Topology optimization of microwave waveguide filters

TL;DR

This paper introduces a density-based topology optimization method for designing metallic microwave filters, resulting in novel, high-performance filter topologies that outperform standard designs.

Contribution

A two-phase topology optimization approach for microwave filters that produces innovative designs with improved spectral characteristics.

Findings

Optimized topologies sharpen filter characteristics

Designs outperform standard filter layouts

New design tool for microwave engineering

Abstract

We present a density based topology optimization approach for the design of metallic microwave insert filters. A two-phase optimization procedure is proposed in which we, starting from a uniform design, first optimize to obtain a set of spectral varying resonators followed by a band gap optimization for the desired filter characteristics. This is illustrated through numerical experiments and comparison to a standard band pass filter design. It is seen that the carefully optimized topologies can sharpen the filter characteristics and improve performance. Furthermore, the obtained designs share little resemblance to standard filter layouts and hence the proposed design method offers a new design tool in microwave engineering.