In electronics, the cutoff frequency is the point at which the output signal of a circuit, such as a filter or amplifier, begins to be significantly attenuated. It is standardly defined as the frequency at which the output amplitude drops by 3 decibels (-3 dB), representing a reduction of the signal power to half its passband level.
Filter circuits are designed to transmit signals within a specific frequency range (the passband) while attenuating signals outside that range (the stopband). This function is essential for separating desired signals from noise. For example, in a low-pass filter, frequencies below the cutoff point are preserved, while higher frequencies are suppressed.
For high-speed power supplies and high-voltage amplifiers, the cutoff frequency is closely related to the device's bandwidth and response speed. Since the transition from passband to stopband occurs gradually, the cutoff frequency serves as a critical benchmark for evaluating whether a device can accurately reproduce high-speed waveforms required for the application.
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