Many modern radar and communications concepts employ microwave transmitter receivers TyR modulem. It is desirable to use a TyR module with a large bandwidth in order to encompass many applications and therefore reduce costs. However using broadband modulem without filter selectivity results in receiver susceptibility to spurious and unwanted signals. In addition, some form of selectivity allows higher transmit power amplifier efficiencies. This program will address the general tunable filter requirements in the context of a novel transmission line concept that allows tunability or programmability of filters and other components. The concept will allow miniaturization of filters by significantly decreasing the characteristic phase velocity of transmission lines through the use of circuit concepts and materials processing. In addition, the Phase I program will review the thin film resonator technology and its application to lower frequency ranges, 1-10 GHz, where the ultra-miniature high performance devices would be switched to have the flexibility of tunable filters.
