In addition, there are filters that do not filter any frequencies of a complex input signal, but
just add a linear phase shift to each frequency component, thus contributing to a constant
time delay. These are called all-pass filters.
At high frequencies (> 1 MHz), all of these filters usually consist of passive components
such as inductors (L), resistors (R), and capacitors (C). They are then called LRC filters.
In the lower frequency range (1 Hz to 1 MHz), however, the inductor value becomes very
large and the inductor itself gets quite bulky, making economical production difficult.
In these cases, active filters become important. Active filters are circuits that use an op
erational amplifier (op amp) as the active device in combination with some resistors and
capacitors to provide an LRC-like filter performance at low frequencies (Figure 16–1).