BeginnerTopic 23 of 104Electronics & Embedded

Active filters

Op-amp filters give gain and sharp roll-off without inductors.

In depth

Op-amp filters (Sallen-Key, multiple feedback, state-variable) realise low-pass, high-pass, band-pass and notch with gain and no inductors. Second-order sections cascade; Q and f₀ set by RC values. Switched-capacitor filters are used in ICs.

Key points

  • Butterworth Q=0.707
  • Component sensitivity
  • GBW at least 100× f₀
Example

A Sallen-Key low-pass filters ADC input for anti-aliasing.

Why it matters

Active filters use op-amps to shape frequency response without bulky inductors, which makes them practical for audio and sensors.

Where this is used

  • Building a low-pass filter to remove noise from a temperature sensor.
  • Designing an active band-pass stage for an audio equaliser.
  • Creating a notch filter to reject mains hum in a measurement system.

Frequently asked questions

What is Active filters?

Op-amp filters give gain and sharp roll-off without inductors.

Why is it important to understand active filters?

Active filters use op-amps to shape frequency response without bulky inductors, which makes them practical for audio and sensors.

What is the advantage of an active filter?

It can provide gain, has high input impedance and avoids large inductors, so it is smaller and cheaper for low frequencies.

What limits the bandwidth of an active filter?

The op-amp's gain-bandwidth product limits how fast the filter can operate, so high-frequency designs need faster op-amps.

How is Active filters used in practice?

Typical applications include building a low-pass filter to remove noise from a temperature sensor, designing an active band-pass stage for an audio equaliser and creating a notch filter to reject mains hum in a measurement system.

What should I learn before Active filters?

Study "Comparators and Schmitt triggers" first (topic 22 of 104 in Electronics & Embedded). It covers the groundwork this topic builds on.

What are the key points of Active filters?

Butterworth Q=0.707. Component sensitivity. GBW at least 100× f₀.

Can you give an example of Active filters?

A Sallen-Key low-pass filters ADC input for anti-aliasing.

What comes after Active filters?

The next topic is "Oscillators", which builds directly on this one.

How difficult is Active filters?

It is classed as Beginner in Electronics & Embedded (topic 23 of 104). It is an entry-level topic. It relies only on basic school mathematics and the ideas introduced earlier in this discipline.

Learning path

Want to practise? Open the interactive course for quick checks, quizzes, simulations and progress tracking.

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