High-Q Tunable Filters: Challenges and Potential

High-Q tunable filters are in demand in both wireless and satellite applications. The need for tunability and configurability in wireless systems arises when deploying different systems that coexist geographically. Such deployments take place regularly when an operator has already installed a network and needs to add a new-generation network, for example, to add a long-term evolution (LTE) network to an existing third-generation (3G) network. The availability of tunable/reconfigurable hardware will also provide the network operator the means for efficiently managing hardware resources, while accommodating multistandards requirements and achieving network traffic/capacity optimization. Wireless systems can also benefit from tunable filter technologies in other areas; for example, installing wireless infrastructure equipment, such as a remote radio unit (RRU) on top of a 15-story high communication tower, is a very costly task. By using tunable filters, one installation can serve many years since if there is a need to change the frequency or bandwidth, it can be done through remote electronic tuning, rather than installing a new filter. Additionally, in urban areas, there is a very limited space for wireless service providers to install their base stations due to expensive real estate and/or maximum weight loading constrains on certain installation locations such as light poles or power lines. Therefore, once an installation site is acquired, it is natural for wireless service providers to use tunable filters to pack many functions, such as multistandards and multibands, into one site.