Frequency compensation
![Figure 1: Step response of a two-pole amplifier for various degrees of compensation. Parameter ζ is set by a compensation capacitor: smaller ζ results in faster response, but more ringing and overshoot.](/Images/godic/202501/14/Step_response0647.png")
In electrical engineering, frequency compensation is a technique used in amplifiers, and especially in amplifiers employing negative feedback. It usually has two primary goals: To avoid the unintentional creation of positive feedback, which will cause the amplifier to oscillate, and to control overshoot and ringing in the amplifier's step response. It is also used extensively to improve the bandwidth of single pole systems.