Waveguide filters are key elements present in many microwave and millimeter-wave communication systems. In recent times, ever-increasing efforts are being devoted to the development of automated computer-aided design (CAD) tools of such devices. In this paper, a novel CAD tool based on modal analysis methods, which improves the efficiency and robustness of the classical aggressive space-mapping technique, is presented for those purposes. The use of a new segmentation strategy and the hybridization of a specific combination of several well-known optimization algorithms is proposed. The CAD tool has been successfully validated with the practical design of several -plane coupled cavity filters in a rectangular waveguide for space and communication applications. A filter prototype for local multipoint distribution systems operating at-band, and two tunable -plane filters with tuning posts operating at 11 and 13 GHz, have been successfully designed, manufactured, and measured.

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