plates 1 and 2. . Further, when an etching error occurs, the length of the first signal conductor 10 changes, and the resonance frequency also changes to a ratio of the changed length. From the above, by determining the thickness of the first metal plate 1 so that the dimensional error of the signal conductor due to the etching error is within the allowable frequency fluctuation range, the resonance that does not require adjustment of the resonance frequency. Can be realized.

  In addition, when the thickness of the first metal plate 1 is determined so that the dimensional error of the signal conductor 10 due to the etching error is within the allowable frequency fluctuation range, the thickness of the first metal plate 1 is reduced, If the thickness of the second metal plate 2 is approximately the same as the thickness of the first metal plate 1, the mechanical strength is not sufficient. Therefore, when mechanical vibration is applied, mechanical resonance or the like occurs, and the first In some cases, the signal conductor 10 may break or the electrical characteristics may change over time.

  In this case, the thickness of the second metal plate 2 may be made thicker than that of the first metal plate 1 as shown in FIG. Since the electrical characteristics are substantially determined by the dimensions of the first metal plate 1, particularly the first signal conductor 10, the thickness of the second metal plate 2 is made thicker than that of the first metal plate 1, and the first signal By making the second signal conductor 20 thicker than the conductor 10, it is possible to realize a resonator in which necessary mechanical strength is ensured while adjusting the resonance frequency is unnecessary.

  In addition, since the number of parts can be reduced compared to a configuration in which a plurality of second signal conductors 20 are used to ensure the required mechanical strength, it is possible to manufacture a filter with equivalent performance at a low cost.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
FIG. 13 is a top view of the metal plates 1 and 2 of the filter according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC ′ in FIG.

  In FIG. 13, the first metal plate 1 of this filter includes a first signal conductor 10, a first ground conductor 11, a third ground conductor 13, and a fourth ground conductor 14. The signal conductor 10 extends from the first ground conductor 11 and is connected to the first ground conductor 11. The first ground conductor 11 is connected via a third ground conductor 13 and a fourth ground conductor 14.

  In FIG. 13, the second metal plate 2 of this filter includes a second signal conductor 20, a second ground conductor 22, a fifth ground conductor 25, and a sixth ground conductor 26. The second signal conductor 20 is connected to the second ground conductor 22, and the second ground conductor 22 is connected via the fifth ground conductor 25 and the sixth ground conductor 26.

  The filter according to the second embodiment includes a first metal plate 1, a second metal plate 2, and a metal housing 3 (similar to FIG. 1, but not shown in FIG. 13). The metal plate 1 and the second metal plate 2 are joined electrically and mechanically by diffusion bonding. The dimension of the second signal conductor 20 of the second metal plate 2 is determined so as to be inside the end of the first signal conductor 10 of the first metal plate 1.

  Further, in the second embodiment, two input / output lines 30 serving as input / output means are arranged around the resonator composed of the first signal conductor 10 and the second signal conductor 20, and the first ground conductor 11 The third ground conductor 13 is connected to the metal housing 3.

  In the second embodiment, two each of the first signal conductor 10 and the second signal conductor 20 are provided. The length of each first signal conductor 10 is about ¼ wavelength of the resonance frequency. The tip of the first signal conductor 10 is opened, and the other tip is connected to the first ground conductor 11. Since the length is about ¼ wavelength, when the first signal conductor 10 is excited at a resonating frequency, this frequency is set as a predetermined operating frequency, and each operates as a resonator.

  In FIG. 13, the signal input from one input / output line 30 is coupled to the resonator only in the vicinity of the frequency at which one of the first signal conductors 10 electrically resonates, and the component in the vicinity of the resonating frequency. Only the component near the frequency at which the other first signal conductor 10 electrically resonates is coupled to the other input / output line 30 and output. That is, the circuit that is the filter of the second embodiment operates as a two-stage bandpass filter.

  In the second embodiment, the case where two resonators constituted by the first signal conductor 10, the second signal conductor 20, the first ground conductor 11, and the second ground conductor 22 are used has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and three or more resonators constituted by the first signal conductor 10, the second signal conductor 20, the first ground conductor 11, and the second ground conductor 22 may be used. . By using three or more resonators, a sharper pass characteristic (frequency characteristic) or the like can be realized than when two resonators are used.

  In the second embodiment, the first signal conductor 10 is a straight line, but is not limited thereto, and may be bent as shown in FIG. By bending the first signal conductor 10, the distance between the first ground conductor 11 and the third ground conductor 13 can be reduced, and the width of the filter can be narrowed without changing the passband.

  In the second embodiment, one metal casing 3 is used. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the CC ′ cross section of FIG. 13 covers the metal plates 1 and 2 as shown in FIG. As described above, two metal casings 3 may be used. By using two metal housings 3 so as to cover the metal plates 1 and 2 as shown in FIG. 16, the leakage of the electromagnetic field to the periphery of the filter can be reduced, and the amount of interference with the peripheral circuit can be reduced.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
FIG. 17 is a circuit diagram of a filter bank according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

  In FIG. 17, 31 is a filter having a different pass band, 32 is a switch, and 33 is an input / output terminal of the filter bank. FIG. 18 is a top view of the filter 31 used in the filter bank according to the third embodiment. A cross-sectional view taken along the line D-D 'in FIG. 18 is shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 18, a plurality of filters 31 whose passbands are changed by changing the length of the first signal conductor 10 and the signal conductor interval in the filter of the second embodiment are replaced with the first ground conductors 11 of the adjacent filters. And the third ground conductor 13 and the second ground conductor 22 and the fifth ground conductor 25 of the adjacent filter are connected to each other.

  Each filter 31 of the third embodiment operates as a band pass filter that passes only a specific band as in the second embodiment. A signal input from one input / output terminal 33 is input to a certain filter 31 via the switch 32. Then, only the input signal in the pass band of the filter is output from the input / output terminal 33 via the other switch 32. From the above, the circuit in the third embodiment operates as a filter bank that can select only signals in a specific frequency band from among a plurality of signals having different frequency bands by switching the switch 32.

  Since the plurality of filters 31 are integrated and configured as shown in FIG. 18, the ground conductors of the filters 31 are connected without breaks, so that the two metal plates 1 and 2 are etched and diffusion bonded. A plurality of filters 31 can be manufactured at once using the metal plates 1 and 2, the metal housing 3, and the screws 4, and a filter bank that is easy to manufacture and low in cost can be realized.

  In addition, although the filter 31 of Embodiment 3 used one metal housing | casing 3, it is not restricted to this, Metal plate 1, 2 so that DD 'cross section in FIG. 18 may become FIG. Two metal casings 3 may be used so as to cover. By using two metal casings 3 so as to cover the metal plates 1 and 2 as shown in FIG. 20, leakage of electromagnetic fields to adjacent filter 31 and the periphery of the filter bank can be reduced. The amount of interference between the bank and the peripheral circuit can be reduced.

  In addition, although the filter bank in Embodiment 3 used three filters 31 with different pass bands, the present invention is not limited to this, and two or four or more filters 31 with different pass bands may be used. Depending on the application, the filter 31 may have the same pass band. By using two filters 31, the filter bank can be downsized. Further, by using four or more filters, it is possible to separate signals having more different frequency bands.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 1st metal plate, 2nd 2nd metal plate, 3 metal housing | casing, 4 screws, 10 1st signal conductor, 11 1st ground conductor, 13 3rd ground conductor, 14 4th ground conductor, 20 second signal conductor, 22 second ground conductor, 25 fifth ground conductor, 26 sixth ground conductor, 30 input / output line, 31 filter, 32 switch, 33 input / output terminal

Claims (7)

A metal housing;
A first ground conductor fixed to the metal casing, and a first signal conductor extending from the first ground conductor and having a length that is an odd multiple of a quarter wavelength at a predetermined operating frequency. A first metal plate having
The first signal conductor is flat and has a second ground conductor joined to the first ground conductor and an edge of a portion joined to the first signal conductor as viewed from a direction perpendicular to the joint surface. A second metal plate having a second signal conductor joined to the first signal conductor so as to be inside the edge of
A resonator comprising: The first metal plate is disposed adjacent to the first signal conductor by connecting the third ground conductor fixed to the metal casing, the first ground conductor and the third ground conductor. A fourth ground conductor,
The second metal plate further includes a fifth ground conductor joined to the third ground conductor and a sixth ground conductor joined to the fourth ground conductor. The resonator according to 1.   The resonator according to claim 1, wherein the second metal plate is composed of two or more metal plates joined to each other.   The resonator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second metal plate is bonded to both surfaces of the first metal plate.   The resonator according to claim 1, wherein the second metal plate is thicker than the first metal plate.   6. A filter comprising one or more resonators according to claim 1, and comprising input / output means electrically coupled to any one of the one or more resonators. .   A filter bank comprising a plurality of the filters according to claim 6, wherein the first metal plates in each of the filters are connected and integrated in the same plane.

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