q factor
q factor
(OP)
Hello,
I am having some difficulty understanding the meaning of the "Q factor." One definition is that it is the ratio of the reactance to the resistance. This perplexes me, because for an RLC circuit, this is zero at resonance!
Let's take the example of a non-ideal inductor (in my application I am actually attaching this to a MEMS pressure sensor to create a wireless pressure sensor). It is an inductor in series with a resistor, all in parallel with a cap. What is the "quality factor" of this circuit? Is this even meaningfull without a "load capacitance" also added in?
Thanks in advance and I apologize for the open-endedness of my question. Really been banging my head over this one for a while.
I am having some difficulty understanding the meaning of the "Q factor." One definition is that it is the ratio of the reactance to the resistance. This perplexes me, because for an RLC circuit, this is zero at resonance!
Let's take the example of a non-ideal inductor (in my application I am actually attaching this to a MEMS pressure sensor to create a wireless pressure sensor). It is an inductor in series with a resistor, all in parallel with a cap. What is the "quality factor" of this circuit? Is this even meaningfull without a "load capacitance" also added in?
Thanks in advance and I apologize for the open-endedness of my question. Really been banging my head over this one for a while.





RE: q factor
Look for "Q-factor". Also "Inductor" and so on.
Short answer is you don't compare the resistance to the cancelled-out reactances. The Wiki article provides the formulas for both series and parallel RLC circuits.
But these appear to assume ideal components. For extreme cases, you might have to include more complex models for some or all of the components. In other words, the L and the C will have a finite Q before you even add the R into the circuit.
Not to mention that the R may have some L and C.
But if the R value swamps out the non-ideal aspects of the L and C, then those details might be ignored.
RE: q factor
Although I don't think it's listed here, one of the definitions for Q involves characterization of the natural response (decaying sinusoid at resonance): (Maximum Energy Stored) / (Energy Dissipated per cycle). This may be limited to lightly-damped (hi-Q) circuits, I'm not sure
That definition has a resemblance to the ratio you mentioned. At resonance, Xc = Xl. I'll bet Q = Xc/R = Xl/R
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RE: q factor
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RE: q factor
A control circuit with infinite Q would ring forever; lower Q defines the damping factor of how the oscillation decays.
Another definition of Q for a RLC is 'center frequency' / bandwidth. The higher your Q the narrower the filter, the lower the Q the wider the filter.
Unloaded-Q is your RLC circuit without the load. Typically you can use a loop of wire to 'sniff' this with a scope to measure this (i.e. radiated coupling).
Loaded-Q is the RLC with the capacitance of the load. It will be less than the Unloaded-Q due to the added load capacitance.
This is not to be confused with Q from Star Trek!
John D
RE: q factor
Note by "reactance/resistance" above I am referring to the reactance of the entire "equivalent circuit" for the non-ideal inductor, and not just the inductor portion. Is this an incorrect assumption?
Maybe it would help to step back a bit. I am trying to optimize a spiral coil inductor which will be loaded with about 4 puffs. I am running some EM simulations to optimize this inductor. To compute Q, I am looking at the impedance over frequency (impedance magnitude) and doing the resonant frequency divided by the FWHM. Should I be optimizing the Q of _unloaded_ spiral coil inductor, or that loaded with my four puffs? Does it even make a difference? If one is improved, is the other improved? Thanks so much for the help!
RE: q factor
As soon as you put a load on with parasitics it has a Q less than infinity, and thus your loaded Q is lower. Think of your Q-value like resistance; two in parallel have a lower value. Note that I'm talking about parallel RLC circuits; if you have a series RLC then everything is inverted. Your unloaded Q is in series with 0+j0 ohms.
You'll have maximum Q at your resonant frequency of your RLC circuit; that is where the power is 100% real and 0% imaginary. The denominator doesn't go to zero, it goes to the parasitic resistance.
You can optimize your unloaded circuit, but then when you add your 4pFs of load you will be tuned at the wrong frequency! Unloaded-Q is theoretical, loaded-Q is reality.
RF Circuit Design by Bowick is a great reference for this. It has a whole chapter dedicated to Q.
ht
John D
RE: q factor
Hi Q = fast change
Lo Q = slow change
Q is not based on resonance frequency, only the rate of change when you deviate away from your resonant frequency.
k
RE: q factor
RE: q factor
Q is a characteristic of the circuit and does not depend upon the frequency. One definition of Q is in terms of X which is itself a function of frequency, but that definition of Q relies on X computed at the resonant frequency.
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