1st order

1st order a=1

2nd order
2nd order a1 , b1

1st order 2nd order

3rd order a1 a 2 , b2

2nd order 2nd order

4th order a1 , b1 a 2 , b2

1st order 2nd order 2nd order

5th order a1 a 2 , b2 a3 , b3

2nd order 2nd order 2nd order

6th order a1 , b1 a 2 , b2 a3 , b3

Figure 1611. Cascading Filter Stages for Higher-Order Filters

Figure 1610 demonstrated that the higher the corner frequency of a partial filter, the high-
er its Q. Therefore, to avoid the saturation of the individual stages, the filters need to be
placed in the order of rising Q values. The Q values for each filter order are listed (in rising
order) in Section 169, Tables 164 through 1610.

16.3.1 First-Order Low-Pass Filter

Figures 1612 and 1613 show a first-order low-pass filter in the inverting and in the non-
inverting configuration.
R1
VIN
VOUT
C1

R2
R3

Figure 1612. First-Order Noninverting Low-Pass Filter