Methods and devices for real-time monitoring of tunable filters

摘要

Methods and devices suitable for monitoring the frequency of microwave tunable filters in real time. The frequency readout relies on the natural response of such a filter when excited by a pulse. Methods of measuring an operating frequency of a pole in a tunable filter include measuring a number of cycles in a natural response in the filter when the filter is excited by an electric current pulse, and determining a resonance frequency based on the number of cycles measured in the natural response. Such a method can provide the operating frequency information in a binary digital format, making it relatively easy to read and process. A measuring resonator may be mounted to the filter resonator and connected by a common actuator.