Q-factor in resonant RCL circuit

  • Thread starter Thread starter temujin
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Circuit Resonant
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the calculation of the Q-factor in a resonant RCL circuit, specifically one that resonates at 13.56 MHz and is tuned to a 50-ohm input impedance. Participants explore the role of the circuit components, particularly the capacitors and inductor, in determining the Q-factor.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant, eirik, proposes the formula Q = \frac{\omega L}{R_{a}+R_{coil}} for calculating the Q-factor but questions why the capacitors can be disregarded in this context.
  • Another participant suggests that the leftmost capacitor is likely for coupling purposes and emphasizes that the resonance frequency is a function of capacitance, implying that the capacitors play a role in the overall behavior of the circuit.
  • A later reply posits that the total reactive energy in the circuit is constant and questions whether, at resonance, the energy can be considered solely in the inductor at certain instants when it is at maximum, suggesting a potential simplification in the analysis.
  • Additionally, a participant references the relationship \omega = \frac{1}{\sqrt{LC}} to connect the inductor and capacitor values to the resonance frequency, indicating that both components are relevant to the Q-factor calculation.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the role of the capacitors in the Q-factor calculation, with some suggesting they can be disregarded while others argue for their significance. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the treatment of reactive energy in the circuit.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved assumptions regarding the treatment of energy storage in the capacitors versus the inductor, and the implications of the coupling capacitor on the overall circuit behavior are not fully explored.

temujin
Messages
46
Reaction score
1
Dear Forum,

I am not sure how I can calculate the Q-factor in the circuit attached.
(The circuitresonates at 13.56MHz and tuned to 50 ohm input impedance, thus the two capacitors)

Is the Q-factor of the circuit simply [tex]Q = \frac{\omega L}{R_{a}+R_{coil}}[/tex] ?

I went through some examples and it looks like this is the right way to do it, however, I´m not sure why the capacitorscan be disregarded, since they also store reactive energy.

best regards
eirik
 

Attachments

  • q.jpg
    q.jpg
    7.1 KB · Views: 637
Engineering news on Phys.org
The left most capacitor is probably used for coupling purposes. Don't forget that the omega term is the resonance frequency, which is indeed a function of the capacitance. It's quite a mess, but I think if you derive the equations based on first principles (3db amplitude drop - bandwidth), you will see why this is so.
 
Hi again,
One additional thought...I think that the total reactive energy in the circuit is constant. At resonance the total energy swings back and forth between the capacitors and the inductor. Can it be that at one instant when the stored energy is at maximum in the inductor, the stored energy is zero in the capacitors? So that I just need to consider the inductor at that instant??

e.
 
temujin said:
Hi again,
One additional thought...I think that the total reactive energy in the circuit is constant. At resonance the total energy swings back and forth between the capacitors and the inductor. Can it be that at one instant when the stored energy is at maximum in the inductor, the stored energy is zero in the capacitors? So that I just need to consider the inductor at that instant??

e.
As mezarashi said, [tex]\omega = \frac{1}{\sqrt{LC}}[/tex], so [tex]\omega L = \sqrt \frac{L}{C}[/tex]. There you have both L and C.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
3K
  • · Replies 32 ·
2
Replies
32
Views
4K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
Replies
14
Views
3K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
4K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
Replies
2
Views
3K
Replies
9
Views
3K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
  • · Replies 28 ·
Replies
28
Views
3K