Cavity vs helical filter sa mga wireless video link

Cavity vs helical filter sa mga wireless video link

In wireless video transmission systems—especially COFDM-based transmitters and receivers used for drones, pagpapatupad ng batas, and surveillance—the RF filter is one of the most important components that determines the overall signal quality. Two of the most common types used are cavity filters at helical filters. Both serve to pass the desired frequency band and suppress out-of-band interference, but their structure, Pagganap, and suitable applications differ significantly.

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1. Appearance and Structural Differences

Cavity Filters (腔体滤波器) use one or more resonant metal cavities as frequency-selective elements. The resonant frequency depends on the physical dimensions of each cavity.

• Appearance: Cavity filters usually look like metal blocks or rectangular enclosures with connectors (BAGSAK, N-type, or TNC) on each side. They often include tuning screws on top for fine frequency adjustment.
• Size and weight: Because they rely on physical cavities, they are relatively large and heavy, especially at lower frequencies.

Helical Filters (螺旋滤波器) are built from coiled conductors—metallic helices—mounted inside a metal shield. Each helix acts as a resonator, and coupling between adjacent helices determines the bandwidth.

• Appearance: Small, cylindrical or rectangular modules with tuning screws at the top. Often shielded in aluminum or brass housings.
• Laki: Compact and lightweight, ideal for portable or airborne devices.

From the outside, cavity filters look like solid metallic boxes used in base stations, while helical filters are smaller modules that can be directly mounted on a PCB or inside lightweight transmitters.

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2. Performance Comparison

Tampok	Cavity Filter	Helical Filter
Dalas ng Saklaw	100 MHz – 6 GHz	100 MHz – 1 GHz (typ.)
Pagkawala ng insertion	0.3–1 dB (low)	1–2 dB (medium)
Selectivity / Rejection	Very high	Moderate
Paghahawak ng kuryente	High (up to tens of watts)	Mababa (sa ibaba 5 W)
Laki & Timbang	Larger, heavier	Compact, light
Temperature Stability	Excellent	Moderate
Cost	Higher	Lower

Cavity filters are chosen when high isolation, low loss, at temperature stability are crucial—such as in professional ground stations or long-range receivers.
Helical filters are used when compactness and weight are the main concerns, like in drone-mounted transmitters or portable receivers.

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3. Application in Wireless Video Systems

In COFDM wireless video transmission systems, filters are installed both on the tagapaghatid at ang mga receiver to improve spectral purity and system stability.

• Transmitter Side

After the power amplifier (PA), a band-pass filter is used to eliminate unwanted harmonics and spurious emissions.

• For compact drone transmitters, ang helical filter is preferred because it is small, light, and provides sufficient harmonic suppression.
• For high-power base transmitters, ang cavity filter offers better power handling and higher isolation.

• Receiver Side

At the receiver front end, a pre-select filter blocks strong out-of-band signals before they enter the LNA (low-noise amplifier).

• Helical filters are adequate for portable receivers.
• Cavity filters are ideal for professional or fixed ground receivers where interference rejection and long-term stability are critical.

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4. Which to Choose for a ±2 MHz Bandwidth

When the system requires a narrow passband, tulad ng ±2 MHz (total 4 MHz), both filter types can work, but the choice depends on performance goals.

• Helical Filter: Suitable for narrowband frequencies (Hal., 520–524 MHz). It provides moderate insertion loss and adequate rejection in small size.
• Cavity Filter: Recommended if the system demands sharp selectivity (≥40 dB rejection) or operates under wide temperature ranges. Cavity filters offer better long-term stability for narrowband COFDM systems.

Halimbawa na lang:

• Drone transmitter at 522 MHz ±2 MHz → Helical filter (compact, light).
• Ground receiver → Cavity filter (high isolation, reliable in outdoor conditions).

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5. Customization and Design Options

When customizing filters for a wireless video transmitter or receiver, the following specifications are usually required:

1. Center Frequency: Hal., 522 MHz
2. Bandwidth: Hal., ±2 MHz (4 MHz total)
3. Pagkawala ng insertion: Hal., ≤1.0 dB for cavity, ≤2.0 dB for helical
4. Pagtanggi sa labas ng band: Hal., ≥40 dB at 460 MHz & 590 MHz
5. Impedance: 50 Ω input/output
6. Uri ng Konektor: BAGSAK, N-type, or customized interface
7. Paghahawak ng kuryente: Depending on output power (Hal., 1 W, 5 W, 10 W)
8. Temperatura ng pagpapatakbo: -40°C to +85°C
9. Mechanical Dimensions: For PCB or external mount

Manufacturers can adjust:

• Ang number of resonators (typically 2–6 stages).
• Ang cavity size or helix pitch to match desired bandwidth and rejection.
• Ang housing material (aluminum, brass, or stainless steel) for different applications.

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6. Summary Table

Paglalapat	Recommended Filter	Reason
Drone video transmitter	Helical filter	Compact, lightweight
Portable ground receiver	Helical filter	Balanced performance
Base station receiver	Cavity filter	High selectivity, low loss
High-power transmission	Cavity filter	Superior power handling
Narrowband ±2 MHz system	Cavity or Helical	Depends on size vs. rejection trade-off

Both filters play a vital role in ensuring clean and reliable video transmission. Choosing the right one depends on whether your priority is size and weight o selectivity and stability.

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7. FAQ

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Pangwakas na mga saloobin

Selecting between a cavity filter at a helical filter is a balance between performance and practicality. For long-range, high-power, or professional receiving systems, cavity filters deliver unmatched stability and selectivity. For compact, airborne, or low-power COFDM transmitters, helical filters remain the most efficient and economical choice.

A properly chosen and tuned RF filter not only ensures compliance with local frequency regulations but also guarantees stable, interference-free wireless video transmission—whether on the ground or in the air.