Special issue on active filters using modern design and optimization techniques

摘要

Recent advancements in wireless communications, combinedwith ever increasing demand for miniaturization andenhanced performance of electronic systems and devices,have led to a strong reduction in size, weight, and powerconsumption of modern communications systems. In thisperspective, in the past years, most radio frequency (RF)building blocks have been successfully implemented as integratedcircuits with different technologies. However, filtersworking at RF still remain the most difficult part to be integrated,because of the large-required semiconductor area andto the degradation of the electrical characteristics (eg, qualityfactor) as a result of technology limitations. In this scenario,the replacement of passive filters with equivalent active solutionsis useful in terms of area occupation and system integration.Active filters may even provide better electricalcharacteristics with respect to the passive solutions, at thecost of additional power consumption because of the presenceof active elements in the design.