LAB 04

Experiment Title: Study of Operational Amplifier as Precision Rectifier

Objective:
To study a 741 Op-Amp as precision rectifier.
Equipment
▪ IC: 741 2 Pieces
▪ Resistor: 10k 6 Pieces
▪ Diode: 1N4148 2 Pieces
▪ AT-7000 1 Unit
▪ DC Power Supply 1 Unit
▪ AC Power Supply 1 Unit
▪ Oscilloscope 1 Unit
▪ Multimeter 1 Unit
▪ Wires

Pin Out Diagram of a 741 OP-Amp

Normally diode rectifiers rectify AC input signals which are greater than the forward threshold
voltage. Very small signal voltages cannot be rectified using normal rectifiers, and precision
rectifiers have to be used for rectifying small signal amplitudes. An op-amp is generally used when
small signal voltages have to be rectified. The precision full wave rectifier transmits one polarity
of the input signal and inverts the other. Thus both half cycles of an alternating voltage are
transmitted but are converted to a single polarity output. This can rectify input voltages with
millivolt amplitude. This type of circuit is useful to prepare signals for multiplication, averaging
or demodulation.

The precision rectifier is also called an absolute-value circuit. Its output equals the absolute value
of the input. In a precision rectifier the output is either negative or positive, depending on how the
diodes are installed.
 R2
R4 R5

10K 10K 10K

+15V +15V
R1 D1
- -
10K 741 741 Vo

AC
+ +
D2
Vi -15V -15V
RL
10K
R3 10K

Procedure

1. Measure the resistance of the resistors by a multimeter and record.

2. Set the function generator to sinusoidal wave mode. Set the wave to 10V peak to peak
amplitude and 500Hz frequency. To demonstrate rectifier action below the diode forward
voltage drop, set the signal voltage to less than the threshold forward voltage which is < 0.7
volts and observe the waveform.
Note: The function generator in its normal functional state generates waveform of minimum
1.2 Vpk-pk. To generate waveforms of smaller amplitudes, pull amplitude control knob out and
adjust for desired amplitude.
3. Construct the above circuit. Set biasing voltages to +15V and –15V.
4. Observe input and output waveform, measure values and draw the input and output wave. (Vi
vs Vo curve) for several Vi values including voltages less than 500 mVpk-pk