Open AccessTunable microstrip filter element using magnetically‐repositioned ferrofluid load
Author(s) -
Horton A.S.,
Chilton S.L.,
Sigmarsson H.H.,
Ruyle J.E.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
electronics letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.375
H-Index - 146
eISSN - 1350-911X
pISSN - 0013-5194
DOI - 10.1049/el.2016.4567
Subject(s) - microstrip , stub (electronics) , ground plane , ferrofluid , materials science , filter (signal processing) , electrical impedance , magnetic field , acoustics , electronic engineering , optoelectronics , electrical engineering , engineering , physics , quantum mechanics , antenna (radio)
A microstrip filter element that is tunable through magnetic repositioning of a ferrofluid load is presented. A channel beneath the microstrip stub is partially filled with ferrofluid which moves in response to a DC bias field placed beneath the ground plane, resulting in a changing impedance and propagation constant for the stub section and tuning of the filter element. Benefits of this tuning method include electrical isolation between the tuning system and the filter element, retention of the device's operating mode without the need for a power source, and microfluidic reconfiguration without a pumping system.