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I'm trying to build a low-pass filter for converting the PWM output of an Arduino to a (somewhat) stable DC output with the corresponding voltage.

I'm using the RC filter design shown on this online calculator.

I have a 0.1uF capacitor at my disposal. Using this calculator I concluded that a 20kOhm resistor is enough for the ripples to become acceptable (PWM Frequency is 980Hz).

I already tested my circuit without using PWM and a low-pass filter and instead just put a resistor in (it's powering an IR LED, very simple circuit: Just one resistor and one LED). I realized that I can't put in more than 1kOhm before the LED gets too weak to be detected by my IR receiver.

The output on the linked calculator confuses me because even though there's a 20kOhm resistor connected to the source, the output can reach the full 5 volts the Arduino is supplying.

So I wonder, what resistance does this low-pass filter (resistor + capacitor) actually have? If I don't put in another resistor after the low-pass filter, will my LED burn out?

I'm sorry if this is badly worded, I'm new to the world of electrical engineering.

Background: I'm trying to produce a square-wave, making both the voltage and frequency controllable by the Arduino. Therefore I need this low-pass filter converting the Arduinos PWM output to a steady DC output. I then feed it through a transistor which is controlled by a second Arduino output delivering a square wave (say 38kHz, produced by tone()). This will then power an IR LED used to detect distances. By changing the duty cycle of the PWM output I can then control the voltage of the 38kHz signal the LED gets, and can use this to control the sensitivity of my distance detector (I'm aware that I can also use a frequency sweep instead, but this doesn't work for reasons unrelated to this question).

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  • \$\begingroup\$ When talking about changing waveforms at a particular frequency, it often makes more sense to talk about impedance rather than resistance. Impedance is frequency dependent, so a capacitor at high freqencies just looks like a wire, while at lower frequencies it looks like an open circuit. In the middle it looks more or less like a resistor which introduces a phase shift. \$\endgroup\$
    – jbord39
    Commented Jun 16, 2017 at 14:25
  • \$\begingroup\$ Your microcontroller ought to be able to generate 38 kHz PWM, especially if you can control its master clock frequency. Then you can use the PWM's duty cycle to change the PWM on/off ratio, to change LED's apparent brightness - no low-pass filter required. \$\endgroup\$
    – glen_geek
    Commented Jun 16, 2017 at 15:08
  • \$\begingroup\$ @glen_geek I cannot change the brightness of the LED by PWM since it must be lit constantly with a square 38kHz wave, so the only option is to decrease the output voltage, and I don't want to introduce a digital potentiometer. By the way, I don't think Arduino allows you to use a square wave and PWM simultaneously on the same pin. If you can give an example code doing that I would accept that answer as well. \$\endgroup\$
    – electrodraco
    Commented Jun 16, 2017 at 17:04

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The effective output resistance of an RC low pass filter is exactly 20 kohm i.e. it is the resistor you chose. If you want it to drive an LED you are not going to get what you require. For instance, the LED and 1k (output load) will significantly affect the cut-off frequency (make it about 20 times higher) and you won't get the current into your LED because of the series 20 kohm.

You might want to consider an op-amp buffer or maybe a BJT buffer between filter and LED+1kohm.

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