FILTERS IN CONTROL SYSTEMS

The filter is a circuit that can pass or increase certain frequencies while attenuating
other frequencies. Thus, a filter can extract important frequencies from signals, including
unwanted or irrelevant frequencies. In many applications in electronics, filters are widely
used. As an example, to these; Radio power communications, DC power supplies, audio
electronics and analog to digital conversation applications can be given.

There are 4 types of filters, these are called low-pass, high-pass, band-pass and notch
filters. However, in this research, low-pass, high-pass and band-pass filters were examined.

Low-pass Filters:

If a filter passes low frequencies and blocks high frequencies, this is called a low pass
filter. The passive low pass filter is created by combining resistant and reactive components.
In general, these components are selected as resistors and capacitors. A passive RC low-pass
filter is shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1 Passive low-pass filter circuit diagram[1]

A condenser's
reactance is inversely proportional to the frequency, with the resistance value remaining
constant as the frequency increases. The capacitor's capacitive reaction (Xc) will be very high
at low frequencies relative to the resistance value of the R-resistance. The RC Low-Pass Filter
circuit can also be considered as a frequency-dependent variable divider circuit. While circuit
is an RC Low Pass Filter circuit, it can also be considered as a variable potential divider
circuit based on the frequency. Also, capacitive reactance (Xc) of capacitor is showed below
which observed from Ohm’s law.

1
X c=
2 π fC
 The circuit impedance for a series circuit consisting of an impedance against the
current flow in an AC circuit, a Z symbol and a single resistor in series with a single capacitor
can be specified as follows.

Z=√ R 2+ X c 2

Combination of these two equations are concluded as RC potential divider equation as

follows.

Xc Xc
V out =V ¿ x =V ¿
2
√R + X c
2 Z

Thanks to this derivation, the output voltage of an RC Filter for a random frequency
can be calculated by using the potential divider equation of the two resistors in series and
replacing the impedance.

By drawing the output voltage of the networks according to the different input
frequency values, the low pass filter circuit has the frequency response curve or bode graph
function as shown below and is shown in Figure 2.

On the other hand, the graphic shown in Figure 2 shows that the Frequency Response
of the filter is almost flat for low frequencies, and all input signals are transmitted directly to
the output, which yields about 1 gain called unity until it reaches the cut frequency point. (fc).
This is because the reactance of the capacitor is high at low frequencies and prevents current
flow from the capacitor.

After this cut-

off

Figure 2 Frequency response curve and bode graph for low pass filters.[2]
frequency point which showed in Figure 2, the response of the circuit drops to zero on -20dB
decade or (-6dB / Octave) “shutdown” slope. Note that the angle of the tilt will always be the
same for every RC combination of this -20dB decade rounding.

The high frequency signals applied to the low-pass filter circuit above this cut-off
frequency are greatly reduced. This is because, at very high frequencies, the reactance of the
capacitor becomes so low that the effect of the short circuit condition on the output terminals
causes zero output. When the input signal is permitted to pass through the filter, the frequency
range past this cut-off point is commonly known as the Pass Band. The frequency band above
this cut-off point is commonly known as the Stop Band because it prevents or prohibits the
input signal from going through.

High-pass Filters:

High pass filters can be considered as have completely reverse working principle. So,
In this circuit arrangement, the reactance of the capacitor is very high at low frequencies, so
the capacitor acts like an open circuit and blocks the input signals in the VIN until the cut-off
frequency point (ƒC) is reached. Above this cutoff frequency point, the reactance of the
capacitor has decreased sufficiently to act as a short circuit that now allows the entire input
signal to pass directly to the output in the filter response curve, as shown below in Figure 3.

For a passive high pass filter, the

Bode Chart or Frequency Response Curve
above is the

Figure 3 High pass filter response curve and bode graph.[3]

opposite of that of a low pass filter. Here the signal is attenuated or damped at low
frequencies, increasing by + 20dB / Decade (6dB / Octave) until the frequency reaches the
cut-off value (ƒc). R = Xc. It has a response curve ranging from infinity to cutoff 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.

Band Pass Filter

Unlike low-pass filters that only allow low-frequency range signals to pass through,
and high-pass filters that only allow signals in the high-frequency range to pass through,
band-pass filters allow signals within a specific band or frequency spread without distorting
the input signal and making extra noise [4].

BW =fh−fl

Bandwidth is found by difference between lower cut-off frequency (fc lower) and the
higher cut-off frequency (fc higher). As seen in the above equation, In order for the band
filters to work properly, the low pass filter cutoff frequency must be higher

Figure 4 band-pass filter circuit diagram[6]

 Figure 5 Frequency Response of a 2nd Order Band Pass Filter and bode graph.[7]

The output continues at maximum gain until it reaches the “upper cut-off”
point ƒH where the output decreases at a rate of -20dB/Decade (6dB/Octave) attenuating any
high frequency signals. The point of maximum output gain is generally the geometric mean of
the two -3dB value between the lower and upper cut-off points and is called the “Centre
Frequency” or “Resonant Peak” value ƒr. This geometric mean value is calculated as
being ƒr 2 = ƒ(UPPER) x ƒ(LOWER).

REFERENCES

[1] Low Pass Filter - Passive RC Filter Tutorial. (2020, May 01). Retrieved May 05,
2020, from https://www.electronics-tutorials.ws/filter/filter_2.html?utm_referrer=https%3A
%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F

[2] Understanding Low-Pass Filter Transfer Functions - Technical Articles. (n.d.).

Retrieved May 05, 2020, from https://www.allaboutcircuits.com/technical-
articles/understanding-transfer-functions-for-low-pass-filters/

[3] High Pass Filter - Passive RC Filter Tutorial. (2019, March 05). Retrieved May 05,
2020, from https://www.electronics-tutorials.ws/filter/filter_3.html