ECE 240 Winter 2011 - Lab 3

2nd Order RLC Circuits

2.1 Objective: To investigate the step-response and frequency response of a 2nd order RLC
circuit.

2.2 Prelab:

(1) For the circuit in Fig. 3.1, write an expression for the output voltage vo(t) assuming that the
input voltage source is switched on at time t=0. Assume that the capacitor has zero initial
voltage and the inductor has zero initial current. The component values are as follows:

R = 100 KΩ; L = 1H; C = 10 nF

Figure 3.1

(2) Now simulate the circuit assuming ideal component values and compare the simulated
response for vo(t) with the calculated response vo(t) by observing the following two values:
(i) the time at which the first peak in vo(t) occurs; and(ii) the time period between successive
zero crossings of vo(t).

Note that you will need to run a transient simulation. Since Multisim does not provide a step
input source, you can use a low frequency pulse input source instead. Figure 3.2 shows the
parameters of the pulse voltage source you should use in simulation.

Figure 3.2
 Hint: vo(t) is an exponentially decaying sinusoidal voltage. Assuming vo(t) = e-αt sin(2πf0t) the
first peak occurs at t = 1/4 f0. The time period between zero crossings should be 1/2f0.

(3) For the circuit in Fig 3.1, compute the maximum pass-band gain, the center frequency (i.e., the
frequency at which the pass-band gain is maximum), the lower and upper -3dB frequencies,
and the bandwidth.

(4) Now simulate the circuit, again using ideal component values, and determine its frequency
response. Note that you need to run an AC simulation to obtain the frequency response.
Compare the simulated values for maximum pass-band gain, center frequency, the lower and
upper -3dB frequencies and bandwidth with the calculated values.

(5) Wire up your circuit on the bread-board. The 1H inductor will be provided in the lab.

Remember to submit all your simulation plots with your pre-lab report.

2.3 In Lab

(1) Measure the step response of the circuit noting both (i) the time at which the first peak in
the step response occurs and (ii) the time between successive zero crossings. You can use
a pulse input voltage with the same parameters as you used in your prelab simulations as
an input to your circuit (instead of a step input).

(2) Measure the maximum pass-band gain, center frequency, the lower and upper -3dB
frequencies and bandwidth of your circuit.

(3) Measure all the component values that you used in your circuit.

Remember to submit your in-lab report on coursebook before you leave.

2.4 Post Lab

(1) Using the measured component values and the instrumentation parasitic models, simulate
the step response of the circuit noting (i) the time at which the first peak in the step
response occurs, and (ii) the time between successive zero crossings. You can use a pulse
input voltage source with the same parameters as you used in your prelab simulations as
an input to your circuit (instead of a step input).

(2) Using the measured component values and the instrumentation parasitic models, simulate
the frequency response of the circuit and determine the maximum pass-band gain, the
center frequency (i.e., the frequency at which the pass-band gain is maximum), the lower
and upper -3dB frequencies, and the bandwidth.

(3) Tabulate and compare the values obtained (from both the step response and frequency
response of the circuit) using (i) pre-lab simulation, (ii) in-lab measurements, and (iii)
post-lab simulations.

Remember to submit all your simulation plots with your pre-lab report.
2.5 Marking Scheme:

Pre-Lab: 25
In-Lab: 50
Post-Lab: 25