Rules for Drawing Bode Diagrams

Overview Freq Domain Asymptotic plots Making Plot Examples Drawing Tool BodePlotGui Summary
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The table below summarizes what to do for each type of term in a Bode Plot.  This is
also available as a Word Document or PDF.
The table assumes ω>0. If ω<0, magnitude is unchanged, but phase is altered.

 
Term Magnitude Phase
20log10(|K|) K>0:  0°       
Constant: K
K<0:   ±180°
Pole at Origin
-20 dB/decade passing
-90°
(Integrator)
1 through 0 dB at ω=1
s

+20 dB/decade passing

Zero at Origin +90°
through 0 dB at ω=1
(Mirror image, around x axis,
(Differentiator) s (Mirror image, around x
of Integrator about )
axis,of Integrator)

1. Draw low frequency

Real Pole 1. Draw low frequency
asymptote at 0°
asymptote at 0 dB
2. Draw high frequency
1 2. Draw high frequency
asymptote at -90°
asymptote at -20
s
+ 1 3. Connect with a
ω0 dB/decade
straight line from
3. Connect lines at ω0.
0.1·ω0 to 10·ω0

1. Draw low frequency

1. Draw low frequency
asymptote at 0°
asymptote at 0 dB
Real Zero 2. Draw high frequency
2. Draw high frequency
asymptote at +90°
asymptote at +20
s
3. Connect with a
+ 1 dB/decade
ω0 straight line from
3. Connect lines at ω0.
0.1·ω0 to 10·ω0
(Mirror image, around x-axis,
(Mirror image, around x-axis,
of Real Pole)
of Real Pole about 0°)
Underdamped Poles
1. Draw low frequency 1. Draw low frequency
(Complex conjugate asymptote at 0 dB asymptote at 0°
poles) 2. Draw high frequency 2. Draw high frequency
asymptote at -40 asymptote at -180°
1 dB/decade 3. Connect with straight
2
3. If ζ<0.5, then draw line from
(
s
) + 2ζ (
s
) + 1 peak at ω0 with
ω0 ω0 ω0
amplitude ω =  to ω0 ⋅ 10
ζ

ζ
0 < ζ < 1
    10
 |H(jω0)|=-20·log10(2ζ), You can also look in a
textbook for examples
else don't draw peak
4. Connect lines

1. Draw low frequency

asymptote at 0 dB 1. Draw low frequency
Underdamped Zeros 2. Draw high frequency asymptote at 0°
asymptote at +40 2. Draw high frequency
(Complex conjugate dB/decade asymptote at +180°
zeros) 3. If ζ<0.5, then draw 3. Connect with straight
peak at ω0 with line from
2 amplitude ω0
ζ
s s
( ) + 2ζ ( ) + 1
     ω =
ζ
 to ω0 ⋅ 10
10
ω0 ω0 |H(jω0)|=+20·log10(2ζ),
0 < ζ < 1 else don't draw peak You can also look in a
4. Connect lines textbook for examples.
(Mirror image, around x-axis,
(Mirror image, around x-axis, of Underdamped Pole)
of Underdamped Pole)
For multiple order poles and zeros, simply multiply the slope of the magnitude plot by
the order of the pole (or zero) and multiply the high and low frequency asymptotes of the
phase by the order of the system.

For example:

1. Draw low frequency asymptote at

Second 1. Draw low frequency asymptote at 0°
Order Real 0 dB 2. Draw high frequency asymptote at
Pole 2. Draw high frequency asymptote
-180°
at -40 dB/decade
1 3. Connect with a straight line from
3. Connect lines at break frequency.
2
0.1·ω0 to 10·ω0
s
(
ω0
+ 1) -40 db/dec is used because of order of
pole=2.  For a third order pole, asymptote -180° is used because order of pole=2.  For
is -60 db/dec a third order pole, high frequency
asymptote is at -270°.

References

© Copyright 2005 to 2020 Erik Cheever    This page may be freely used for educational purposes.
Comments?       Questions?       Suggestions?       Corrections?
Erik Cheever        Department of Engineering          Swarthmore College