Introduction to Operational Amplifiers
Shafrin Sultana
Lecturer
Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering
Khulna University of Engineering & Technology, Khulna
1. Ramakant A. Gayakward, “Op-Amps and Linear Integrator Circuits,” Pearson. Chapter 1, 2
Chapter Summary
1. Definition of op amp 1.2
2. Block diagram and applications of op-amp 1.3
3. Definition, classification & applications of IC 1.6
4. Basic Terminologies related to op-amp 2.2
5. Characteristics of an ideal op-amp 2.3
6. Equivalent circuit of an op-amp 2.4
7. Ideal Voltage Transfer Curve of an op-amp 2.5
8. Open Loop Op Amp Configuration 2.6
9. Virtual Ground for Inverting Amplifier
18.3 – 18.4
10. Virtual Ground for non-Inverting Amplifier
11 Mathematical Problem Example 2.1, 2.2
Introduction
An operational amplifier is a direct coupled high gain amplifier usually consisting of one or more
differential amplifiers followed by a level translator and an output stage that can apply both AC and DC
Features of Op Amp
1. Amplify DC as well as AC input signal and originally designed for performing mathematical
operations. So, it is known as an operational amplifier
2. Feedback connection used for AC and DC signal amplification, active filters, oscillators,
comparators, regulators, and others
3. No biasing, or stabilizing components are required because it is built-in in op-amp
Block Diagram of a Typical Op Amp
Noninverting
input
Level
Intermediate Output
Input Stage Shifting Output
Stage Stage
Inverting Stage
input
Dual input, Complementary symmetry
Dual input,
unbalanced output Such as emitter push-pull amplifier
balanced output
differential follower using Increases the output
differential
amplifier constant current voltage swing and raises
amplifier
Due to direct source the current supplying
Provides most of
coupling, the DC Shift the DC level capability of the op-amp
the voltage gain of
voltage is well downward to zero Provides low output
the amplifier
volts to ground resistance
Establishes the above the ground
input resistance of potential
the op amp
Schematic Symbol of an Op Amp
−
𝑣2 𝑣1 = voltage at non-inverting input
(volts)
A 𝑣2 = voltage at the inverting input
𝑣0 (volts)
𝑣0 = output voltage (volts)
+ A= Large signal voltage gain
𝑣1
Integrated Circuit
IC means where all the components are fabricated in the same chip.
According to their mode of operation, there are two types ICs
• Digital IC
• linear IC
• Op-amp
• General Purpose
• Special Purpose
• Special Purpose Linear IC
LM 741 is a general-purpose Op-amp
Write down the applications of different types of ICs
Ideal Characteristics of Op Amp
• Infinite voltage gain
• Infinite input resistance, so that almost any signal source can drive it and there is no loading of the
preceding stage
• Zero output voltage when input voltage is zero
• Zero output resistance, so that output can drive an infinite number of other device
• Infinite bandwidth so that frequency from 0 to infinite Hz can be amplified without attenuation
• Infinite CMRR so that output cm noise voltage is zero
• Infinite slew rate so that output voltage changes occur simultaneously with input voltage change
Basic Terminologies on Op Amp
• Input Offset Voltage: The voltage that must be applied between two input terminals of op-amp to
null the output. The smaller the value of 𝑣𝑖𝑜 , the better the input terminals are matched
𝒗𝒊𝒐 = |𝒗𝑫𝑪𝟏 − 𝒗𝑫𝑪𝟐 |
• Input Offset Current: The algebraic difference between current unto inverting and non-inverting
terminal is referred to as input offset current
𝑰𝒊𝒐 = |𝑰𝑩𝟏 − 𝑰𝑩𝟐 |
Where, 𝐼𝐵1 is the current into non-inverting input, 𝐼𝐵2 is the current into inverting input
• Input Bias Current: The average current that flows through inverting and non-inverting input
terminals of op-amp.
𝑰𝑩𝟏 + 𝑰𝑩𝟐
𝑰𝑩 =
𝟐
Basic Terminologies on Op Amp
• Common Mode Rejection Ratio (CMRR): The ratio between different voltage gain and common
mode voltage gain is called common mode rejection ratio
𝐴𝑐𝑚 = Common Mode Voltage Gain
𝑨𝒅 𝑨𝒅
𝑪𝑴𝑹𝑹 = = 𝑣𝑜𝑐𝑚 = Output Common Mode Voltage
𝑨𝑪𝑴 𝑽𝑶𝑪𝑴 𝑣𝑐𝑚 = Input Common Mode Voltage
𝑽𝑪𝑴 𝐴𝑑 = Large signal voltage gain
• Slew Rate: Slew rate is the maximum rate of change of output voltage per unit of time and
expressed in volts per microseconds.
𝑑𝑉0
𝑺𝒍𝒆𝒘 𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒆 = |
𝑑𝑡 𝒎𝒂𝒙𝒊𝒎𝒖𝒎
How rapidly the output f an op amp can change in response to changes in input frequency.
Slew rate of an op amp is fixed, if slope requirements of output signal are greater than slew rate, the
distortion then occurs.
Basic Terminologies on Op Amp
• Gain Bandwidth Product: It is the bandwidth of the op-amp when the voltage gain is 1. Equivalent
terms are – closed-loop bandwidth, unity gain bandwidth, and small signal bandwidth.
• Supply Voltage Rejection Ration (SVRR): The change in an op-amp’s input offset voltage caused
by the variation in supply voltage is called supply voltage rejection ration or Power Supply Rejection
Ration (PSRR).
∆𝒗𝒊𝒐 ∆𝑽
𝑺𝑽𝑹𝑹 = = 𝟐𝟎𝒍𝒐𝒈
∆𝑽 ∆𝒗𝒊𝒐
Typical Values for LM 741C
Input Offset Voltage 6mV
Input Offset Current 200 nA
Input Bias Current 500 nA
CMRR 90 dB
Slew Rate 0.5 V/𝜇𝑠
PSRR 150 𝜇V/V or, 77 dB
Gain Bandwidth Product 1 MHz
Equivalent Circuit of an Op Amp
𝒗𝟎 = 𝑨𝒗𝒊𝒅 = 𝑨(𝒗𝟏 − 𝒗𝟐 )
𝑣1 = voltage at non-
inverting input (volts) w.r.t.
ground
𝑣2 = voltage at the
inverting input (volts) w.r.t.
ground
𝑣𝑖𝑑 = Difference input
voltage (volts)
A= Large signal voltage
gain
Ideal Voltage Transfer Curve
𝑣𝑜
Positive saturation
−𝑣𝑖𝑑 +𝑣𝑖𝑑
If feedback is not present, the op-amp
Negative saturation undergoes positive or negative saturation,
and this property is used in the comparator.
Input Connection in Op Amp
• Single Ended Input
PPT - Lecture 1 Op-Amp PowerPoint Presentation, free download - ID:3208987
Input Connection in Op Amp
• Double Ended Input
PPT - Lecture 1 Op-Amp PowerPoint Presentation, free download - ID:3208987
Input Connection in Op Amp
• Common Mode Operation: Amplify strongly the difference signal while rejecting the common
signals at two inputs. Since noise is generally the common to both input, the differential connection
tends to provide attenuation of this unwanted input while providing an amplified output of the
differential input signal.
PPT - Lecture 1 Op-Amp PowerPoint Presentation, free download - ID:3208987
Open Loop Op Amp Configuration
• Open Loop means no connection either direct or via another network, exists between the input and
output terminals. The output is not fed back in any form as part of the input signal, and the loop that
would been formed with feedback is open.
• When connected in open loop configuration, the op amp is simply functions as high gain amplifier
• Here are three open loop configurations:
• Differential Amplifier
• Inverting Amplifier
• Non-Inverting Amplifier
Open Loop Op Amp Configuration
• Differential Amplifier 𝑣𝑜 = 𝐴(𝑣1 − 𝑣2 )
• Inverting Amplifier 𝑣𝑜 = 𝐴(0 − 𝑣2 ); 𝑣𝑜 = −𝐴𝑣2
• Non-Inverting Amplifier 𝑣𝑜 = 𝐴(𝑣1 − 0); 𝑣𝑜 = 𝐴𝑣1
𝑣1 = voltage at non-inverting input (volts) w.r.t. ground
𝑣2 = voltage at the inverting input (volts) w.r.t. ground
𝑣𝑖𝑑 = Difference input voltage (volts)
A= Large signal voltage gain
• In all three connections, any input signal is only slightly greater than zero drives the output to
saturation level. This results from the very high gain (A) of the op amp. Thus, when operated open
loop. The output is either positive or negative saturation or switches between positive or negative
saturation levels. For this, open loop configurations is not suitable in linear applications.
Open Loop Op Amp Configuration
• Open Loop op-amp is not suitable for linear operation
• Open loop gain changes with the change of temperature
• Bandwidth is negligible small
• Variation in voltage gain are relatively large
• However, it is used in non linear operation
• Square wave generator
• Comparator
Switching Circuit
• A circuit when can turn on or off current in an electric circuit is known as switching circuit
• An op-amp can act as a switching circuit when configured as a comparator. In this mode, the op-amp
compares an input signal with a reference voltage. When the input voltage exceeds the reference, the
output saturates to the positive supply voltage; otherwise, it saturates to the negative supply voltage.
This binary output makes it suitable for switching applications
Feedback Connection in Op Amp
• Negative Feedback: If signal feedback is of opposite polarity / out of phase by 180 degree with
respect to input signal is called negative feedback
• Positive Feedback: If signal feedback is of same polarity / in phase with respect to input signal is
called negative feedback
Virtual Ground for Inverting Amplifier
• In case of ideal op amp
1. 𝑅𝑖𝑛 𝑖𝑠 ∞; so 𝐼2 ≅ 0
2. 𝐴 𝑖𝑠 ∞; so 𝑉2 ≅ 0
So, 𝐼𝑖𝑛 = 𝐼𝐹
As current through 𝑅1 and 𝑅𝐹 is equal and since 𝑉2 is zero; inverting input acts like a ground for voltage
and open for current
Virtual Short for non-Inverting Amplifier
• In case of ideal op amp
1. 𝑅𝑖𝑛 𝑖𝑠 ∞; both input current is zero
2. 𝐴 𝑖𝑠 ∞; so (𝑉1 − 𝑉2 ) ≅ 0
So, 𝐼𝑖𝑛 = 𝐼𝐹
It is short for voltage and open for current.
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