Ravi Shankara.M.N.

ECE Dept, SCE Bangalore

Associate Professor [email protected]

Module 4(b) - Active Filters

Active Filters : Ideal Responses, First Order Stages, VCVS Unity Gain Second Order Low pass Filters, VCVS
Equal Component Low Pass Filters, VCVS High Pass Filters, MFB Bandpass Filters, Band-stop Filters.

Introduction- Almost all communication systems use filters. A filter passes one band of frequencies while
rejecting another. Filters can separate desired signals from undesired signals, block interfering signals,
enhance speech and video, and alter signals in other ways.

Q1. What are Active filters? Explain their classification.

Filters are frequency selective circuits that pass only desired band of frequencies and attenuates the undesired
band of frequencies.
Classification of Filters
Filters are classified based on the following parameters
Parameter Remarks
(i) Type of Signal Analog and Digital filters
Analog filters are used to process analog signals, where as Digital filters process
analog signals using digital techniques.
(ii) Based on Component/s Passive and Active Filters
Passive filters use only passive components such as Inductors, Capacitors and
Resistors and are generally used above 1 MHz, have no power gain, and are
relatively difficult to tune.
Whereas Active filters use active devices like Transistors or op-amps together with
passive components are useful and below 1 MHz, have power gain, and are relatively
easy to tune.
(iii) Operating Frequency AF and RF filters.
RC filters are used for audio frequencies (AF) where LC and crystal filters are used
at radio frequency (RF).
(iv) Frequency response Based on the frequency response, filters are classified into
(a) Low Pass Filters (LPF) (b) High Pass Filters (HPF) (c) Band Pass Filters (BPF)
(d) Band Rejection Filters (BRF) (e) All Pass filters.
(v) In terms of the rate at  If the fall off rate is 20dB/decade, then the filter is called as First order filter.
which the output falls off at  If the roll-off rate is 40 dB/decade, then the filter is Second order filter.
the edge of the frequency  If the gain fall rate is 60 dB/decade, then the filter is called Third order filter and
so on.

Note - The frequency response of a filter is the graph of its voltage gain versus frequency.
Q2. List the advantages of Active Filters over Passive Filters

(a) Because of high input impedance and low output impedance of op-amp, the active filters doesn’t cause
loading of the source or load. Hence there exists an excellent isolation between source and load.
(b) Active filters are more compact and economical due to the absence of bulky, costly inductors.
(c) Due to the availability of modern IC’s and cheaper op-amps, active filters are cheap in cost.
(d) The gain of the active filter can be easily controlled and also it is easier to tune or adjust the active filter to
any desired frequency compared to passive filters.

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Ravi Shankara.M.N. ECE Dept, SCE Bangalore
Associate Professor [email protected]

Q3. Explain the ideal response of filters

Figure shows the frequency response characteristics of the various active filters. The ideal response is shown
by the dashed lines. The roll-off region between the passband and the stopband is called the transition.
Ideal Responses

(i) Lowpass filter

A low-pass filter passes all frequencies from zero to the cutoff frequency
and blocks frequencies above the cutoff frequency. The frequencies
between zero and the cutoff frequency are constitutes the Passband and
the frequencies above the cutoff frequency are called the Stopband. An
ideal low-pass filter has zero attenuation (signal loss) in the passband,
infinite attenuation in the stopband, and a vertical transition
(2) High Pass Filter
A High-pass filter blocks all frequencies from zero up to the cutoff frequency and passes all frequencies
above the cutoff frequency. With a high-pass filter, the frequencies
between zero and the cutoff frequency are the Stopband and he frequencies
above the cutoff frequency are the Passband.
An ideal high-pass filter has Infinite attenuation in the Stopband, zero
attenuation in the Passband, and a vertical transition.

(3) Bandpass filter

A Bandpass filter passes only a specific range of frequencies and all others
blocked.. All frequencies from zero up to the lower cutoff frequency are
blocked Then, it passes all the frequencies between the lower and upper
cutoff frequencies. Finally, it blocks all frequencies above the upper cutoff
frequency. With a bandpass filter, the Passband is all the frequencies
between the Lower and Upper cutoff frequencies. The frequencies below
the lower cutoff frequency and above the upper cutoff frequency are the Stopband. An ideal bandpass filter
has zero attenuation in the passband, infinite attenuation in the stopband, and two vertical transitions.
𝑜 𝑓
The center frequency 𝑓𝑜 = 𝑓1 𝑓2 Bandwidth BW = f2 – f1 and Quality factor 𝑄 = 𝐵𝑊
If [Q < 1], the bandpass filter is called a Wideband filter.
𝑓1 +𝑓2
If [Q>1], the filter is called a Narrowband filters. For Q >10, the center frequency fo = 2
Ex- FM transmission where the signal frequencies from 88 MHz to 108 MHz has to be transmitted
(4) Bandstop Filter

This type of filter passes all frequencies from zero up to the lower cutoff frequency. Then, it blocks all the
frequencies between the lower and upper cutoff frequencies. Finally,
it passes all frequencies above the upper cutoff frequency. Hence
there exists two passbands and one stopband.
The center frequency 𝑓𝑜 = 𝑓1 𝑓2 Bandwidth BW = f2 – f1 and
𝑓𝑜
Quality factor 𝑄 = 𝐵𝑊

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Ravi Shankara.M.N. ECE Dept, SCE Bangalore
Associate Professor [email protected]

(5) All pass filter

All pass filter has a passband and with no stopband. Because of this, it
passes all frequencies between zero and infinite frequency. The reason it
is called a filter is because of the effect it has on the phase of signals
passing through it. The all-pass filter is useful when it is required to
produce a certain amount of phase shift for the signal being filtered
without changing its amplitude.
Ex- An opamp inverting amplifier with gain 1

Q4. Explain the practical response of a filter

Practical response of the filter
Figure shows the practical response of a low-pass filter, it has three regions – (i) The passband is the set of
frequencies between 0 and fc. (ii) The stopband is all the frequencies above fs. (iii) The transition region
is between fc and fs.
The passband is allowing for an attenuation between 0 and Ap
instead of zero attenuation. Similarly, the stopband no longer has
infinite attenuation, allowing the stopband attenuation to be
anywhere from As to infinity.
The transition region is no longer vertical, accepting a nonvertical
roll-off. The roll-off rate will be determined by the values of fc, fs,
Ap, and As.
Note - The highest frequency in the passband of a low-pass filter
is called the cutoff frequency ( fc). This frequency is also referred to as the edge frequency because it is on the
edge of the passband. In some filters, the attenuation at the edge frequency is less than 3 dB. For this reason, we
will use f3dB for the frequency when the attenuation is down 3 dB and fc for the edge frequency, which may
have a different attenuation.

Q5. Define the following with respect to active filters (a) Phase response (ii) Attenuation and (c) Order of
the filter
The Phase response of a filter is defined as the graph of phase shift versus frequency. With the all-pass filter,
each distinct frequency can be shifted by a certain amount as it passes through the filter.
Attenuation refers to a loss of signal. With a constant input voltage, attenuation is defined as the ratio of output
voltage at any frequency to the output voltage in the midband.
Vout
Attenuation =
Vout (midband )
Attenuation is normally expressed in decibels using this equation:
Decibel attenuation = – 20 log10 [attenuation]
(For an attenuation of 0.5, the decibel attenuation is: Decibel attenuation = –20 log10 [0.5] = 6 dB
Order of Filter (n)
The Order of a Passive filter (symbolized by n) equals the number of inductors and capacitors in the filter. If a
passive filter has two inductors and two capacitors, n = 4. If a passive filter has five inductors and five
capacitors, n = 10.
The Order of an Active filter depends on the number of RC circuits or number of capacitors (called poles) it
contains. If an active filter contains eight RC circuits, then n = 8.

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Ravi Shankara.M.N. ECE Dept, SCE Bangalore
Associate Professor [email protected]

Q6. Why do we need approximations? Compare different filter approximations

The ideal responses are impossible to realize with practical circuits, but there are five standard approximations
used as compromises for the ideal responses. Each of these approximations offers an advantage that the others
do not have. The approximation chosen by a designer will depend on what is acceptable in an application
Comparison of Filter approximations
Type Passband Stopband Roll-off Step response
Butterworth Flat Monotonic Good Good
Chebyshev Rippled Monotonic Very good Poor
Inverse Chebyshev Flat Rippled Very good Good
Elliptic Rippled Rippled Best Poor
Bessel Flat Monotonic Poor Best

First- Order Stages

First-order or 1-pole active-filter stages have only one capacitor. Because of this, they can produce only a low-
pass or a high-pass response. Bandpass and bandstop filters can be implemented only when n is greater than 1.
Q7. With a neat circuit diagram, explain first order Lowpass filter
First order Lowpass filter
(a) Non-Inverting Low-Pass Stage
Figure shows the first-order low-pass active filter implemented using(i) an voltage follower with gain AV = 1
R2
(ii) a non inverting amplifier with gain AV = 1 + & one RC lag circuit
R3

Analysis of the Filter Circuit

The potential at the non-inverting terminal is
1
−jX C 1 V in V
j2πfC 1 in
VA = Vin = 1 = 1+j2πfR
R 1 −jX C 1 R1+ 1C1
j2πfC 1

V in
The output voltage VO is given by VO = AV VA = AV 1+j2πfR 1 C 1

VO AV
= f
V in 1+j
fC

1
Where fC = 2πR C is the high frequency cut − off of the filter
1 1

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Ravi Shankara.M.N. ECE Dept, SCE Bangalore
Associate Professor [email protected]

VO AV f
= and phase angle ∅ = tan−1
Vin 1 + f/fC 2 fC

The operation of the circuit can be summarized as

𝑉𝑂 𝑉𝑂 VO
(i) For f < fC;  ≅ 𝐴𝑣 (ii) for f = fC;  ≅ 0.707𝐴𝑉 (iii) f > fC;  < AV  0
𝑉𝑖𝑛 𝑉𝑖𝑛 V in

Thus in the frequency range; 0 < f < fC, the gain is almost constant and is equal to AV and at f = fC, the gain is
0.707 AV, and after fC the gain decreases at a constant rate of -20dB/decade with increase in frequency. The
frequency fC is called cut-off frequency because the gain of the filter is down by 3 dB from 0 Hz.
Q8. With a neat circuit diagram, explain first order active Low pass stage using inverting amplifier
Figure shows the first-order low-pass active filter implemented
R2
using an inverting amplifier gain AV = − and one RC lag
R1

circuit
The parallel combination of C1 and R2 sets the cut-off frequency.
At low frequencies the capacitor reactance is much higher than
R2, so the dc gain AV = (–R2/R1). As the frequency increases the
capacitors reactance decreases reducing the impedance of the
parallel combination of XC||R2, in-turn the gain of the amplifier
until eventually at a high enough frequency, XC reduces to zero resulting in zero output.
R2 1
AV = − fC =
R1 2πR 2 C1
The operation of the circuit can be summarized as
𝑉𝑂 𝑉𝑂 VO
(i) For f < fC;  ≅ 𝐴𝑣 (ii) for f = fC;  ≅ 0.707𝐴𝑉 (iii) f >> fC;  0
𝑉𝑖𝑛 𝑉𝑖𝑛 V in

Q9. With a neat circuit diagram, explain first order active high pass filter
(c) Non-Inverting first order High-Pass Stage
Figure shows the first-order low-pass active filter implemented using(i) an voltage follower with gain AV = 1
R2
(ii) a non inverting amplifier with gain AV = 1 + & one RC lag circuit
R3

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Ravi Shankara.M.N. ECE Dept, SCE Bangalore
Associate Professor [email protected]

Analysis of the Filter Circuit

The potential at the non-inverting terminal is
R1 R 1 V in j2πfR 1 C 1
VA = Vin = 1 = Vin
R 1 −jX C 1 R1+ 1+j2πfR 1 C 1
j2πfC 1

The output voltage VO is given by

f
j2πfR 1 C 1 VO j
fC
VO = AV VA = AV . Vin or = AV f
1+j2πfR 1 C 1 V in 1+j
fC

f
1 VO
j f
C
where fC = 2πR C is the low frequency cut − off of the filter and = AV f
1 1 V in 1+j f
C

The operation of the circuit can be summarized as

VO 𝑉𝑂 𝑉𝑂
(i) f < fC;   0 (ii) for f = fC;  ≅ 0.707𝐴𝑉 (iii) For f > fC;  ≅ 𝐴𝑣
V in 𝑉𝑖𝑛 𝑉𝑖𝑛

Thus, the circuit acts as high pass filter with a passband gain as AV. For the frequencies, f < fC, the gain
increases till f = fC at a rate of + 20 dB/decade. Hence, the slope of the frequency response in stop band is + 20
dB/decade for first order high pass filter.
Q10. With a neat circuit diagram, explain first order active high-pass stage using inverting amplifier
High pass stage using inverting amplifier
Figure shows the first-order High-pass active filter implemented using an inverting amplifier with gain
R2
AV = − and one RC lag circuit
R1

The series combination of C1 and R1 sets the -3dB frequency. At low frequencies the capacitors reactance is
much higher than R2, so the dc gain is almost zero. As the frequency increases the capacitors reactance
decreases reducing the impedance of the series combination
of XC1 and R1, until the impedance becomes only R1
R2 1
AV = − fC =
R1 2πR1 C1
The operation of the circuit can be summarized as
V
(i) For f < fC; V O  0
in

𝑉𝑂 𝑉𝑂
(ii) for f = fC;  ≅ 0.707𝐴𝑉 (iii) f > fC;  ≅ 𝐴𝑣
𝑉𝑖𝑛 𝑉𝑖𝑛

Problem – Determine the voltage gain, the cutoff frequency and draw the frequency response for the filter
circuit shown below. (ii) If the resistor R1 is changed to 6.8 k. Find the new cutoff frequency.

Solution - The given circuit is a Lowpass filter using non-inverting amplifier. The gain of the filter is
R2 39
AV = 1 + = 1+ = 40 or AV(dB ) = 20Log40 = 32 dB
R1 1

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Ravi Shankara.M.N. ECE Dept, SCE Bangalore
Associate Professor [email protected]

1 1
Cut − off frequency fC = = = 19.5 kHz
2πR1 C1 2π 12k 680 × 10−12
For R1= 6.8 k, the new cut-off frequency fC1 is
1 1
fC1 = = = 34.41 kHz
2πR1 C1 2π 6.8k 680 × 10−12

Problem – Determine the voltage gain, the cutoff

frequency and draw the frequency response for the filter
circuit shown below.

R2 43 × 103
AV = − = = −135
R1 220
1 1
fC = = = 37kHz
2πR 2 C1 2π × 43 × 10 (100 × 10−12 )
3

Problem – Design a first order non inverting Lowpass filter with a cut-off frequency of
1kHz with a voltage gain of 11.

R2 R2
Solution – Given AV = 11 = 1 + or = 11 − 1 = 10
R1 R1
1
Let R1 = 1 k ,then R2 = 10 k Given fC = 1kHz and fC = 2πR
1 C1
1 1
Let C1 = 0.01µF, then R1 = 2πf = = 15.91k
c C1 2π×1×10 3 (0.01×10 −6 )

VCVS Second- Order Filters

Second-order or 2-pole stages are the most common because they are easy to build and analyze. Higher-order
filters are usually made by cascading second order stages. Each second-order stage has a resonant frequency
and a Q to determine how much peaking occurs.
These filters are also called as Sallen-Key filters These filters are also called VCVS filters because the op amp
is used as a voltage-controlled voltage source. VCVS low-pass circuits can implement three of the basic
approximations: Butterworth, Chebyshev, and Bessel.

Filter type Peaked Responses Remarks

Lowpass filter fC = K C fp fO = K O fP f3dB = K3fp Butterworth filter
Q = 0707 ; KC = K3 = 1 and KO – NA
Highpass filter fC =(fp/KC) fO = ( fP/K0) f3dB = (fp/K3) Bessel Filter
Q = 0.577 ; KC =0.786 K3= 1 and KO – NA

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Ravi Shankara.M.N. ECE Dept, SCE Bangalore
Associate Professor [email protected]

Q11. Explain the operation of VCVS (i) Unity-Gain Second- Order Lowpass Filter (ii) Equal-Component
Second order Low-Pass Filter (Second order Lowpass filter with gain)

VCVS Unity-Gain Second- Order Lowpass Filter

Figure shows a Sallen-Key second-order low-pass filter. The two resistors have the same value, but the two
capacitors are different. There is a lag circuit on the non-inverting input, but this time, there is a feedback path
through a second capacitor C2.
Operation - At low frequencies, both capacitors appear to be open and the circuit has a unity gain because the
op amp is connected as a voltage follower.
As the frequency increases, the impedance of C1 and C2
decreases and the gain eventually starts to decrease until
it is down 3dB at the cut-off frequency and gain roll-off
takes place at the rate -40dB/ decade . As the frequency
increases above cut-off frequency, the output is
attenuated.
1 C2
The pole frequency is given by fp = and the Quality factor Q = 0.5
2πR C 1 C 2 C1

For Butterworth filter; KC = 1 For Bessel filter; KC = 0.786

1 0.786
Cut-off or Edge frequency fC = KC fP = Hz Cut-off or Edge frequency fC = KC fP = Hz
2πR C 1 C 2 2πR C 1 C 2

(ii) VCVS Equal-Component Second order Low-Pass Filter (Second order Lowpass filter with gain)
Figure shows a Sallen-Key second-order equal component low-pass filter with gain. Both resistors and both
capacitors have the same value.

Operation - At low frequencies, both capacitors appear to be

open and the circuit has a gain because the op amp is
connected as a non-inverting amplifier with gain.
R2
AV = 1 + R1
As the frequency increases, the impedance of C1 and C2
decreases and the gain eventually starts to decrease until it is
down 3dB at the cut-off frequency and gain roll-off takes
place at the rate -40dB/ decade . As the frequency increases
above cut-off frequency, the output is attenuated.
1 1
The pole frequency is given by fp = 2πRC and the Quality factor Q = 3− A V
As AV increase from 1 to 3, the Q value increases from 0.5 to . Hence the range for the gain is 1  AV < 3.
For AV  3, the circuit goes into oscillations because of larger feedback and gain.

For Butterworth filter; KC = 1 For Bessel filter; KC = 0.786

1 0.786
Cut-off or Edge frequency fC = KC fP = 2πRC Hz Cut-off or Edge frequency fC = KC fP = 2πRC Hz

Q12. Explain the operation of VCVS (i) Unity Gain Second- Order Highpass Filter (ii) Equal-Component
Second order Highpass Filter (Second order Lowpass filter with gain)

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Ravi Shankara.M.N. ECE Dept, SCE Bangalore
Associate Professor [email protected]

(i) VCVS Unity-Gain Second- Order Highpass Filter

Figure shows a Sallen-Key second-order Highpass filter. The two Capacitors have the same value, but the two
resistors are different. There is a lag circuit on the non-inverting input, but this time, there is a feedback path
through a second capacitor C2.

Operation - At low frequencies, both capacitors appear to be open

and no input is applied to the non inverting terminal, hence output
is zero.
As the frequency increases, the impedance of C1 and C2 decreases
and the gain eventually starts to increase and becomes unity after
cutoff frequency. The gain roll-on takes place at the rate +40dB/ decade. As the frequency increases above cut-
off frequency, the output is constant.
1
The pole frequency is given by fp = and
2πC R 1 R 2
R1
the Quality factor Q = 0.5 R2

For Butterworth filter; KC = 1 For Bessel filter; KC = 0.786

fp 1 f 1
Cut-off or Edge frequency fC = K = Hz Cut-off or Edge frequency fC = Kp = Hz
C 2πC R 1 R 2 C 2πC R 1 R 2 (0.786)

(ii) VCVS Equal-Component Second order Highpass Filter (Second order Highpass filter with gain)
Figure shows a Sallen-Key second-order equal component high pass filter with gain. Both resistors and both
capacitors have the same value.

Operation - At low frequencies, both capacitors appear to be open and the circuit and no input is applied,
hence the output is zero.
As the frequency increases, the impedance of C1 and C2
decreases and the gain eventually starts to increase and
R
becomes AV = 1 + R 2 after cutoff frequency. The
1
gain roll-on takes place at the rate +40dB/ decade. As the
frequency increases above cut-off frequency, the output is
constant with a gain AV.
1
The pole frequency is given by fp = 2πRC and the
1
Quality factor Q = 3− A V
As AV increase from 1 to 3, the Q value increases from 0.5 to . Hence the range for the gain is 1  AV < 3.
For AV  3, the circuit goes into oscillations because of larger feedback and gain.
For Butterworth filter; KC = 1 For Bessel filter; KC = 0.786
1 1
Cut-off or Edge frequency fC = (fP /KC) = 2πRC Hz Cut-off or Edge frequency fC = (fP /KC) = 2πRC (0.786) Hz

Problem - What are the pole frequency and

Q in the circuit shown . What is the, cutoff
frequency of the filter ?

Solution - The given filter is a II order equal

component unity gain lowpass filter
C2 440
Q = 0.5 = 0.5 = 0.577
C1 330

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Associate Professor [email protected]

Since Q = 0.577, it is a Bessel filter, then KC = 0.786

1 1
Pole frequency fp = = = 8.19 kHz
2πR C1 C2 2π × 51 × 103 330 × 10−9 × 440 × 10−9

Cut-off frequency fC = KC fp = (0,786)(8.19) = 6.14 kHz

Problem - What are the pole frequency and Q in the circuit shown . What is the, cutoff frequency of the filter
?
Solution - The given filter is a II order equal component lowpass filter
R2 30
Gain AV = 1 + = 1+ = 1.59
R1 51
1 1
Quality factor Q = = = 0.709
3− A V 3−1.59
Since Q= 0.709  0.707, the filter is approximated as
Butterworth filter, hence fp = fC

1 1
fp = fC = =
2πRC 2π × 47 × 10 × 330 × 10−9
3

fp = fC = 10.3 kHz

Problem - What are the pole frequency and Q in the

circuit shown . What is the, cutoff frequency of the
filter ?

Solution - The given filter is a II order equal component

lowpass filter
R 15
Gain AV = 1 + R 2 = 1 + 56 = 1.27
1

1 1
Quality factor Q = = = 0.578
3− A V 3−1.27
Since Q = 0.578, the filter is approximated as Bessel filter,
hence fC = KC fp and for Bessel Filter KC =0.786
1 1
fp = = = 19.4 kHz
2πRC 2π × 82 × 103 × 100 × 10−12
What are the pole frequency and Q in the circuit shown below. What are the resonant, cutoff, and 3-dB
frequencies? Given KO = 0.99, KC = 1.38 and K3 =1.54

Solution - The given filter is a II order equal component unity

gain lowpass filter
C2 27×10 −9
Q = 0.5 = 0.5 = 4.16
C1 390×10 −12
1
Pole frequency fp =
2πR C1 C2
1
fp = = 2.23 kHz
2π × 22 × 103 390 × 10−12 × 27 × 10−9

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Ravi Shankara.M.N. ECE Dept, SCE Bangalore
Associate Professor [email protected]

Cut-off frequency fC = KC fp = (1.38)(2.23) = 3.08 kHz

Resonant frequency fo = KOfp = 0.99(2.23) = 2.23 kHz
3dB frequency f3dB = K3fp = 1.54(2.23) = 3.43 kHz

Problem - What are the pole frequency and Q in the

circuit shown . What is the, cutoff frequency of the filter ?

Solution - The given filter is a II order equal component

unity gain Highpass filter
R1 24
Q = 0.5 = 0.5 = 0.707
R2 12
Since Q = 0.707, it is a Butterworth filter
1 1
fC = fp = = −9
= 2 kHz
2πC R 1 R 2 3
2π×4.7 ×10 24×10 ×12×10 3

What are the pole frequency and Q in the circuit shown below. What are the resonant, cutoff, and 3-dB
frequencies? Given KO = 0.94, KC = 1.32 and K3 =1.48.
Solution - The given filter is a II order equal component
Highpass filter
R 15
AV = 1 + R 2 = 1 + 10 = 2.5
1
1 1
Q= = =2
3 − AV 3 − 2.5
1 1
fp = = = 5.31 kHz
2πRC 2π 30 × 103 (1 × 10−9 )
Cut-off frequency fC = (fp/KC) = (5.31/1.32) = 4.02 kHz
Resonant frequency fO = (fp/Ko) = (5.31/0.94) = 5.65 kHz
3dB frequency f3dB = (fp/K3) = (5.31/1.48) = 3.59 kHz

Problem Design a II order Butterworth Lowpass filter for a cut of frequency of 3

kHz - For Butterworth filter Q = 0.707
Solution
1
Q = 0.707 = or AV = 1.59
3− A V
R2 R2
AV = 1.59 = 1 + or = 0.59
R1 R1
Let R1 = 10 k, then R2 = 5.9 k
For Butterworth filter
Pole frequency fp = Cut-off frequency fC = 3kHz
Let C = 0.01 µF
1 1 1
fC = or R = = = 5.31 k
2πRC 2π fC C 2π 3 × 103 (1 × 10−9 )

Problem Design a II order Bessel Lowpass filter for a cut of frequency of 3 kHz

Solution - For Bessel filter Q = 0.587

1
Q = 0.587 = or AV = 1.3
3 − AV
R2 R2
AV = 1.3 = 1 + or = 0.3
R1 R1

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Ravi Shankara.M.N. ECE Dept, SCE Bangalore
Associate Professor [email protected]

Let R1 = 10 k, then R2 = 3 k

Given cut-off frequency fC = 3000Hz
1 1 1
fC = or R = = 5.31 k
2πRC 2π fC C = 2π 3 × 103 (1 × 10−9 )

Multiple Feedback (MFB) Bandpass Filters

Q13. Write an explanatory note on Multiple Feedback (MFB) Bandpass Filters
A Band Pass Filter Circuit designed to pass
signals only in a certain band of frequencies
while rejecting all signals outside this band.
There are basically two types of Band Pass
Filter Circuit,

(i) Wide band pass (ii) Narrow band pass

A Bandpass filter is defined as a Wide bandpass if its figure of merit or quality factor Q < 1 and if Q > 1, then
filter is referred to as Narrow Bandpass filter. Hence Q is a measure of selectivity meaning, the higher the value
of Q, the more selective is the filter, or the narrower is the band width. The relationship between Q, 3dB
bandwidth and the centre frequency fo is given by
fC fC
i BW = fC2 − fC1 ii Q = = and (iii) fo = fC1 fC2
BW fC2 − fC1
Where fC2 and fC1 are cut-off frequencies of Lowpass and Highpass filters.
Figure shows the frequency response of a band pass filter. This type of filter has a maximum output voltage
Vmax at one frequency called the resonant frequency, fO. If the frequency is varied away from resonance, the
output voltage decreases. There is one frequency above fo and one below fo at which the voltage is 0.707Vmax
(3dB point). These frequencies are the high and low cutoff frequencies. The band of frequencies between fH and
fL is the bandwidth. Therefore the band width is given by BW = fc2 – fc1

Q14. Explain the working of Wide Bandpass filter.

Wide Bandpass Filter
A wide bandpass filter (Q < 1) can be formed by simply cascading high pass and low pass section and is
generally the choice for simple to design. To obtain a ± 20 db/decade band pass filter, a first order high pass
filter and a first low pass sections are cascaded,
for a ± 40 db/decade band pass filter,
Figure shows the block diagram of a ± 20
db/decade wide band pass filter (which is
composed of a first order high pass and a first
order low pass filter) and its frequency
response. Consider the cascaded Highpass and
Lowpass filters as shown in the block diagram

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Ravi Shankara.M.N. ECE Dept, SCE Bangalore
Associate Professor [email protected]

Ex − i BW = fC2 − fC1 = 3300 − 300 = 3kHz ii fo = fC1 fC2 = 3.3 (0.3) = 995 HZ

fo 995
iii Q = = = 0.332
BW 3000
Q15. With a neat circuit diagram and necessary equations explain the operation of Narrow bandpass
filter. Discuss how the input impedance of the stage can be increased.
Narrow bandpass Filters
When Q is greater than 1, the bandpass filter is known as Narrow bandpass filter and can be implemented using
multiple feedback. The input signal goes to the inverting input first rather than the non-inverting input and the
circuit has two feedback paths, one through a capacitor and another through a resistor.
At low frequencies, the capacitors appear to be open. Therefore,
the input signal cannot reach the op amp, and the output is zero.
At high frequencies, the capacitors appear to be shorted. In this
case, the voltage gain is zero because the feedback capacitor has
zero impedance. Between the low and high extremes in
frequency, there is a band of frequencies where the circuit acts
like an inverting amplifier.
The voltage gain at the center frequency is given by:
R2
AV = − 2R 1

1 R2
Center frequency fO = and the Quality factor Q = 0.5 = 0.5 −2 AV = 0.707 − AV
2πC R 1 R 2 R1

Increasing input impedance of MFB stage.

Since the above circuit uses inverting amplifier whose input impedance is low, to increase the input impedance,
the modified circuit is used. The modified equations are
R2 1
AV = − fO =
2R 1 2πC (R 1 ||R 3 )R 2

R2
and Q = 0.5 R 1 ||R 3

Bandstop Filters (Notch Filters)

Q16. With a neat circuit diagram and necessary equations, explain the operation Bandstop filter
A bandstop filter needs to block only a single frequency. Figure shows a Sallen-Key second-order Notch filter
Operation At low frequencies, all capacitors are open. As a result, all the input signal reaches the non-
R2
inverting input. The circuit has a passband voltage gain of: AV = 1 + R1

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Ravi Shankara.M.N. ECE Dept, SCE Bangalore
Associate Professor [email protected]

At very high frequencies, the capacitors are shorted.

Again, all the input signal
reaches the non-inverting input. The circuit has a
passband
R2
voltage gain of: AV = 1 + R1
Between the low and high extremes in frequency,
there is a center frequency given by:
1
fO =
2πRC
At this frequency, the feedback signal returns with
the correct amplitude and phase to attenuate the
signal on the non-inverting input. Because of this, the output voltage drops to a very low value.
0.5
The Q of the circuit is given by: Q = 2−A V
To avoid oscillations and proper operation of the circuit (i) the voltage gain AV has to be less than 2 and (ii) Q
should be much less than 10.
Ex- The ac power lines may induce a hum of 60 Hz in sensitive circuits; this may interfere with a desired
signal. A bandstop filter is used to notch out the unwanted hum signal.

Problem – (a) Determine the voltage gain, the center frequency and Q for the bandstop filter with
R1 = 13k, R2 = 10k, R=22k and C=120nF. (b) change R2 to obtain a Q value of 3. Also, change the C
value for a center frequency of 120 Hz.

Solution
R2 10
a Gain AV = 1 + = 1 + 13 = 1.77
R1
1 1
Center frequency fO = = = 60.3 Hz
2πRC 2π 22k (120nF)
0.5 0.5
Quality factor Q = = = 2.17
2 − AV 2 − 1.77
0.5 6−0.5
(b) For Q = 3 => 3 = 2−A or AV = = 1.833
V 3
R2
For Gain AV = 1.833; 1.833 = 1 + or R 2 = 1.833 − 1 R1 = 0.833 13 = 10.83 k
R1
1 1
New Center frequency fO = 120 Hz hence C = = = 60.3 μF
2πRfo 2π 22k (120)

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