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Band pass filter design

Part 4 Improving the HF-side response of a band pass filter


Richard Harris G3OTK
1. Introduction
In this article we will look at using the star-to-delta transformation to either improve the
frequency response of a band pass filter above the pass band, or to eliminate small coupling
capacitors. For this exercise, we will look at a band pass filter with two parallel tuned circuits
that could be designed using the techniques outlines in Part 1, or by the q and k method
(Ref. 1, 2 & 3) described in Part 2. Rather than specify a terminating resistor, an inductor
value can be selected and the terminating resistor value calculated. The specification that we
will use is as follows:

Chebychev with 0.25dB pass band ripple (so that the ripple is visible on simulations)

Two parallel tuned circuits

Centre frequency of 10MHz

Bandwidth of 500kHz (to 0.25dB attenuation)

Inductors of 1uH

The design is shown in Fig 1.


9.07p

2.234k

Probe1-NODE

R1

AC 1
V3

C3
1u
L1

244.4p
C1

244.4p
C2

1u
L2

2.234k
R2

Fig. .1. Filter circuit

dB(Probe1-NODE)-dB(Probe2-NODE) / dB

The insertion loss, as predicted by the SPICE simulator, is shown in Fig. 2. This simulator is
available as a free down load (Ref. 4).
0
-10
-20
-30
-40
-50
-60

10

Frequency/MHertz

12

14
2MHertz/div

Fig. 2. Insertion loss

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Notice that the attenuation falls off more rapidly on the low frequency side than on the high
frequency side. The reason is quite straightforward. At very high frequencies, the inductors
can be thought of as open circuits and so the filter becomes a series of capacitors, which,
with the termination resistors, give a much slower roll off.

2. Improving the HF-side attenuation


The rate of increase in insertion loss on the high frequency side can be improved if there is at
least one series inductor since the series impedance will keep increasing with frequency. To
show how this can be done, we can redraw the circuit in Fig 1.
9.07p

2.234k

Probe1-NODE

R1

C3

AC 1
V3

1u
L1

244.4p
C1

1u
L2

244.4p
C2

2.234k
R2

Fig. 3. Redrawn Circuit

The termination resistance is the result of calculation it cannot be arbitrarily chosen without
using an impedance matching section. L1, C3 and L2 have been deliberately grouped
together because we are going to undertake a Delta-to-Star transformation.
Zb
N1

N2

N2

N1

Z2

Z1
Zc

Za

Z3
N3

a) Delta

N3

b) Star

Fig. 4. Delta and Star Transformations

Standard formulae to convert a Delta configuration to a Star configuration and vice-versa can
be found in many text books or on the Internet. Converting from Delta to Star:Z1 =

Za Zb
Za + Zb + Zc

Z2 =

Zb Zc
Za + Zb + Zc

Z3 =

Za Zc
Za + Zb + Zc

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9.07p

1.07u

1.07u

C3

L1

L2

1u
L1

1u
L2

6.567n
C3

At 10MHz

a) Delta

b) Star

Fig. 5. Transformation of L1, L2 and C3 from a Delta to a Star configuration at 10MHz

These are only equivalent at one frequency. However, within the pass band of a narrow band
filter the response will be substantially the same. Notice that the small top-coupling capacitor
in Fig. 5a has been replaced by a large bottom coupling capacitor in Fig. 5b. Care must be
taken in selecting a suitable dielectric for a bottom coupling capacitor ceramic capacitors
will use a high-K dielectric and so have poor temperature characteristics. Many other
capacitors types will have excessive inductance. Silver mica would probably be a suitable
type, perhaps with NPO ceramic used to trim the value. Polystyrene capacitors may also be
suitable although your writer hasnt tried either of these types.
2.234k

1.07u

1.07u

R1

L1

L2

AC 1
V1

244.4p
C1

6.567n
C3

Probe1-NODE

244.4p
C2

2.234k
R2

Fig. 6. Filter after delta-to-star transformation of L1, L2 and C4


The insertion loss frequency responses of Fig 3 and Fig 6 can be compared using SPICE
0
-10

dB

-20
-30
Fig 3

-40
-50
-60

Fig 6

10

12

Frequency/MHertz

14
2MHertz/div

Fig. 7. Insertion loss of filters in Fig 3 and Fig 6

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As can be seen, the attenuation on the high frequency side of the insertion loss frequency
response graph is better in the version of the filters with series inductors (Fig. 6) compared
with the conventional top coupled filter as shown in Fig 3. At higher frequencies the
difference is even more marked.

3. Bottom coupled band pass filters


Band pass filters, such as shown in Fig 1, may have inconveniently small value capacitors for
top coupling. We can use an alternative star-to-delta transform to replace the small topcoupling capacitor with a much larger bottom-coupling capacitor.

9.07p

262.5p

262.5p

C3

C5

C6

244.4p
C1

244.4p
C2

7.074n
C4

All Frequencies

Fig. 8. Delta to Star Transform of C1, C2 and C3

This transform is independent of frequency because it consists of just capacitors. We can


now modify Fig. 1 to change it from top coupling to bottom coupling.

2.234k

Probe1-NODE

R1

AC 1
V1

262.5p
C1

262.5p
C2
1u
L2

1u
L1

2.234k
R2

7.074n
C3

Fig 9. Bottom coupled version of the filter in Fig 1.

The response of the filter in Fig 9 is identical to that in Fig 1, so it is not necessary to show a
comparison.

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4. Conclusion
The Delta-to-Star Transform is a useful tool for increasing the attenuation above the pass
band and may well result in a simpler filter. This transform also allows top coupling of a pair
of tuned circuits, which inevitably use a small value capacitor, to be replaced by bottom
coupling using a relatively large value capacitor. However, care must be taken to ensure that
this capacitor uses a stable dielectric and is low inductance.

5. References
1. Wes Hayward W7ZOI, Radio Frequency Design published by the ARRL and available
from the RSGB bookshop.
2. Hayward, Campbell and Larkin, Experimental Methods in RF Design. Published by the
ARRL, this is a first-class book for the experimenter and may be purchased from the RSGB
bookshop.
3. William E Sabin W0IYH, Narrow Band-pass Filters for HF, QEX Sep/Oct 2000 pp13 17.
4. www.simetrix.co.uk An excellent free evaluation version of SPICE.
Other useful references are given in Part 1.

Richard Harris G3OTK


June 2010
rjharris@iee.org

R. J. Harris 2010

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