A Study of the Distributed RC Low-Pass and Notch Filters as Feedback Networks in Active Circuit Design

Abstract

The application of uniformly distributed RC networks as feedback elements in the design of active circuits has been investigated. Distributed RC structures were fabricated using Mylar Film, Teledeltos resistance paper and metallic foil, and used to experimentally verify the predicted responses of particular active and passive configurations. By exploiting the frequency selective feedback provided by a distributed notch filter it was possible to construct an active band-pass filter operating at 1 MHz which achieved a Q of 50 without the use of inductance. For the design it was important that the notch parameter was deliberately chosen to be less than optimum (i.e., a< 17.78) so that the feedback circuit did not apply positive feedback in the region of the notch frequency. Application of positive feedback (a> 17.78) and sufficient amplifier gain would convert the active filter into a feedback oscillator. As predicted, the band-pass filter response was strongly influenced by the amplifier gain and phase characteristic, while amplifier impedance exerted only minor effects.