I found the notch frequency (point B) at 20MHz see screenshot 1, Zooming in on the frequency does not show a narrow peak/dip
This notch center frequency should be at 2 * 13.5MHz = 27MHz. So you can go ahead and correct it right away. The notch is not narrow because the Q of this LC branch is low. If you want to narrow it you can experiment with some of the methods listed under the graph below. All while performing the frequency sweep to see the improvements in real time. no distinct peak seen on the bandpass, max amplitude is around 6.5MHz, but very broadbanded, see screenshot 2
I'd say that LC branch is not working. The Q would have to be incredibly low to exhibit such a wide bandpass. It should have a much narrower bandpass with a center frequency that is much lower than the fundamental frequency (13.5MHz), when the other capacitors are absent (the 150pF + C OSS). You must troubleshoot this LC branch and get a narrow bandpass peak (high Q), the narrower - the better. This LC branch is much more important than the other branch. To increase the Q you may try: - Decreasing the ESR of the capacitor (better cap or paralleling many small caps), - Changing inductor winding turn-to-turn spacing to 1 wire diameter and trying to keep the coil's length/diameter ratio between 1:1 and 4:1 (see here). - Shortening the intercomponent connections, - Keeping the coil away from other conductors, e.g. the PCB copper laminate (taking it out of the box), - Minimizing dielectric losses of coil wraps/carcasses/insulation. Don't put insulation in the space between winding turns. - Thickening the intercomponent connections (or Litz'ing them), - More here.
« Last Edit: 2015-07-14, 06:02:53 by verpies »
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