Frequency-dependent negative resistor

A frequency-dependent negative resistor (FDNR) is a circuit element that exhibits a purely real negative resistance −1/(ω²kC) that decreases in magnitude at a rate of −40 dB per decade. The element is used in implementation of low-pass active filters modeled from ladder filters. The element is usually implemented from a generalized impedance converter (GIC) or gyrator. The impedance of a FDNR is

Z={\frac {1}{s^{2}kC}}

or

Z={\frac {-1}{\omega ^{2}kC}},

when s = jω.

The definition and application of frequency-dependent negative resistors is discussed in Temes & LaPatra,^[1]^{: 275, 282–286} Chen^[2] and Wait, Huelsman & Korn.^[3] The technique is attributed to L. T. Bruton.^[3]^: 289

Application

A low pass ladder filter and an implementation using frequency dependent negative resistors (FDNR). Ra and Rb are added for practical reasons.

If all the impedances (including the source and load impedances) of a passive ladder filter are divided by sk, the transfer function is not changed. The effect of this division is to transform resistors into capacitors, inductors into resistors and capacitors into FDNRs. The purpose of this transformation is to eliminate inductors which are often problematic components. This technique is especially useful when all the capacitors are grounded. If the technique is applied to capacitors that are not grounded, the resulting FDNRs are floating (neither end is grounded), which in practice, can be difficult to stabilize.

The resulting circuit has two problems. Practical FDNRs require a DC path to ground. The DC transfer function has a value of (R₆)/(R₁ + R₆). The transformed ladder filter realizes the DC transfer gain as the ratio of two capacitors. In the ideal case, this is valid, but in the practical case there is always some, usually unpredictable, finite resistance across the capacitors so that the DC performance of the transformed ladder is unpredictable. R_a and R_b are added to the circuit to mitigate these problems. If R_b/(R_a + R_b + L₃/k + L₅/k) = (R₆)/(R₁ + R₆) then the DC gain of the transformed circuit is the same as the predecessor circuit. Finally, if R_a and R_b are large with respect to the other resistors there is little effect on the filter's transition band and high frequency behavior.^[3]^: 292

Implementation

Schematic of a frequency dependent negative resistor.

Wait gives the circuit shown to the right as suitable for a grounded FDNR.^[3]^: 290

References

^ Temes, Gabor C.; LaPatra, Jack W. (1977). Circuit Synthesis and Design. McGraw-Hill. ISBN 0-07-063489-0. FDNRs are very useful for the design of active filters.
^ Chen, Wai-Kai (1995). The Circuits and Filters Handbook. CRC Press. p. 354. ISBN 0-8493-8341-2. The FDNR plays an important role in the design of active RC networks.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Wait, John V.; Huelsman, Lawrence P.; Korn, Granino A. (1992). Introduction to Operational Amplifier Theory and Applications (2nd ed.). McGraw-Hill. pp. 289–297. ISBN 0-07-067770-0.

[Temes_&_LaPatra-1] Temes, Gabor C.; LaPatra, Jack W. (1977). Circuit Synthesis and Design. McGraw-Hill. ISBN 0-07-063489-0. FDNRs are very useful for the design of active filters.

[Chen-2] Chen, Wai-Kai (1995). The Circuits and Filters Handbook. CRC Press. p. 354. ISBN 0-8493-8341-2. The FDNR plays an important role in the design of active RC networks.

[Wait-3] Wait, John V.; Huelsman, Lawrence P.; Korn, Granino A. (1992). Introduction to Operational Amplifier Theory and Applications (2nd ed.). McGraw-Hill. pp. 289–297. ISBN 0-07-067770-0.

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