To tune the center frequency of a gm-C filter, which is a bandpass filter with a narrow bandwidth, to a target frequency, only while the filter is being tuned, the original circuit configuration of the filter is replaced with an alternative configuration that realizes a high signal-to-noise ratio. A characteristic tuner generates and inputs an impulse signal, pulse signal or step signal to the filter being tuned and thereby detects and adjusts the center frequency of the filter. And the tuning result is stored on a nonvolatile memory for future reuse. When the filter is operated, the characteristic tuner stops operating to cut down the power dissipation.