2a. Filter Networks
2a. Filter Networks
Filter networks
At the end of this chapter you should be able to:
• appreciate the purpose of a filter network
• understand basic types of filter sections, i.e. low-pass, high-pass, band-pass and band-stop filters
• define cut-off frequency, two-port networks and characteristic impedance
• design low- and high-pass filter sections given nominal impedance and cut-off frequency
• determine the values of components comprising a band-pass filter given cut-off frequencies
• appreciate the difference between ideal and practical filter characteristics
Section 2
and (b) are known as low-pass filters.
Z A/ 2 Z B/ 2
(a)
Z D/ 2
(a) (b)
ZE ZF Figure 17.3
Z D/ 2
Attenuation
(b)
L L
2 2
Figure 17.5 R0
C R0
(b)
Attenuation
Figure 17.7
1
fc = √ (1)
0 fC Frequency π LC
Pass-band Attenuation
band When the frequency is very low, the character-
istic impedance is purely resistive. This value of
Figure 17.6 characteristic impedance is known as the design
impedance or the nominal impedance of the section
and is often given the symbol R0 , where
When rectifiers are used to produce the d.c. supplies
of electronic systems, a large ripple introduces undesir-
able noise and may even mask the effect of the signal L
voltage. Low-pass filters are added to smooth the output R0 = (2)
C
voltage waveform, this being one of the most common
applications of filters in electrical circuits.
Filters are employed to isolate various sections of a Problem 1. Determine the cut-off frequency and
complete system and thus to prevent undesired interac- the nominal impedance for the low-pass
tions. For example, the insertion of low-pass decoupling T-connected section shown in Fig. 17.8.
filters between each of several amplifier stages and a
common power supply reduces interaction due to the 100 mH 100 mH
common power supply impedance.
0.2 μF
Cut-off frequency and nominal
impedance calculations
A low-pass symmetrical T-network and a low-pass Figure 17.8
symmetrical π-network are shown in Fig. 17.7. It may
Filter networks 263
Comparing Fig. 17.8 with the low-pass section of From equation (1), cut-off frequency,
Fig. 17.7(a), shows that:
1
fc = √
L π LC
= 100 mH,
2
1 106
i.e. inductance, L = 200 mH = 0.2 H, = = √
π (0.4 × 400 × 10−12 ) π 160
and capacitance C = 0.2 μF = 0.2 × 10−6 F.
i.e. f c = 25.16 kHz
From equation (1), cut-off frequency, From equation (2), nominal impedance,
1 L 0.4
fc = √ R0 = = = 31.62 k
π LC C 400 × 10−12
1 103
= =
π (0.2 × 0.2 × 10−6 ) π(0.2) To determine values of L and C
given R0 and f c
i.e. f c = 1592 Hz or 1.592 kHz
If the values of the nominal impedance R0 and the cut-off
frequency fc are known for a low-pass T- or π-section,
From equation (2), nominal impedance, it is possible to determine the values of inductance and
capacitance required to form the section. It may be
L 0.2 shown that:
R0 = = 1
Section 2
C 0.2 × 10−6 capacitance C = (3)
πR0 f c
= 1000 or 1 k
R0
and inductance L = (4)
πf c
1 1
C= = F
πR0 fc π(600)(5 × 106 )
Comparing Fig. 17.9 with the low-pass section of
Fig. 17.7(b), shows that: = 1.06 × 10−10 F = 106 pF
106 pF
53 pF 53 pF
(a) (b)
Figure 17.10
20 mH
27.8 nF 27.8 nF
(a) (b)
Figure 17.11
Once again this is an ideal characteristic assuming
2. A filter section is to have a characteristic pure reactive elements. All frequencies below the cut-off
impedance at zero frequency of 500 and frequency fc are seen to be attenuated and all frequencies
above fc are passed without loss.
Filter networks 265
Attenuation
Attenuation
Attenuation
band Pass-band
0 Frequency 0 fC Frequency
fC
Attenuation Pass-band
band
Figure 17.13
Figure 17.15
Section 2
is the same, and is given by:
Figure 17.14 1
fc = √ (5)
4π LC
2L = 200 μH,
1
Section 2
fc = √
4π LC
Comparing Fig. 17.17 with the high-pass section of
Fig. 17.16(a), shows that: 1
= = 1.26 × 105
2C = 0.2 μF, 4π (10−4 × 4 × 10−9 )
= 5305 pF or 5.305 nF
500 pF 500 pF
From equation (8), inductance,
Section 2
R0 600
L= = 50 mH
4πfc 4π(25 × 103 )
= 0.00191 H = 1.91 mH
(a)
(a) A high-pass T-section filter is shown in
Fig. 17.19(a), where the series arm capacitances
0.2 μF
10.61 nF 10.61 nF
800 mH 800 mH
1.91 mH
(b)
Figure 17.20
(a)
High-pass
Attenuation
3. The inductance in each of the shunt arms of characteristic
Low-pass
a high-pass π-section filter is 50 mH. If the characteristic
nominal impedance of the section is 600 ,
determine the value of the capacitance in the
series arm. [69.44 nF]
4. Determine the value of inductance required
in the shunt arm of a high-pass T-section filter
if in each series arm it contains a 0.5 μF capac-
0 f cH f cL Frequency
itor. The cut-off frequency of the filter section
is 1500 Hz. [11.26 mH] Attenuation Pass-band Attenuation
band band
Figure 17.23
17.5 Band-pass filters
A band-pass filter is one designed to pass signals with defined bandwidth must be maintained for good
frequencies between two specified cut-off frequen- performance.
cies. The characteristic of an ideal band-pass filter is
shown in Fig. 17.21. Problem 7. A band-pass filter is comprised of a
low-pass T-section filter having a cut-off frequency
of 15 kHz, connected in series with a high-pass
Attenuation
26.6 nF 26.6 nF
6.37 mH 6.37 mH
35.4 nF
4.77 mH 600 Ω
Figure 17.24
Section 2
Thus, from Fig. 17.16(a), the series arm capacitances
are each 2C,
17.6 Band-stop filters
i.e. 2×13.3 = 26.6 nF,
A band-stop filter is one designed to pass signals with
and the shunt arm inductance is 4.77 mH. The compos- all frequencies except those between two specified
ite, band-pass filter is shown in Fig. 17.24. cut-off frequencies. The characteristic of an ideal band-
The attenuation against frequency characteristic will stop filter is shown in Fig. 17.25.
be similar to Fig. 17.23 where fCH = 10 kHz and
fCL = 15 kHz.
Attenuation
Figure 17.27
12. Sketch (a) an ideal, and (b) a practical
Sometimes, as in the case of interference from 50 Hz attenuation/frequency characteristic for a
power lines in an audio system, the exact frequency of band-pass filter.
a spurious noise signal is known. Usually such interfer- 14. State one application of a band-pass filter.
ence is from an odd harmonic of 50 Hz, for example,
250 Hz. A sharply tuned band-stop filter, designed to 13. Sketch (a) an ideal, and (b) a practical
attenuate the 250 Hz noise signal, is used to minimise attenuation/frequency characteristic for a
the effect of the output. A high-pass filter with cut- band-stop filter.
off frequency greater than 250 Hz would also remove 15. State one application of a band-stop filter.
the interference, but some of the lower frequency
components of the audio signal would be lost as well.
Filter design can be a complicated area. For more,
see Electrical Circuit Theory and Technology.
Exercise 102 Multi-choice questions on
filters
Now try the following exercise (Answers on page 399)
1. A network designed to pass signals with
Exercise 101 Short answer questions all frequencies except those between two
on filters specified cut-off frequencies is called a:
(a) low-pass filter (b) high-pass filter
1. Define a filter. (c) band-pass filter (d) band-stop filter
2. Define the cut-off frequency for a filter. 2. A network designed to pass signals at fre-
3. Define a two-port network. quencies above a specified cut-off frequency
is called a:
4. Define characteristic impedance for a (a) low-pass filter (b) high-pass filter
two-port network. (c) band-pass filter (d) band-stop filter
Filter networks 271
3. A network designed to pass signals at fre- (c) 98.68 μH in each series arm, 256.7 pF
quencies below a specified cut-off frequency in shunt arm
is called a: (d) 49.34 μH in each series arm, 128.4 pF
(a) low-pass filter (b) high-pass filter in shunt arm
(c) band-pass filter (d) band-stop filter
Section 2
series arm and capacitances of 400 pF in each The following refers to questions 11 and 12.
of its shunt arms. The cut-off frequency of the
filter is: A filter section is required to pass all frequencies
(a) 25.16 kHz (b) 6.29 kHz above 50 kHz and to have a nominal impedance of
(c) 17.79 kHz (d) 35.59 kHz 650 .
The following refers to questions 7 and 8. 11. A high-pass T-connected symmetrical filter
section is comprised of:
A filter section is to have a nominal impedance of (a) Each series arm 2.45 nF, shunt arm
620 and a cut-off frequency of 2 MHz. 1.03 mH
(b) Each series arm 4.90 nF, shunt arm
7. A low-pass T-connected symmetrical filter 2.08 mH
section is comprised of: (c) Each series arm 2.45 nF, shunt arm
(a) 98.68 μH in each series arm, 128.4 pF 2.08 mH
in shunt arm (d) Each series arm 4.90 nF, shunt arm
(b) 49.34 μH in each series arm, 256.7 pF 1.03 mH
in shunt arm
(c) 98.68 μH in each series arm, 256.7 pF
in shunt arm 12. A high-pass π-connected symmetrical filter
(d) 49.34 μH in each series arm, 128.4 pF section is comprised of:
in shunt arm (a) Series arm 4.90 nF, and each shunt arm
1.04 mH
8. A low-pass π-connected symmetrical filter (b) Series arm 4.90 nF, and each shunt arm
section is comprised of: 2.07 mH
(a) 98.68 μH in each series arm, 128.4 pF (c) Series arm 2.45 nF, and each shunt arm
in shunt arm 2.07 mH
(b) 49.34 μH in each series arm, 256.7 pF (d) Series arm 2.45 nF, and each shunt arm
in shunt arm 1.04 mH