EXPERIMENT 3:

IDEAL OP AMP OPERATION – AMPLIFIER

SIMULATION & DESIGN
OUTCOMES: Develop a Basic Understanding of the Operation of Op-
Amps & Learn how to use the circuit-simulation tool Pspice

OBJECTIVE:
The objective of this experiment is to develop a basic understanding of
the characteristics of op-amps and how to use them in simple circuits.
The students will simulate, build and test op-amp circuits.

IN PREPARATION FOR EXPERIMENT 3:

(1) Complete all Pre-lab exercises (in the Lab Notebook); it is highly
recommended that the students review KCL, KVL, voltage/current
division, and resistor/capacitor/inductor combinations.
(2) Please note that for this experiment you will construct the
circuits in class (see Fig. 3-3).
(3) Read portions of the manual for the Oscilloscope and Function
Generator and become familiar with the instruments’ key features
and capabilities

TO BE HANDED IN:
(1) Copy of Pre-lab exercises @ the beginning of the class; online
submission.
(2) Copy of measurements/notes recorded in lab notebook for
Experiment 3 @ the end of the class.
Both items above must be submitted electronically in CANVAS.

NO PSPICE SIMULATIONS ARE REQUIRED FOR THE PRE-LAB OF

THIS EXPERIMENT.
ALL SIMULATIONS WILL BE DONE IN CLASS ON THE LAB PC’S.

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PRE-LAB EXERCISES:
(1) Derive the expressions for the voltage gain AV of the inverting
and non-inverting op-amp configurations (see experimental
procedure for AV’s)

(2) Watch Pspice videos and practice running simulations prior to

coming to class.

Include the following statement (and sign) in your notebook:

I (NAME) confirm that I have reviewed the instrument functions

listed in part (3) below, and watched all the required videos:
Signature: ________________________________

(3) Review the following in the equipment user manuals for the
oscilloscope and function generators, and write a very short
description for each:
a) Oscilloscope (Agilent DSO-X 3024A):
(1) Function of vertical scale knob
(2) Function of horizontal scale knob
(3) Probe compensation (what/how/why)
(4) AC/DC coupling
(5) Trigger
(6) Channel Menu
(7) Probe Menu
b) Function Generator (Tektronix AFG 3022C)
(1) The equivalent output circuit of the FG
(2) Types of output signals available
(3) Selecting/adjusting amplitude/frequency
(4) Load impedance option (what/how/why)

(4) Answer the following questions:

a) Explain how the AC/DC coupling impacts the measured
signal.
b) Explain how the selection of the Load impedance for the
function generator impacts the circuit.

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BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Operational Amplifiers
Operational Amplifiers (Op-Amps) are integrated circuits (IC’s) that
consist of a handful of transistors resistors and capacitors (the number
of components varies depending on the op-amp; typically 20-30++).
They are inexpensive and are extremely useful in instrumentation
applications; simple op-amp circuits can perform important functions,
which are essentially independent of the characteristics of the op-amps
themselves.

Symbol – Terminals
The figure below shows the symbol for the operational amplifier; the
terminals labeled “Power Supplies” are connected to external power
supplies (typically both a positive and a negative supply are required)
to power up the op-amp; they are often not included when drawing op-
amp circuits (see spec sheet of 741 in appendix for pin assignment).

Inverting Power
Input Supplies
-
Output

Non-inverting +
Input
FIGURE 3.1. Op-amp symbol and terminals.

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Ideal Op-Amp
The figure below shows a simple model for an op-amp. The op-amp is
a differential amplifier that amplifies (multiplies by AOL: open loop
gain) the voltage difference that appears across its input terminals; it has
a large input resistance (RIN) and a small output resistance (ROUT).

For an ideal op-amp these quantities are assumed to be:

AOL=∞
RIN=∞
ROUT=0 IIN
-
-
v ROUT
RIN

+ -
AOL(v+-v-)
v+

FIGURE 3.2. A simple model for an op-amp showing its

input and output resistances.

When analyzing ideal op-amp circuits one makes two important

assumptions:

IIN=0 (this is the result of RIN=∞); and

V-=V+ (this is the result of AOL=∞)

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 EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE
PART A – SIMULATIONS:
Using the Lab Version of Pspice (i.e. full Spice version installed in lab
PCs) simulate the circuits shown in the figure below (time domain
analysis). Each student team must design for a gain using the average
of the last digit of the partners’ student U#s (i.e. add up the last digit of
your U#s and divide by 2; round up/down as necessary); use a sine,
square, or triangle wave as input with frequency of 1.0kHz and
amplitude of your choice. Use appropriate models for the op-amp (look
up 741 in the SPICE library).

PLEASE NOTE that any simulations required during exams (midterm or

final) must be completed using the Spice version on the lab PCs.

The voltage gains (AV) for the inverting and non-inverting configurations
shown in Fig. 3.3 are:
VOUT R VOUT ! R2 $
Inverting: AV = =− 2 Non-inverting: AV = = #1+ &
VIN R1 VIN " R1 %

Your TA must verify/sign your simulations – before moving to Part B.

R2 R2

R1 R1

-- --

VIN
+ VOUT +

VIN

FIGURE 3.3. Inverting (left) and non-inverting (right) amplifier configurations

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PART B – BUILD AND TEST
Construct the circuits simulated in part A and test using a variety of
inputs (i.e. sine, square, triangle etc.).
R Use ±12 Volts to power up the op-amp.

CAUTION:
Failure to correctly power up the op-amp can result in permanent
damage.

R Use a frequency of 1.0 kHz and amplitude less than 12/AV (i.e. the
amplitude must be less than 12 divided by the gain) for the input
signal.

R Verify the operation of your circuits and save oscilloscope

measurements (input and output) for each case.

R Using either circuit shown in Fig. 3.3 use a sine wave as input
(f=1.0kHz) and increase its amplitude until you observe distortion
at the output. Explain the cause of the distortion?

R Using either circuit shown in Fig. 3.3 apply a sine wave as the
input (f=1.0kHz) and vary the DC supplies (simultaneously) in the
range of 6-15 Volts until you observe distortion at the output.
Explain the cause of the distortion?

R Using either circuit shown in Fig. 3.3 apply a sine wave at the
input (f=1.0kHz) and increase its frequency until you observe
distortion at the output. Explain the cause of the distortion?

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 • This is the end of the
... experiment

• Please clean up your

... stations

• Turn off all equipment

...

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 POST LAB REPORT
Content:
The post-lab report must discuss and explain the operation of the op-
amp circuits designed, simulated, and tested in class.

R Provide a description of each circuit and discuss whether your

measurements demonstrated the expected operation (i.e. based on
your pre-lab analysis)
R Discuss and explain all observations
R Compare simulations to by-hand calculations and to experimental
measurements, and comment on potential deviations.
R Include Lessons Learnt in your Conclusion

NOTE: Minimum Post-Lab report requirements can be found on page

5, and report-writing tips to avoid common mistakes can be found in
Appendix A4.

REM: GROUP Post-Lab Report – this report must be the combined

effort of the 2 partners who performed the experiment.
Each partner will be graded based on his/her effort.

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