A band-reject active filter, also known as a notch filter, is an electronic circuit designed to attenuate or reject a specific range of frequencies while allowing all other frequencies to pass through relatively unaffected. It is particularly useful for removing a specific unwanted frequency, such as noise or interference, from a signal. The notch filter is characterized by a deep notch in its frequency response, representing the frequency range it attenuates.
The band-reject active filter typically consists of an op-amp and a combination of resistors, capacitors, and possibly other components. The op-amp serves as the amplifier element and provides gain to the circuit. The filter's frequency response is determined by the feedback network and the input components.
Here's a basic explanation of how a band-reject active filter operates:
Feedback Configuration: The op-amp is configured in a feedback loop, where the output is fed back to the inverting or non-inverting input. The feedback network defines the frequency response of the filter.
Frequency-Determining Components: The key components that determine the filter's frequency response are resistors and capacitors. By choosing appropriate values for these components, the filter can be tuned to reject a specific frequency range.
Notch Frequency: The notch frequency is the center frequency of the frequency range that the filter attenuates or rejects. This is the frequency the filter is designed to remove from the input signal.
Attenuation: At the notch frequency, the filter exhibits maximum attenuation, creating a deep notch in the frequency response. This attenuation is typically expressed in decibels (dB) and indicates how effectively the filter reduces the unwanted frequency.
Passband and Stopband: Outside the notch frequency range, the filter has a passband where it allows signals to pass through with minimal attenuation. At frequencies far away from the notch frequency, the filter operates as a regular amplifier with its gain determined by the feedback network.
Q Factor: The Q factor (Quality factor) of the filter determines the width of the frequency range around the notch frequency that gets attenuated. A high Q factor results in a narrower bandwidth and a deeper notch, while a lower Q factor yields a broader rejection bandwidth.
Active Filter Advantage: The active implementation of the band-reject filter provides several advantages, such as the ability to achieve high gain, precise control of the notch frequency, and flexibility in design.
Overall, a band-reject active filter is a powerful tool for targeted frequency suppression in electronic circuits, and it finds applications in various fields, including audio processing, communications, and electronic instrumentation.