Multiple resonator dielectric filter

Claim 2

A dielectric filter for passing a band of radio frequencies and rejecting other bands of frequencies, comprising: a volume of dielectric material having first, second, and side surfaces, said second and side surfaces being substantially covered with a conductive material; a plurality of holes extending through said dielectric material from said first surface to said second surface, the surface of at least two of said holes being substantially covered with a conductive material which is electrically common at said second surface, thereby forming at least two resonators; and electrode means disposed on said first surface, connected to said conductive material of said side surface, and extending partially between a first surface hole of a first resonator of said at least two resonators and a first surface hole of a second resonator of said at least two resonators, whereby coupling between said first resonator and said second resonator may be limited.

Claim 3

A dielectric filter in accordance with claim 1 wherein said electrode further comprises two strips of conductive material disposed essentially perpendicular to a line drawn between said first surface hole of said first resonator and said first surface hole of said second resonator, said two conductive strips having a first end and a second end, a gap between said first end of each said conductive strip, and said second end of each said conductive strip connected to said conductive material of said side surface.

Claim 4

A dielectric block filter for passing a band of radio frequencies from an input to an output, comprising: a rectangular prismatic dielectric block having first, second, and side surfaces, said second and side surfaces being substantially covered with conductive material; a plurality of holes extending through said rectangular prismatic dielectric block from said first surface to said second surface, the surface of at least some of said holes being substantially covered with a conductive material which is electrically common at said second surface, thereby forming resonators from said at least some holes; input coupling means coupled to a first resonator; output coupling means coupled to a second resonator; and electrode means disposed on said first surface, connected to said conductive material of said side surface, and extending partially between the first surface hole of said first resonator and a first surface hole of a third resonator, whereby coupling between said first resonator and said third resonator may be limited.

Claim 5

A dielectric block filter for passing a band of radio frequencies from an input to an output, comprising: a rectangular prismatic dielectric block having first, second, and side surfaces, said second and side surfaces being substantially covered with conductive material; a plurality of holes extending through said rectangular prismatic dielectric block from said first surface to said second surface, the surface of at least some of said holes being substantially covered with a conductive material which is electrically common at said second surface, thereby forming resonators from said at least some holes; input coupling means coupled to a first resonator; output coupling means coupled to a second resonator; and electrode means disposed on said first surface, connected to said conductive material of said side surface, and extending partially between the first surface hole of said first resonator and a first surface hole of a third resonator, whereby coupling between said first resonator and said third resonator may be limited.

Claim 6

A dielectric block filter in accordance with claim 3 further comprising tuning means coupled at least at said first surface to each said resonator, whereby each resonator may be adjusted for frequency of resonance.

Claim 7

A dielectric block filter in accordance with claim 3 further comprising a fourth resonator coupled to said input coupling means and adjusted to provide a transmission zero outside of the pass band of radio frequencies.

Claim 8

A dielectric block filter in accordance with claim 3 wherein said electrode means further comprises two strips of conductive material disposed essentially perpendicular to a line drawn between said first surface hole of said first resonator and said first surface hole of said third resonator, said two conductive strips having a first end and a second end, a gap between said first end of each said conductive strip, and said second end of each said conductive strip connected to said conductive material of said side surface.

Claim 9

A dielectric block filter for passing a band of radio frequencies from an input to an output, comprising: a rectangular prismatic dielectric block having first, second, and side surfaces, said second and side surfaces being substantially covered with a conductive material; a plurality of holes extending through said rectangular prismatic dielectric block from said first surface to said second surface, the surface of at least some of said holes being substantially covered with a conductive material which is electrically common at said second surface, thereby forming resonators from said at least some holes; input coupling means coupled to a first resonator; output coupling means coupled to a second resonator; and electrode means disposed on said first surface, connected to said conductive material of said side surface, and extending partially between the first surface hole of said second resonator and a first surface hole of a third resonator, whereby coupling between said second resonator and said third resonator may be limited.

Claim 10

A dielectric block filter for passing a band of radio frequencies from an input to an output, comprising: a rectangular prismatic dielectric block having first, second, and side surfaces, said second and side surfaces being substantially covered with a conductive material; a plurality of holes extending through said rectangular prismatic dielectric block from said first surface to said second surface, the surface of at least some of said holes being substantially covered with a conductive material which is electrically common at said second surface, thereby forming resonators from said at least some holes; input coupling means coupled to a first resonator; output coupling means coupled to a second resonator; and electrode means disposed on said first surface, connected to said conductive material of said side surface, and extending partially between the first surface hole of said second resonator and a first surface hole of a third resonator, whereby coupling between said second resonator and said third resonator may be limited.

Claim 11

A dielectric block filter in accordance with claim 7 further comprising tuning means coupled at least at said first surface to each said resonator, whereby each resonator may be adjusted for frequency of resonance.

Claim 12

A dielectric block filter in accordance with claim 7 further comprising a fourth resonator coupled to said output coupling means and adjusted to provide a transmission zero outside of the pass band of radio frequencies.

Claim 13

A dielectric block filter in accordance with claim 7 wherein said electrode means further comprises two strips of conductive material disposed essentially perpendicular to a line drawn between said first surface hole of said second resonator and said first surface hole of said third resonator, said two conductive strips having a first end and a second end, a gap between said first end of each said conductive strip, and said second end of each said conductive strip connected to said conductive material of said side surface.

Claim 14

A multi-passband dielectric filter for coupling radio-frequency (RF) signals between an antenna and first and second RF signal utilization means, comprising: at least two volumes of dielectric material, each volume of dielectric material having first, second, and side surfaces, said second and side surfaces of each volume of dielectric material being substantially covered with a conductive material; a plurality of holes extending through each said volume of dielectric material from said first surface to said second surface, the surface of at least two of said holes through each of said volume o: dielectric material being substantially covered with a conductive material which is electrically common at said second surface of each respective volume of dielectric material, thereby forming at least two resonators in each said volume of dielectric material; electrode means disposed on said first surface of at least one of said volumes of dielectric material, connected to said conductive material of said side surface, and extending partially between a first surface hole of a first resonator of said at least two resonators and a first surface hole of a second resonator of said at least two resonators, whereby coupling between said first resonator and said second resonator may be limited; and coupling means for coupling a first volume of dielectric material having said at least two resonators therein tuned to a first passband of frequencies and a second volume of dielectric material having said at least two resonators therein tuned to a second passband of frequencies to a single node at the antenna, whereby said first passband of frequencies is passed by said first volume of dielectric material and said second passband of frequencies is rejected by said first volume of dielectric material and said second passband of frequencies is passed by said second volume of dielectric material and said first passband of frequencies is rejected by said second volume of dielectric material.

Claim 15

A multi-passband dielectric filter for coupling radio-frequency (RF) signals between an antenna and first and second RF signal utilization means, comprising: at least two volumes of dielectric material, each volume of dielectric material having first, second, and side surfaces, said second and side surfaces of each volume of dielectric material being substantially covered with a conductive material; a plurality of holes extending through each said volume of dielectric material from said first surface to said second surface, the surface of at least two of said holes through each of said volume o: dielectric material being substantially covered with a conductive material which is electrically common at said second surface of each respective volume of dielectric material, thereby forming at least two resonators in each said volume of dielectric material; electrode means disposed on said first surface of at least one of said volumes of dielectric material, connected to said conductive material of said side surface, and extending partially between a first surface hole of a first resonator of said at least two resonators and a first surface hole of a second resonator of said at least two resonators, whereby coupling between said first resonator and said second resonator may be limited; and coupling means for coupling a first volume of dielectric material having said at least two resonators therein tuned to a first passband of frequencies and a second volume of dielectric material having said at least two resonators therein tuned to a second passband of frequencies to a single node at the antenna, whereby said first passband of frequencies is passed by said first volume of dielectric material and said second passband of frequencies is rejected by said first volume of dielectric material and said second passband of frequencies is passed by said second volume of dielectric material and said first passband of frequencies is rejected by said second volume of dielectric material.

Claim 16

A multi-passband filter in accordance with claim 11 wherein said electrode means further comprises two strips of conductive material disposed essentially perpendicular to a line drawn between said first surface hole of said first resonator and said first surface hole of said second resonator, said two conductive strips having a first end and a second end, a gap between said first end of each said conductive strip, and said second end of each said conductive strip connected to said conductive material of said side surface.

Claim 17

A multi-passband filter in accordance with claim 11 further comprising a third resonator in at least one of said volumes of dielectric material, said third resonator adjusted to provide a transmission zero outside of said passband of said at least one of said volumes of dielectric material.

Claim 18

A radio utilizing an antenna to receive radio frequency signals, comprising: a receiver; and a filter disposed between said receiver and the antenna, said filter comprising: a volume of dielectric material having first, second, and side surfaces, said second and side surfaces being substantially covered with a conductive material; a plurality of holes extending through said dielectric material from said first surface to said second surface, the surface of at least two of said holes being substantially covered with a conductive material which is electrically common at said second surface, thereby forming at least two resonators; and electrode means disposed on said first surface, connected to said conductive material of said side surface, and extending partially between a first surface hole of a first resonator of said at least two resonators and a first surface hole of a second resonator of said at least two resonators, whereby a coupling between said first resonator and said second resonator may be limited.

Claim 19

A radio utilizing an antenna to receive radio frequency signals, comprising: a receiver; and a filter disposed between said receiver and the antenna, said filter comprising: a volume of dielectric material having first, second, and side surfaces, said second and side surfaces being substantially covered with a conductive material; a plurality of holes extending through said dielectric material from said first surface to said second surface, the surface of at least two of said holes being substantially covered with a conductive material which is electrically common at said second surface, thereby forming at least two resonators; and electrode means disposed on said first surface, connected to said conductive material of said side surface, and extending partially between a first surface hole of a first resonator of said at least two resonators and a first surface hole of a second resonator of said at least two resonators, whereby a coupling between said first resonator and said second resonator may be limited.

Claim 20

A radio in accordance with claim 14 wherein said electrode means further comprises two strips of conductive material disposed essentially perpendicular to a line drawn between said first surface hole of said first resonator and said first surface hole of said second resonator, said two conductive strips having a first end and a second end, a gap between said first end of each said conductive strip, and said second end of each said conductive strip connected to said conductive material of said side surface.

Claim 21

A radio utilizing an antenna to transmit radio frequency signals, comprising: a transmitter; and a filter disposed between said transmitter and the antenna, said filter comprising: a volume of dielectric material having first, second, and side surfaces, said second and side surfaces being substantially covered with a conductive material; a plurality of holes extending through said dielectric material from said first surface to said second surface, the surface of at least two said holes being substantially covered with a conductive material which is electrically common at said second surface, thereby forming at least two resonators; and electrode means disposed on said first surface, connected to said conductive material of said side surface, and extending partially between a first surface hole of a first resonator of said at least two resonators and a first surface hole of a second resonator of said at least two resonators, whereby a coupling between said first resonator and said second resonator may be limited.

Claim 22

A radio utilizing an antenna to transmit radio frequency signals, comprising: a transmitter; and a filter disposed between said transmitter and the antenna, said filter comprising: a volume of dielectric material having first, second, and side surfaces, said second and side surfaces being substantially covered with a conductive material; a plurality of holes extending through said dielectric material from said first surface to said second surface, the surface of at least two said holes being substantially covered with a conductive material which is electrically common at said second surface, thereby forming at least two resonators; and electrode means disposed on said first surface, connected to said conductive material of said side surface, and extending partially between a first surface hole of a first resonator of said at least two resonators and a first surface hole of a second resonator of said at least two resonators, whereby a coupling between said first resonator and said second resonator may be limited.

Claim 23

A radio in accordance with claim 16 wherein said electrode means further comprises two strips of conductive material disposed essentially perpendicular to a line drawn between said first surface hole of said first resonator and said first surface hole of said second resonator, said two conductive strips having a first end and a second end, a gap between said first end of each conductive strip, and said second end of each said conductive strip connected to said conductive material of said side surface.

Claim 24

A duplex radio transceiver capable of employing a single antenna for both receive and transmit functions comprising: a transmitter; a receiver; and a duplexer filter disposed between said transmitter and the antenna, and between said receiver and the antenna, said duplexer filter comprising: at least two volumes of dielectric material, each volume of dielectric material having first, second, and side surfaces, said second and side surfaces of each volume of dielectric material being substantially covered with a conductive material; a plurality of holes extending through each said volume of dielectric material from said first surface to said second surface, the surface of at least two of said holes through each of said volume of dielectric material being substantially covered with a conductive material which is electrically common at said second surface of each respective volume of dielectric material, thereby forming at least two resonators in each said volume of dielectric material; and electrode means disposed on said first surface of at least one of said volumes of dielectric material, connected to said conductive material of said side surface, and extending partially between a first surface hole of a first resonator of said at least two resonators and a first surface hole of a second resonator of said at least two resonators, whereby a coupling between said first resonator and said second resonator may be limited; and coupling means for coupling a first volume of dielectric material having said at least two resonators therein tuned to a passband of transmitter frequencies and a second volume of dielectric material having said at least two resonators therein tuned to a passband of receiver frequencies to a single node at the single antenna, whereby said passband of transmitter frequencies is passed by said first volume of dielectric material and said passband of receiver frequencies is rejected by said first volume of dielectric material and said passband of receiver frequencies is passed by said second volume of dielectric material and said passband of transmitter frequencies is rejected by said second volume of dielectric material.

Claim 25

A duplex radio transceiver capable of employing a single antenna for both receive and transmit functions comprising: a transmitter; a receiver; and a duplexer filter disposed between said transmitter and the antenna, and between said receiver and the antenna, said duplexer filter comprising: at least two volumes of dielectric material, each volume of dielectric material having first, second, and side surfaces, said second and side surfaces of each volume of dielectric material being substantially covered with a conductive material; a plurality of holes extending through each said volume of dielectric material from said first surface to said second surface, the surface of at least two of said holes through each of said volume of dielectric material being substantially covered with a conductive material which is electrically common at said second surface of each respective volume of dielectric material, thereby forming at least two resonators in each said volume of dielectric material; and electrode means disposed on said first surface of at least one of said volumes of dielectric material, connected to said conductive material of said side surface, and extending partially between a first surface hole of a first resonator of said at least two resonators and a first surface hole of a second resonator of said at least two resonators, whereby a coupling between said first resonator and said second resonator may be limited; and coupling means for coupling a first volume of dielectric material having said at least two resonators therein tuned to a passband of transmitter frequencies and a second volume of dielectric material having said at least two resonators therein tuned to a passband of receiver frequencies to a single node at the single antenna, whereby said passband of transmitter frequencies is passed by said first volume of dielectric material and said passband of receiver frequencies is rejected by said first volume of dielectric material and said passband of receiver frequencies is passed by said second volume of dielectric material and said passband of transmitter frequencies is rejected by said second volume of dielectric material.

Claim 26

A duplex radio transceiver in accordance with claim 18 wherein said electrode means further comprises two strips of conductive material disposed essentially perpendicular to a line drawn between said first surface hole of said first resonator and said first surface hole of said second resonator, said two conductive strips having a first end and a second end, a gap between said first end of each said conductive strip, and said second end of each said conductive strip connected to said conductive material of said side surface.

Claim 27

A duplex radio transceiver in accordance with claim 18 further comprising a third resonator in at least one of said volumes of dielectric material adjusted to provide a transmission zero outside of said passband of said at least one of said volumes of dielectric material.

Claim 28

A duplex radio transceiver in accordance with claim 18 wherein said coupling means further comprises at least one transmission line.