Dielectric-loaded Ku-Band Filter for High-power Space Applications based on Barrel-shaped cavities

The design and first experimental results of a Ku-band bandpass filter for high-power satellite applications are presented in this paper. Designed in the framework of an ESA ARTES AT project, the filter is centred at 11 GHz with 240 MHz bandwidth $(\text{FBW}=2.2\%)$ and it is based on dielectric-loaded combline resonators mixed with barrel-shaped metal cavities. This solution allows for higher compactness than other standard technologies (i.e. coaxial cavity filters) maintaining high unloaded Q-factor values. Design and RF measurements of a compact 6 ^th order elliptic filter are presented in this paper. The filter geometry and materials have been carefully chosen in order to improve the high-power performance in terms of power-handling, multipactor up to 150 W of input RF power. The test results show good correlation with the design in terms of volume, mass and unloaded Q-factor (>4500). A volume saving above 50% has been achieved with respect to the standard $T$ E113 resonators.