Active Filters

Filter

What is a Filter?

• A filter is a circuit that passes a certain (specified) band of frequencies and

blocks (stops or rejects) all the frequencies outside this band.
 Types of Filters
• A filter can be classified into two types. These are either passive filters and active
filters

Filter

Passive filter Active filter

• A passive filter is a circuit that is built • Active filter is a circuit that is built with
using only passive components like passive components along with active
resistors, capacitors. elements like op-amp, transistor.

• Passive filter does not provide • The op-amp in the active filter will
amplification. provide amplification
 Passive & Active filter

No. Passive Filter Active filter

1 Uses only passive elements R, C Uses R and C along with active devices
like op-amp
2 Amplitude of the output signal is less It can provide gain (Gain can be adjusted)
than that of the input signal. i.e., Gain is
less than one
3 Does not require power supplies (voltage Requires power supplies (voltage sources)
sources)
4
5
6
7
 Advantages of Active filters over Passive filters

• Both active and passive filters are used in electronic circuits. However, active filters
offer the following advantages over passive filters.

An active filter can provide gain. In a passive filter,

the gain is always less than one (i.e., Amplitude of
Gain
the output signal is less than that of the input
signal).
The op-has has high input resistance and low
output resistance. Hence, the active filters using op-
No loading effect
amps do not cause loading of the input source or the
load.
Active filters can realize a wider range of filtering
Filtering functions
functions than passive filters.
 Limitations of Active filters over Passive filters
• Active filters also have some disadvantages:

Active components like op-amp have a finite bandwidth.

Therefore, the high-frequency response of the active filter
circuit is limited by the gain-bandwidth product of op-amp.
Bandwidth This limits the applications of active filters to the audio-
frequency range. Passive filters do not have such an upper-
frequency limitation and can be used up to approximately 500
MHz.
Active filters require power supplies, whereas passive filters do
Power supplies
not.
Active element is sensitive to temperature and so active
Drifts filters are affected by temperature changes; in contrast, passive
filters are less affected by temperature changes.
 Types of Active Filters

• Depending on the frequency characteristic, filters can be classified into 5 types.

(There are 5 major types of active filters). These are
(i) Active Low-pass filter (iv) Active Band-stop filter
(ii) Active High-pass filter (v) Active All-pass filter
(iii) Active Band-pass filter

Active Filter

Active Active Active Active Active

low-pass high-pass band-pass band-stop all-pass
filter filter filter filter filter
Active Low-Pass Filter
 Active Low-Pass Filter

What is an active low-pass filter?

• An active low-pass filter is circuit that passes (allows) low frequencies (all
frequencies from zero to the cut-off frequency) and blocks (rejects) high
frequencies (all frequencies above the cut-off frequency.)
 Ideal frequency response of Active Low-Pass Filter
• The figure shows the ideal frequency
response of a low-pass filter. [The frequency
response of a filter is the graph between
voltage gain versus frequency]

• It passes the frequency between zero and the

cut-off frequency fC. Therefore, the frequency
band between zero and the cut-off frequency
(o < f < fC ) is called the passband.

• It blocks the frequency above the cut-

off frequency fC. The frequency band above
Figure: Ideal frequency response of the cut- off frequency (f > fC) is called the
an active low-pass filter stopband.

• Due to a brick-like structure, the characteristic

is called brick wall response.
 Practical frequency response of Active Low-Pass Filter
• The figure shows the practical
frequency response of a low-pass filter.

• It has the maximum gain AO at f = 0.

• At fC, the gain falls to 0.707 times the

maximum gain AO

• The frequency range from 0 to fC is

Figure: Practical frequency response of called the PASS BAND
a active low-pass filter

• For f > fC, the gain decreases at a constant rate of -20dB/decade. i.e., when the
frequency is increased 10 times (one decade), the gain decreases by a factor of 10.
(20dB = 20log10)
• Hence the gain rolls-off at the rate of 20dB/decade.
• The frequency range f > fC is called the STOP BAND.
 Derivation of Gain versus frequency • Then, the voltage gain is given by
for a passive low-pass filter  i 
V
A o   jC  
1

1
Vi  1  1 jRC 1 j(2f )RC
 i(R  )
 jC 
• We know that the cut-off frequency is given by
1 1
fC  2RC 
2RC fC

• The input voltage is given by • Substituting this in the above equation, A

can be written as
1
1 A
Vi  i (R  ) f
jC 1 j( )
fc
• The output voltage is given by • The magnitude of Gain can be written as
1 1
Vo  i ( ) A
jC  
2
1  f 
 fC 
 1 • At HIGH frequency, the gain is
A
2
 
1  f 
 fC  A<1

• At low frequency, the gain is

A=1 A

• At f=fc, the value of gain is is

1

1 1
fC f
1

2

 0.707
Circuit Diagram of Active low-pass filter
• The figure shows the circuit diagram of an
active low-pass filter using a single
resistor and capacitor.
• This circuit is also called as first-order (or
single-pole) low-pass filter.
• It is called first-order because it uses a
single RC network.
• A single RC network is connected to the
non-inverting terminal of an op-amp.

• The signal is applied to the non-inverting

terminal of the op-amp. So, The op-amp
operates as a noninverting amplifier

Figure: Active low-pass filter • The resistors RF and RG determine the

gain of the filter in the pass band.
 • The voltage gain for a low-pass filter
below the cut-off frequency (fC) is
constant. It is given by the relation

• The cut-off frequency (3-dB frequency) is

given by the relation
• The reactance of a capacitor given by

• When the frequency increases above

the cut-off frequency, the capacitive
reactance decreases and reduces the
noninverting input voltage. So, the
output voltage decreases. So, VO/Vi
decreases. i.e., the gain decreases. See
the graph.

• When the frequency approaches

infinity, the capacitive reactance is
zero. So, the capacitor becomes a short
and hence there is zero input voltage.
Hence, output voltage is zero. See the
graph.
Derivation of Gain versus frequency
for a ACTIVE low-pass filter Vs
VP 
jRC

• The output voltage can be written as

VO  A VP
VP
where A is the gain of the op-amp.
Since the op-amp is connected in
the non-inverting configuration,
the gain A is given by

• The voltage across the capacitor is given by

(1/ jC) Vs RF
VC   Vs  A  1
(R  1/ jC) jRC RG
• This is the voltage at the non-
inverting input terminal of the op-
amp (VP)
• Substituting for VP, the output
voltage can be written as A
AV 
1 j(2f )RC
Vs
VO  A
jRC
A
AV 
• This can rearranged as
1 jf (2RC)

VO A • The cut-off frequency is given by


Vs jRC
1
fC 
2RC
VO/VS is the voltage gain of the low-
pass filter (AV). 1
2RC 
A fC
AV 
jRC
• Substituting fc in the above equation for AV,
we get
 A • At the cut-off frequency, f=fc (when the
AV  signal frequency is equal to fc)
1 j f
fC A A
Av    0.707A
• If we consider the magnitude, 1 (1) 2 2
A
AV  • At very high frequencies, f>fc
f
1 ( )2
fC Av  A
• The frequency response of Active
low pass filter is same as that of the • After fc, the gain decreases at a constant
passive low pass filter, except that rate when the frequency increases.
the amplitude of the output signals
• When the frequency increases
• From this equation, we can make tenfold(one decade), the voltage gain
the following observations
decreases by 10. In other words, the
• At very low frequencies, f<fc gain decreases 20dB when the frequency
is increased by 10.
Av  A
Active High-Pass Filter
 Active High-Pass Filter

What is a Active High-pass filter?

• An active high-pass filter is circuit that passes high frequencies (all

frequencies above the cut-off frequency) blocks (rejects) low frequencies (all
frequencies from zero up to the cut-off frequency)
 Passive High-pass filter

• For very high frequency input signals,

XC=0,the capacitor acts like a short
circuit, so. Hence, Vout=Vin [That is
output voltage is the same as the given
• When the frequency approaches input voltage. [In this case, the capacitor
zero, the capacitive reactance is act as a close switch.
infinite. So, the capacitor becomes
an open circuit and hence there is • As the input frequency increases, the
zero input voltage (no input reactance decreases and the more input
signal). So, output voltage is zero. voltage is dropped across the resistor. [As
(Vout=0). In this case, the capacitor the frequency increases, the gain
act as an open switch. increases.}
 Ideal frequency response of Active HIGH-Pass Filter

• The figure shows the ideal frequency

response of a high-pass filter. [The
frequency response of a filter is the
graph of its voltage gain versus
frequency].

• The frequency band between zero and

the cut- off frequency (0 < f < fC) is called
the stopband.

• The frequency band above the cut-off

frequency (f > fC) is called the passband.

• Due to a brick-like structure, the

Figure: Ideal frequency response of
characteristic is also called a brick wall
an active high-pass filter
response.
 Practical frequency response of Active HIGH-Pass Filter

• The figure shows the practical frequency

response of a high-pass filter.

• For f > fC, it has the maximum gain Amax.

• At fC, the gain falls to 0.707 times the

maximum gain Amax.

• The frequency range from 0 to fC is called the

stop band.

• The frequency range f > fC is called the pass

Figure: Practical frequency band.
response of an active high-pass
filter
 Passive High-pass filter • Then, the voltage gain is given by
Vo iR 1 1
A   
Vi 1 1 1
i(R  ) 1 ( ) 1 ( )
jC jRC j(2f )RC

• We know that the cut-off frequency is given by

• A series combination of a resistor
and a capacitor can act as a high- 1 1
fC  2RC 
pass filter. In this case, the output 2RC fC
is taken across the resistor.
• Substituting this in the above equation, A can
• The input voltage is given by be written as
1 1
1 A A
Vi  i (R  ) fC f
jC 1 ( ) 1 j( C )
jf f
• The output voltage (the output • The magnitude of Gain can be written as
voltage across the resistor) is 1
A
given by f 
2

1  C 
VO  i R  f 
 1
A
f 
2 • At very high frequencies, f>fc
1  C 
 f 
A1
• At very low frequencies, f< fc

A1
• At the cut-off frequency, f=fc (when the
signal frequency is equal to fc)

1
A
1 1
1

2

 0.707
Circuit Diagram • The figure shows the circuit diagram of an
active high-pass filter using a single resistor
and capacitor.

• This circuit is also called as first-order (or

single-pole) high-pass filter.

• It is called first-order because it uses a

single RC network ) single resistor and a
capacitor).
• A single RC network is connected to the
non-inverting terminal of the op-amp.

• The signal is applied to the non-inverting

terminal of the op-amp. So, The op-amp
operates as a noninverting amplifier
Figure: High-pass active filter

• The resistors RF and RG determine the gain

of the filter in the pass band.
• The voltage gain of a high-pass filter well
above the cut-off frequency (fC) is constant.
It is given by the relation

• The cut-off frequency is determined by the

relation
• The reactance of a capacitor given by

• When the frequency decreases below the

cut-off frequency, the capacitive reactance
increases and reduces the noninverting
input voltage. So, output voltage
decreases So, the Vo/Vi (gain) decreases.

• When the frequency approaches zero, the

capacitive reactance is infinite. So, the
capacitor becomes an open circuit and
hence there is zero input voltage (no input
signal). So, output voltage is zero.
 • This is the voltage at the non-
inverting input terminal of the op-
amp
Vs
VP 
1
1 j( )
RC
VS
• The output voltage can be written as

VO  A VP
• The voltage across the resistor is given by
where A is the gain of the op-amp.
Vs Vs Vs Since the op-amp is connected in
VR  R  
1 1 1 the non-inverting configuration,
( ) R ( )  1 1 ( )
jC jRC jRC the gain A is given by
Vs
VC  A  1 R F
1 RG
1 j( )
RC
 A
• Substituting for VP, the output AV 
1 j( 1 )
voltage can be written as
2fRC
Vs
VO  A
1 • We know that the cut-off frequency is given by
1 j( )
RC
1 1
fC  2RC 
2RC fC
• This can rearranged as
VO A
 • Substituting this in the above equation, AV
Vs 1
1 j( ) can be written as
RC A
AV 
VO/VS is the voltage gain of the high- fC
1 j( f )
pass filter (AV). • The magnitude of Gain can written as
be
A
AV  Av 
A
1
1 j( ) 2
1  C 
f
RC
 f 
 A • At the cut-off frequency, f=fc (when the
Av 
f 
2 signal frequency is equal to fc)
1  C 
 f 
A A
• The frequency response of Active Av    0.707A
high- pass filter is same as that of the 1 (1) 2 2
passive high-pass filter, except that
the amplitude of the output signals • At very high frequencies, f>fc

• From this equation, we can make Av  A

the following observations

• At very low frequencies, f<fc

Av  A