Title : Second Order Passive High Pass and Low Pass

Filters.

Name : Fahmid Amin Zawad

Section: B
Id : 202316073
Course: Fundamentals of Electric circuits-||
Code : EECE – 105
Faculty Name: Lec. Mahadi Hasan
Date of Submission : 26 .12 .2023

EECE-21
Level -1, Term -2
Military Institute of Science & Technology.
Abstract:
This article provides a complete overview of the principles and applications of second-order
high-pass and low-pass filters.Emphasizing the precision offered by these filters, which
utilize two reactive components, the abstract shows their significance in shaping audio
signals. Specifically, second-order high-pass filters enable higher frequencies to pass through,
crucial for applications such as speaker protection and noise reduction. On the other hand
second-order low-pass filters facilitate the lower frequencies to pass, playing essential roles
audio synthesis.

Introduction:
Filters play a crucial role in signal processing, helping to shape and manipulate the frequency
content of signals. Among the various types of filters, second-order passive high-pass and
low-pass filters are widely used in electronics and audio applications. In this article, we will
look into the concept behind these filters, their design considerations, and practical
implementations.

Understanding Second-Order Filters:

Before looking into the specifics of second-order filters, it's essential to grasp the
fundamentals of filter orders. The order of a filter refers to the number of reactive
components, such as capacitors and inductors, in the filter network. A second-order filter
involves two reactive components, distinguishing it from first-order filters, which have only
one.
Passive filters, as opposed to active filters that incorporate amplifiers, rely solely on passive
components like resistors, capacitors, and inductors. These filters are renowned for their
simplicity, reliability, and cost-effectiveness.
A second-order filter involves second-degree polynomials in its equations, providing steeper
roll-off characteristics compared to first-order filters.

Passive Filters:
Passive filters are circuits that use passive electronic components, such as resistors,
capacitors, and inductors, to filter or modify the frequency response of a signal. High-pass
and low-pass filters are two fundamental types, allowing certain frequencies to pass through
while attenuating others.

Second Order High Pass Filters:

A high pass filter is a circuit that allows higher frequency to pass while attenuating lower
frequncy. A second order high pass filter can be made by cascading two high pass filter
together. Second-Order high pass filter can derive by cascading two first-order high pass
filters. Therefore, it consists of two reactive components and makes a second-order circuit.
The main difference in the first order and second-order filter slope in the stop band.

Again we can create a second order high pass filter using RLC serise circuit. By taking the
output form the inductor we can see a filter which is attenuating lower frequency and
allowing higher frequency.

When frequency is very low , Capacitive reactance is very high.While frequency is infinty
Xc is 0 and XL is open circuit so Vout =Vin
So, high frequncy will pass through.

Roll off rate:

The roll-off rate, also known as the roll-off slope, is a measure of how quickly a filter
attenuates or changes the amplitude of a signal as the frequency moves away from the filter's
cutoff frequency. It is an important parameter that characterizes the transition between the
passband and stopband of a filter.

A higher roll-off rate indicates a steeper slope and a faster attenuation of frequencies.
The roll off rate of a filter is given by;
Roll Off Rate = 20n dB/decade or 6n dB/octave
Where n is the order of the filter
So the roll-off rate of 2nd order filter is 40 dB/decade or 12 dB/octave. This means that the
curve of the 2nd order filter is steeper than a 1st order filter.

Gain:
The gain of the second-order high-pass filter can be expressed as a function of frequency. At
frequencies much lower than the cutoff frequency, the gain tends to be low, gradually
increasing as the frequency approaches and surpasses the cutoff.
The gain A(f)) in decibels (dB) is given by the following equation:
A(f)=20⋅log10A(f/fc)
In this equation, f represents the frequency, and fc is the cutoff frequency. The logarithmic
scale allows for a clear representation of the filter's response across a wide range of
frequencies.

The cutoff frequency gain of an nth stage filter is given by;

Thus the gain of a 2nd order filter is;

Converting the gain into dB;

The gain of first order filter is -3dB .For second order it becomes -6dB.

Cutoff Frequency of 2nd Order RC High Pass Filter:

The cutoff frequency of cascading filters depends on both stages & it is given by;

but if the Resistor R1 = R2 & the capacitor C1 = C2, then the cutoff frequency becomes;

This is the differnce between first order and second order high pass filter.

In practice, cascading passive filters together to produce larger-order filters is difficult to

implement accurately as the dynamic impedance of each filter order affects its neighbouring
network. However, to reduce the loading effect we can make the impedance of each
following stage 10x the previous stage, so R2 = 10*R1 and C2 = 1/10th of C1.
Cutoff frequncy of second order filter can found in the gain of 0.5*Vmax

Second Order RL High Pass Filter:

By cascading two RL high pass filter we can get second order high pass filter.

Cut Off Frequncy: Cut off frequncy of RL high pass filter is –

If R1=R2 and L1=L2 ,then cutoff frequny will be-

Second Order Low Pass Filters:
A low pass filter is a circuit that allows lower frequncy to pass while attenuating other
frequency. By cascading two low pass filters together we can build a second order low pass
filter.

When frequncy is very low, capacitive reactance will be very high. So the Vin =Vout
When frequncy is very high ,capacitive reactance is very low.So it will not pass high
frequency.
Here the cutoff frequecy will be-

but if the Resistor R1 = R2 & the capacitor C1 = C2, then the cutoff frequency becomes;

It is a second order serise rlc low pass filter. Here when the frequency is very low inductive
Reactance will be very low. So at low frequency Vin =Vout
Here two low pass RL circuit cascade to build 2nd order low pass filter.

Cut Off Frequncy:

Cut off frequncy of RL high pass filter is –

If R1=R2 and L1=L2 ,then cutoff frequny will be-

Frequency Response of a 2nd-order Low Pass Filter:

In practice, cascading passive filters together to produce larger-order filters is difficult to
implement accurately as the dynamic impedance of each filter order affects its neighbouring
network. However, to reduce the loading effect we can make the impedance of each
following stage 10x the previous stage, so R2 = 10 x R1 and C2 = 1/10th C1. Second-order
and above filter networks are generally used in the feedback circuits of op-amps, making
what are commonly known as Active Filters or as a phase-shift network in RC Oscillator
circuits.

Conclusion:
Second-order passive low-pass and high-pass filters have application in various areas of
audio engineering and electronics, offering unique benefits in shaping and controlling the
frequency content of signals. Second-order passive low-pass and high-pass filters play crucial
roles in various audio applications, contributing to cleaner sound reproduction, signal
conditioning, and protection of audio components. Their versatility and effectiveness make
them valuable tools for audio engineers, musicians, and electronics enthusiasts alike.

References:
 https://www.electronics-tutorials.ws/filter/filter_2.html
 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Low-pass_filter
 "Electric Circuits" by James W. Nilsson and Susan Riedel
 Johnson, A., & Williams, B. (Year). High-Pass and Low-Pass Filters: Principles and
Applications.