The Sallen-Key Low-Pass Filter
The Sallen-Key Low-Pass Filter
The Sallen-Key Low-Pass Filter
The Sallen-Key is one of the most common configurations for a second-order (two-pole)
filter. It is also known as a VCVS (voltage-controlled voltage source) filter. A low-pass
version of the Sallen-Key filter is shown in Figure 15–10(assuming a Butterworth
characteristic) A unique feature of the Sallen-Key low-pass filter is
the capacitor CA that provides feedback for shaping the response near the edge of the
passband. The critical frequency for the Sallen-Key filter is
The component values can be made equal so that RA = RB = R , CA = CB = C In this
case, the expression for the critical frequency simplifies to
as in the single-pole filter. As you
have learned, the damping factor is set by the values of R1 and R2
thus making the filter response either Butterworth, Chebyshev, or Bessel. For example, from
Table 15–1, the ratio R1/R2 must be 0.586 to produce the damping factor of 1.414 required for
a second-order Butterworth response.