UNIT 1. B.

OPERATIONAL AMPLIFIER

TOPIC 1

Introduction to Operational Amplifier

LESSON 1: PRACTICAL OP-AMP CIRCUIT

 INTRODUCTION

Operational amplifiers are linear devices that have all the properties

required for nearly ideal DC amplification and are therefore used
extensively in signal conditioning, filtering or to perform mathematical
operations such as add, subtract, integration and differentiation.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:
At the end of this lesson, you are expected to
do the following:
 Determine the application of Op-Amp different
circuit.
 Perform and test Operational Amplifier.

What Do You Need to Know?

What is an Operational Amplifier (Op-amp)?

Operational Amplifiers, also known as Op-amps, are basically a voltage

amplifying device designed to be used with components like capacitors
and resistors, between its in/out terminals. They are essentially a core part
of analog devices. Feedback components like these are used to determine
the operation of the amplifier. The amplifier can perform many different
operations (resistive, capacitive, or both), giving it the name Operational
Amplifier.

Example of an Op-amp in schematics.

PRACTICAL OP-AMP CIRCUIT

Op-amps are linear devices that are ideal for DC amplification and are
used often in signal conditioning, filtering or other mathematical operations
(add, subtract, integration and differentiation).

1. Voltage Follower
The most basic circuit is the voltage buffer, as it does not require any
external components. As the voltage output is equal to the voltage
input, students might become puzzled and wonder whether this kind
of circuit has any practical application.

This circuit allows for the creation of a very high impedance input and
low impedance output. This is useful to interface logic levels between
two components or when a power supply is based on a voltage
divider. The figure below is based on a voltage divider, and the circuit
cannot function. Indeed, the load impedance can have large
variations, so Vout voltage can change dramatically, mainly if the load
impedance has a value of the same magnitude as R2.

To solve this issue, an amplifier  between the load and the voltage
divider (see figure below) is inserted. Thus, Vout depends on R1 and
R2 and not on load value.
The primary goal of an operational amplifier, as its names states, is to
amplify a signal. For instance, the output of a sensor must be
amplified in order to have the ADC measure this signal.

Example: Lets us calculate the output voltage of the voltage fallower

circuit as shown below.
Voltage Follower in Voltage Divider Circuits
In every circuit, voltage is shared or distributed to the impedance or
resistance of the connected components. When Op-amp is connected, the
major part of voltage will drop across it due to high impedance. So, if we
use voltage follower in voltage divider circuits, it will let adequate voltage
to be supplied across the load. Let us go through a voltage divider circuit
with voltage follower as shown in the figure below.

Here, the voltage divider is in the middle of two 10 KΩ resistors and the
Op-amp. This Op-amp will offer input resistance of some hundreds of
megaohm. Now, we can assume it to be 100 MΩ. So, the equivalent
parallel resistance will be 10 KΩ || 100 KΩ.
So, we get 10KΩ || 10KΩ. We know that the voltage divider which
comprises of two similar resistances will offer exactly the half of the
voltage in the power source. We can prove it using voltage divider formula
as follows:

Thus, this 5V will drop across the 10KΩ resistance in the top and 5V drop
across the resistance 10KΩ in the bottom and the load resistance 100Ω
(since 10 KΩ||100 Ω, same voltage will drop in resistors which are in
parallel). From this, we have seen how the Op-amp works as a buffer for
getting the desired voltage to the connected load. In the same circuit with
the absence of voltage follower, it will not work due to the lack of supply of
sufficient voltage across the load. Mainly, voltage follower is
implemented in circuits for two reasons. One is isolating purpose, and the
other is for buffering the output voltage from an electrical or electronic
circuit to get the desired voltage to the connected load.

Advantages of Voltage Follower

 Provides power gain and current gain.

 Low output impedance to the circuit which uses the output of the
voltage follower.
 The Op-amp takes zero current from the input.
 Loading effects can be avoided.

Applications of Voltage Follower

 Buffers for logic circuits.

 In Sample and hold circuits.
 In Active filters.
 In Bridge circuits via transducer.
 How Much Have You Learned?

Direction: Calculate the voltage output of the voltage follower use another
sheet of paper for your answer, and computation.

1.)

2.)
3.)

4.)

5.)
2. Inverting Op Amp
In this configuration, the output is fed back to the negative or inverting
input through a resistor (R2). The input signal is applied to this
inverting pin through a resistor (R1). The positive pin is connected to
ground.

Where in:
Ve = input voltage
Vs = output voltage
R1 = input resistor
R2 = feedback resistor

This is evident in the special case where R1 and R2 are equal. This
configuration allows for the production of a signal that is
complementary to the input, as the output is exactly the opposite of
the input signal. Due to the negative sign, the output and input signals
are out of phase. If both signals must be in phase, a non-inverting
amplifier is used. Where R1 is equivalent to Rin, and R2 is also
equivalent to Rf (feedback resistor)

Example: Lets us calculate the output voltage of the non-Inverting circuit

as shown below.
Ve = 5v
Vs = ?
R1 = 1Kohms
R2 = 10Kohms

R2
Vs=−Ve
R1

10,000
Vs=−5
1000

Vs=−50 v

So, from this formula, we get any of the four variables when the other
three variables are available.

As we can see a negative sign in the formula, the output will be 180

degrees out of phase in contrast to the input signal’s phase.
 How Much Have You Learned?

Direction: Calculate the voltage output of the Inverting op-amp, use

another sheet of paper for your answer, and computation.

1.) Ve = 12v
R1 = 1Kohms
R2 = 10Kohms
Vs = ________

2.) Ve = 12v
R1 = 2.2Kohms
R2 = 47Kohms
Vs = ________

3.) Ve = 6v
R1 = 1Kohms
R2 = 1Kohms
Vs = ________

4.) Ve = 6v
R1 = 10Kohms
R2 = 1Mohms
Vs = ________

5.) Ve = 5v
R1 = 560ohms
R2 = 680ohms
Vs = ________
3. Non-inverting Op Amp
This configuration is very similar to the inverting operation amplifier.
For the non-inverting one, the input voltage is directly to the applied
to the non-inverting pin and the end of feedback loop is connected to
ground.

Where in:
Ve = input voltage
Vs = output voltage
R1 = input resistor
R2 = feedback resistor

These configurations allow amplification of one signal. It’s possible to

amplify several signals by using summing amplifiers.

Where R1 is equivalent to Rin, and R2 is also equivalent to Rf (feedback

resistor)
Example: Lets us calculate the output voltage of the non-Inverting circuit
as shown below.
Ve = 5v
Vs = ?
R1 = 1Kohms
R2 = 10Kohms

R2
Vs=Ve 1+ ( R1 )
10,000
(
Vs=5 1+
1000 )
Vs=5 (1+10 )

Vs=5(11)

Vs=55 v

So, from this formula, we get any of the four variables when the other
three variables are available.

As the input signal is connected directly to the non-inverting input of

the amplifier the output signal is not inverted resulting in the output
voltage being equal to the input voltage, Vout = Vin. This then makes
the voltage follower circuit.
 How Much Have You Learned?

Direction: Calculate the voltage output of the non-Inverting op-amp, use

another sheet of paper for your answer, and computation.

1.) Ve = 12v
R1 = 1Kohms
R2 = 10Kohms
Vs = ________

2.) Ve = 12v
R1 = 2.2Kohms
R2 = 47Kohms
Vs = ________

3.) Ve = 6v
R1 = 1Kohms
R2 = 1Kohms
Vs = ________

4.) Ve = 6v
R1 = 10Kohms
R2 = 1Mohms
Vs = ________

5.) Ve = 5v
R1 = 560ohms
R2 = 680ohms
Vs = ________

4. Inverting Summing Amplifier

By adding resistors in parallel on the inverting input pin of the
inverting operation amplifier circuit, all the voltages are summed.

Unlike the non-inverting summing amplifier, any number of voltages

can be added without changing resistor values.

Example: Let us calculate the output voltage of 3 inputs summer or

summing amplifier, circuit as shown below,

Vs=− ( RRf1 x V 1+ RRf2 x V 2+ RRf3 x V 3)

Vs=− ( 22 KK x 2 V + 22 KK x 2 V + 22 KK x 2V )
Vs=−( 2V + 2V +2 V )

Vs=−6 V

How Much Have You Learned?

Direction: Calculate the voltage output of the summing amplifier, use

another sheet of paper for your answer, and computation.

1.) V1 = 2.5V
V2 = 2.5V
V3 = 2.5V
R1 = 1Kohms
R2 = 1Kohms
R3 = 1Kohms
Rf = 1Kohms
Vs = ________

2.) V1 = 5V
V2 = 5V
V3 = 5V
R1 = 1Kohms
R2 = 2.2Kohms
R3 = 3.3Kohms
Rf = 4.7Kohms
Vs = ________

3.) V1 = 2.2V
V2 = 5V
V3 = 3.3V
R1 = 1Kohms
R2 = 1Kohms
R3 = 1Kohms
 Rf = 1Kohms
Vs = ________

4.) V1 = 2V
V2 = 3.3V
V3 = 4.5V
R1 = 1Kohms
R2 = 2.2Kohms
R3 = 3.3Kohms
Rf = 4.7Kohms
Vs = ________

5.) V1 = 5V
V2 = 5V
V3 = 5V
R1 = 4.7Kohms
R2 = 4.7Kohms
R3 = 4.7Kohms
Rf = 10Kohms
Vs = ________

6. Differential Amplifier
The inverting operational amplifier amplified a voltage that was
applied on the inverting pin, and the output voltage was out of phase.
The non-inverting pin is connected to ground with this configuration.

An amplifier is useful not just because it lets you add, subtract, or

compare voltages.

The two input leads can be seen on the left-hand side of the triangular
amplifier symbol, the output lead on the right-hand side, and the +V and -V
power supply leads on top and bottom. As with the other example, all
voltages are referenced to the circuit’s ground point. Notice that one input
lead is marked with a (-) and the other is marked with a (+). Because a
differential amplifier amplifies the difference in voltage between the two
inputs, each input influences the output voltage in opposite ways.
Consider the following table of input/output voltages for a differential
amplifier with a voltage gain of 4:

An increasingly positive voltage on the (+) input tends to drive the output
voltage more positive, and an increasingly positive voltage on the (-) input
tends to drive the output voltage more negative. Likewise, an increasingly
negative voltage on the (+) input tends to drive the output negative as well,
and an increasingly negative voltage on the (-) input does just the
opposite. Because of this relationship between inputs and polarities, the
(-) input is commonly referred to as the inverting input and the (+) as the
non-inverting input. It may be helpful to think of a differential amplifier as a
variable voltage source controlled by a sensitive voltmeter, as such:

Bear in mind that the above illustration is only a model to aid in

understanding the behavior of a differential amplifier. It is not a realistic
schematic of its actual design. This concept may at first be confusing to
students new to amplifiers. With all these polarities and polarity markings
(- and +) around, it’s easy to get confused and not know what the output of
a differential amplifier will be. To address this potential confusion, here’s a
simple rule to remember:
Just as voltmeter will only display the voltage between its two test leads,
an ideal differential amplifier only amplifies the potential difference
between its two input connections, not the voltage between any one of
those connections and ground. The output polarity of a differential
amplifier, just like the signed indication of a digital voltmeter, depends on
the relative polarities of the differential voltage between the two input
connections.

By connecting each input in turn to 0v ground we can use superposition to

solve for the output voltage Vout. Then the transfer function for
a Differential Amplifier circuit is given as:

Vout=−V 1 ( RR 31 )+ V 2( R 2+R 4R 4 )( R 1+R 1R 3 )

When resistors, R1 = R2 and R3 = R4 the above transfer function for the
differential amplifier can be simplified to the following expression:

R3
Vout = ( V 1−V 2 )
R1

If all the resistors are all of the same ohmic value, that is: R1 = R2 = R3 =
R4 then the circuit will become a Unity Gain Differential Amplifier and
the voltage gain of the amplifier will be exactly one or unity. Then the
output expression would simply be 

Vout = V2 – V1
Example: Let us calculate the output voltage of the differential amplifier
circuit as shown below.

GIVEN:
V1 = 2.7v
V2 = 1v
R1 = 1.5Kohms
R2 = 15Kohms
R3 = 3.5Kohms
R4 = 1Kohms

Vout=−V 1 ( RR 31 )+ V 2( R 2+R 4R 4 )( R 1+R 1R 3 )

Vout=−2.7 ( 3.5
1.5 )+ 1(
1
15+1 )( 1.5+ 3.5
1.5 )

Vout=−2.7 ( 2.33 ) +1 ( 0.06 ) ( 3.33 )

Vout =−6.291+0.1998

Vout=−6.0912 v

How Much Have You Learned?

Direction: Calculate the voltage output of the differential amplifier, use

another sheet of paper for your answer, and computation.

1.) V1 = 2.7v
V2 = 3.3v
R1 = 1.5Kohms
R2 = 15Kohms
R3 = 3.5Kohms
R4 = 1Kohms
Vout = ?

2.) V1 = 2.5v
V2 = 5v
R1 = 1Kohms
R2 = 1Kohms
 R3 = 4.7Kohms
R4 = 4.7Kohms
Vout = ?

3.) V1 = 2.7v
V2 = 1v
R1 = 1.5Kohms
R2 = 15Kohms
R3 = 3.5Kohms
R4 = 1Kohms
Vout = ?

4.) V1 = 2.7v
V2 = 2.7v
R1 = 1.5Kohms
R2 = 1.5Kohms
R3 = 3.5Kohms
R4 = 3.5Kohms
Vout = ?

5.) V1 = 2.7v
V2 = 1v
R1 = 10Kohms
R2 = 10Kohms
R3 = 10Kohms
R4 = 10ohms
Vout = ?

REFERENCES

Jung, W. (2005). Op Amp Applications Handbook. In Op Amp Applications Handbook.

https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-7506-7844-5.X5109-1
Nairn, D. G., & Franco, S. B. (2009). Operational amplifiers. In Fundamentals of Circuits
and Filters. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315561875-21