Chapter 30
Operational Amplifiers

Introduction
Characteristics
High input impedance
Low output impedance
High open-loop gain
Two inputs
One output
Usually + and – dc power supplies

Introduction
Ideal Characteristics
zin (inverting) ≈ ∞
zin (non-inverting) ≈ ∞
zout ≈ 0
Av ≈ ∞

Introduction
Uses
Comparators
Voltage amplifiers
Oscillators
Active filters
Instrumentation amplifiers

Introduction
Single-ended amplifier
One input grounded
Signal at other input
Double-ended amplifier/Differential amplifier
Signals at both inputs

Differential Amplifier and Common-Mode Signals
Basic differential amplifier
Q1 identical to Q2
RC1 = RC2
       IC1 = IC2 and emitter currents equal
Also, IC ≈ IE for high β
and VBE ≈ 0.7 V
Similar calculation of Bias

Differential Amplifier and Common-Mode Signals

Differential Amplifier and Common-Mode Signals
Apply same signal to both Bases
Vout = Vout1 – Vout2 ≈ 0
Eliminates common-mode signals
60 Hz
Noise

Differential Amplifier and Common-Mode Signals
Apply sinusoids to both bases:
Same amplitude, 180° difference in phase,
if Vin1 = –Vin2
Vout = 2Vin

Differential Amplifier and Common-Mode Signals
Common-mode signals
Differential voltage gain
also called open-loop voltage gain
20,000 ≤ Av ≤ 200,000

Differential Amplifier and Common-Mode Signals
Common-mode signals
Common-mode voltage gain

Differential Amplifier and Common-Mode Signals
Common-mode rejection ratio (CMRR)
Equations
Values

Differential Amplifier and Common-Mode Signals
Noise
Static in audio signal
Increases as signal is amplified
Common mode signal
Significantly reduced by differential amplifier

Negative Feedback
Op-amp
Large differential, open-loop voltage gain
 Avol ≈ 100,000
Small input yields saturated output (VCC or VEE)

Negative Feedback
Negative feedback
Returns a portion of output signal to the input
Open-loop voltage gain decreased

Negative Feedback
Input impedance still high
Output impedance low
Circuit voltage gain, Av
Adjustable
Stable

Inverting Amplifier
Basic circuit

Inverting Amplifier
Output 180° out of phase with input
Significant decrease in gain
Gain now called closed-loop voltage gain
Output impedance ≈ 0
vd ≈ 0

Inverting Amplifier
Inverting input at virtual ground, vin(-) ≈ 0
iin to op-amp ≈ 0
Input current only dependent on vin and R1
Avcl only dependent on input resistor and feedback resistor

Inverting Amplifier

Inverting Amplifier

Non-Inverting Amplifier
Circuit

The Non-Inverting Amplifier
Very high input impedance
Voltage gain related to the two resistors
Very low output impedance
Excellent buffer

Non-Inverting Amplifier
Differential voltage
vd ≈ 0
Input current to op-amp
i = 0
Closed-loop voltage gain (Avcl) is a resistor ratio

Non-Inverting Amplifier

Non-Inverting Amplifier
Model
Input impedance

Non-Inverting Amplifier
Model
Output impedance

Non-Inverting Amplifier
Very high zin
Very low zout
Good buffer circuit
Also called voltage follower (gain = 1)
Or adjustable gain > 1

Non-Inverting Amplifier
Voltage Follower Buffer Circuit
Gain = 1
High impedance source drives low impedance load

Op-Amp Specifications
LM 741 series
Inexpensive
Widely used
Good general specifications
Characteristic of all op-amp specifications
Provide Minimum, Typical, and Maximum ratings

Op-Amp Specifications
Input Offset Voltage, Vio
LM741C, Vio typical is 2 millivolts
Model is voltage source with value, Vio in series with + input

Op-Amp Specifications
Input Offset Voltage, Vio
Without feedback this would saturate output with no input
With negative feedback, output due to Vio is closed-loop gain times Vio

Op-Amp Specifications
Input Offset Current, Ios
Ios = Difference between bias currents at + and – inputs of op-amp
741C typical Ios is 20 nanoamps
Multiplying resistor used to measure Ios

Op-Amp Specifications
Input Resistance
741C: minimum = .3 MΩ, typical = 2 MΩ
Open-Loop Voltage gain (Avol)
741C: Avol = Large Signal Voltage Gain
minimum = 20,000, typical = 200,000
Closely related to Bandwidth, BW

Op-Amp Specifications
Gain-bandwidth product
741C = 1,000,000 = 106 MHz

Op-Amp Specifications
Gain versus frequency curve for op-amp

Op-Amp Specifications
Slew rate
Maximum rate of change of output voltage
741C maximum slew rate = 0.5 V/μsec

Op-Amp Specifications
Fastest time for output to go from 0 to 10 volts is 20 μsec
Can distort waveforms that have too fast a rise time

Op-Amp Specifications
Slew rate required for Sinusoid with frequency f and amplitude A
Maximum amplitude of a sine wave with frequency f for a given slew rate

Op-Amp Specifications
Bias Compensation: use RC = R1||RF

Troubleshooting an Op-Amp Circuit
Problems occur when circuit is first built
Most important
Correct connection of dual power supply
Connecting a – supply to a + input (or vice versa) can burn out an op-amp
Single earth ground
Short connecting wires