Apparatus for providing desired coupling in dual-mode dielectric resonator filters

A radio-frequency filter comprising:

• an enclosure;
• said enclosure having at least one wall surface;
• first and second dielectric resonator means disposed within said enclosure in a spaced relationship;
• said first and second dielectric resonator means defining therebetween an interstitial region;
• each of said first and second dielectric resonator means having a center of mass;
• said centers of mass defining a longitudinal axis extending therebetween;
• at least one coupling obstacle means extending from said wall surface into said interstitial region;
• said coupling obstacle means occluding less than half of the cross-sectional area within said enclosure as measured along a plane perpendicular to said longitudinal axis and with said plane intersecting at least a portion of said coupling obstacle means;
• wherein said coupling obstacle means is a volumetric solid having at least first and second exterior edge contour sections, said first contour section having a shape matching that of said wall surface, said obstacle means being disposed within said enclosure such that said first contour section contacts said wall surface substantially over the entire extent of said first contour section, and said second contour section is substantially out of contact with any wall section.

A radio-frequency filter comprising:

• an enclosure;
• said enclosure having at least one wall surface;
• first and second dielectric resonator means disposed within said enclosure in a spaced relationship;
• said first and second dielectric resonator means defining therebetween an interstitial region within said enclosure;
• each of said first add second dielectric resonator means having a center of mass;
• said centers of mass defining a filter longitudinal axis extending therebetween;
• and at least one coupling obstacle means extending from said wall surface into said interstitial region;
• said coupling obstacle means being formed as a substantially solid elongate member having first and second longitudinally spaced ends;
• said coupling obstacle means contacting wall surfaces of said enclosure substantially exclusively at said first and second ends;
• wherein said coupling obstacle means has a longitudinal axis and said coupling obstacle means has means for adjusting the size of a cross-sectional area defined by the intersection of the exterior surface of the coupling obstacle with a plane parallel to said obstacle longitudinal axis and perpendicular to said filter longitudinal axis.

A radio-frequency filter comprising:

• an enclosure;
• said enclosure having at least one wall surface;
• first and second dielectric resonator means disposed within said enclosure in a spaced relationship;
• said first and second dielectric resonator means defining therebetween an interstitial region within said enclosure;
• and at least one coupling obstacle means extending from said wall surface into said interstitial region;
• said coupling obstacle means being formed as a volumetric solid having at least first and second exterior edge contour sections, said first contour section having a shape matching that of said wall surface, said obstacle means being disposed within said enclosure such that said first contour section contacts said wall surface substantially over the entire extent of said first contour section, and said second contour section is substantially out of contact with any wall section.