How is the Passband defined for SAW filters?

Hi all,


I am looking at some datasheets for SAW filters, and I noticed that the way that the passband bandwidth is defined is a little strange. For example,

http://www.taisaw.com/upload/product...0_Rev.1.0_.pdf

or

http://www.vectron.com/products/saw/.../TFS1575AA.pdf

For the Taisaw filter, the passband bandwidth is quoted as 5 MHz, but looking at the response curve (S21), it looks like it could pass about 75 to 90 MHz bandwidth without much attenuation. Likewise for the Vectron filter, the passband bandwidth is quoted as 2.4 MHz, but S21 suggests that it can actually pass around 40 MHz bandwidth without much attenuation.

So how is passband bandwidth defined? Perhaps based on S11?


thanks,
Aaron

Bandwidth is usually -6db, according to S21 that is about roughly 90Mhz.

But I suspect only the very centre 5Mhz is of real interest, where very good figures for VSWR and passband ripple are quoted.

What I think all this means is that this is an initial filter to block strong out of band signals that may cause problems in a following mixer.
Further down the chain at much lower IF frequency a much more selective filter will be employed.

So although it is pretty broad at 90 Mhz, the specifications over the required 5Mhz used are of particular interest for some application.

For the Taisaw filter, set reference without filter, put in filter, this then gets you your insertion loss (1.7 dB) measure bandwidth at 3dB points = 5 MHZ. The bandwidth at -6dB is 8.5 MHZ. At 80 MHZ band width the loss is 20 dB, or 10% of your signal gets through it. So it depends on how you define " without much attenuation.".
Frank

As far as I see, many of saw manufacturers do not provide clear data. You may need to look for graphs and deduce the bandwidth info from the graphs on your own. Furthermore, you may have to ask for s-parameters from the manufacturer to have information you need. Taisaw accepts s-parameter requests.

Hi Frank,

Are you looking at the correct datasheet? I dont see how u got -6db at 8.5 MHz....

Regards
Aaron



Thanks for all the replies. Normally im used to seeing -3dB, -6dB etc bandwidths, but it looks like there may be another standard too...just wondering if it is a common standard, and what it is...


Thanks
Aaron

The first curve does say span 150 Mhz (for 10 divisions).
At 15 Mhz per division its pretty wide.

The second curve says span 3 Ghz and 300 Mhz per division.
Both look to be a lot wider than 8 Mhz.