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APPLICATION BULLETIN
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DIGITALLY PROGRAMMABLE, TIME-CONTINUOUS

ACTIVE FILTER
by Johnnie Molina, (602) 746-7592

Programmable active filters have increased in popularity The circuit in Figure 1 shows how an analog, digitally
over the past decade. With the advent of switched capacitor programmable filter can be built using a UAF42. This
topologies, filter parameters such as the natural frequency monolithic, state-variable active filter chip provides a two
and filter Q can be changed simply by varying the clock pole filter building block with low sensitivity to external
frequency. But switched capacitor filters are sampled data component variations. It eliminates aliasing errors and clock
systems and are subject to anomalies such as clock feedthrough noise common to switched capacitor filters.
feedthrough noise and aliasing errors. Lowpass, highpass, bandpass and notch (band reject) out-
puts are available simultaneously.

Digital
Word D1 - D12
In

Pins Pins
4 15 18 4 15 18
OPA627 OPA627
17 1 17 1
DAC7541A DAC7541A

2 2
RF1 RF2
13kΩ 13kΩ

10kΩ

RQ
35.4kΩ 10kΩ 10kΩ
5
13 8 7 14 1

50kΩ UAF42

RG
49.9kΩ 50kΩ C1 C2
In
12 1000pF 1000pF
Aux Amp

Out

50kΩ 50kΩ
(NC)
2

3 (13) 9 10 (7) 11 (1) 4

V– V+

High-Pass Band-Pass Low-Pass Notch

Out Out Out Out

FIGURE 1. Digitally Programmable Analog Filter.

©
1994 Burr-Brown Corporation AB-062 Printed in U.S.A. February, 1994

SBFA005
The circuit uses the UAF42 state-variable filter IC, two op The highpass, bandpass and lowpass outputs yield the re-
amps, a few resistors and two common MDACs. Capacitors sponses shown in Figure 3.
aren’t required because the UAF42 has on chip 1000pF,
0.5% precision capacitors. The MDACs function as voltage
attenuators which influence the unity-gain bandwidth of the HIGHPASS OUT
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integrators on board the UAF42. The filter’s natural fre-
quency, fO, is described by the following relationships:
f O = DAC GAIN • f OMAX (1) 0

Gain (dB)
Where: X –3
DAC GAIN =
2n
1
f OMAX = R F = R F1 = R F2 –6
2 • π •10 –9 • R F
and,
–9
X = digital word at DAC inputs D1 – D12 1 10 100 1000

n = number DAC bits f–3dB = 60Hz

BUILD A NOTCH FILTER

For example, to program a 60Hz notch filter with the circuit LOWPASS OUT
shown in Figure 1, the digital word to the MDAC is given 3
using Equation 1,
X = 6.28 • 10–9 • RF • fO • 2n 0

Given that,
Gain (dB)

fO = 60 RF = 13kΩ n = 12 –3

then,
X = 20.1 –6

The 12-bit digital word to the DAC should be 20 or

–9
000000010100. The rounding error introduced is 0.3% 1 10 100 1000
(fNOTCH = 59.8Hz). Note that the natural frequency, fO, is f–3dB = 60Hz
equal to fNOTCH.
Figure 2 shows the response seen at the band reject or
“Notch Out” node.
BANDPASS OUT
0
NOTCH OUT
0
–3
–10
Gain (dB)

–6
–20
Gain (dB)

–30 –9

–40
–12
1 10 100 1000
–50
fCENTER = 60Hz
1 10 100 1000
fNOTCH = 60Hz

FIGURE 2. 60Hz Notch Response. FIGURE 3. Highpass, Lowpass and Bandpass fO = 60Hz
Response.

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The filter in Figure 1 is set for a Q of 0.707. This can be fO accuracy can decrease as the DAC gain decreases in an
adjusted using Equation 2 where, attempt to program low natural frequencies. For example,
for a 12-bit DAC and maximum fO set to 20kHz, the
RQ = 50kΩ • Q (2) resolution giving one LSB change is,

Setting the filter to a Q of 0.707 produces second-order 1 1

Butterworth responses. The Q is not affected by the natural Resolution = • f OMAX = • 20kHz = 4. 9Hz
212 4096
frequency programmed by the DACs. Note that for
Butterworth filters, the natural frequency is also the –3dB
(half power point) for lowpass and highpass responses. It When trying to program low natural frequencies like 12Hz,
also is the center frequency for bandpass filters and the notch the digital word to the DAC would be 2.
frequency for band reject responses. The passband gain is So,
unity for all response types except the bandpass. For the
bandpass output, the gain at fCENTER is equal to the filter Q. 2 2
fO = • f OMAX = • 20kHz = 9.8Hz
4096 4096
LIMITATIONS
The maximum fO in Figure 1 is set for 12.25kHz. This can
be adjusted using Equation 1. Set the DAC gain term equal This is an 18% error. Resolution can be increased by
to (2n – 1)/2n, fO = desired maximum natural frequency and reducing fOMAX or using a higher order DAC. RF resistor
solve for RF. tolerance should be kept below 1% to maintain fO error to
within ±1%.
For example, to extend the maximum fO to 20kHz,
The OPA627 op amps are chosen for their low offset
4095 voltage, low noise, low input bias current (FET input), and
4096 high unity gain bandwidth (GBW = 16MHz) to maintain
RF = = 7. 96kΩ stability.
2 • π •10 –9 • 20kHz

The maximum natural frequency obtainable for the UAF42

is 100kHz.

The information provided herein is believed to be reliable; however, BURR-BROWN assumes no responsibility for inaccuracies or omissions. BURR-BROWN assumes
no responsibility for the use of this information, and all use of such information shall be entirely at the user’s own risk. Prices and specifications are subject to change
without notice. No patent rights or licenses to any of the circuits described herein are implied or granted to any third party. BURR-BROWN does not authorize or warrant
any BURR-BROWN product for use in life support devices and/or systems.

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