INTEGRATED CIRCUITS LAB Batch No._____, Roll No.

_______________,
Date: ---------------

EXPERIMENT #3 LOW PASS AND HIGH PASS FILTERS

I OBJECTIVES

The broad objective of this experiment is to familiarize the student with some of the simpler single-amplifier op-
amp filter topologies. Emphasis is towards higher-order filtering.

II COMPONENTS AND INSTRUMENTATION

The focus will be on the µA 741-type op amp provided one per IC, in an 8-pin dual-in-line (DIP) package
whose schematic connection diagram and packaging are shown in Fig. 3.1. For power, use two supplies, ±15 V
for short. As well, a variety of resistors and capacitors are needed, with emphasis on ones simply specified: 2 of
1KΩ, 2 of 10KΩ, 5 of 100KΩ, 1 of 1MΩ, 1 of 10MΩ and 2 of 0.1µF, 2 of 0.01µF, 1 of 1nF, and the like. For
measurement, use a bench multi-meter, a two channel oscilloscope with probes and a waveform generator.

(a) Symbol (b) Pin Diagram

Fig.3.1 Op-Amp µA 741
III PREPARATION

P3.1 - Mid-band gain and low frequency response

a) For the first order low pass filter circuit shown in Fig.3.2, calculate the mid-band gain, the very-high-
frequency gain, the very-low-frequency gain and the upper and lower 3-dB frequencies. Assume Vi =
0.5V (peak to peak), R1=10kΩ, R2=100kΩ, R3=100kΩ, RL=10kΩ, C=0.1µF.

Mid band gain (AF) = ___________________

Very high frequency gain = _________________

Very low frequency gain = _________________

Upper 3dB frequency fH =_________________

Lower 3dB frequency fL =_________________

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 INTEGRATED CIRCUITS LAB Experiment no.3

Fig 3.2 Circuit diagram of a first order low pass filter and formulae

b) Sketch an approximate Bode magnitude plot for the data in P3.1 (a).

Fig 3.3 Typical response of LP filters

P3.2. High-Frequency Response

a) For the first order high pass filter circuit of Fig.2.4, assume Vi = 0.2V (peak to peak), R1=10kΩ,
R2=100kΩ, R3=100kΩ, RL=10kΩ, C=0.1µF. Compute the various parameters for the sketch. What is
the effect on mid-band gain, lower and upper cut off frequencies of reducing R1 and R3 by a factor of
10? (Formulae given along with circuit diagram).

Mid band gain (AF) = ___________________

Very high frequency gain = _________________
Very low frequency gain = _________________
Upper 3dB frequency fH =_________________
Lower 3dB frequency fL =_________________

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Fig 3.4 Basic circuit of a first order high pass filter and formulae

b) Sketch an approximate Bode magnitude plot for the data in P3.2(a).

Fig 2.5 Typical response of HP filters

IV EXPLORATIONS
E3.1 – First order low pass filters
If you drive the input with a sine wave signal and measure the output, the filter will amplify low frequencies
and attenuate high frequencies and so, is a "low-pass" filter.
Design and draw the diagram of the first order low pass filter circuit using µA741 with
fH = ________ , AF =___________

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Set the input (sine wave) to 1 V (peak to peak). Record the gain (Vo/Vin) in units and in dB both measured and
computed at the frequencies shown in the Table 3.1(a). The columns 6 to 9 are for later use.
Table 3.1(a) Data for E3.1 and E3.2 (low pass filters)
Frequency Low-Pass Gain Low-Pass Gain Second order Second order
(Hz) (measured) (computed) Low-Pass Gain Low-Pass Gain
(measured) (computed)
dB dB dB dB

20
50
100
200
500
1k
2k
5k

Also find the frequency at which the signal drops by 3 dB from the gain in the pass band (this is the cut-off
frequency, fH). It is the frequency at which the gain amplitude is down by 3dB from the pass band amplitude, i.e.
at 0.707 x (max. gain).
Look at your data and check to see that the filter has a flat gain at low frequencies and attenuates high
frequencies by a factor of 1/f. That is, for each decade increase in frequency, the gain drops by 1/10. Record the
frequencies and gains that you used to make this estimate.

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Calculate the expected cut off frequency from the component values. To do this accurately, be sure to measure
the component values with a LCR meter. Using the data in the table 3.1(a), plot your measured gain vs.
frequency for the low-pass filter on log-log graph sheet. Calculate the theoretical gain and plot it on the same
graph.

Table 3.1(b)
First order LPF Second order LPF
Measured Computed Measured Computed
fH (Hz) AF fH (Hz) AF fH (Hz) AF fH (Hz) AF

E3.2 – Second order low pass filter

The low-pass filter of the previous section attenuates the signal by 1/f at high frequencies. In some
cases it may be required to attenuate the signal more quickly than this. To do this, we go for higher
order filters.

Fig 3.6 Second order low pass filter and formulae

Design a second order low pass filter circuit shown in Fig 3.6 with the same corner frequency
and gain as before. Compute the component values with minimal change.

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Build the circuit and measure the gain at the same frequencies as before. Add these measurements to
the table 3.1(a). in the columns provided. Check your data to see that it behaves as you expect it to.
Find the corner frequency at which the gain is down by -6dB from the pass band gain. Add these
measurements to the plot you did in E3.1. Verify that the filter attenuates high frequencies by 1/f 2.
Compare the corner frequency for the two circuits. Has it remained the same?

E3.3 – High pass filters

If you drive the input with a sine wave signal and measure the output, the filter will amplify high
frequencies and attenuate low frequencies so, “High-Pass” filter.
Design and draw the diagram of the first order high pass filter circuit using µA 741 with fH =
____________ , AF =____________

Set the input (sine wave) to 1 V (peak to peak). Record the gain (Vo/Vin) in units and in dB both measured and
computed at the frequencies shown in the Table 2.2(a). The columns 6 to 9 are for later use.
Also find the frequency at which the signal drops by 3 dB from the gain in the pass band (this is the corner
frequency, fL). It is the frequency at which the gain amplitude is down by 3dB from the pass band amplitude, i.e.
at 0.707 x (max. gain).
Look at your data and check to see that the filter has a flat gain at high frequencies and attenuates low
frequencies by a factor of 1/f. That is, for each decade increase in frequency, the gain drops by 1/10. Record the
frequencies and amplitudes that you used to make this estimate
Calculate the expected cut off frequency from the component values. To do this accurately, be sure to measure
the component values with a LCR meter.
Plot the Gain vs. Frequency on log-log scale for the high pass circuit. Include the important frequencies and
gains on your plot.

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Table 3.2(a) Data for E3.3 and E3.4 (High Pass Filters)
Second order Second order
High-Pass Gain High-Pass Gain
High-Pass Gain High-Pass Gain
(measured) (computed)
Frequency (Hz) (measured) (computed)
dB dB dB dB

50
100
200
500
1K
2K
5K
10K
20K
30K

Table 3.2(b)
First Order HPF Second Order HPF

Measured Computed Measured Computed

fL (Hz) AF fL(Hz) AF fL(Hz) AF fL(Hz) AF

E3.4 – Second order high pass filter

In order to attenuate the signals in the stop band more quickly we go for higher order filters as we did
for low pass filters.

Design a second order high pass filter circuit (Fig.3.7) with the same cut-off frequency and gain
as before. Compute the component values with minimal change.

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Fig 3.7 Second order high pass filter and formulae

Build the second order high pass filter circuit and measure the gain at the same frequencies as before.
Add these measurements to the Table 3.2(a). in the columns provided. Check your data to see that it
behaves as you expect it to.
Find the corner frequency at which the gain is down by -6dB from the pass band gain. Add these
measurements to the plot you did in E3.3. Verify that the filter attenuates low frequencies by 1/f 2.
Compare the corner frequency for the two circuits.

V INFERENCE/CONCLUSIONS

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