Band-stop Filters

How to Create a Band-stop Filter?

Also called band-elimination, band-reject, or notch filters, this kind of filter passes all frequencies above and below a particular range set by the component values. Not surprisingly, it can be made out of a low-pass and a high-pass filter, just like the band-pass design, except that this time we connect the two filter sections in parallel with each other instead of in series.

System level block diagram of a band-stop filter.

Twin-T Band-stop Filter

Constructed using two capacitive filter sections, it looks something like:

“Twin-T” band-stop filter.

The low-pass filter section is comprised of R₁, R₂, and C₁ in a “T” configuration. The high-pass filter section is comprised of C₂, C₃, and R₃ in a “T” configuration as well. Together, this arrangement is commonly known as a “Twin-T” filter, giving sharp response when the component values are chosen in the following ratios:

Notch Frequency

Given these component ratios, the frequency of maximum rejection (the “notch frequency”) can be calculated as follows:

The impressive band-stopping ability of this filter is illustrated by the following SPICE analysis:

twin-t bandstop filter 
 v1 1 0 ac 1 sin 
 r1 1 2 200 
 c1 2 0 2u 
 r2 2 3 200 
 c2 1 4 1u 
 r3 4 0 100 
 c3 4 3 1u 
 rload 3 0 1k 
 .ac lin 20 200 1.5k 
 .plot ac v(3) 
 .end 

Response of “twin-T” band-stop filter.

REVIEW:

• A band-stop filter works to screen out frequencies that are within a certain range, giving easy passage only to frequencies outside of that range. Also known as band-elimination, band-reject, or notch filters.
• Band-stop filters can be made by placing a low-pass filter in parallel with a high-pass filter. Commonly, both the low-pass and high-pass filter sections are of the “T” configuration, giving the name “Twin-T” to the band-stop combination.
• The frequency of maximum attenuation is called the notch frequency.

RELATED WORKSHEETS:

•  Passive Filter Circuits Worksheet