What Am I Doing Wrong in Calculating the Half-Power Frequency?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the half-power frequency in a series RLC circuit. Participants explore different methods to derive this frequency without relying on established formulas, focusing on the transfer function and its implications for power dissipation in the circuit.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant outlines their approach using the transfer function and expresses confusion over obtaining negative frequencies, questioning their method.
  • Another participant mentions the concept of resonance and the Q factor, suggesting that understanding these concepts may help derive the bandwidth and half-power frequencies.
  • A question is posed about whether the half-power frequency can be derived directly from the transfer function.
  • Several participants explain that at DC and very high frequencies, power dissipation is zero, while at resonance, it is maximized, leading to two half-power frequencies around the resonance point.
  • One participant revisits their transfer function approach, indicating a realization that it needs to be expressed in terms of output/input to find the half-power frequencies correctly.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the correct approach to calculating the half-power frequency, with some advocating for the use of the transfer function in a specific form while others emphasize the importance of resonance and the Q factor. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the best method to achieve the desired calculation.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the need for clarity in the transfer function's form and its implications for power dissipation, but there are unresolved aspects regarding the mathematical steps and assumptions involved in the calculations.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for individuals interested in circuit analysis, particularly in understanding the dynamics of RLC circuits and the calculation of frequencies related to power dissipation.

perplexabot
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Hi all. I'm trying to do a circuit problem in my book. The circuit consists of a resistor, capacitor, inductor and a voltage source all in series. The first part of the question says: Find the resonance frequency and half-power frequencies. My book does go on and solve this problem with two different methods using given formulas for series RLC circuits, however, I would like to solve this circuit without formulas (if possible). My problem is calculating the half-power frequency not the resonance frequency.

Given:
R = 2 Ohms
L = 1 mF
C = .4 microH

My approach:
Transfer function: H(s) = R + sL + 1/sC => H(ω) = j(ω*R*C) + (1 - [ω^2 * L * C])

Magnitude of Transfer function: |H(ω)| = √( (ω*R*C)^2 + (1 - [ω^2 * L * C])^2 )
Set Magnitude of Transfer function equal to 1/√2 or set Magnitude of Transfer function squared equal to 1/2:
|H(ω)| = 1/√2 or |H(ω)|^2 = 1/2
Solving for this I get ω1 = -27k or ω2 = -65k

Obviously this is wrong due to the negative ω's. Not only is the sign wrong but also the magnitude. The book achieved the answers: ω1 = 49k or ω2 = 51k

Can anyone please tell me what I'm doing wrong (don't tell me to use formulas please)?
Thank you for your time.

PS: This is NOT a homework problem.
 
Last edited:
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Resonance happens when the reactances of the capacitor and inductor are equal.

The Q (or Q factor) of a circuit is equal to the reactance of the inductor at resonance divided by the resistance of the resistor.

So, you may like to look up Q factor on Wikipedia or a textbook to see how to derive the bandwidth.
 
Can you get the halfpower frequency from the transfer function?
 
At DC your power dissipation is 0 (cap is blocking current). At very high freq, power dissipation is 0 (inductor is blocking current). At resonance your power dissipation is
(V^2)/R since the LC is series resonant and behaves like a short, all of the input voltage is across the resistor.

There will be two half power frequencies, one above and one below resonance, where the circuit power dissipation is (V^2)/2R, or the voltage across the resistor is 0.707Vin.

Your transfer function needs to be in the form of output/input.
In this case, since we are finding power consumption, which only occurs in the resistor, our output is the voltage across the resistor. Vr/Vin = R/(R + sL + 1/sc).
Next, set Vr/Vin = 0.707 and solve for freq.
 
perplexabot said:
My approach:
Transfer function: H(s) = R + sL + 1/sC => H(ω) = j(ω*R*C) + (1 - [ω^2 * L * C])
=> H(ω) = 1/(jωC) [/color]([/size] j(ω*R*C) + (1 - [ω^2 * L * C]))[/size]
Magnitude of Transfer function: |H(ω)| = √( (ω*R*C)^2 + (1 - [ω^2 * L * C])^2 )
Obviously can't be right.
 
the_emi_guy said:
At DC your power dissipation is 0 (cap is blocking current). At very high freq, power dissipation is 0 (inductor is blocking current). At resonance your power dissipation is
(V^2)/R since the LC is series resonant and behaves like a short, all of the input voltage is across the resistor.

There will be two half power frequencies, one above and one below resonance, where the circuit power dissipation is (V^2)/2R, or the voltage across the resistor is 0.707Vin.

Your transfer function needs to be in the form of output/input.
In this case, since we are finding power consumption, which only occurs in the resistor, our output is the voltage across the resistor. Vr/Vin = R/(R + sL + 1/sc).
Next, set Vr/Vin = 0.707 and solve for freq.

Thank you. Now I know that in order to solve for the cutoff frequencies my transfer function has to be in the form of Vo/Vi and not in the form of impedence as I had tried. Using Vo/Vi works. Thanks again and sorry for the super late reply.
 

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