Electronic – Change in gain and cutoff frequency of 2nd order passive filters due to amplifier circuit

circuit-designfilterhigh pass filterlow passpassive-filter

I'm designing an simple equalizer for a first course in Electric Circuits and having some problems. Circuit diagram and AC Sweep Simulation (Multisim 14):

Circuit Diagram

Equalizer Circuit Diagram


AC Sweep Simulation
AC Sweep Simulation


The Low-Pass filter was designed to have a cutoff frequency of ~900Hz. Before I put an amplifier in the circuit, the simulation shows a cutoff frequency as projected. But after, it gone to ~1272Hz (see AC Sweep Simulation) and gain at lower frequencies is no longer 0dB (went to -3.3dB). For the High-Pass circuit, gain remains unitary (0dB) at higher frequencies, but cutoff frequency was altered too. So:

  • Why is this happening? (Change in gain and frequency)
  • How to avoid it?

Best Answer

The low pass filter has two series resistors of value 1 kohm and when you add-on the impedance presented by the inverting amplifier (5 kohm) you will modify the cut-off frequency of that filter. The gain will also lower because the 5 kohm forms a potential divider with the two series 1 kohm resistors.

A way to avoid it is to make the 5 kohm resistor much higher in value. It connects to a virtual earth summing point so it is effectively acting also as a resistor to hard 0 volts.