Operational Amplifiers

Chris Nygren
Matt Livianu
Brad Schwagler

ME 6405 Introduction to Mechatronics

 Agenda
Introduction
Background
Amplifier Introduction
Basic Circuits Review
Characteristics of an Ideal Op Amp
Types of Op Amps
Practical Applications
Conclusion
Quiz
ME 6405 Introduction to Mechatronics
 Purpose

To introduce the Operational Amplifier by

providing background, functionality,
applications, and relevance to Mechatronics
class projects.

ME 6405 Introduction to Mechatronics

 Introduction

Operational Amplifiers are represented

both schematically and realistically below:
Active component!

ME 6405 Introduction to Mechatronics

 Background

Originally invented in early 1940s using vacuum

tube technology
Initial purpose was to execute math operations in
analog electronic calculating machines
Shrunk in size with invention of transistor
Most now made on integrated circuit (IC)
Only most demanding applications use discrete
components
Huge variety of applications, low cost, and ease of
mass production make them extremely popular
ME 6405 Introduction to Mechatronics
 Amplifiers

Single-ended Amplifier

Differential Amplifier
Amplifies difference
between inputs

ME 6405 Introduction to Mechatronics

Operational Amplifier
Output gain high
A ~= 106
Tiny difference in the
input voltages result in a
very large output voltage
Output limited by supply
voltages
Comparator
If V+>V-, Vout = HVS
If V+<V-, Vout = LVS
If V+=V-, Vout = 0V

ME 6405 Introduction to Mechatronics

3-stage Op-Amp

ME 6405 Introduction to Mechatronics

 Why are they useful?

Sensor signals are often too weak or too

noisy
Op Amps ideally increase the signal amplitude
without affecting its other properties

ME 6405 Introduction to Mechatronics

 Why are they useful?

Negative feedback leads to stable equilibrium

Voltage follower (direct feedback)
If Vout = V- , then Vout ~ V+

Closed Loop Transfer Function

H(s) = A / (1 + AF)

When AF >> 1

H(s) = 1 / F
Where: A = Op Amp Open Loop Gain
F = Feedback Loop Gain

ME 6405 Introduction to Mechatronics

1. The output attempts to do whatever is necessary to make the
voltage difference between the inputs zero.
2. The inputs draw no current.

ME 6405 Introduction to Mechatronics

 Basic Circuits Review

Kirchoffs Law
Voltage Law: The sum
of all the voltage drops
around the loop = Vin V1 + V2 + V3 = Vin

Resistance (Ohms )
Series

Parallel

ME 6405 Introduction to Mechatronics

 Basic Circuits Review

Capacitance (Farad F)
Series

Parallel

Inductance (Henry H)
Series

Parallel

ME 6405 Introduction to Mechatronics

 Ideal Op Amp

Zin is infinite
Zout is zero
Amplification (Gain) Vout / Vin =
Unlimited bandwidth
Vout = 0 when Voltage inputs = 0

ME 6405 Introduction to Mechatronics

 Ideal Op Amp
Ideal Op-Amp Typical Op-Amp

Input Resistance infinity 106 (bipolar)

109 - 1012 (FET)
Input Current 0 10-12 10-8 A
Output Resistance 0 100 1000
Operational Gain infinity 105 - 109
Common Mode Gain 0 10-5
Bandwidth infinity Attenuates and phases at high
frequencies (depends on slew
rate)
Temperature independent Bandwidth and gain

ME 6405 Introduction to Mechatronics

 How are Op-Amps used?

Comparator (seen earlier)

Voltage follower (seen earlier)
Signal Modulation
Mathematical Operations
Filters
Voltage-Current signal conversion

ME 6405 Introduction to Mechatronics

 Non-inverting Op-Amp

www.wikipedia.org

Uses: Amplifystraight up

ME 6405 Introduction to Mechatronics

 Inverting Op-Amp

www.wikipedia.org

Uses: Analog inverter

ME 6405 Introduction to Mechatronics

 Comparator

V1
Vout
V2

www.allaboutcircuits.com

Uses: Low-voltage alarms,

night light controller

ME 6405 Introduction to Mechatronics

 Pulse Width Modulator
Output changes when
Vin ~= Vpot
Potentiometer used to vary
duty cycle

www.allaboutcircuits.com Uses: Motor controllers

ME 6405 Introduction to Mechatronics

 Summation

www.wikipedia.org

Uses: Add multiple sensors inputs

until a threshold is reached.

ME 6405 Introduction to Mechatronics

Difference

V 2 R3 R1 R4 V1R3
Vout
( R4 R2 ) R1 R1

If all resistors are equal:

Vout V2 V1

ME 6405 Introduction to Mechatronics

 Integrating Op-Amp

www.wikipedia.org

Uses: PID Controller

ME 6405 Introduction to Mechatronics

 Differentiating Op-Amp

www.wikipedia.org

(where Vin and Vout are functions of time)

ME 6405 Introduction to Mechatronics

Filters
Decouple the low-pass RC
filter from the load.

Uses: Simple audio.

Remove frequencies over
20kHz (audible)

ME 6405 Introduction to Mechatronics

 Low-pass Filter (active)

Cutoff frequency

This works
because the
www.wikipedia.org
capacitor needs
time to charge.

ME 6405 Introduction to Mechatronics

 High pass filter (active)

www.wikipedia.org

Band-pass filter cascades both high-pass and low-pass!

ME 6405 Introduction to Mechatronics

 Measuring current
Current (I) better than voltage (V) for measurement
Voltage suffers losses due to resistances in path
Low impedance is better for resisting noise

So how do we generate a constant current source?

Transconductance Amplifier

ME 6405 Introduction to Mechatronics

 Transconductance Amp

Precision 250
resistor
1V / 250 = 4mA
5V / 250 = 20mA
RLoad doesnt matter,
www.allaboutcircuits.com
just as long as op-amp
has high enough
Uses:
- In: Sensors (temp, pressure, etc),
voltage rails
- Out : Radios (Variable Freq Osc)

ME 6405 Introduction to Mechatronics

 Conclusions

Op-Amps are often used for

Sensor amplification
Mathematical operations (sums, difference,
inverse)
Filters (High/Low/Band pass)
Measurement devices
Current in > Voltage out

ME 6405 Introduction to Mechatronics

 Questions?
Does an Op-Amp amplify current or voltage?
Can you use an Op-Amp as a buffer? If so,
How?
Why should you care about the device
bandwidth rating?
What is the most common Op Amp chip?
What is an active component? Is an Op Amp
an active or a passive component?
What is the advantage of an active vs. passive
filter?

ME 6405 Introduction to Mechatronics

 Practical Tips
Try to use single supply op-amps in order to minimize need for a 10V
difference from power supply
Good low resistance, twisted, and shielded wire should be used when
a sensor is located far away from the op-amp circuit.
Minimize current draw in sensor circuits to reduce thermal drift
Filter power into op-amp circuits using capacitors
Design op-amp circuits so output cannot be negative in order to
protect 68HC11 A/D port.
Isolate op-amp circuit output with unity gain op-amp if connected to an
actuator.
Make sure bandwidth of op-amp is adequate
Use trimmer potentiometers to balance resistors in differential op-amp
circuits
Samples of op-amps can be obtained from National Semiconductor
(http://www.national.com)

ME 6405 Introduction to Mechatronics

 Bibliography

Mechatronics, Sabri Cetinkunt

Wikipedia.org
Allaboutelectronics.com

ME 6405 Introduction to Mechatronics