IMFW 2026 Filter Design Competition
Are you ready to put your filter design skills to the test? IMFW 2026 invites students to participate in an exciting competition focused on designing a bandpass filter for 5G wireless networks. Your challenge: walk us through the full design journey — from initial synthesis and coupling topology choices to physical implementation, EM simulation, and evaluating how your design could be mass-produced.
You can enter solo or as part of a team. Finalists will get the chance to present their work in a 30-minute session during the conference. Winners will receive official certificates and awesome prizes.
Design Specifications
- Physical format: flexible but a compact form factor with low insertion loss is highly recommended.
- I/O: coaxial connectors of 50 Ω with flexible locations.
- Frequency band: 3.5 GHz to 3.73 GHz
- Max reflection coefficient: -18 dB
- Max insertion loss (IL): < 1.6 dB, supposing that the conductivity of metal is 4.5×10⁷ S/m and loss tangent of dielectric (if used) is 5 × 10⁻⁵
- Max physical size: 15 (Height) × 1850 (Area) mm³ with maximum dimension less than 58 mm.
Rejection Specifications
| Frequency (MHz) | Specification (dB) | Frequency (MHz) | Specification (dB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| < 2437 | -58 | 2437~3338 | -70 |
| 3338~3479 | -40 | 3761~3881 | -40 |
| 3881~3952 | -45 | 3952~4044 | -40 |
| 4044~4609 | -25 | 4609~5137 | -56 |
| 5137~5883 | -25 | >5883 | -20 |
Evaluation Criteria
Total: 100 points
1. Electrical Performance (30 points)
- Working Frequency Bandwidth (5 pts):
Accuracy of the realized working frequency bandwidth to the specified value. - Insertion Loss (5 pts):
Maximum insertion loss in the passband (less than 1.6 dB). - Return Loss (5 pts):
Minimum return loss in the passband. Higher is better (good matching). - Out-of-band Rejection (15 pts):
Attenuation at specified offset frequencies (stopband performance).
2. Physical Realization (15 points)
- Volume/Footprint (5 pts):
Inner dimension less than 15 (Height) × 1850 (Area) mm³ with maximum dimension less than 58 mm. - Physical Robustness/Manufacturability (5 pts):
Robustness of structure; ease and cost-effectiveness of fabrication. - Repeatability/Ease of Tuning (5 pts):
How easy is it to retune/adjust if needed for mass production?
3. Volume and IL Product Figure (20 points)
- Volume × (maximum IL in dB)³
Inner dimension less than 15 (Height) × 1850 (Area) mm³ with maximum dimension less than 58 mm.
4. Design Novelty and Presentation (35 points)
- Innovation in Coupling Matrix Synthesis or Realization (10 pts):
Novel methods or features in synthesis, coupling schemes, or filter topology. - Innovative Physical Structure or Integration (10 pts):
E.g., novel resonator or coupling structures, use of new materials or processes. - Clear and Logical Design Process Presentation (10 pts):
Well-documented steps from coupling matrix to realization and justification of design choices. - Oral Presentation/Demonstration (5 pts):
Ability to effectively explain the design and answer questions.
Notes For Judges
- All simulations should be validated and presented clearly.
- Bonus points (+5) may be awarded for exceptional designs (e.g., breakthrough miniaturization, very low-cost solutions, or new filter functions).
- Deductions may be applied for not meeting baseline requirements/specifications.