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Corner Frequency Formula:
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The corner frequency (also known as cutoff frequency or break frequency) is the frequency at which the power of a signal is reduced to half (-3 dB) of its maximum value. In RC circuits, it represents the boundary between the passband and stopband.
The calculator uses the corner frequency formula:
Where:
Explanation: This formula calculates the frequency at which the output voltage of an RC circuit is 70.7% of the input voltage, corresponding to the -3 dB point.
Details: Corner frequency is crucial in filter design, signal processing, and circuit analysis. It determines the frequency response characteristics of electronic filters and helps engineers design systems with specific bandwidth requirements.
Tips: Enter resistance in ohms and capacitance in farads. Both values must be positive numbers greater than zero. Note that 1 μF = 0.000001 F, 1 nF = 0.000000001 F, etc.
Q1: What is the relationship between time constant and corner frequency?
A: The time constant τ = R × C, and the corner frequency f_c = 1/(2πτ). They are inversely related.
Q2: How does corner frequency affect filter performance?
A: Lower corner frequencies allow lower frequency signals to pass through, while higher corner frequencies allow higher frequency signals to pass.
Q3: Can this calculator be used for both high-pass and low-pass filters?
A: Yes, the corner frequency calculation is the same for both first-order high-pass and low-pass RC filters.
Q4: What happens if I use different units?
A: The calculator requires resistance in ohms and capacitance in farads. Using different units will give incorrect results.
Q5: How accurate is this calculation?
A: The calculation is mathematically exact for ideal components. Real-world components may have tolerances that affect the actual corner frequency.