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20

3. Noise Suppression by Low-pass Filters

3.3. Low-pass Filters

Low-pass Filters
9

1. Capacitor

50Ω Insertion loss

0

Capacitance
20
0.001µF

Insertion loss (dB)

50Ω 40
0.01µF

60
0.1µF
80
1µF
100
0.001 0.01 0.1 1 10 100 1000
Frequency (MHz)
Capacitor
1 | Z | : Impedance ( )
|Z|=
C 2 fC f : Frequency (Hz)
C : Capacitance (F)

2. Inductor

Suppresses noise. Impedance

50Ω Inductance
1000
1µH
800
Impedance ( )

600
50Ω 0.1µH
400

200 0.01µH

0
Coil 0.001 0.01 0.1 1 10 100 1000

| Z | =2 fL | Z | : Impedance ( ) Frequency (MHz)

L f : Frequency (Hz)
L : Inductance (H)

The most basic low-pass filter includes the following two [Notes]
components.
1. A capacitor installed between the signal line and GND line.
(As the frequency becomes higher, the impedance of the
capacitor becomes lower. Thus noise is forced to go
through bypass capacitors to GND.)
2. An inductor (coil) installed in series with the signal line.
As the frequency increases, the impedance of the inductor
increases which prevents noise from flowing into the signal
line.

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This is the PDF file of text No.TE04EA-1. [Link] 98.3.20

3. Noise Suppression by Low-pass Filters

3.3. Low-pass Filters

Filter Construction - Constant

and Insertion Loss 10

Changing the constant of filters (capacitance or inductance)

Increasing the number of filter elements

Insertion loss 20dB 20dB Ratio of

Insertion loss
Capacitor 20dB 20dB constant
20dB 20dB 0.1
1
10

Coil

0.1 1 10 100 0.1 1 10 100

Frequency Frequency

If the filter constant was increased by 10

L-type times, the insertion loss angle does not
Insertion loss

40dB
40dB change. However, the insertion loss is
40dB
increased by 20 dB across the entire
L-type
frequency.

0.1 1 10 100
Frequency

π-type
Insertion loss

60dB

60dB

T-type 60dB

0.1 1 10 100

Frequency

The angle of insertion loss increases

by 20 dB/decade every time one
filter element is added.

In the frequency band where EMI noise problems occur, the [Notes]
insertion loss of filters increases by 20 dB every time the frequency
is multiplied by ten.
When the constant of filters (capacitor’s capacitance or inductor’s
inductance) is increased, the insertion loss of filters increases by
20 dB every time the constant is multiplied by ten.
To increase the angle of the insertion loss, filters are used in
combination.

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3. Noise Suppression by Low-pass Filters

3.4. Suitable Filter for Input/Output Impedance

Suitable Filter for Input/Output

Impedance 11

Output impedance (Zo)

High Low

IN OUT
High

L-type
Input impedance (Zi)

π-type
Capacitor

Coil
IN OUT
Low

L-type T-type

Input impedance
Zi

Filter Zo Output impedance

Filter effect varies depending on the input/output impedances.

As mentioned earlier, the insertion loss is measured with input [Notes]

and output impedances of 50 Ω . However, actual circuit
impedances are not 50 Ω. Actual filter effects vary depending on
the impedances of the circuit where the filter is installed.
Generally, a capacitor is more effective in suppressing noise in
high impedance circuits, while an inductor is more effective in
low impedance circuits.

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