Tunable multiferroic hairpin-line resonator microstrip bandpass filter at C-band Navy SBIR FY2011.1 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2011.1 Topic No.: N111-080 Topic Title: Tunable multiferroic hairpin-line resonator microstrip bandpass filter at C-band Proposal No.: N111-080-0995 Firm: Metamagnetics Inc. 36 Station St Sharon, Massachusetts 02067 Contact: Anton Geiler Phone: (617) 780-7983 Web Site: www.metamagneticsinc.com Abstract: Metamagnetics proposes to address the limitations of currently available commercial-of-the-shelf tunable microwave filters in terms of insertion loss, linearity, tuning speed, etc. by developing innovative voltage tunable multiferroic microstrip filter technology. The proposed concept offers the potential advantages of low insertion loss, low dc power consumption, high rf power handling capability, fast response time, planar geometry, and compact size. Metamagnetics' researchers will develop microstrip ferrite filters that exhibit either direct voltage tuning through stress-mediated mechanical coupling of ferrites with piezoelectric materials or indirect tuning using magnetic fringe fields emanating from voltage tunable multiferroic composites utilizing magnetostrictive and piezoelectric materials. These experiments will establish a solid foundation for the development of advanced multiferroic tunable filter devices in a follow-on Phase II effort. The proposed technology described herein combines the low loss, high power handling, reliability, and radiation hardness of today's ferrite filter devices with planar, cost-effective, low power consuming, and fast responding multiferroic voltage drive technology. Benefits: One of the most important applications of tunable filters is in the Transmit/Receive Modules (TRMs) utilized in Active and Passive Electronically Steered Phased Arrays. A single AESA system can utilize anywhere from 300 to over 35,000 TRMs, operating at frequencies from UHF to above X-band, each of which can be equipped with multiple filter elements that serve to increase the signal to noise ratio across a spectrum of desired frequencies. In addition to AESAs, tunable filters of the ferrite-type are employed in passive phased array radar systems, and a wide assortment of electronic warfare (EW), satellite communication (SATCOM) systems, wireless communication systems, and test equipment. The Metamagnetics commercialization plan is to introduce our technology as a vehicle for both next generation TRMs but also in geometries that allow for rapid insertion in retrofitting existing modules. Our business model anticipates capturing 3-4% of the total available market within 36 months leading to more than 25M$ of revenue. Commercial applications include multiband mobile handsets where tunable filter components hold promise of reducing the number of individual rf components, and thus reducing size and cost of front end modules. Return