A Manual Tuning Method for Coupled Cavity Filters

These instructions give guidelines how to tune coupled cavity microwave filters manually. This work was motivated by the lack of a systematic methodology of manual filter tuning for training of novice personal. Moreover, we expected to gain information how humans are tuning filters. This information is helpful for development of computer-aided tuning tools. The method is exemplified by a 6-pole filter with one cross-coupling, but is also applicable to similar filters with more or less poles and cross-couplings

I. Introduction

Manual tuning of filters is considered as an art. Typically a skilled person with some experience is tuning prototype filters. Few methods are known to facilitate the tuning process [1]–[3], but they usually require some manual fine tuning to reach the desired specification.