BODE plot for band-pass filter???

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Lainya

Joined Apr 13, 2008
4
:confused: What would cause the cutoff frequencies not to be -3 dB down from the center frequency on a BODE plot for a resistive-capacitive band-pass filter?
The filter was simply a RC low-pass filter, followed by an RC high-pass filter. The calculated cutoff frequencies of the high-pass and low-pass filters were 8kHz and 15kHz.
 
Last edited:

Caveman

Joined Apr 15, 2008
471
Remember that bode plots are approximations. This is especially true near the cutoff frequencies.

The filters will affect each other even if the buffer is there because your cutoff frequencies are so close to each other. For example if the low pass filter is first, at 8kHz (the cutoff frequency of your high pass filter) will already be -1dB down before it goes into the high pass filter.

Your center frequency won't even be exactly halfway between them linearly. It will be logarithmic. So it will be at SQRT(15/8)*8kHz = 10.95kHz.
 
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