8.5 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.
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.
“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:

component values twin t ratios

Notch Frequency

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

the frequency of maximum rejection (the “notch frequency”)

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

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