Portland Community College

ENGR 222

Lab 2: Transfer Functions with Filters

Author:
Lynn Nguyen

May 7, 2022
1 Introduction
In this lab, we worked with a variety of filters, including high-pass, low-pass, bandpass and band
reject filters. We observed how the effect of frequencies on the output voltages of these circuits, as
well as how different filters interact with each other. Additionally, we designed filters given certain
values and criteria to meet.

2 Procedure
In the first part of the lab, we worked with RC high-pass and low-pass filters, both with the
same components rearranged. First, we manually found the transfer functions and magnitudes of
the output voltage at given frequencies. We then built these circuits in Multisim. Using the single
frequency AC analysis, we measured the output at the same frequencies by running a new simulation
each time. Then, we used an AC sweep analysis to compare these values to the previous methods.
In the second part of the lab, we designed RL high-pass and low-pass filters with a cutoff
frequency of 350 Hz. We then built these filters in Multisim, connecting the outputs of one filter to
the inputs of the other to create a combination circuit. We found the maximum gain and bandwidth
of this combined circuit.
Finally, we designed a band reject filter with a center frequency of 200 Hz. The Q value had to
be higher than 2. We then built this in Multisim, and ran an AC sweep analysis on it.

3 Results
3.1 RC High-Pass and Low-Pass Filters
For the low-pass filter, the transfer function is:

1/RC
H(s) = s+1/RC .

At a certain frequency ω, we can find the magnitude by substituting s=jω and performing the
following calculation. Since the input function is 1 V, the output voltage y(t) will be the same as
the transfer function magnitude.

ω
|H(jω)| = √
ω 2 +(1/RC)2

The high-pass filter has the following transfer function.

s
H(s) = s+1/RC

Following the same methods as for the low-pass filter, we can find the magnitude of the transfer
function (and therefore the output voltage) via the following equation.
ω
|H(jω)| = √
ω 2 +(1/RC)2

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 Table 1: This table shows the calculated magnitude values of the low-pass and high-pass filters
at different frequencies given, as well as the conversion to rad/s used to calculate these magnitudes.

Frequency (Hz) Frequency (rad/s) Low-Pass Filter High-Pass Filter

10 62.832 0.996 0.0628
100 628.319 0.846 0.533
1000 6283.185 0.158 0.981

Figure 1: Multisim diagram for the RC series low-pass filter circuit (top) and the high-pass filter
circuit (bottom)

Figure 2: Single frequency AC analysis of the RC filters at a frequency of 10 Hz, with peak output
voltages marked by a cursor

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Figure 3: Single frequency AC analysis of the RC filters at a frequency of 100 Hz, with peak output
voltages marked by a cursor

Figure 4: Single frequency AC analysis of the RC filters at a frequency of 1000 Hz, with peak output
voltages marked by a cursor

Figure 5: AC sweep analysis of the RC circuits, with V(2) red line representing the low-pass filter,
and the V(4) green line representing the high-pass filter

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 Since the AC sweep analysis y-axis was measured in decibels, I had to convert the decibel data
to voltage before comparing the values with the single frequency sweep measurements. To do so, I
used this formula:

v = 10A/20 .

Table 2: This table shows the measurements found using the single frequency AC analysis
versus AC sweep analysis for the low-pass filter. It includes both the decibel measurement and
converted voltage value for the AC sweep analysis.

Frequency (Hz) Single Freq AC (V) AC Analysis (dB) AC Analysis (V)

10 0.996 -0.017 0.9980
100 0.846 -1.445 0.8467
1000 0.158 -16.072 0.1572

Table 3: This table shows the measurements found using the single frequency AC analysis
versus AC sweep analysis for the high-pass filter. It includes both the decibel measurement and
converted voltage value for the AC sweep analysis.

Frequency (Hz) Single Freq AC (V) AC Analysis (dB) AC Analysis (V)

10 0.0628 -24.054 0.0627
100 0.533 -5.482 0.5320
1000 0.981 -0.109 0.9876

3.2 RL Filters
To build an RL filter (whether high or low pass) with a cutoff frequency of 350 Hz, or 2199 rad/s,
the ratio of resistance over inductance must be 2199. In order to achieve this, I used an inductor
of 100 mH and resistor of 220 Ω. Tying the output voltage of the low pass filter into the inputs of
the high pass filter resulted in a bandpass filter with a resonant frequency of 350 Hz.

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 Figure 6: Multisim diagram of the RL low-pass and high-pass filters connected

Figure 7: AC sweep analysis of the RL filter circuit, with the green line representing the low filter
output, and the red line representing the second connected filter’s output. The maximum magnitude
and bandwidth are marked with cursor points.

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 The maximum voltage of the combined voltage output is 332.56 mV. Using the equation Av =
20 ∗ log10 ( VVoi ), the maximum gain is 20 ∗ log10 (0.333) = −9.562. This puts the center frequency at
316.2 Hz. To find the bandwidth, I found the frequencies at which the combined circuit’s output
was √1 ∗ vmax ≈ 235 mV. The bandwidth is from 106 Hz to 1160 Hz.
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3.3 Band Reject Filter

First, I converted the frequency of 200 Hz to 1256.6 rad/s. Then, I arbitrarily chose inductance L
and capcitance C values such that LC = ω12 = 6.332∗10−7 . Next, in order to satisfy the requirement
q o q
L L
that Q = R2 C > 2, I chose a resistor value such that R < 4C = 397.88Ω.

Figure 8: Multisim diagram of the designed RLC band reject filter

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 Figure 9: AC sweep analysis of the band reject filter, with the center frequency marked

4 Conclusion
In the first part of the lab, both the single frequency AC analysis and AC sweep analysis data
sets were exactly or within 5% error of the hand calculated values. Since the Bode plots were in
units of decibels, it was not as intuitive, but helped with readability. This part gave me practice
in converting between different units that can both help convey similar data, such as the decibels
versus voltages.
I found the second part of the lab interesting, since I was able to see how connecting filters can
affect a signal. By chaining these two filters, we were able to create a bandwidth filter. However, as
a result, the signal’s maximum magnitude was reduced by 70%. I had expected the center frequency
of this bandwidth filter to be at around 350 Hz, but it ended up being 316 Hz. However, this may
have been a result of rounding in inductor and capacitor values, as well as an effect of chaining two
filters.
For the last part of the lab, the design was successful, with a center frequency of 199.5 Hz, which
was very close to the desired frequency. Furthermore, we can visually see that the band is relatively
narrow, indicating a higher Q value.
This lab gave me a lot of practice in not only building and measuring, but designing different
types of filters. One aspect I did not consider while designing these filters is whether or not they
are realistic, or if the components with such values exist in real life. Since we are strictly using
Multisim, this is a constraint I did not run into but will in the future. I found the designing parts
to be especially helpful in reinforcing the concepts. Since I am interested in music, it is eye-opening
to see hardware equivalents to the software equalizers I’ve seen before. These concepts can be
implemented in order to design audio equipment for various uses.