The damping and filtering of electrical signals is a required process in communication systems or control systems when it comes to minimizing the effect of unwanted signals, such as noise or disturbances generated by the characteristics of the networks or external agents.
Figure 1 shows a circuit that has the mentioned properties and which is constituted by a resistor, a capacitor and an inductor in series so it is known as an RCL circuit.
Figure 1 - RCL series circuit
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Next, a brief theoretical analysis is developed to determine the behavior of the variables involved as a function of time and frequency.
Kirchhoff's Law of Voltages allows obtaining the general expression that shows the temporal behavior of the variables.
VR → Resistance Voltage
VC → Voltage in the capacitor
VL → Voltage in the inductor
Where:
The solution of the differential equation is given by:
ω0 → Frequency resonant
The angular frequency given by equation (9) is the main parameter used in the description and determination of the type of damping of the system and they are classified according to the value of the resistance.
Figure 2 shows the different types of damping experienced by the electric charge that flows in the network.
Figure 2 - Types of damping
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Experimental demonstration of the damping of a Signal in a Circuit R-C-L
The following images show an experimental test carried out in the laboratory of the damping of a Square Signal that feeds an R-C-L circuit.
R=8Ω ; L=2.2mH; C=100μf; VP-P= 5v
Figure 3 - Test in the laboratory
Figure 4
Figure 5 - Square wave damped
Signal filtering is another application of the R-C-L circuits. According to its configuration, the R-C-L circuits are classified according to the frequency range in which they allow the passage of a signal.
Figures 6, 7 and 8 show some of the most common configurations for signal filtering.
Figure 6 - Band-Pass Filter
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Hive account@wilians - Microsoft Powerpoint
Figure 7 - Notch Filter
Author Hive account@wilians - Microsoft Powerpoint
Figure 8 - Low-Pass Filter
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In this way we can appreciate that in its simplest form an RLC circuit, formed by passive elements of low cost, allows the damping and filtering of electrical signals and whose applications have served to optimize the transmission and signal processing as well as the construction of high quality automated systems.
References
Automatic Control Systems. Farid Golnaraghi, Benjamin C. Kuo. Ninth edition.
Circuitos eléctricos. James W. Nilsson, Susan A. Riedel. 7ª. Edition. Pearson Prentice Hall.
Digital Signal Processing using MATLAB. Vinay K. Ingle, John G. Proakis. Third edition.
Fundamentals of Physics. Halliday & Resnick. Jearl Walker.10th. Edition. Wiley editorial.
