Lab 08:

Passive First Order Low

Pass & High Pass Filter

Experiment 08
To design RC low pass & high pass filter circuit with cutof
frequency of 5KHZ, also draw a frequency response: (a)
magnitude response (b) phase response.
To design RL low pass & high pass filter circuit with cutof
frequency of 5KHZ, also draw a frequency response: (a)
magnitude response (b) phase response.
Introduction:
This laboratory studies the use of passive components to create filters to separate
portions of time-dependent waveforms. Filters are an essential tool in our complex
world of mixed signals both electronic and otherwise. Passive components
(resistors, capacitors, and inductors) have long served as filter components for
everything from selecting radio stations to filtering out electrical noise.
EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES:
(1) Learn the general filter types: High-pass, Low-pass.
(2) Learn to alter filter type by changing contacts for output voltage.
(3) Learn phase angle at cutoff for simple RC and RL filters.
(4) Design simple filter.
(5) Frequency response (amplitude and phase).
EXPERIMENTAL OBJECTIVES:
(1) Calculate and measure cutoff frequency for series RC and RL filters.
(2) Design simple RC low-pass & high pass filter.
(3) Design simple RL low-pass & high pass filter.
(4) Bode plots for series filters.

PRE-LAB:
Reading:
(1) Study the Background section of this Laboratory.
(2) Study textbook Chapter 14 (14.1 -14.4).
Written:

Note: Before the starts of simulation make sure that the

calculated values of R, L and C are available in Lab.
Otherwise Design your circuits according to the available values.

Lab 08:
Passive First Order Low
Pass & High Pass Filter
(1)Simulate the circuit shown in Fig (5), Fig (6), Fig (7) and Fig (8) in LTspice and
Record the simulation result in Table 1, Table 2, Table 3 and Table 4.
(2)Sketch the Bode Plots of the simulation results recorded in Table 1, Table 2,
Table 3 and Table 4.

Lab 08:
Passive First Order Low
Pass & High Pass Filter
EQUIPMENT AND MATERIALS
Digital Function Generator
Digital Oscilloscope with Probes.
Bread Board
Capacitors
Inductors
Resistors

Background:
Frequency Response
The frequency response of a circuit is the variation in its behavior with change in
signal frequency.
Transfer Function
The transfer function

H ( )

of a circuit is the frequency dependent ratio of a

phasor output y ( ) (an element voltage or current) to a phasor input X ( )

(source voltage or current).
H ( )=

Y ()
X ( )

Bode Plots
Bode plots are semi-log plots of the magnitude (in decibels) and phase (in degrees)
of a transfer function versus frequency.
Cutof Frequency
The frequency at which gain becomes 0.707 times of the maximum gain is called
cutoff frequency. It is also called the half power frequency because at this
frequency the average power delivered by the circuit is one half the maximum
average power.
H ( ) MAX
|H ( C )|=0.707

Lab 08:
Passive First Order Low
Pass & High Pass Filter
P( c )=

Pmax
2

Filter
A filter is a circuit that is designed to pass signals with desired frequencies and
reject or attenuate others.
Passive Filters
Elements used in passive filters are resistors, capacitors and inductors. The gain of
passive filters is unity.
Low Pass Filter
A low pass filter passes low frequencies and rejects high frequencies.

Magnitude
First-Order

Bode Plot for

Low Pass Filter

Lab 08:
Passive First Order Low
Pass & High Pass Filter

Phase Bode Plot for First-Order Low Pass Filter

High Pass Filter

A high pass filter passes high frequencies and rejects low frequencies.

Magnitude Bode Plot for First-Order High Pass Filter

Lab 08:
Passive First Order Low
Pass & High Pass Filter

Phase Bode Plot for First-Order High Pass Filter

Lab 08:
Passive First Order Low
Pass & High Pass Filter
Design of RC Low Pass Filter
The cutoff frequency for RC circuit is given below

c=

1
1
, f c=
(1)
RC
2 RC

The derivation of equation (1) is given in Appendix A

Fig (5) RC

Low Pass Filter Circuit

Let C=10 n F , C=9.08 nF (By Capacitance Meter ) Put C=9.08 n F ,

f c =5 KHz Equation(1)

510

2 ( 3)( 9.08109 )

1
R=
R=3.5 K
Make sure that the CapacitorResistorof this valusis available Lab; otherwise do the

calaculations according the available values .

The transfer function of circuit shown in fig (3) is

H ( )=

1
1+ jRC

Equation ( 1 ) c =
H ( )=

//Derivation is given in Appendix A

1
RC

1
j
1+
c

|H ( )|=

( 1) +
c
2

( )

(2)

Lab 08:
Passive First Order Low
Pass & High Pass Filter
=tan1

( )(3)
c

It can be seen equations (2 )( 3 ) that at =0,| H ( )|=1=0

It can be seen equations (2 )( 3 ) that at = ,|H ( )|=0=90 0

Lab 08:
Passive First Order Low
Pass & High Pass Filter
Design of RC High Pass Filter

C=10 nF

The values of R and C are same as found in

RC low pass filter circuit.
The transfer function of circuit shown in fig (6) is

H ( )=

1
1
1+
jRC

( 4)

//Derivation is given in Appendix B

Pass Filter Circuit

Equation ( 1 ) c =

Put RC =

1
1+

|H ( )|=

1
RC

1
the Equation(4)
c

H ( )=

1
jRC

1 j

=tan1

(5)

( )

c
2
( 1) +

=tan1 c (6)

( )

R=3.5 K

( )

It can be seen equations (5 )( 6 ) that at =0,|H ( )|=0=90 0

It can be seen equations (5 )( 6 ) that at = ,|H ( )|=1=00

Fig (6) RC High

Lab 08:
Passive First Order Low
Pass & High Pass Filter
Design of RL Low Pass Circuit
The cutoff frequency for RC circuit is given below

c=

R
R
, f c=
(7)
L
2 L

The derivation of equation (7) is given in Appendix C

Let L=10 mH

Fig (7) RL Low Pass Filter

Circuit
Make sure that the inductor f this valus is available Lab
Put L=1 mH

f c =5 KHzthe Equation(7)

R=2 f c L
R=2 510310103
R=314.1

Make sure that the inductorresistorof this valus is availableLab ; otherwise do the
calaculations according the available inductor value.

The transfer function of circuit shown in fig (3) is

H ( )=

1
(8)
jL
1+
R

Equation ( 7 )

Put

L 1
=
R c

c=

R
L

the Equation(8)

//Derivation is given in Appendix C

Lab 08:
Passive First Order Low
Pass & High Pass Filter
H ( )=

1
j
1+
c

|H ( )|=

=tan1

( 1) +
c
2

(9)

( )

(10)
c

( )

It can be seen equations ( 9 )( 10 ) that at =0,|H ( )|=1=0

It can be seen equations ( 9 )( 10 ) that at = ,|H ( )|=0=900

Design of RL High Pass Circuit:

The values of R and L is same as found
in RL low pass filter circuit.
The transfer function of circuit shown in fig (8) is

Fig (8) RL High Pass

Filter Circuit
H ( )=

1
R
1+
jL

(11)

Equation ( 7 ) c =
Put

R
L

R
=c the Equation(11)
L

Lab 08:
Passive First Order Low
Pass & High Pass Filter
H ( )=

1
R
1+
jL

|H ( )|=

1 j
1

=tan1

(12)

( )

c
2
( 1) +

( )=tan ( )(13)
c

It can be seen equations (12 ) ( 13 ) that at =0,|H ( )|=0=900

It can be seen equations (12 ) ( 13 ) that at = ,|H ( )|=1=00

Lab 08:
Passive First Order Low
Pass & High Pass Filter
Task 1 RC Low Pass Filter:
1) Set up the circuit shown in Fig (5). Use the function generator FGEN for the
supply voltage vin 10 VP-P.
2) Connect channels 1 and 2 of the oscilloscope to measure Vs and Vout
simultaneously.
3) Vary the frequency from 500 Hz to 10 kHz in steps indicated in Table 1, and
record the indicated value. With each frequency change, make sure that V in is
still 10Vpp.
a) Using the data of Table 1, sketch a Bode plots of the of the filters output
voltage.

Task 2 RC High Pass Filter:

Repeat the Task 1 for the circuit shown in Fig (6), and record your result in Table
2

Task 3 RL Low Pass Filter:

Repeat the Task 1 for the circuit shown in Fig (7), and record your result in Table
3

Task 4 RL High Pass Filter:

Repeat the Task 1 for the circuit shown in Fig (8), and record your result in Table
4

Post Lab:
1) Why are capacitors preferred over inductors in filter design?
2) Create Bode plots of the magnitude transfer functions of your low-pass and
high-pass filters. The theoretical plots (using measured values of resistors
and capacitors) should be drawn as lines. Include your data (taken at 1/10,
, 1, 2, and 10 times the cutoff frequency) as points.
3) Compare the measured results and simulation results.

Lab 08:
Passive First Order Low
Pass & High Pass Filter
Calculated Results:
Task 1: Passive RC Low Pass Filter
Frequency
(KHz)

(rad /s)

|H ( )|=

0.01fc=
0.1fC =
0.5fc =
fc =
2fc =
4fc =
6fc =
8fc =
10fc =
100fc =

H ( )=20 log

( )

( 1 )2 +

Vo
(dB)
V

=tan1

Vo
(dB)
V

=tan1

( )
c

Table 1 (RC Low Pass Filter)

Task 2: Passive RC High Pass Filter
Frequency
(KHz)

0.01fc=
0.1fC =
0.5fc =
fc =
2fc =
4fc =
6fc =
8fc =
10fc =
100fc =

(rad /s)

|H ( )|=

( )

(1) +

H ( )=20 log

Table 2 (RC High Pass Filter)

( )
c

Lab 08:
Passive First Order Low
Pass & High Pass Filter
Calculated Results:
Task 3: Passive RL Low Pass Filter
Frequency
(KHz)

(rad /s)

|H ( )|=

0.01fc=
0.1fC =
0.5fc =
fc =
2fc =
4fc =
6fc =
8fc =
10fc =
100fc =

H ( )=20 log

( )

( 1 )2 +

Vo
(dB)
V

=tan1

Vo
(dB)
V

=tan1

( )
c

Table 3 (RL Low Pass Filter)

Task 4: Passive RL High Pass Filter
Frequency
(KHz)

0.01fc=
0.1fC =
0.5fc =
fc =
2fc =
4fc =
6fc =
8fc =
10fc =
100fc =

(rad /s)

|H ( )|=

( )

c
2
(1) +

H ( )=20 log

Table 4 (RL High Pass Filter)

( )
c

Lab 08:
Passive First Order Low
Pass & High Pass Filter
Section 4 Measurement Tables
Name: __________________________
_______________________

Reg. No

Task 1: Passive RC Low Pass Filter

Vin (p-p) = 10 VP-P
Frequency
(KHz)

(rad /s)

Vout(P-P)

H ()=

Vo
V

H ( )=20 log

Vo
(dB)
V

(degrees)

Vo
(dB)
V

(degrees)

0.01fc=
0.1fC =
0.5fc =
fc =
2fc =
4fc =
6fc =
8fc =
10fc =
100fc =
Table 1 (RC Low Pass Filter)
Task 2: Passive RC High Pass Filter
Vin (p-p) = 10 VP-P
Frequency
(KHz)

0.01fc=
0.1fC =
0.5fc =
fc =
2fc =
4fc =
6fc =
8fc =
10fc =
100fc =

(rad /s)

Vout(P-P)

H ()=

Vo
V

H ( )=20 log

Lab 08:
Passive First Order Low
Pass & High Pass Filter
Table 2 (RC High Pass Filter)

Section 4 Measurement Tables

Name: __________________________
_______________________

Reg. No

Task 3: Passive RL Low Pass Filter

Vin (p-p) = 10 VP-P
Frequency
(KHz)

(rad /s)

Vout(P-P)

H ()=

Vo
V

H ( )=20 log

Vo
(dB)
V

(degrees)

0.01fc=
0.1fC =
0.5fc =
fc =
2fc =
4fc =
6fc =
8fc =
10fc =
100fc =
Table 3 (RL Low Pass Filter)
Task 4: Passive RL High Pass Filter
Vin (p-p) = 10 VP-P
V
V
Frequency
(rad /s) Vout(P-P)
H ()= o
H ( )=20 log o (dB)
(KHz)
V
V

0.01fc=
0.1fC =
0.5fc =
fc =
2fc =
4fc =
6fc =
8fc =
10fc =

(degrees)

Lab 08:
Passive First Order Low
Pass & High Pass Filter
100fc =
Table 4 (RL High Pass Filter)

Name: __________________________
_______________________

Reg. No

Bode Plot for RC Low Pass Filter:

Magnitude
(dB)

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document or the summary of
an interesting point. You can
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Frequency
(rad/Sec)

Lab 08:
Passive First Order Low
Pass & High Pass Filter

Phase
(degree)

Frequency Name:
(rad/Sec)

__________________________
_______________________

Reg. No

Bode Plot for RC High Pass Filter:

Magnitude
(dB)

[Type a quote from the

document or the summary of
an interesting point. You can
position the text box anywhere
in the document. Use the
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the formatting of the pull
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Frequency
(rad/Sec)

Lab 08:
Passive First Order Low
Pass & High Pass Filter

Phase
(degree)

Frequency
(rad/Sec) Name:

__________________________
_______________________

Reg. No

Bode Plot for RL Low Pass Filter:

Magnitude
(dB)

[Type a quote from the

document or the summary of
an interesting point. You can
position the text box anywhere
in the document. Use the
Drawing Tools tab to change
the formatting of the pull
quote text box.]

Frequency
(rad/Sec)

Lab 08:
Passive First Order Low
Pass & High Pass Filter

Phase
(degree)

Frequency
(rad/Sec) Name:

__________________________
_______________________

Reg. No

Bode Plot for RL High Pass Filter:

Magnitude
(dB)

[Type a quote from the

document or the summary of
an interesting point. You can
position the text box anywhere
in the document. Use the
Drawing Tools tab to change
the formatting of the pull
quote text box.]

Frequency
(rad/Sec)

Lab 08:
Passive First Order Low
Pass & High Pass Filter

Phase
(degree)

Frequency
(rad/Sec) Appendix

A (RC Low Pass Filter)

From the circuit diagram,

1
jC
V o=
V
1
R+
jC

V o is given by

Vo
1
=
V 1+ jRC

As we know that

Vo
=H ()
V
H ( )=

1
(1)
1+ jRC

Lab 08:
Passive First Order Low
Pass & High Pass Filter
|H ( )|=

At

|H ( )|

1
1+ ( RC )

= 0.707

0.707 =

0.5=

0.707=

1
1+( c RC )

1
2
1+ ( c RC )

1
1+ ( c RC ) 2
2

0.5+0.5 ( c RC ) =1
0.5 ( c RC )2=10.5
0.5
2
( c RC ) = 0.5
2
( c RC ) =1

c2=

c=
f c=

1
( RC)2

1
(2)
RC

1
2 RC

Appendix B (RC High Pass Filter)

From the circuit diagram,

V o is given by

Lab 08:
Passive First Order Low
Pass & High Pass Filter
V o=

R
1
R+
jC

Vo
=
V

1
1+

H ( )=

1
1
1+
jRC

|H ( )|=

1
jRC

Vo
=H ()
V

As we know that

At

|H ( )|

1+

= 0.707

Squaring both sides

(5)

1
( c RC )
1
0.707=

1+

1
1+
( c RC)
1
0.7072 =

1
(RC )

Lab 08:
Passive First Order Low
Pass & High Pass Filter

1
1+
( c RC )
1
0.5=

( c RC)
1
1+

0.5

( c RC )2 =1
0.5
0.5+

( c RC )2 =10.5
0.5

0.5
2
( c RC ) = 0.5
2
( c RC ) =1

c =

c=

f c=

1
( RC)2

1
RC

1
2 RC

Lab 08:
Passive First Order Low
Pass & High Pass Filter

Lab 08:
Passive First Order Low
Pass & High Pass Filter
Appendix C (RL Low Pass Filter)
From the circuit diagram,

Vo is given by

R
V
R+ jL

V o=

Vo
=
V

R
jL
R(1+
)
R

As we know that

Vo
=H ()
V

H ( )=

1
jL
1+
R

|H ( )|=

At

|H ( )|

= 0.707

0.707=

( RL )

1+

( LR )

1+

Lab 08:
Passive First Order Low
Pass & High Pass Filter
0.7072=

1
L
1+ c
R

( )

0.5=

1
L
1+ c
R

( )

c L 2
0.5+0.5
=1
R

( )

0.5

c L 2
=10.5
R

( )

c L 2 0.5
=
R
0.5

( )

c L 2
=1
R

( )
2

R
= 2
L
2
c

c=

f=

R
L

R
2 L

Lab 08:
Passive First Order Low
Pass & High Pass Filter
Appendix D (RL High Pass Filter)
From the circuit diagram,

Vo is given by

V o=

jL
V
R+ jL

Vo
=
V

jL
R
jL(
+1)
jL

As we know that
Vo
=H ()
V
1

H ( )=
1+

|H ( )|=

At

R
jL
1

( LR )

1+

|H ( )| = 0.707
0.707=

R
c L

( )

1+

Lab 08:
Passive First Order Low
Pass & High Pass Filter
0.7072=

0.5=

1
R
1+
c L

1
R
1+
c L

( )

( )

R 2
0.5+0.5
=1
c L

( )
2

0.5

R
=10.5
c L

( )

R 2 0.5
=
c L
0.5

( )

R
=1
c L

( )
2

c =

c=

f=

R2
L2

R
L

R
2 L