FUNDAMENTALS OF ELECTRIC CIRCUITS

Part 1: DC CIRCUITS

Chapter 5: Operational amplifiers

I. Introduction.
II. Operational amplifier.
III. Ideal Op Amp.
VI. Inverting Non-inverting amplifier.
V. Summing amplifier.
VI. Difference amplifier.
VII. Cascaded Op Amp circuits
VIII. Applications
Fundamentals of Electric Circuits Viet Son Nguyen - 2011

Chapter 5: Operational amplifiers

I. Introduction
The operational amplifier (op amp) is an electronic unit that behaves like a
voltage-controlled voltage source.
An op amp can: sum signals, amplify, integrate, or differentiate a signal.
Nowadays, op amp are popular in practical circuit designs because they are
versatile, inexpensive, easy to use
This chapter presents the ideal op amp first and consider the non-ideal op amp
later.
Using nodal analysis as a tool, we consider ideal op amp circuits such as the
inverter, voltage follower, summer and difference amplifier.

Fundamentals of Electric Circuits Viet Son Nguyen - 2011

Chapter 5: Operational amplifiers

II. Operational amplifiers
An op amp is an active circuit element designed to perform
mathematical operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication,
division, differentiation, and integration.

An op amp package

The op amp is an electronic device consisting of a complex arrangement of

resistor, transistor, capacitor, and diodes treat them as a circuit building
block, study what takes place at its terminals.
There are several important terminal in an op amp:
The inverting input: pin 2 (-)
The non-inverting input: pin 3 (+)

Dual in-line package of op amp

The output: pin 6

The positive power supply V+: pin 7
The negative power supply V-: pin 4
Fundamentals of Electric Circuits Viet Son Nguyen - 2011

Chapter 5: Operational amplifiers

II. Operational amplifiers
which are often ignored in op amp circuit diagram,

i+

2
3

i2

8
6
1

5
4

but the power supply currents must not be overlook.

An op amp must be powered by a voltage supply

i1

i-

i0

VCC

+
VCC
-

i0 i1 i2 i i
The equivalent circuit model of a non-ideal op amp:
The output section: Voltage-controlled source A.vd in
series with output resistance R0.
Ri: Thevenin equivalent resistance seen at input terminals

The equivalent circuit of the

non-ideal op amp

R0: Thevenin equivalent resistance seen at the output

Voltage output: v0

A.vd A.(v2 v1 )

Fundamentals of Electric Circuits Viet Son Nguyen - 2011

A: Open-loop voltage gain (gain of the

op amp without any external feedback
from output to input.
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Chapter 5: Operational amplifiers

II. Operational amplifiers
Table shows typical parameter values of op am:
Parameter

Typical range

Ideal value

Open-loop gain, A

105 - 108

Input resistance, Ri

106 - 1013

Output resistance, R0

10 - 100

Supply voltage, Vcc

5 - 24 V

Op amp can operate in three modes, depending on the vd

Positive saturation: v0 = Vcc
Linear region: -Vcc v0 = A.vd Vcc
Positive saturation: v0 = -Vcc
Fundamentals of Electric Circuits Viet Son Nguyen - 2011

Chapter 5: Operational amplifiers

II. Operational amplifiers
Ex 5.1: Find the closed-loop gain V0 / Vs. Determine
current i when Vs = 2V
Using the op amp model, we obtain the equivalent

741 parameter

Value

Open-loop gain, A

2.105

Input resistance, Ri

2M

Output resistance, R0

50

R2

circuit applying the nodal analysis gives:

20k
R1

VS V1 V1 V1 V0
2 VS V0

V1
At node 1:
R1
Ri
R2
3

3
7

10k

vS

v0

741

At node 0:

V1 V0 V0 AVd

RO
R2

Vd V1

When vs = 2V:

V1 V0 400( V0 2.106.V1 )
V
0 1.9999699
Vs

2 V V0
V1 S
20,067 V
3
V V
i 1 0 0,2 mA
R2

Fundamentals of Electric Circuits Viet Son Nguyen - 2011

R2

20k
R1

10k

VS

R0

50

- R
i
Vd
2M
+

+
-

A.Vd

Chapter 5: Operational amplifiers

III. Ideal op amp
An ideal op amp is an amplifier with infinite open-loop gain (A = ), infinite input
resistance (Ri = ), and zero output resistance (RO = 0).
Important characteristics of an ideal op amp:
The currents into both input terminal are zero

i1 0 ; i2 0
The voltage across the input terminals is small

i1 = 0

+
V1
-

i2 = 0

+
V2 =V1
-

Vd

V0
GND

Vd V2 V1 0 ; V1 V2

Fundamentals of Electric Circuits Viet Son Nguyen - 2011

Chapter 5: Operational amplifiers

III. Ideal op amp
Ex 5.2: Considering 741 op amp as an ideal op amp. Calculate the V0 /Vs. Find i0
when vs = 1V
As an ideal op amp, we have: V2 VS
Since i1 = 0 R1 and R2 are in series

V2

i2 = 0
i1 = 0

V1

3
4

i0

741

VS

R2

V0
V
V1
R1 0
R1 R2
9

R1
5k

40k

20k V0

V0
V0

9
From these equations, we have: VS
VS
9
V0
V0
V0 9 V
VS 1
Applying KCL at node 0 gives: i0

3
R1 R2 20.10
i0 0,65mA
Fundamentals of Electric Circuits Viet Son Nguyen - 2011

Chapter 5: Operational amplifiers

i2

IV. Inverting Non-inverting amplifier

IV.1. Inverting amplifier
Applying KCL at node 1:

R1 V1

Vi V1 V1 V0
i1 i2

V
V
R
R1
R2 i 0 V0 2 Vi
R1
R2
R1
V

0
Ideal op amp: 1
2
Notes:
The voltage gain AV

R2
depends
R1

only

on

i1

V2

Vi

R2

V0

741

V0
the

external

R2
Vi
R1

element

connected to the op amp.

A key feature of the inverting amplifier is that both the

input signal and the feedback are applied at the

+
Vi
-

R1

R
V
+ f Vi 0
R1
-

inverting terminal of the op amp.

The inverting amplifier is used in a current to voltage converter.
Fundamentals of Electric Circuits Viet Son Nguyen - 2011

Chapter 5: Operational amplifiers

IV. Inverting Non-inverting amplifier
IV.1. Inverting amplifier
Ex 5.3: Calculate the output voltage v0 and the current through R1 and R2 if vi = 0,5V
R2

This is an inverting amplifier

R
25
V0 2 .Vi .0,5 1,25V
10
R1
Calculating the current though the R1

iR 1

Vi 0
0,5

50 A
3
R1
10.10

25k
R1

10k
Vi

3
7
4
741

+
V0
-

Calculating the current though the R2

iR 2

V0 0 1.25

50 A
3
25.10
R2

Fundamentals of Electric Circuits Viet Son Nguyen - 2011

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Chapter 5: Operational amplifiers

IV. Inverting Non-inverting amplifier

R2

10k

IV.1. Inverting amplifier

Ex 5.4: Calculate the output voltage V0

R1

4k

6V

4V

+
V0
-

Applying KCL at node 3:

6 V3 V3 VO
6 V3 V3 VO

R1
R2
4
10
Because of an ideal op amp, we have V3 = V4 = 4V

6 4 4 VO

VO 1V
4
10

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Chapter 5: Operational amplifiers

IV. Inverting Non-inverting amplifier

i2

IV.2. Non-inverting amplifier

R1 i1

3
7

A non-inverting amplifier is an op amp circuit designed

to provide a positive voltage gain:

R2

Vi

+
V0
-

Input voltage Vi is applied directly at the noninverting input terminal.

R1 is connected between the ground and the inverting terminal.

0 V3 V3 V0
i1 i2

R1
R2
V3 V4 Vi

Vi Vi V0

R1
R2

Fundamentals of Electric Circuits Viet Son Nguyen - 2011

R
V0 1 2 Vi
R1

12

Chapter 5: Operational amplifiers

IV. Inverting Non-inverting amplifier
3

IV.2. Non-inverting amplifier

Note:

+
V0 = Vi

Vi

If R2 = 0 or R1 = the voltage gain becomes 1

In this case, the circuit is call a voltage follower (or unity gain amplifier)
Characteristic of voltage follower:

A very high input impedance

Useful as an intermediate - stage
(or buffer) amplifier to isolate one
circuit from another.

First stage

Second
stage

Voltage follower used to isolate two

cascaded stages of a circuit

Minimize interaction between the two stages and eliminate inter-stage

loading.
Fundamentals of Electric Circuits Viet Son Nguyen - 2011

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Chapter 5: Operational amplifiers

IV. Inverting Non-inverting amplifier

R2

IV.2. Non-inverting amplifier

10k

Ex 5.5: Calculate the output voltage V0

Using superposition lets: VO VO1 VO 2

R1

4k

6V

4V

+
V0
-

VO1 is due to the 6V voltage source

VO2 is due to the 4V voltage source
Calculate VO1: Set the 4V voltage source to zero, the circuit becomes an inverter.

VO1

R2
10
6 6 15V
R1
4

Calculate VO2: Set the 6V voltage source to zero, the circuit becomes an noninverter amplifier

R2
10
VO 2 1
4 1 4 14 V
4

R1
VO VO1 VO 2 1V

Fundamentals of Electric Circuits Viet Son Nguyen - 2011

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Chapter 5: Operational amplifiers

R2

IV. Inverting Non-inverting amplifier

5k

IV.2. Non-inverting amplifier

R1

Ex 5.6: Calculate the output voltage V0

R3 2k

R4

V0

4k
3V

Fundamentals of Electric Circuits Viet Son Nguyen - 2011

8k

15

Chapter 5: Operational amplifiers

V. Summing amplifier
A summing amplifier is an op amp circuit that combines several inputs and
produces an output that is the weighted sum of the inputs.
The summing amplifier is a variation of the inverting
amplifier
Applying KCL at node a gives:

i i1 i2 i3

Va VO V1 Va V2 Va V3 Va

Rf
R1
R2
R3

i1

V1

R1

V2

i
R2 2

V3

i3

R3

Rf

0
i

3
4

+
V0
-

Note that: Va = 0 (ideal op amp)

Rf
Rf
Rf
VO V1
V2
V3
R2
R3
R1
Fundamentals of Electric Circuits Viet Son Nguyen - 2011

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Chapter 5: Operational amplifiers

V. Summing amplifier
Ex 5.7: Calculate V0 and i0 in the op amp circuit

R1 5k

2V

This is a summer with two inputs

R2

Rf

a 3

2,5k
1V

10k

i0

+
2k VO
-

Applying the equation of summing amplifier gives:

Rf
Rf
10
10
8V
VO V1
V2 .2

R2
2,5
5
R1
The current i0 is the sum of the currents through the 10-k and 2-k resistor

VO Va VO Vb 8 8
i0

4,8mA
10
2
10 2

Fundamentals of Electric Circuits Viet Son Nguyen - 2011

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Chapter 5: Operational amplifiers

VI. Difference amplifier
A difference (differential) amplifier is a device that amplifies the difference
between two inputs but rejects any signals common to the two inputs.
Applying KCL at node a gives:

R2

V1 Va Va V0
R

V0 1 Va 2 V1
R1
R2
R1
R1

Applying KCL at node b gives:

R2

R3

V1

1
R2
R3
R
R
V0 1
V2 2 V1 V0 2
R1
R1
R1
R3 R4
1

Fundamentals of Electric Circuits Viet Son Nguyen - 2011

0
3

0 4
Vb

R4

V2

V2 Vb Vb
R4

Vb
V2
R3
R4
R3 R4
Note that: Va = Vb (ideal op amp):

Va

R1

R1

R2
R3

R4

V2

+
V0
-

R2
V1
R1
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Chapter 5: Operational amplifiers

VI. Difference amplifier
Since a difference apmlifier must reject a signal common to the two inputs
V0 = 0 when V1 = V2

R
R
This properties exists when: 1 3
R2 R4
The op amp circuit is a difference amplifier

R
V0 2 V2 V1
R1

R2

Va

R1
R3

V1

0
3

0 4
Vb

R4

V2

+
V0
-

If R2 = R1, and R3 = R4, the difference amplifier becomes a subtractor V0 V2 V1

Remarks:
The difference amplifier is also known as the subtractor
The difference amplifier are used in varios applications (instrumentation
amplifier)
Fundamentals of Electric Circuits Viet Son Nguyen - 2011

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Chapter 5: Operational amplifiers

VI. Difference amplifier
Ex 5.8: Design an op amp circuit with inputs V1 and V2 such that V0 = -5V1 + 3V2
Solution 1: Using only one op amp

V2 V1
5

Rewrite: V0 5V1 3V2 5

Applying the difference amplifier equation: V0

R2
R2
V

5
2 1
R1
R1

R1
1
1

1 5
R2 R2
R2
V 5V
V2 V1 5
In the other word: V0
2
1
R1
R1

R3
R3
1
1
R4
R4
1
Choose:
1 5 3
2 1 R3 R R
R1 10k ; R2 50k

3
4
R4

R3 5
R3 R4 20k
1
R4
Fundamentals of Electric Circuits Viet Son Nguyen - 2011

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Chapter 5: Operational amplifiers

VI. Difference amplifier
Ex 5.8: Design an op amp circuit with inputs V1 and V2 such that V0 = -5V1 + 3V2
Solution 2: Using > 01 op amp inverting amplifier + 2-inputs inverting summer.
3R1

For the summer: V0 Va 5V1

For the inverter: Va 3V2

R1

V2

3
4

5R1
5R1

Va
V1

R1

3
4

V0

Combining 02 op amps: V0 = 3V2 - 5V1

Selecte the resistor value: R1 10k ;

Fundamentals of Electric Circuits Viet Son Nguyen - 2011

21

Chapter 5: Operational amplifiers

VI. Difference amplifier
Ex 5.9: Find the relationship between V0 and 02 - inputs of an instrumentation
4

amplifier.

There are not current into A1, and A2, the

V
7 O1 R1

A1

R3

V1

Va

current I flows through the 3 resisters

V01 V02 i(2 R3 R4 )

V Vb
; Va V1 ; Vb V2
But: i a
R4
V V2
Therefore: i 1
R4

R2

R4

A3

V0

Vb
R3

3
4

A2

R1

VO2

R2

V2

The relationship between inputs and output of an intrumentation amplifier:

R2 2 R3
V0 1
V2 V1
R1
R4
Fundamentals of Electric Circuits Viet Son Nguyen - 2011

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Chapter 5: Operational amplifiers

VI. Difference amplifier
Ex 5.10: Obtain i0 in the instrumentation amplifier circuit.
4
3

40k

20k

8V

3
4

R2

R1

R1

20k R2
40k

7
R3

i0
10k

8,01V

Fundamentals of Electric Circuits Viet Son Nguyen - 2011

23

Chapter 5: Operational amplifiers

VII. Cascaded op amp circuits
A cascade connection is a head-to-tail arragement of two or more op amp circuits
such that the output of one is the input of the next.
Characteristics:
Each op amp circuit in the string is called a stage.
Op amp circuits can be cascaded without changing their input-output
relationships beacause:
Infinite input resistance.
Zero output resistance.
The original input signal is increased by the gain of the individual stage.

A A1. A2 . A3
Fundamentals of Electric Circuits Viet Son Nguyen - 2011

24

Chapter 5: Operational amplifiers

VII. Cascaded op amp circuits

Ex. 5.11: Find V0 and i0 in the circuit

4
7
3

i0

R1 12k

The circuit consists of two noninverting amplifiers cascaded

7 a

20mV

R2
3k

At a point:

R3 10k

VO

R4
4k

R1
Va 1 20 100mV
R2

R3
At the output of the second op amp: VO 1
Va 350mV
R4
The current i0 flows through the 10k resistor

VO Vb Vb Va
(350 100).103
i0

i0
25 A
3
R3
10.10
Fundamentals of Electric Circuits Viet Son Nguyen - 2011

25

Chapter 5: Operational amplifiers

VII. Cascaded op amp circuits
Ex. 5.12: Find V0

A
V1=1V

R2 6k
R1

2k

3
4

R3

4k

R7 10k
3

R4 8k

B
V2=2V

R5 5k

7
4

R6

7
4

VO

b 15k

The circuit consists of two inverters A and B and a summer C.

R2
Va V1 3V
R1

R4
Vb V2 4 V
R3

These become the inputs to the summer:

R
2

VO 7 Va 7 Vb 2.(3) (4) 8.333V

R6
3

R5

Fundamentals of Electric Circuits Viet Son Nguyen - 2011

26

Chapter 5: Operational amplifiers

VII. Cascaded op amp circuits
Ex. 5.13: Find V0 if V1 = 2V, V2 = 1,5V
R5 80k

V1

3
7

R1 30k

7
4
R4

R2 50k
R3

15k
V2

VO

20k
7

Fundamentals of Electric Circuits Viet Son Nguyen - 2011

27

Chapter 5: Operational amplifiers

VIII. Applications
Op amp has numerous pratical applications:
Inverters, summers, integrators, differentiators, subtractors, logarithmic
amplifiers
Instrumentation amplifiers, calibration circuits
DAC, voltage-to-curent converters, current-to-voltage converters
Analog computers,
Filters, clippers, rectifier, regulators, level shifters
Comparators, gyrators, oscillators

Fundamentals of Electric Circuits Viet Son Nguyen - 2011

28

Chapter 5: Operational amplifiers

VIII.1. DAC Digital-to-Analog Converter
The digital-to-analog converter (DAC) transforms digital signals into analog form.
A DAC can be realized by using the binary
weighted ladder:
A four-bit DAC

The bits are weights according to the

V1

magnitude of their place value.

Their weights decrease value of Rf/Rn
each lesser bit has half the weight of the next

R1

V3

V2

R2

V4

R3

Rf

R4
3

LSB

MSB

7
VO

higher.

VO

Rf
R1

V1

Rf
R2

V2

Rf
R3

V3

Rf
R4

V4

Binary weighted ladder type

V1, V4 can assume only two voltage levels (0, 1) (binary code) DAC
provides a single output that is proportional to the inputs.
Fundamentals of Electric Circuits Viet Son Nguyen - 2011

29

Chapter 5: Operational amplifiers

VIII.1. DAC Digital-to-Analog Converter
Ex 5.14: Obtain the analog output for binary inputs [0000], [0001], [0010], [1111].
Inputs [B]

Value [D]

0000

0001

0.125

0010

0.25

0011

0.375

0100

0.5

0101

0.625

0110

0.75

0111

0.875

1000

1.0

1001

1.125

15

1.875

1111

V1

-V0

V2

V3

V4

Rf 10k

R1 R2 R3 R4
10K 20K 40K 80K
3
LSB

MSB

VO

Rf
R1

V1

Rf
R2

V2

Rf
R3

V3

Rf
R4

7
VO

V4

V0 V1 0,5V2 0,25V3 0,125V4

Each bit has a value of 0.125V cannot represent a
voltage between 1V 1.125V (DAC resolution).

Fundamentals of Electric Circuits Viet Son Nguyen - 2011

30

Chapter 5: Operational amplifiers

VIII.2. Intrumentation amplifier (IA)
Typical applications of IAs include isolation amplifiers, thermocouple amplifiers,
and data acquisition systems.
From the Ex 5.9, we have:

2R
V0 1
V2 V1
RG

Inverted input

V1

Gain set

RG
3

Non-inverted input

Recall that:

Gain set

Output
V0

V2

The IA amplifies small differential signal voltages

superimposed on larger common-mode voltages.

Schematic diagram

Since the common-mode voltages are equal, they

cancel each other.
Fundamentals of Electric Circuits Viet Son Nguyen - 2011

31

Chapter 5: Operational amplifiers

VIII.2. Intrumentation amplifier (IA)

The IAs have three major characteristics:

The voltage gain is adjusted by one externer resistor RG
The input impedance of both inputs is very high and does not vary as the
gain is adjusted.
The output VO depends on the difference between the inputs V1 and V2, not
on the voltage common to them (common-mode voltage).

Fundamentals of Electric Circuits Viet Son Nguyen - 2011

32

Chapter 5: Operational amplifiers

VIII.2. Intrumentation amplifier (IA)
Ex: A precision Intrumentation amplifier
Product highlight:
Input noise is less than 4 nV/Hz at 1 kHz.
Pin programmable gains of 1, 100, 200, 500 and
1000 provided on the chip. Using a single
external resistor for other gains.
The offset voltage, offset voltage drift, gain
accuracy and gain temperature coefficients are
guaranteed for all pretrimmed gains.
Provides totally independent input and output
offset for high precision applications.
A sense terminal is provided to enable the user
to minimize the errors induced through long
leads. A reference terminal is also provided to
permit level shifting at the output.
Datasheet:
http://www.analog.com/static/imported-files/data_sheets/AD620.pdf

Fundamentals of Electric Circuits Viet Son Nguyen - 2011

Price (100 - 499)

Price (1000)

$4.82

$4.09

33

Chapter 5: Operational amplifiers

VIII.2. Intrumentation amplifier (IA)
Ex: LT167 Single resistor gain, programmable, precision intrumentation amplifier

Price (1 - 99)

Price (1000)

$6.45

$5.55

Fundamentals of Electric Circuits Viet Son Nguyen - 2011

Datasheet: http://cds.linear.com/docs/Datasheet/1167fc.pdf
34