High dielectric micro-trough line filter

Claim 1

A stripline filter having an improved Q factor comprised of: a first dielectric substrate having upper and lower substantially planar surfaces; a first ground plane comprised of a layer of electrically conductive material deposited onto said lower surface of said first dielectric substrate; a second dielectric substrate, comprised of a substantially rectangular block of dielectric material, said block having a length, a width, and a substantially uniform thickness, said block having a substantially planar upper surface and having a substantially planar lower surface that includes a plurality of substantially rectangular-cross sectioned, substantially parallel slots, said slots having lengths, widths and depths and being spaced apart from each other along the width of said block, said slots extending at least partially across the length of said block, the depths of said slots extending partially through the thickness of said block of dielectric material, said slots being substantially filled with conductive material, portions of said lower surface of said block of dielectric material between said slots being substantially uncoated, said lower surface of said block of dielectric material being coupled to said upper surface of said first dielectric substrate; input terminal means for coupling electrical signals to conductive material in said slots from a source of said electrical signals; and output terminal means for coupling electrical signals from conductive material in said slots to a destination for said electrical signals.