Filters

2.0 A.C.
Circuits
• 2.1 Frequency response and approximate plots (Bode’s plots)

of following circuits – Compensated attenuator, R.C. low pass
and high pass filters, lead and lag networks. The transfer
functions of these circuits should also be derived.
• 2.2 Series R-L-C and parallel R-L-C circuit. Series and
parallel resonance. Derivations for frequency of resonance,
selectivity, bandwidth and Q point. Concept.
Compensated Attenuator
• An attenuator is an electronic device which reduces the power or
amplitude of a signal without considerably affecting the wave shape.
• Thus it works in an opposite way that of an amplifier does.
• Attenuator provides loss (gain < 1) while an amplifier provides gain
(gain > 1).
• A Compensated Attenuator is a simple two port network which

provides a constant attenuation over a wide range of frequencies.
Compensated Attenuator Diagram
• The purpose of a compensated attenuator is to provide a uniform attenuation factor for all
frequencies.
• Attenuators are found in many systems, particularly test instruments. They allow input quantities
to be reduced to a level compatible with the range acceptable to a system.
• This must be done with a flat response across the frequency range. To achieve this the scaling
resistance is shunted with a capacitor to compensate for the capacitance present at the input of
the system.
• The example in this circuit is common to oscilloscopes using a x10 probe. Rin and Cin represent
the resistance and capacitance seen at the input terminal of the instrument. Ra and Ca represent
the resistance and capacitance of the attenuator (x10 probe in the case of the oscilloscope).
• To provide a flat attenuation factor of a, Ra should be (a - a) times greater than Rin and Ca should
be (a - 1) times smaller than Cin. For a x10 probe (a - 1) = 10 - 1 = 9. Note: It appears on the graph
that only the magnitude of the output voltage at node 2 is flat. It looks like attenuation is
accompanied by a large phase shift which peaks at 6.3096 kHz but the scale of phase is in µ° with
peak of only 25.724 µ°.
Low Pass Circuit (RC Lag Network)
High Pass Filter (RC Lead Network)
Filters are so named according to the frequency range of signals that they allow
to pass through them, while blocking or “attenuating” the rest.
The most commonly used filter designs are the:

•The Low Pass Filter – the low pass filter only allows low frequency signals from
0Hz to its cut-off frequency, ƒc point to pass while blocking those any higher.
•The High Pass Filter – the high pass filter only allows high frequency signals
from its cut-off frequency, ƒc point and higher to infinity to pass through while
blocking those any lower.
•The Band Pass Filter – the band pass filter allows signals falling within a certain
frequency band setup between two points to pass through while blocking both
the lower and higher frequencies either side of this frequency band.
Filters can be divided into two distinct types:
i. Active filters ii. Passive filters
• Active filters contain amplifying devices to increase signal

strength while passive do not contain amplifying devices to
strengthen the signal.
• In passive filter design the output signal has a smaller

amplitude than its corresponding input signal, therefore
passive RC filters attenuate the signal and have a gain of less
than one, (unity).
R C Low Pass Filter
• A simple passive RC Low Pass Filter or LPF, can be easily made by
connecting together in series a single Resistor with a single Capacitor.
• In this type of filter arrangement the input signal ( VIN ) is applied to the
series combination (both the Resistor and Capacitor together) but the
output signal ( VOUT ) is taken across the capacitor only.
• This type of filter is known generally as a “first-order filter” or “one-pole

filter”, because it has only “one” reactive component, the capacitor, in the
circuit.
• The Bode Plot shows the Frequency Response of the filter to be nearly flat
for low frequencies and all of the input signal is passed directly to the
output, resulting in a gain of nearly 1, called unity, until it reaches its Cut-
off Frequency point ( ƒc ). This is because the reactance of the capacitor is
high at low frequencies and blocks any current flow through the capacitor.
• After this cut-off frequency point the response of the circuit decreases to
zero at a slope of -20dB/ Decade or (-6dB/Octave) “roll-off”. Note that the
angle of the slope, this -20dB/ Decade roll-off will always be the same for
any RC combination.
• Any high frequency signals applied to the low pass filter circuit above this
cut-off frequency point will become greatly attenuated, that is they rapidly
decrease. This happens because at very high frequencies the reactance of
the capacitor becomes so low that it gives the effect of a short circuit
condition on the output terminals resulting in zero output.
A Low Pass Filter circuit consisting of a resistor of 4k7Ω in series with a capacitor
of 47nF is connected across a 10v sinusoidal supply. Calculate the output voltage
( V OUT ) at a frequency of 100Hz and again at frequency of 10,000Hz or 10kHz.
4k7Ω
10 V
100 Hz 47nF
RC High Pass Filter
Vc = IXc
Vin = I(Xc+R) Vo = IR
RC High Pass Filter
• The reactance of the capacitor is very
high at low frequencies so the capacitor
acts like an open circuit and blocks any
input signals at VIN until the cut-off
frequency point ( ƒC ) is reached.
• Above this cut-off frequency point the

reactance of the capacitor has reduced
sufficiently as to now act more like a short
circuit allowing all of the input signal to
pass directly to the output.
The Bode Plot or Frequency Response Curve for a passive
High Pass Filter
• The signal is attenuated or damped at low frequencies with the output
increasing at +20dB/Decade (6dB/Octave) until the frequency reaches the
cut-off point ( ƒc ) where again R = Xc.
• It has a response curve that extends down from infinity to the cut-off
frequency, where the output voltage amplitude is 1/√2 = 70.7% of the
input signal value or -3dB (20 log (Vout/Vin)) of the input value.
• The phase angle ( Φ ) of the output signal LEADS that of the input and is
equal to +45o at frequency ƒc.
• The frequency response curve for this filter implies that the filter can pass
all signals out to infinity. However in practice, the filter response does not
extend to infinity but is limited by the electrical characteristics of the
components used.
Cut-off Frequency and Phase Shift
Circuit gain, Av= Vout/Vin (magnitude)

Calculate the cut-off or “breakpoint” frequency ( ƒc ) for a simple
passive high pass filter consisting of an 82pF capacitor connected in
series with a 240kΩ resistor.
RC High pass filter examples
1. Calculate the cut-off or “breakpoint” frequency ( ƒc ) for a simple
passive high pass filter consisting of an 82pF capacitor connected in
series with a 240kΩ resistor.
2. Design an RC filter for a cut off frequency of 1KHz.
3. Calculate the output voltage of the RC filter when the applied

voltage to above filter is 10 volts and frequency is 500 Hz.

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2.0 A.C.

• 2.1 Frequency response and approximate plots (Bode’s plots)

• A Compensated Attenuator is a simple two port network which

The most commonly used filter designs are the:

• Active filters contain amplifying devices to increase signal

• In passive filter design the output signal has a smaller

• This type of filter is known generally as a “first-order filter” or “one-pole

• Above this cut-off frequency point the

Circuit gain, Av= Vout/Vin (magnitude)

2. Design an RC filter for a cut off frequency of 1KHz.

3. Calculate the output voltage of the RC filter when the applied

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