Active Filters vs Passive Filters

 

Active Filters vs Passive Filters

Active filters contain op-amp, resistors, capacitors and inductors while

Passive filters have resistors, capacitors, and inductors

Active filters

Pros

• isolates loading effects
• useful when having multiple filtering stages
• ability to provide signal gain
• higher input and lower output impedances
• independent of the source and load impedances

Cons

• increases cost
• increases space usage for components
• require an external power supply,

Passive filters

Pros

• minimum space consumption
• inexpensive
• operate only on the signal input

Cons

• loading effects on the next stage of the filter
• strongly affected by the source impedance
• no power gain is available