ADAMSON UNIVERSITY

College of Engineering
Electronics and Communications Department

Experiment No. 6
CUT-OFF FREQUENCY

Monday (7:00-10:00)
SCHEDULE

1 TRANSMISSION MEDIA AND ANTENNA

SYSTEM LAB

Group No. SUBJECT Grade

ATTENDANCE NAME CONTRIBUTION REMARKS

AGAPITO, MARY CLAIRE D. Conclusion, Simulation and Data
ALCALA, JOHN PHILIP D. Plotting Graph
ATUD, MIKAELA LINEAR AIRA C. Simulation and Data
BALBINO, LORENZ DANIEL S. Questions and Problems
BALBERAN, VENUS RITA MAE C. Theory, Finalization of Documentation,
Simulation and Data
BALUYOT, JERICHO M. Analysis
BESHIR, MOHAMED A. System Flowchart

D.O.P. MARCH 26, 2022 D.O.S APRIL 4, 2022

BERNADETH B. ZARI, PECE

Instructor
 EXPERIMENT NO. 6: Cut-Off Frequency

I. OBJECTIVES
• To measure the properties of a lumped-element transmission line for matched
transmission line
• To determine the voltage amplitude of node 20 based from the given frequency.
• To measure the cut off frequency and compare with the expected theoretical value.

II. THEORECTICAL BACKGROUND

Waveguides will only carry or propagate signals above a certain frequency,
known as the cut-off frequency. Below the waveguide cutoff frequency, it is not
able to carry the signals. In order to carry signals a waveguide needs to be able to
propagate the signals and this is dependent upon the wavelength of the signal. If
the wavelength is too long, then the waveguide will not operate in a mode whereby
it can carry the signal.

As might be imagined, the cut-off frequency depends upon its dimensions.

In view of the mechanical constraints this means that waveguides are only used for
microwave frequencies. Although it is theoretically possible to build waveguides
for lower frequencies the size would not make them viable to contain within normal
dimensions and their cost would be prohibitive.

The cutoff frequency of an electromagnetic waveguide is the lowest

frequency for which a mode will propagate in it. In fiber optics, it is more common
to consider the cutoff wavelength, the maximum wavelength that will propagate in
an optical fiber or waveguide. The cutoff frequency is found with the characteristic
equation of the Helmholtz equation for electromagnetic waves, which is derived
from the electromagnetic wave equation by setting the longitudinal wave
number equal to zero and solving for the frequency. Thus, any exciting frequency
lower than the cutoff frequency will attenuate, rather than propagate.
 III. PROCEDURES
Building the Transmission Line
1. Construct your lumped element transmission line on a breadboard. Note that the inductors
are unshielded and therefore prone to mutual coupling. Therefore, when laying out your
components, it's important to space your inductors as far apart as possible to reduce this
coupling. An example layout that worked well for this experiment is shown in Figures 3
and 4. Present a photograph of your lumped element transmission line.

Cut-off frequency
1. The lumped element transmission line is a low pass filter with a cut off
frequency ωc =2/√ LC [1], where the units of ωc are in [radians/second]. This equation
assumes a lossless, infinitely long line. Calculate the theoretical cut-off frequency in [kHz]
using this equation with the nominal component values (L = 150 uH and C= 0.068 uF), and
present your result in Table 2

2. Connect your lumped element transmission line to a matched load. (Rload=47 Ohms).
Configure the function generator to generate a sine wave with an amplitude of 5 V. Measure
the amplitude of the voltage across node number 20 for a frequency range of f=1 kHz
to f=150 kHz. Include at least 15 frequency points in frequency response plot. Do the
results agree with the cut-off frequency you calculated in the step above? Present your plot
and analysis.

IV. MATERIALS
• Ni Multisim
• Nineteen 0.068 uF capacitors.
• Two 0.034 uF capacitors.
• Twenty 150 uH inductors.
• 47 ohms resistor (2 for matched)
• Switch
• Oscilloscope
• Function generator
V. SYSTEM FLOWCHART

Figure 1. System Flowchart for the Cut Off Frequency Experiment

 VI. CIRCUIT DIAGRAM

Figure 2. Matched Lumped Element Transmission Line Circuit

VII. DATA AND RESULTS

Parameter Theoretical Measured Percent Difference

Cut-Off Frequency 99.97 kHz 100 kHz 0.33%

Computation:
 Table 2: Matched Transmission Line

Frequency Amplitude (Vmax)

1 kHz 2.5 V

10 kHz 2.5 V

20 kHz 2.5 V

30 kHz 2.5 V

40 kHz 2.5 V

50 kHz 2.49 V

60 kHz 2.49 V

70 kHz 2.5 V

80 kHz 2.45 V

90 kHz 1.88 V

100 kHz 45.9 mV

110 kHz 3.36 mV

120 kHz 929 uV

130 kHz 853 uV

140 kHz 740 uV

150 kHz 584 uV

Screenshots:

Figure 3. Maximum Voltage of Node 20 for Matched Transmission Line

with a Frequency of 1 kHz
Figure 4. Maximum Voltage of Node 20 for Matched Transmission Line
with a Frequency of 10 kHz

Figure 5. Maximum Voltage of Node 20 for Matched Transmission Line

with a Frequency of 20 kHz
Figure 6. Maximum Voltage of Node 20 for Matched Transmission Line
with a Frequency of 30 kHz

Figure 7. Maximum Voltage of Node 20 for Matched Transmission Line

with a Frequency of 40 kHz
Figure 8. Maximum Voltage of Node 20 for Matched Transmission Line
with a Frequency of 50 kHz

Figure 9. Maximum Voltage of Node 20 for Matched Transmission Line

with a Frequency of 60 kHz
Figure 10. Maximum Voltage of Node 20 for Matched Transmission Line
with a Frequency of 70 kHz

Figure 11. Maximum Voltage of Node 20 for Matched Transmission Line

with a Frequency of 80 kHz
Figure 12. Maximum Voltage of Node 20 for Matched Transmission Line
with a Frequency of 90 kHz

Figure 13. Maximum Voltage of Node 20 for Matched Transmission Line

with a Frequency of 100 kHz
Figure 14. Maximum Voltage of Node 20 for Matched Transmission Line
with a Frequency of 110 kHz

Figure 15. Maximum Voltage of Node 20 for Matched Transmission Line

with a Frequency of 120 kHz
Figure 16. Maximum Voltage of Node 20 for Matched Transmission Line
with a Frequency of 130 kHz

Figure 17. Maximum Voltage of Node 20 for Matched Transmission Line

with a Frequency of 140 kHz
 Figure 18. Maximum Voltage of Node 20 for Matched Transmission Line
with a Frequency of 150 kHz

Figure 19. Plot for the Cut Off Frequency where the X-axis is Frequency
and Y-axis is Vmax

VIII. ANALYSIS

In this experiment, the cutoff frequency is determined by gradually

increasing the frequency that the transmission line had. A matched transmission
line is used, inputting 5 volts with varying frequency. The voltage in node 20 is
measured and is the basis in determining the cutoff frequency of the transmission
line.
 For the theoretical cutoff frequency, it is computed using c=2/LC which is
in radians per second and then converted into hertz. The computed value is 99.67
kHz. The frequency range for testing is from 1 kHz to 150 kHz, where the 2nd
tested frequency value is 10 kHz and the subsequent frequency is increased by 10
kHz until it reaches 150 kHz. In table 1, it can be seen that from 1 kHz to 70 kHz,
the output voltage in node 20 varies between 2.49 V and 2.5 V. At 80 kHz the
output voltage is at 2.45 V. The only noticeable change happens around the 90 kHz
mark (1.88 V) and decreases greatly in the 100 kHz mark (45.9 mV). The measured
cutoff frequency is at 100 kHz, and having 0.33% error from the
theoretical/computed value.

IX. CONCLUSION
To sum up everything in this experiment, the group used the software NI
Multisim to simulate the circuit and measure the voltage at node 20. The students
have all been able to analyze the data collected and come to the conclusion that
when the frequency increases, the voltage decreases. This report also included a
plot of the frequency response of a matched transmission line to illustrate the
modifications for every frequency. As for the computation, students computed the
theoretical and the percent difference. This experiment helps students to have a
better understanding and also to learn how to measure the properties of a lumped-
element transmission line. Overall, the experiment was considered a success since
all of the objectives had been achieved and the students had evaluated, measured,
calculated, and understood the qualities and characteristics of the matched
transmission lines.

X. QUESTIONS AND PROBLEMS

Questions
1. What line is one in which the load is terminated by its characteristic impedance and no
reflections occur in such a line?
Answer: Flat Line or Smooth Line
 2. A line in which the length of the transmission line when the input impedance is equivalent
to the characteristic impedance. (Zs=Zo=Zr).
Answer: Infinite Line

3. It is the process of increasing the inductance value by placing lumped indicators at specific
intervals along the line, which avoids the distortion.
Answer: Lumped Loading

Problems
1. A Transmission line has an inductance of 130 uH and a capacitance of 0.050 uF, assume
that the line is an infinitely long transmission line, determine the cut-off frequency of the
line in hertz.
Solution:

Final Answer: wc= 124851.41 Hz

2. Calculate the cut off frequency of the lumped element transmission line with the given
parameters: L= 200 uH and C= 0.058 uF

Solution:

Final Answer: wc= 587220.22 Hz

3. Calculate the cut off frequency of the lumped element transmission line with the given
parameters: L= 250 uH and C= 0.083 uF

Solution:

Final Answer: wc= 439057.04 Hz

XI. REFERENCES
Electronics notes. (n.d.). Waveguide Cutoff Frequency. Electronics-Notes.Com. Retrieved April
1, 2022, from https://www.electronics-notes.com/articles/antennas-propagation/rf-
feeders-transmission-lines/waveguide-cutoff-frequency.php

Muthukrishnan V. (18 July 2021). Cutoff Frequency: What is it? Formula and How to Find it.
Retrieved April 1, 2022, from https://www.electrical4u.com/cutoff-frequency/