Simplified Simulations and Experiments to Determine Impedance Trends for Parallel Circuits in Series and in Parallel

The frequency response of impedance and admittance of a sample or a device can be expressed by a generalized mathematical formula if the low frequency response and high frequency response of the process that may be present is known or can be estimated. This allows the user to determine the time constant for the process, whether in series or in parallel. Based on the above function and properties of series and parallel circuits, a MATLAB APP has been developed to simulate the frequency response of impedance and admittance. The APP allows the user to enter up to two sets of parameters and select the desired circuit layout and generate the complex (imaginary vs real) graphs as well as real and imaginary functions plotted vs frequency. The simulated graphs were compared with the analytical equations for series and parallel arrangements and experimental measurements of combinations of RC and RL circuit elements to confirm the accuracy of the simulations. Because the simulations can be generated for a wider frequency range than the experimental measurements, the simulation can immediately identify whether spurious data is being obtained in the experiments.