Low-noise active-RC allpole filters using optimized biquads

In this paper it is shown that active-RC filters can be designed to have low-sensitivity to passive components and at the same time possess low output thermal noise. The design procedure of low-noise and low-sensitivity, positive-feedback, second- and third-order low-pass allpole filters, using impedance tapering, has already been published. The noise analysis in this paper was extended to the high-pass and band-pass filters and those with negative-feedback. The optimum designs, regarding both noise and sensitivity of most useful filter sections were summarized in the table form (as a cookbook) and demonstrated on examples. The classical methods were used to determine output noise spectral density and total rms output noise of filters. It was found that low-sensitivity filters with minimum noise have reduced resistance levels, low Q-factors, low-noise operational amplifiers and use impedance tapering design.