CHAPTER 4
THE OPERATIONAL AMPLIFIER (OP-AMP)
DR. MARIAM BINTI MAJID
OP-AMP
✓ Describe the basic op-amp and its characteristics
✓ Discuss op-amp modes and parameters
✓ Explain negative feedback in op-amps
✓ Analyze op-amps with negative feedback
✓ Discuss bias current and offset voltage
4.1 Introduction to op-amp
Operational Amplifiers, also known as Op-amps, are basically a voltage amplifying device
designed to be used with components like capacitors and resistors, between its in/out terminals.
They are essentially a core part of analog devices. Feedback components like these are used to
determine the operation of the amplifier. The amplifier can perform many different operations
(resistive, capacitive, or both), giving it the name Operational Amplifier.
4.2 Op-amp Input Modes and Parameters
Input signal modes = determined by the differential amplifier input
stage of the op-amp.
Types of input mode:
(a) differential mode
(b) common mode
op-amp parameters
(a) Differential mode:
Single-ended differential mode: • One input is grounded and a signal
voltage is applied to the other input.
• In fig (a), signal voltage is applied to
the inverting input, so inverted,
amplified signal voltage appears at
the output.
• In fig (b), signal is applied to the
noninverting input with the inverting
input grounded, so noninverted,
amplified signal voltage appears at
Double-ended differential mode: the output.
• Two opposite-polarity(out-of-phase)
signals are applied to the input as in
Fig (a).
• Also, double-ended differential mode
can be a single source connected
between two inputs.
(b) Common mode:
• Two opposite-polarity(out-of-phase)
signals are applied to the input as in
Fig (a). Resulting in a zero output
voltage
• This action called, common-mode
rejection. Means, unwanted signal will
not appear on the output and distort
the desired signal.
Op-amp characteristics and parameters
Open-loop gain
• Input offset
voltage Output
• Input bias impedance
current
• Input offset
current
• Slew rate
• Frequency
response
• Noise
specification Input impedance
4.3 Negative feedback
Definition = process, portion of the output voltage of an amplifier is returned to the input with a
phase angle that opposes the input signal. It is used to stabilize the gain. By using a negative
feedback, the closed-loop gain can be determined via external feedback components that
can have higher accuracy compared to the operational amplifier’s internal components. The
closed-loop gain can be calculated with Equation (2):
4.4 Op-amp with Negative feedback
Op-amp can be connected using negative feedback to stabilize the gain and increase
frequency response.
Negative feedback takes a portion of the output and applies back out of phase with input,
creating an effective reduction in gain.
Discuss:
• close-loop voltage gain
• configuration
(a) noninverting op-amp
(b) voltage follower
(c) inverting amplifier
4.5 Effect of Negative feedback on Op-Amp Impedances
Negative feedback affects the input and output impedances of an op-amp.
Discuss:
• configuration
(a) noninverting op-amp
(b) voltage follower
(c) inverting amplifier
Exercise 1
Identify the types of input mode for each op-amp .
Identify each of the op-amp configurations .
Exercise 2
Exercise 3
Determine the input and output impedances for each amplifier configuration in
figure below.
FORMULA
Op-Amp Configuration
Op-Amp Impedances
SUMMARY
