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A Comparison of Passive Filters and Active Filters

The Advantages of Each Filter Type:

PASSIVE ACTIVE

no power supply required no inductors

can handle large currents and
high voltages
very reliable
least number of components for
given filter
noise arises from resistances only
no bandwidth limitation
easier to design
high Zin, low Zout for minimal loading
can produce high gains
generally easier to tune
small in size and weight

The Disadvantages of Each Filter Type:

 PASSIVE ACTIVE

inductors large for lower power supply required

frequencies susceptible to intermodulation, oscillations
some inductors (non-toroidal) may susceptible to parasitics from DC output offset voltage and input
require shielding bias currents
limited standard sizes, often op amp gain bandwidth constrained
requiring variable inductors and op amp slew rate constrained
therefore tuning can require many components
low tolerance inductors (1-2%)
very expensive
must be designed with
consideration to input and output
loading
generally not amenable to
miniaturization
no power gain possible
no voltage gain

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