Optimal Design of Multi-Cavity Filters and Contiguous-Band Multiplexers

A general contiguous-band multiplexer optimization procedure exploiting exact network sensitivities is described. The structure under consideration consists of synchronously and asynchronously tuned multi-cavity filters distributed along a waveguide manifold. All design parameters, e.g., waveguide spacings (section lengths), input-output and filter coupling parameters, can be directly optimized using a powerful gradient-based minimax algorithm. Nonideal effects such as junction susceptances, dissipation and dispersive effects are readily taken into account.