Lecture 6: Parallel Resonance and Quality Factor. Transmit Filter

Whites, EE 322 Lecture 6 Page 1 of 10
Lecture 6: Parallel Resonance and Quality

Factor. Transmit Filter.
As we saw in the last lecture, in order for a series RLC circuit to
possess a large Q the reactance of L or C (at resonance) must be
much larger than the resistance:
L 1
Qs  0  (3.90)
R  0CR
Consequently, if we desire a large Q (very good frequency
selectivity) in a series “tank” circuit, the resistance should be
relatively small (for a reasonable X).
For example, a resistance of 50  - 75  is common for

receivers and some antennas. This relatively small resistance is
seen by the RF Filter in the NorCal 40A, which uses a series
RLC filter.
Parallel Resonance
However, if the “load” resistance in the circuit is relatively

large, it becomes more difficult to achieve the high reactances at
resonance necessary for a high-Q series RLC circuit.
If this is the case – and it often is in the NorCal 40A – then a

designer needs to use a parallel resonant RLC circuit (Fig. 3.7):
© 2016 Keith W. Whites

+
L C R V
I
-
For this parallel RLC circuit

resistance
Qp 
reactance 
0
which is the inverse of Qs.
Following the analysis in the text (Section 3.7), we find that the
frequency response is similar to a series RLC circuit
|V|
Vi
0.707 Vi
f
f
fl f0 fu
Resonant frequency defined as the f

where reactance X = 0.
R
However,   0CR
Qp  (3.109)
0 L
For a high-Q parallel resonant circuit, we need a small reactance
of L or C (at resonance) compared to the resistance. Sometimes
this is easier to do when R is large in a parallel RLC circuit than
with a high reactance in a series RLC circuit.
Examples:
7.00E+06 = resonant frequency
15 = Qp = Qs = Q
Series RLC Parallel RLC Check:

R () Ls=RQ/0 Cs=1/(0RQ) Lp=R/(0Q) Cp=Q/(0R) f0,s=1/(2Sqrt[LsCs]) f0,p=1/(2Sqrt[LpCp])
50 1.71E-05 3.03E-11 7.58E-08 6.82E-09 7.00E+06 7.00E+06
500 1.71E-04 3.03E-12 7.58E-07 6.82E-10 7.00E+06 7.00E+06
1500 5.12E-04 1.01E-12 2.27E-06 2.27E-10 7.00E+06 7.00E+06
3000 1.02E-03 5.05E-13 4.55E-06 1.14E-10 7.00E+06 7.00E+06
The green highlighted case is close to the RF Filter in the

NorCal 40A (series RLC).
7.00E+06 = resonant frequency

100 = Qp = Qs = Q
Series RLC Parallel RLC Check:

R () Ls=RQ/0 Cs=1/(0RQ) Lp=R/(0Q) Cp=Q/(0R) f0,s=1/(2Sqrt[LsCs]) f0,p=1/(2Sqrt[LpCp])
50 1.14E-04 4.55E-12 1.14E-08 4.55E-08 7.00E+06 7.00E+06
500 1.14E-03 4.55E-13 1.14E-07 4.55E-09 7.00E+06 7.00E+06
1500 3.41E-03 1.52E-13 3.41E-07 1.52E-09 7.00E+06 7.00E+06
3000 6.82E-03 7.58E-14 6.82E-07 7.58E-10 7.00E+06 7.00E+06
Three things we can observe from these examples:

1. For higher Q in a series RLC (at fixed R) we need to use a
larger L or a smaller C (larger reactance for L and C).
2. For higher Q in a parallel RLC (at fixed R) we need to use
a smaller L or a larger C (smaller reactance for L and C).
3. For a fixed R, smaller L and larger C (smaller reactance for
both L and C) are needed in a parallel RLC circuit to
achieve the same Q as a series RLC.
Also, as mentioned in the text,

f0
Qp  (3.110)
f
which is the same expression as for Qs.
A number of parallel RLC circuits are used in the NorCal 40A.

One of these is the Transmit Filter constructed in Prob. 9.
Transmit Filter
The Transmit Filter is a “modified parallel RLC circuit” (see

inside front cover). The Transmit Filter is mainly used to filter
all harmonics other than 7 MHz coming from the Transmit
Mixer (see Fig. 1.13):
C37
5pF
+ +
C38 C39 L6
Vin Vout
100pF 50pF 3.1H
- -
This is not a true parallel RLC circuit in the sense of Fig. 3.7a.
It is important to analyze this circuit for use in Prob. 9. First,

we’ll combine C38 and C39 and include losses from L6:
Cc
+ +
R
Norton Vin C'=

C38+C39 Vout
Equivalent
L6
-
-
We’ll use a Norton equivalent circuit for Vin and Cc:

Vin 1
I sc   j C V and Z 
 jCc  jCc
1 c in Th
Using this in the previous circuit:
+
R
Iin= Cc C' Vout

jCcVin
L
-
which we can reduce to
+
R
Iin C Vout
L
-
This is still not a parallel RLC form. Instead, this is called an

“RL-parallel-C” (RL||C) circuit. The characteristics of this
circuit (and the RC||L) are listed at the end of this lecture (from
Krauss, et al. “Solid State Radio Engineering”).
Here are those characteristics of the RL||C circuit important to

us right now:
Approximate
Quantity Exact Expression
Expression (Qt>10)
1/ 2
 1 R2  1
0   2 
 LC L  LC
L 
1
Qt  0   0CRt
R  0CR
 t  R  Qt2  1
L Q
Rt   Qt2 R   0 LQt
CR  0C
What is particularly relevant here are the approximate

expressions for large Qt. These are precisely the same equations
for a standard RLC circuit, but with an Rt:
Iin C L Rt Vout
Rt is not an actual resistor but rather an effective resistance. This

Rt is quite large in the Transmit Filter. Let’s check some
numbers for the NorCal 40A:
 C  Cc  C38  C39  5  100  38  143 pF ,

 L  L6  3.55 H,
     
2 2

2
 L  L L6
 Rt  Qt2 R   0  R  0  0
 R  R RL 6
What is the resistance of L6 at 7 MHz? Not as obvious as it
looks. (Due to the skin effect, the resistance of wire changes
with frequency.) Let’s assume RL6  1 . Then,
    2  7  3.1 2  18.6 k
2
L6
Rt  0  
RL 6
Whoa! That’s big. The Q of this RL||C Transmit Filter should
then be
Rt
Qt   18,600  136 .
R
That’s a respectable Q for a discrete-element RLC circuit. Your
measured value will probably be less than this (more losses).
Summary
The Transmit Filter shown on p. 4 of this lecture can be modeled

by an effective parallel RLC circuit shown on the previous page.
It is emphasized that Rt is not an actual resistor, but rather an

effective resistance due to losses in L6 and other effects
mentioned in Prob. 9. You can use the analysis shown here to
help with your solution and measurements in Prob. 9.
Lastly, you will find through measurements that this “modified

parallel RLC circuit” has a much larger Q than if C37 were
removed (yielding just a regular parallel RLC tank). Interesting!
Winding Inductors and Soldering Magnet Wire
You will wind the inductor L6 that is used in the Transmit Filter.
It is specified in the circuit schematic to be constructed from 28
turns of wire on a T37-2 core, which is a toroid of 0.37-in
diameter constructed from a #2-mix iron powder.
It is important you develop the habit of winding the toroids as

illustrated in the text and in the NorCal40A Assembly Manual
tutorial. Hold the toroid in your left hand and begin threading
the wire through the top center of the toroid with your right
hand. Each time the wire passes through the center of the toroid
is considered one turn.
You’ll need a small piece of fine sandpaper to clean the varnish

off the ends of the magnet wire before soldering. Not removing
ALL of the varnish will likely cause big problems because of
poor ohmic contact. I check the continuity between the solder

pad and a portion of the magnet wire sticking up through the
solder meniscus to confirm good ohmic contact.
(From H. L. Krauss, C. W. Bostian and F. H. Raab, Solid State Radio Engineering. New York:
John Wiley & Sons, 1980.)

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Whites, EE 322 Lecture 6 Page 1 of 10

Lecture 6: Parallel Resonance and Quality

For example, a resistance of 50  - 75  is common for

However, if the “load” resistance in the circuit is relatively

If this is the case – and it often is in the NorCal 40A – then a

© 2016 Keith W. Whites

For this parallel RLC circuit

which is the inverse of Qs.

Resonant frequency defined as the f

Series RLC Parallel RLC Check:

The green highlighted case is close to the RF Filter in the

7.00E+06 = resonant frequency

Series RLC Parallel RLC Check:

Three things we can observe from these examples:

Also, as mentioned in the text,

A number of parallel RLC circuits are used in the NorCal 40A.

The Transmit Filter is a “modified parallel RLC circuit” (see

It is important to analyze this circuit for use in Prob. 9. First,

Norton Vin C'=

We’ll use a Norton equivalent circuit for Vin and Cc:

Using this in the previous circuit:

Iin= Cc C' Vout

which we can reduce to

This is still not a parallel RLC form. Instead, this is called an

Here are those characteristics of the RL||C circuit important to

What is particularly relevant here are the approximate

Rt is not an actual resistor but rather an effective resistance. This

 C  Cc  C38  C39  5  100  38  143 pF ,

The Transmit Filter shown on p. 4 of this lecture can be modeled

It is emphasized that Rt is not an actual resistor, but rather an

Lastly, you will find through measurements that this “modified

Winding Inductors and Soldering Magnet Wire

It is important you develop the habit of winding the toroids as

You’ll need a small piece of fine sandpaper to clean the varnish

poor ohmic contact. I check the continuity between the solder

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