Operational Amplifiers (Op-Amps)

Part V
 Negative feedback

 Feedback is the process of “feeding back” a very small portion of the output signal
back to the input.
 In order to make the feedback negative, the output signal must be feed back to the
negative or inverting input terminal of the op-amp using an external feedback resistor
called RF.
 Advantages of Negative feedback

• It stabilizes gain
• Increases the bandwidth
• Reduces the distortion

The limitation of negative feedback is that it decreases gain of the amplifier.

 Concept of Virtual Short
 According to virtual short concept, the potential difference
between the two input terminals of an ideal op-amp is zero.
 In other words both the terminals are nearly at the same
potential.
 Since, the input impedance of an ideal op-amp is infinite.
Therefore, current flowing from one input terminal to the other
will be zero.
 Thus, the voltage drop across Zin will be zero and both the
terminals will be at the same potential.
 It simply means both the input terminals are virtually shorted.
 Concept of Virtual
Ground
If one of the terminal of op-amp is connected to
ground then due to the virtual short existing
between the other input terminal, the other terminal
is said to be at virtual ground.
 Op-amp as an Inverting Amplifier (Closed Loop)

(The non-inverting input is at real ground here, and the

inverting input is at virtual ground.)

V+ ≈ V-- , V-- ≈ 0V

 By applying KCL at point x

+ (-

  = 0 Since, input impedance of an ideal op-amp is infinite.

 
  By using Ohm’s Law

= (1)

= (2)
By comparing eqns. (1) and (2)

=
Gain= = =
Calculate the gain and output voltage for the Inverting op-amp
if RF is 100kΩ and R1 is 10kΩ. The input voltage is 0.5V.

Gain = -RF / R1
Gain = -100 / 10
Gain = -10
Output Voltage = (Gain)(Input Voltage)
Output Voltage =(-10)(0.5)
Output Voltage = -5V
Find the value of RF, if the gain of the amplifier in the given circuit is -20.

Given R1 = 10kΩ = 10000Ω

Gain = -RF / R1
-20 = -RF/10000

RF = (20)(10000)

RF = 200000

RF = 200kΩ
References
1. Ramakant A. Gayakwad, Op-Amps and Linear Integrated Circuits, Pearson, 2000.
2. Robert L. Boylestad, Louis Nashelsky, Electronic Devices and Circuit Theory,
Pearson, 2013.