Dr.

Guernane IGEE:Spring-2014 1

EE352L experiment N# 1

Objectives
• Study the operational amplifier unit OA150A

1 Operational unit
1.1 Pre-Lab
The operational amplifier is shown in the opposite fig-
ure. The op-amp is a powered device, Therefore, in or-
der to get your laboratory op-amp to work, you must
connect the +15V , −15V , and 0V ports on it to the
corresponding ports on your power supply. The lower
knob, closest to the center of the console, allows you
to select one of three different feedback modes for the
op-amp; A 100KΩ resistor, a capacitor in parallel with
a 100KΩ resistor and an external feedback (between
port 4 and 5), there can be up to 3 input signals to the
Op-amp (terminals 1, 2, and 3), the output of the op-
amp corresponds to terminal 6 on the physical device.
Nominally, all five resistors have the same resistance:
100KΩ.There is another knob on the console of the
op-amp unit labeled ”zero set” This knob adjusts an
offset or bias voltage to the op-amp output. It will
be used to make sure that the output voltage is zero
when it is supposed to be zero.
When the OA150A knob is set to the 100K position, its schematic circuit is:

Q1 : Assuming an ideal op-amp, find a model relating Vout to V1 , V2 and V3 . What operation does
this circuit implements?, assuming now that (R1 = R2 = R3 = RF ) what is the new model, what
operation does this circuit implements?

Q2 : The input/output relationship you derived in the previous question should only contain a ratio
of resistances. Therefore, in principle, the op-amp circuit shown above performs the same with all
resistances 100KΩ as it does with all resistances at 100Ω. However, there is a very good reason for
using 100KΩ resistors rather than 100Ω resistors. Can you think of it?

Q3 : You can switch your op-amp unit so that it provides the circuit shown below. Derive a model
relating the output Vout and the input V1 (assuming V3 = V2 = 0). What operation does this circuit
implement?
Dr. Guernane IGEE:Spring-2014 2

1.2 In-Lab
Calibration:

1. Set the feedback knob on the OA150A unit to 100KΩ resistor, and connect its ±15V and Com
terminals to those of the power supply. (do not remove power from it from now on)

2. Adjust the zero set dial of the OA150A until its output voltage (terminal 6) is zero (or few
millivolts) with respect to the Common (0V) terminal.

Measurement: Connect the circuit below:

Q4 : For each value of V1 and V2 in the table, measure and record the output Vo :

Vo V1 = −9V V1 = −6V V1 = −3V V1 = 0V V1 = 3V V1 = 6V V1 = 9V

V2 = 0V
V2 = −5V
V2 = 5V

Q5 : Let V2 = 5.0V and V1 = 6.0V , show how to can you use the OU150A and the AU150B to
implement a comparator V1 − V2 = 1V ? This is a critical element in feedback control systems.

1.3 Post-Lab
Q6 : Using the data from Q4 , plot Vo as function of V1 (there should be 3 curves, one for each value
of V2 ). Do these experimental results match the theoretical results from the pre-lab question Q1 ?.
Explain the discrepancies.

Q7 : What are the practical conditions on V1 , V2 , and V3 so that the model of Q1 is valid.

2 Signal amplification with the Op-Amp unit

2.1 Pre-Lab
In this part, we would like to implement the variable-gain amplifier Using the OU150A. First, let’s
consider the following circuit, where r varies from 0 to 10KΩ.:
Dr. Guernane IGEE:Spring-2014 3

Vo
Q1 : Find the exact gain Av = V1 of the above amplifier as a function of r.

Q2 : Simplify the gain formula by neglecting smaller terms.

Q3 : Is this relation linear?

Q4 : What the gain Av as r tends to zero?

Q5 : What is the gain Av as r tends to the 10KΩ?

2.2 In-Lab
1. Set the OU150A feedback to the external feedback position.
2. r represents the resistance(KΩ) between terminals 1 and 2 of the left potentiometer, which is
approximately equal to the dial position.
3. Connect the following circuit (the 1V is taken from the variable power supply, make sure to
connect its common terminal to that of the PS150E)

4. Adjust the right potentiometer to get +0.5V at V1 .

5. Record the output voltage Vo and the voltage gain Av , for each of the r values below:
r(KΩ) Vo (V ) Av
10.0
5.0
1.0
0.50

2.3 Post-Lab
Q6 : Draw the schematics circuit equivalent to the previous circuit and compare it to circuit in the
Pre-lab part?

Q7 : Compare the experimental gain Av with the theoretical one one in Q1 ? explain any discrepancies.

Q8 : What is the smallest value of r at which the output saturates?