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The Ua741 Operational Amplifier
The Ua741 Operational Amplifier
Outline
Brief History Stages DC Bias Point Analysis Small Signal Analysis Concluding Remarks
Brief History
1964 Bob Widlar designs the first op-amp: the 702.
Using only 9 transistors, it attains a gain of over 1000 Highly expensive: $300 per op-amp
1965 Bob Widlar designs the 709 op-amp which more closely resembles the current uA741
This op-amp achieves an open-loop gain of around 60,000. The 709s largest flaw was its lack of short circuit protection.
The other main difference is the addition of extra transistors for short circuit protection. This op-amp has a gain of around 250,000
Schematic
Stages
Input Differential Stage Intermediate Signal-Ended High-Gain Stage Output Buffering Stage Current Source / Short Circuit Protection
DC Analysis
Reference Bias Current
This current is generated by Q11, Q12 and resistor R5. From these, we can write: Vcc Vbe Vbe ( Vee) IREF := R5
IREF = 0.733mA
From this value of IREF, the current in the collector of Q10 can be calculated. Given
IC10 R4
IREF VT ln IC10
IC10 := 18.421A
This value (IC10) is twice the value of I (which is used later in the DC analysis.
DC Analysis (cont)
Input Stage Using the value IC10 found before, the analysis unfolds as shown in the schematic.
This analysis is done using the standard BJT, current mirror, and differential amplifier textbook equations.
DC Analysis (cont)
Second Stage Assuming beta to be >> 0, the following DC biasing equations result
IC13B := 0.75 IREF
IC13B = 550A
IC16
IE16
16.2A
DC Analysis (cont)
Output Stage Using the fact that Q13A delivers of IREF, the following outputs result:
IC23 IE23 0.25 IREF 180A
If Vbe is assumed to be 0.7V, the current in R10 is 18uA which causes the following:
IC18 IE18 IC23 IR10 162A
DC Analysis (cont)
Table of Results Below is a table that lists all of the transistors and their collector currents.
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5 Q6 Q7 9.5 9.5 9.5 9.5 9.5 9.5 10.5 DC Collector Currents of the 741 op-amp (uA) Q8 19 Q13B 550 Q19 Q9 19 Q14 154 Q20 Q10 19 Q15 0 Q21 Q11 730 Q16 16.2 Q22 Q23 730 Q17 550 Q23 Q13A 180 Q18 165 Q24 15.8 154 0 0 180 0
The resistor values, as can be seen on the left, do cause changes in the output signal, however, the general output shape is retained. Note: The 61mV offset is still present
Monte Carlo Analysis The transistor beta values are allowed to vary by plus/minus 50 Transient Analysis
As is evident by the plot on the left, the beta value of the transistors have very little effect on the output signal. The design of the uA741 op-amp is such that the circuit is beta independent.
The plot on the right is a histogram showing the number of times that a particular output value (from the above simulation) occurred. As can be seen, a vast majority of the output signals are within 5mV of the expected value.
Monte Carlo Analysis The transistor beta values are allowed to vary by plus/minus 50 Frequency Analysis
As is evident by the simulation/histogram on the left, the uA741 operational amplifiers frequency response is not effected by changes in beta. Once again, this is due to the op-amps relative beta independence. This beta independence is quite beneficial because in the mass production of transistors, their beta values can vary by a large amount. Having the opamp operate regardless of beta variations assures that the amplifier will operate properly in a wide range of conditions.
Monte Carlo Analysis The temperature of the system is set to -150C, 0C, and 100C
As can be seen by the simulation on the left, variances in temperature do not effect the shape of the output nor do they effect the amplitude of the output (the gain stays the same). Temperature does, however, effect the DC offset.
Concluding Remarks
The uA741 operational amplifier is a versatile circuit that is not adversely affected by outside interference.
Changes in beta, resistor values, and temperature have little effect on the op-amp. This shows how well the uA741 was designed.
However, as technology continues to improve, CMOS amplifiers are beginning to become more popular than their BJT cousins.