Dielectric Waveguide Filter with Direct Coupling and Alternative Cross-Coupling

A waveguide filter adapted for the transmission of an RF signal and comprising:

• a first block of dielectric material covered with a layer of conductive material and defining at least a first resonator;
• a second block of dielectric material covered with a layer of conductive material and defining at least a second resonator;
• a third block of dielectric material covered with a layer of conductive material and defining at least a third resonator, the third block of dielectric material being coupled to and bridging the first and second blocks of dielectric material;
• a first RF signal transmission window defined between the first block and the third block and defining a first path for the transmission of the RF signal between the first resonator and the third resonator;
• and
• a second RF signal transmission window defined between the second block and the third block and defining a second path for the transmission of the RF signal between the third resonator and the second resonator.

A waveguide filter adapted for transmission of an RF signal and comprising:

• a base block of dielectric material covered with a layer of conductive material and defining at least first and second resonators;
• a bridge block of dielectric material covered with a layer of conductive material and defining at least a third resonator, the bridge block being stacked on top of the base block in a relationship wherein the bridge block bridges the first and second resonators of the base block;
• a first interior direct coupling RF signal transmission window defined between the base block and the bridge block and defining a first direct path for the transmission of the RF signal between the first and third resonators;
• a second interior direct RF signal transmission window defined between the base block and the bridge block and defining a second direct path for the transmission of the RF signal between the second and third resonators;
• and
• a first cross-coupling RF signal transmission means defining a first cross-coupling path for the transmission of the RF signal between the first and second resonators.