Topic 4.2.

2 Passive R-C Filters

Learning Objectives:
At the end of this topic you will be able to; recognise, analyse, and sketch characteristics for a low pass and a high pass filter; design circuits to act as low pass or high pass filters;
select and use the formula X C = 2 fC ;
1

understand the significance of the term impedance, and that it is a function of XC, and R in an R-C circuit; 2 2 select and use the formula Z = R + X C to calculate the impedance of a series R-C circuit. define and calculate the break frequency, selecting and using the formula
fb =

plot and interpret graphs showing the frequency response of an R-C filter.

1 2RC

Mod le !T4 Co"" nication #$ste"s Filters ilters fall into two main categories; !. $. "assi#e ilters Acti#e ilters

%n this section we are only going to in#estigate passi#e filters, acti#e filters will be co#ered in &odule '(). "assi#e filters can be used to s ppress frequencies within a frequency spectrum. (hey can be made from combinations of resistors, capacitors and inductors. i* A +imple ,ow "ass ilter.

A low pass filter -," * is used to remo#e high frequency signals from a signal spectrum. (he circuit is #ery straightforward.

(he circuit consists of a resistor in series with a capacitor. (he output #oltage is taken across the capacitor as shown. %n order to understand the way in which the circuit works we must remember that we are essentially dealing with an a.c. circuit. %n an a.c. circuit capacitors beha#e in a different way to when they are in a d.c. circuit. .e say that capacitors do not ha#e resistance but reactance% to identify that it is in an a.c. circuit and it is gi#en the symbol XC. %t is measured in /hms -0*

Topic 4.2.2 Passive R-C Filters (o calculate the reactance of the capacitor at any gi#en frequency we can simply use the following equation.
XC = 1 2 fC

.here XC is the reactance -measured in ohms*, f is the frequency of the a.c. signal measured in 4ert5 and C is the #alue of the capacitance in farads. Resistance is not affected by an a.c. signal and we do not ha#e to use any different formulae to calculate resistance in an a.c. circuit. .hen considering the effect of the resistance and capacitor in a circuit together, we define a new term for the combined effect of resistance and reactance as i"pedance% gi#en the symbol Z. (o find the total i"pedance in the circuit, we cannot simply add the reactance of the capacitor, to that of the resistor, again another formula is required. (he total impedance of the circuit is measured in /hms -0*. (he formula required is as follows2
2 Z = R2 + X C

+pecial 1ote2 (he proof of these two equations is quite complicated, in#ol#ing detailed analysis of the a.c. circuit, and #ector addition. (hese elements ha#e been remo#ed from the syllabus because they cause a great deal of confusion amongst students, and they will ne#er be asked for in an e3amination. .hat is important from this syllabus point of #iew is that you are able to apply these rules to e3isting circuits, or to design circuits with specific parameters. %t is not our intention to pro#ide lots of mathematical proofs that will ne#er be used. %f you want to in#estigate these yourself please do so, you will find the proofs in any good electronics te3tbook.

Mod le !T4 Co"" nication #$ste"s .e will now go back then to the circuit and e3amine how we analyse the circuit and concentrate on this aspect rather than where the equations come from. (he circuit is reproduced below for con#enience.

%f we consider the circuit to be a potential di#ider, albeit with an a.c. power supply, we can write down a formula for the output #oltage in a similar way to how we would for a circuit containing two resistors. i.e.
VOUT = = VIN XC Z VIN
2 R2 + X C

XC

(his can be re-arranged to look at the &gain' of the circuit. rom your work in '(! on op-amps you will remember that gain is defined as V IN
VOUT

. %t is a simple

matter to obtain a formula for this from the equation abo#e. i.e.
VOUT = VIN XC
2 R + XC 2

(aking a look at the two e3tremes, i.e. #ery low and #ery high frequencies. .hen the frequency is low, X C >> R , R2 will be so small it can be ignored compared to the si5e of XC2 and the gain will be near !. i.e. no change.
2 2

Topic 4.2.2 Passive R-C Filters .hen the frequency is high, R >> X C , XC2 will be so small it can be ignored compared to the si5e of R2 and the gain will be gi#en by 22 2

Gain(G ) =

VOUT X 1 = C = V IN R 2fCR

which will be 6! therefore high frequency signals will be suppressed. 7ut what happens to mid range frequencies8 At the mid range of frequencies the #alue of XC will e#entually become equal to R at this point we ha#e reached the transition between the two e3tremes, and it is gi#en a special name called the brea( )re* enc$. (he break frequency has a special symbol fb. (he formula to determine fb is obtained from equating the resistance with the reactance of the capacitor. At the break frequency, fb
XC = R 1 =R 2f b C fb = 1 2RC

+ubstituting Xc=R in the formula for 9ain we get2

Gain = VOUT = VIN XC X +X
2 C 2 C

XC 2X
2 C

XC 2 XC

1 2

therefore VOUT = 1 VIN = 0.707 VIN 2

At the break frequency then VOUT will be :.;of VIN. "erhaps you can remember dealing with this when you looked at the bandwidth of amplifiers in '(!.

Mod le !T4 Co"" nication #$ste"s .orked '3ample2 Consider the following circuit2
VIN 1.8 k 100 nF 0V VOUT

i* ii* iii* i#* #*

calculate the reactance of the capacitor at !:45, !::45, !k45, !:k45 and !::k45. calculate the output #oltage at each of these frequencies. calculate the break frequency of this circuit. calculate </=( at the break frequency. plot a graph of output #oltage against frequency on log graph paper.

+olution2 i* calculate the reactance of the capacitor at !:45, !::45, !k45, !:k45 and !::k45. At !: 452
XC = 1 1 = = 159,154 2fC 2 10 100 10 9 1 1 = = 15,915 2fC 2 100 100 10 9

At !:: 452 At ! k452

XC =

XC =

1 1 = = 1,591 2fC 2 1000 100 10 9 1 1 = = 159 2fC 2 10 103 100 10 9 1 1 = = 15.9 2fC 2 100 103 100 10 9

At !: k452

XC =

At !:: k452

XC =

Topic 4.2.2 Passive R-C Filters ii* calculate the output #oltage at each of these frequencies.
C At !: 452 VOUT = R 2 + X 2 VIN = 18002 + 159154 2 10 = 9.999V C

159154

C At !:: 452 VOUT = R 2 + X 2 VIN = 1800 2 + 159152 10 = 9.936V C

15915

C At ! k452 VOUT = R 2 + X 2 VIN = 18002 + 15912 10 = 6.622V C

1591

C At !: k452 VOUT = R 2 + X 2 VIN = 18002 + 1592 10 = 0.879V C

159

C At !:: k452 VOUT = R 2 + X 2 VIN = 18002 + 15.92 10 = 0.088V C

15.9

iii*

calculate the break frequency of this circuit.

fb = = 1 2RC 1 = 884.19 Hz 2 1800 100 109

iv)

calculate VOUT at the break frequency.

VOUT = 1 VIN 2 =0.707 10 =7.07V

Mod le !T4 Co"" nication #$ste"s #* plot a graph of output #oltage against frequency on log graph paper below.
Frequency Response of Low Pass Filter
12

Theoreti !" #re!k Fre$%en &.

10

Vout (V)

0 1 10 100 Frequency (Hz) 1000 10000 100000

1ote that the shape of the graph is generally cur#ed, but it is difficult to see sometimes e3actly the path of the cur#e through the data points because there are so few. (he way to impro#e on this is to use a computer running a program like e3cel to perform many calculations for us at smaller increases in frequency, and then plot the graph. %f the data for the same circuit is calculated at inter#als of ): 45 all the way up to !::,::: 45 we get the following graph.

Topic 4.2.2 Passive R-C Filters

Frequency Response of Low Pass Filter (Calculations at 50 ! inter"als# 12

Theoreti !" #re!k Fre$%en &

10

Vout (V)

0 1 10 100 Frequency (Hz) 1000 10000 100000

.e can now see the shape of the graph much more clearly, but the response is not e3actly as we discussed in the >ideal? case. (his is because we are dealing with real component #alues and a real circuit. (he reactance of the capacitor is changing all the time as frequency changes, it doesn?t suddenly switch from being high to low, and this causes the rolling o#er of the graph as it approaches the break frequency point. %f we compare the graph to the ideal low pass filter characteristic co#ered in our pre#ious section we can see that there are se#eral key differences in reality. -i* there is a roll off in gain as the break frequency is approached, -ii* the gain decreases slowly o#er a range of frequencies i.e. there is not a #ertical drop at the break frequency. -iii* there is a small output #oltage e#en at high frequencies. @ou might think that it is not #ery effecti#e gi#en all these de#iations from what is e3pected, howe#er, in practice it works quite well for such a simple circuit.

Mod le !T4 Co"" nication #$ste"s .e can simplify the graph if we only want to represent the appro3imate characteristic of the filter by adding straight lines to the graph as shown by the dashed lines on the graph below2
Frequency Response of Low Pass Filter (Calculations at 50 ! inter"als# 12

Theoreti !" #re!k Fre$%en &

10

Vout (V)

0 1 10 100 Frequency (Hz) 1000 10000 100000

%t would be acceptable in the e3amination to use this straight line appro3imation, as it would be impossible to calculate all of the points needed to produce a really smooth cur#e to show the actual response. (his does not mean that you don?t ha#e be able to calculate the e3act output at a specific frequency, this is a perfectly #alid e3amination question, as is calculating the break frequency, it is Aust that you will not be e3pected to calculate hundreds of points to draw the graph accurately.

10

Topic 4.2.2 Passive R-C Filters A more accurate plot can be obtained by using log-log paper, as shown below2
Frequency Response of a Low Pass Filter (Log - Log Scale @ 5 Hz inter!als)
100

V"#$ (V)

10

1 1 10 100 Frequency (Hz) 1000 10000 100000

Again it is possible to make a straight line appro3imation for this graph, but it is easier to draw the lines as the roll off falls at B)C as shown below.
Frequency Response of a Low Pass Filter (Log - Log Scale @ 5 Hz inter!als)
100

#re!k Fre$%en &

V"#$ (V)

10

45'

1 1 10 100 Frequency (Hz) 1000 10000 100000

11

Mod le !T4 Co"" nication #$ste"s 1ow here?s one for you to try.
2.7 k 10 nF 0V

VIN

VOUT

i* ii* iii* i#* i#*

calculate the reactance of the capacitor at !:45, !::45, !k45, !:k45 and !::k45. calculate the output #oltage at each of these frequencies. calculate the break frequency of this circuit. calculate </=( at the break frequency. plot a graph of output #oltage against frequency on log graph paper.

Calculations 2 DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD
12

Topic 4.2.2 Passive R-C Filters DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD
13

Mod le !T4 Co"" nication #$ste"s 9raph paper to plot frequency response.

.e ha#e seen how to draw and sketch the characteristic when we are gi#en a circuit diagram, but what if we are gi#en the characteristic, and asked to design the circuit8 %n many respects this is a much easier problem to sol#e. ,ets look at an e3ample to see why.

14

Topic 4.2.2 Passive R-C Filters .orked '3ample2 Eetermine the #alue of resistor and capacitor required for a low pass filter to produce the following characteristic.
V%&'

2000

frequency ( !#

%n this case we are gi#en the break frequency, at $ k45 from the graph. =sing the formula for break frequency we get2
1 2RC 1 2000 = 2RC fb =

.e need to know either the #alue of R, or C in order to sol#e this equation. +ometimes in an e3amination you are gi#en a few to choose from, but if you are not gi#en any you Aust ha#e to choose your own #alue for one and then work out the corresponding #alue. %n this case as we ha#e not been gi#en any, we will try using a $$n capacitor. (he formula can now be rearranged to find R as follows2
1 2RC 1 2000 = 2RC fb = R= 1 = 3617 2 2000 22 10 9

A resistor of FG!;0, would gi#e the e3act breakpoint required, but is not a#ailable in the range of preferred #alues, a F.Fk0 or F.Hk0 would be suitable, especially gi#en the fact that the characteristic produced will be a cur#e anyway.
15

Mod le !T4 Co"" nication #$ste"s ii* A +imple 4igh "ass ilter.

A high pass filter -4" * is used to remo#e low frequency signals from a signal spectrum. (he circuit is again #ery straightforward, but should not be confused with the ,ow "ass ilter.

(he circuit now consists of a capacitor in series with a resistor. (he output #oltage is taken across the resistor as shown. Again we consider the circuit to be a potential di#ider, and write down the formula for output #oltage as we did before; the only difference is that the output is taken across the resistor instead of the capacitor. i.e.
VOUT = = VIN R Z VIN
2 R2 + X C

(his can be re-arranged to look at the &gain' of the circuit. rom the pre#ious work you will remember that gain is defined as V IN
VOUT = VIN R
2 R + XC 2

VOUT

. i.e.

(aking a look at the two e3tremes, i.e. #ery low and #ery high frequencies. .hen the frequency is high, R >> X C , XC2 will be so small it can be ignored compared to the si5e of R2 and the gain will be near !. i.e. no change.
2 2

16

Topic 4.2.2 Passive R-C Filters .hen the frequency is low, X C >> R , R2 will be so small it can be ignored compared to the si5e of XC2 and the gain will be gi#en by 22 2

Gain(G ) =

VOUT R = = VIN XC

R = 2fCR 1 2fC

which will be 6! therefore low frequency signals will be suppressed -gi#en that the si5e of capacitors used in these filters are in the nF range*. 7ut what happens to mid range frequencies8 As before, at the mid range of frequencies the #alue of R and XC will become equal at the brea( )re* enc$% fb. (he formula to determine fb is obtained from equating the resistance with the reactance of the capacitor. At the break frequency, fb
XC = R 1 =R 2f b C fb = 1 2RC

+ote : T,e )or" la is identical to t,at )or t,e lo- pass )ilter. %n a similar way the #alue of </=( at the break frequency will be gi#en by 2
VOUT = 1 VIN 2

17

Mod le !T4 Co"" nication #$ste"s .orked '3ample2 Consider the following circuit2
47 nF VIN 3.3 k 0V VOUT

i* ii* iii* i#* #*

calculate the reactance of the capacitor at !:45, !::45, !k45, !:k45 and !::k45. calculate the output #oltage at each of these frequencies. calculate the break frequency of this circuit. calculate </=( at the break frequency. plot a graph of output #oltage against frequency on log graph paper.

+olution 2 i* calculate the reactance of the capacitor at !:45, !::45, !k45, !:k45 and !::k45. At !: 452
XC = 1 1 = = 338,627 2fC 2 10 47 10 9 1 1 = = 33,863 2fC 2 100 47 10 9

At !:: 452 At ! k452

XC =

XC =

1 1 = = 3,386 2fC 2 1000 47 10 9 1 1 = = 339 2fC 2 10 10 3 47 10 9 1 1 = = 33.9 2fC 2 100 10 3 47 10 9

At !: k452

XC =

At !:: k452

XC =

18

Topic 4.2.2 Passive R-C Filters ii* calculate the output #oltage at each of these frequencies. At !: 452
VOUT = R R +X
2 2 C

VIN =

3300 3300 + 338627 2

2

10 = 0.097V

At !:: 452 At ! k452

VOUT =

R R +X
2 2 C

VIN =

3300 3300 2 + 33863 2 3300 3300 2 + 3386 2 3300 3300 2 + 339 2 3300 3300 2 + 33.9 2

10 = 0.969V

VOUT =

R R +X
2 2 C

VIN =

10 = 6.979V

At !: k452

VOUT =

R R +X
2 2 C

VIN =

10 = 9.947V

At !:: k452 iii*

VOUT =

R
2 R2 + XC

VIN =

10 = 9.999V

calculate the break frequency of this circuit.

fb = = 1 2RC 1 = 1026.14 Hz 2 3300 47 10 9

i#*

calculate </=( at the break frequency.

VOUT = 1 VIN 2 =0.707 10 =7.07V

19

Mod le !T4 Co"" nication #$ste"s i#* plot a graph of output #oltage against frequency on log graph paper below.
Frequency Response of Hig% Pass Filter

Theoreti !" #re!k 12 Fre$%en &.

10

Vout (V)

0 1 10 100 Frequency (Hz) 1000 10000 100000

1ote that once again the shape of the graph is generally cur#ed, but it is difficult to see sometimes e3actly the path of the cur#e through the data points because there are so few. Again we can use '3cel to make a better attempt at this by calculating all of the data for the same circuit is inter#als of ): 45 all the way up to !::,::: 45 we get the following graph.

20

Topic 4.2.2 Passive R-C Filters

Theoreti !" #re!k Fre$%en &
12

Frequency Response of a Hig% Pass Filter

10

V"#$

0 1 10 100 Frequency (Hz) 1000 10000 100000

.e can now see the shape of the graph much more clearly. %f we compare the graph to the ideal high pass filter characteristic co#ered in our pre#ious section we can see that there are se#eral key differences in reality. -i* there is a roll off in gain as the break frequency is approached, -ii* the gain decreases slowly o#er a range of frequencies i.e. there is not a #ertical drop at the break frequency. -iii* there is a small output #oltage e#en at low frequencies. @ou might think that it is not #ery effecti#e gi#en all these de#iations from what is e3pected, howe#er, in practice it works quite well for such a simple circuit.

21

Mod le !T4 Co"" nication #$ste"s .e can simplify the graph if we only want to represent the appro3imate characteristic of the filter by adding straight lines to the graph as shown by the dashed lines on the graph below2
Theoreti !" #re!k Fre$%en &
12

Frequency Response of a Hig% Pass Filter

10

V"#$

0 1 10 100 Frequency (Hz) 1000 10000 100000

%t would be acceptable in the e3amination to use this straight line appro3imation, as it would be impossible to calculate all of the points needed to produce a really smooth cur#e to show the actual response. (his does not mean that you don?t ha#e be able to calculate the e3act output at a specific frequency, this is a perfectly #alid e3amination question, as it calculating the break frequency, it is Aust that you will not be e3pected to calculate hundreds of points to draw the graph accurately.

22

Topic 4.2.2 Passive R-C Filters /nce again a more accurate an appropriate way to draw this graph would be on log I log graph paper as shown below.
Frequency Response of a Hig% Pass Filter
100

V"#$

10

1 1 10 100 Frequency (Hz) 1000 10000 100000

Again it is possible to make a straight line appro3imation for this graph, but it is easier to draw the lines as the roll off falls at B)C as shown below.
Frequency Response of a Hig% Pass Filter
100 #re!k Fre$%en &

V"#$

10

45'

1 1 10 100 Frequency (Hz) 1000 10000 100000

23

Mod le !T4 Co"" nication #$ste"s 1ow here?s one for you to try.
22 nF VIN 1.8 k 0V VOUT

i* ii* iii* i#* #*

calculate the reactance of the capacitor at !:45, !::45, !k45, !:k45 and !::k45. calculate the output #oltage at each of these frequencies. calculate the break frequency of this circuit. calculate </=( at the break frequency. plot a graph of output #oltage against frequency on log graph paper.

Calculations 2 DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD
24

Topic 4.2.2 Passive R-C Filters DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD
25

Mod le !T4 Co"" nication #$ste"s 9raph paper to plot frequency response.

(ime now to look at a design question where the characteristic is gi#en and component #alues ha#e to be calculated. .orked '3ample2 Eesign a high pass filter to produce the following characteristic, you ha#e a#ailable the following capacitors, !:J , $$n , and :.B;p to choose from. Eraw the circuit diagram of the completed filter. 4ow would you e3pect the actual performance of your filter to compare to the profile shown 8
V%&'

26

8000

frequency ( !#

Topic 4.2.2 Passive R-C Filters %n this case we are gi#en the break frequency, at K k45 from the graph. =sing the formula for break frequency we get2
1 2RC 1 8000 = 2RC fb =

.e are also told that we ha#e a choice of three capacitors a#ailable !:J , $$n and :.B;p . 4ow do you decide which to use 8 .ell this comes with e3perience, but if you really ha#e no idea, try calculating the #alue of R with each one. Assume the '$B series of resistors is a#ailable. .ith CL!:J
1 2RC 1 8000 = 2RC fb = R= 1 = 1.98 2 2 8000 10 10 6

.ith CL$$n

1 2RC 1 8000 = 2RC fb = R= 1 = 904.28 910 2 8000 22 10 9

.ith CL:.B;p

1 2RC 1 8000 = 2RC fb = R= 1 = 42328442 43M 2 8000 0.47 10 12

4a#ing calculated the three resistors, the $0 resistor is unsuitable as it has too low a resistance drawing an e3cess current from the source and BF&0 is beyond the '$B series which stops at !:&0. (herefore H!:0 would be the most acceptable resistor to use here from a practical point of #iew.
27

Mod le !T4 Co"" nication #$ste"s (he completed circuit will therefore look like this2
22 nF VIN 910 0V VOUT

%n practice the response of the circuit abo#e will be more cur#ed and will be more like the following2

1ow for some practice e3amination questions.

28

Topic 4.2.2 Passive R-C Filters Examination Style Questions.

1. The (o""o)in* ir %it i+ to ,e %+e- !+ ! (i"ter. VIN 5.1 k 10 nF 0V !. ,. .h!t i+ the n!/e o( thi+ t&0e o( (i"ter 1 222222222222222222 314 VOUT

5!" %"!te the re! t!n e o( the !0! itor !t 100 67.

222222222222222222222222222222222222222 222222222222222222222222222222222222222 222222222222222222222222222222222222222 324 . 8+ti/!te the re! t!n e o( the !0! itor !t 10 k67. 222222222222222222222222222222222222222 314 -. 5!" %"!te the ,re!k (re$%en & (or thi+ (i"ter. 222222222222222222222222222222222222222 222222222222222222222222222222222222222 222222222222222222222222222222222222222 324 e. 9ket h the h!r! teri+ti o( thi+ (i"ter "!,e""in* !"" riti !" v!"%e+. V%&'

Frequency (( !# 324

29

Mod le !T4 Co"" nication #$ste"s

2.

The (o""o)in* ir %it i+ to ,e %+e- !+ ! (i"ter. 47 nF VIN 1.5 k 0V !. ,. .h!t i+ the n!/e o( thi+ t&0e o( (i"ter 1 222222222222222222 314 VOUT

5!" %"!te the re! t!n e o( the !0! itor !t 1000 67.

222222222222222222222222222222222222222 222222222222222222222222222222222222222 222222222222222222222222222222222222222 324 . .h!t i+ the i/0e-!n e o( the ir %it !t 1000 67. 222222222222222222222222222222222222222 222222222222222222222222222222222222222 222222222222222222222222222222222222222 324 -. 5!" %"!te the o%t0%t vo"t!*e i( VIN : 10V !t 1000 67. 222222222222222222222222222222222222222 222222222222222222222222222222222222222 222222222222222222222222222222222222222 314 e. 5!" %"!te the ,re!k (re$%en & (or thi+ (i"ter. 222222222222222222222222222222222222222 222222222222222222222222222222222222222 222222222222222222222222222222222222222 324

30

Topic 4.2.2 Passive R-C Filters

(. 9ket h the h!r! teri+ti o( thi+ (i"ter "!,e""in* !"" riti !" v!"%e+. V%&'

Frequency (( !# 324 3. (he i-e!" (re$%en & re+0on+e (or ! (i"ter i+ +ho)n ,e"o). V%&'

6500 !)

frequency ( !#

Thi+ (i"ter i+ ,%i"t %+in* ! +i/0"e ;5 ir %it. 9ket h the re+0on+e &o% !re "ike"& to o,t!in (ro/ the +i/0"e ;5 (i"ter ir %it "e!r"& +ho)in* ho) it )o%"- differ (ro/ the i-e!" re+0on+e )hi h i+ +ho)n !+ ! -otte- "ine. V%&'

6500

frequency ( !#

31

Mod le !T4 Co"" nication #$ste"s

,. <o% h!ve !v!i"!,"e the (o""o)in* !0! itor+, 1=F, 47nF, !n- 6.80F !n- the 824 +erie+ o( re+i+tor+ to hoo+e (ro/. 5!" %"!te the /o+t +%it!,"e re+i+tor (or thi+ (i"ter. 22.

222222222222222222222222222222222222 22.222222222222222222222222222222222222 22.222222222222222222222222222222222222 22.222222222222222222222222222222222222 22.222222222222222222222222222222222222 22.222222222222222222222222222222222222 22.222222222222222222222222222222222222 . 334 >r!) the ir %it -i!*r!/ o( the o/0"ete- (i"ter, "!,e" !"" o/0onent v!"%e+ !n- in0%t !no%t0%t ter/in!"+.

324 -. ?ive re!+on+ )h& &o% h!ve ho+en the o/0onent+ &o% h!ve (or &o%r (i"ter. .............................................................................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................................................................. 324

32

Topic 4.2.2 Passive R-C Filters

4. @ "o) 0!++ (i"ter i+ re$%ire- to orre+0on- to the (o""o)in* h!r! teri+ti . <o% !n !++%/e &o% h!ve ! e++ to !n& +t!n-!r- v!"%e !0! itor+ !n- re+i+tor+. V%&'

4500 !. ,. .h!t i+ the ,re!k (re$%en & o( thi+ (i"ter 1 >r!) the ir %it -i!*r!/ o( ! "o) 0!++ (i"ter.

frequency ( !# 222222222222 314

324 . >eter/ine the v!"%e o( the o/0onent+ re$%ire- to re!"i+e the (%n tion o( the "o) 0!++ (i"ter i-enti(ie- in the h!r! teri+ti .

222222222222222222222222222222222222222.. 222222222222222222222222222222222222222.. 222222222222222222222222222222222222222.. 222222222222222222222222222222222222222.. 222222222222222222222222222222222222222.. 222222222222222222222222222222222222222.. 222222222222222222222222222222222222222.. 222222222222222222222222222222222222222.. 222222222222222222222222222222222222222.. 222222222222222222222222222222222222222.. 344 33

Mod le !T4 Co"" nication #$ste"s #el) !val ation Revie&y personal re#iew of these obAecti#es2

Learning Objectives
recognise, analyse, and sketch characteristics for a low pass and a high pass filter; design circuits to act as low pass or high pass filters; select and use the formula
XC = 1 2 fC

understand the significance of the term impedance, and that it is a function of XC, and R in an R-C circuit; select and use the formula 2 Z = R2 + X C to calculate the impedance of a series R-C circuit. define and calculate the break frequency, selecting and using the formula
fb =

plot and interpret graphs showing the frequency response of an R-C filter. (argets2 !. DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD $. DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD

1 2RC

34