Paul Burridge wrote:
Hi all,

On page 57 of RF circuit Design, Chris Bowick sets out a filter design
example. I've posted this to a.b.s.e under the same subject header. He
claims that the filter in question - a low pass Butterwoth - matches
50 ohms source to 500 ohms load. However, having checked this out with
the aid of a Smith Chart, it appears there is some capacitive
reactance present that would require the addition of a shunt inductor
to neutralize. However, this would of course totally screw up the
filter's characteristics. Upon closer examination, it appears
impossible that this type of arrangement could ever be designed
without introducing some reactance into the signal path. Or am I nuts?
I'd always thought of these kind of filters as being purely resistive
overall at Fo but is that really the case? It don't look like it...


Of course it isn't. A 1st order butterworth is a simple RC. At its
characteristic frequency, i.e. its 3db point, it has 45 degs of phase
shift in its impedance. Note, centre frequency is meaningless for a LP
and HP. In general the input impedance can be all over the place for a
filter.


Kevin Aylward

http://www.anasoft.co.uk
SuperSpice, a very affordable Mixed-Mode
Windows Simulator with Schematic Capture,
Waveform Display, FFT's and Filter Design.