Hybrid circuit-full-wave computer-aided design of a manifold multiplexers without tuning elements

A hybrid procedure is introduced for computer-aided design (CAD) of manifold multiplexers without tuning elements. The procedure is based on: (1) a standard initial design with a simple network prototype; (2) a hybrid optimization with the multiplexer manifold rigorously described by a full-wave model and filters still described in terms of their network prototype; and (3) a final full-wave optimization of the entire structure. The proposed approach drastically reduces computer time while making it feasible to perform a very accurate full-wave optimization which in turn allows the avoidance of using tuning elements. An example illustrates and validates the CAD procedure.