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
• Kirchoff’s Law
– Voltage Law: The sum
of all the voltage drops
around the loop = Vin V1 + V2 + V3 = Vin

• Resistance (Ohms – Ω)
– 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: Amplify…straight 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 V1 R3
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 250Ω
resistor
• 1V / 250 Ω = 4mA
• 5V / 250 Ω = 20mA
• RLoad doesn’t 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