CHAPTER 5

OP-AMP APPLICATION

Op-Amp Applications
Introduction
Op-amps are used in many different applications.
We will discuss the operation of the fundamental opamp applications.
Keep in mind that the basic operation and
characteristics of the op-amps do not change the
only thing that changes is how we use them.

Op-Amp Applications
Negative-Feedback
Negative-feedback is useful concept in electronics, particularly
in op-amp application.
Negative-feedback is the process whereby a portion of the Vout
of an amplifier is returned to the input with a phase that
opposes the input signal.
The inverting (-)
input effectively
makes the feedback
signal 180 out of
phase with the input
signal.

Op-Amp Applications
Negative-Feedback
Without feedback is called open loop configuration.
With feedback is called closed loop configuration.
The gain without feedback is called open loop gain.
The gain with feedback is called closed loop gain.

Op-Amp Applications
Inverting Amplifiers

Circuit consists of an op-amp and three resistors.

The positive (+) input to the op-amp is grounded through R2.
The negative (-) input is connected to the input signal (via R1) and also to
the feedback signal from the output (via RF).
The circuit is called an inverting amplifier because its voltage gain is -ve.
This means that if the Vin is increasing or going positive, the Vout will be
decreasing or going negative, and vice versa.

Op-Amp Applications
Inverting Amplifiers

0V

I = 0

Assume that amplifier operates in its linearly amplifying region.

For an ideal op-amp, Zin = , implies zero current at the
inverting (-) input (I=0).
Since I=0, the current through R1 and RF are equal. iin = if

Op-Amp Applications
Inverting Amplifiers
Virtual ground (0V)

V+

No voltage drop between the inverting (-) and non-inverting (+)

inputs. V = V +
The non-inverting (+) input is grounded, hence the V = 0V.
This V = 0V at inverting (-) input terminal is known as virtual
ground.

Op-Amp Applications
Inverting Amplifiers
Virtual ground (0V)

V+

V+ = 0 (ground)
V V+ (virtual equality)
IfRF = Vout V
IinR1 = V Vin
If = Iin (no current into

Vout 0 0 Vin

RF
R1
Vout
RF

Vin
R1

Op-Amp Applications
Inverting Amplifiers
Virtual ground (0V)

V+

The close-loop voltage gain (Acl):

Vout
RF
Acl

Vin
R1

Op-Amp Applications
Inverting Amplifiers Example 1
Determine the closed-loop voltage gain of the inverting
amplifier shown.
Rf

Acl (I)

82 k
Ri
3.3 k
Vin

Vout
+

Rf
Ri

82 k

3.3 k

= 24.8
The minus sign
indicates
inversion.

Op-Amp Applications
Non-inverting Amplifiers

Circuit consists of an op-amp and three

resistors.
The negative (-) input to the op-amp is
grounded through R1 and also to the
feedback signal from the output (via RF).
The positive (+) input is connected to the
input signal.

Op-Amp Applications
Non-inverting Amplifiers

The circuit is called a non-inverting

amplifier because its voltage gain is +ve.
This means that if the Vin is increasing or
going positive, the Vout will also be
increasing or going positive.

Op-Amp Applications
Non-inverting Amplifiers
Resister R1 and RF form
a voltage-divider circuit

Vi=0

Feedback forces Vf to be
equal to Vin. Hence, the
voltage across R1 is Vin
since Vi 0.
So that:

R1
vin
vout
R1 RF

vout
RF
Acl
1
vin
R1

Op-Amp Applications
Non-inverting Amplifiers Example 2
Determine the closed-loop voltage gain of the non-inverting
amplifier in figure below.
Vin

Acl (NI) 1

+
Vout

Rf
82 k
Ri
3.3 k

Rf
Ri

82 k
1
3.3 k

= 25.8

Op-Amp Applications
Non-inverting Amplifiers
The output has the same
polarity as the input.

a positive input
signal produces a
positive output signal.
The ratio of R1 and RF determines
the gain.
When a voltage is applied to the amplifier, the Vout
increases rapidly and will continue to rise until the voltage
across R1 reaches the Vin.
Thus negligible input current will flow into the amplifier,
and the gain depends only on R1 and RF.

Op-Amp Applications
Non-inverting Amplifiers
The input resistance to the
non-inverting amplifier is
very high.
because the input
current to the amplifier
is also the input current
to the op-amp, I+, which
must be extremely
small.

Op-Amp Applications
Voltage-Followers / Buffer Amplifiers
Is a special case of the non-inverting
amplifier, where all of the Vout is fed
back to the inverting (-) input by a
straight connection. V = Vout V + = Vin

V=V+

The Vout is same polarity and

magnitude as the input. Vout = Vin
Voltage-follower has very high input impedance; very low output
impedance.
For voltage-follower, the closed-loop voltage gain, Acl = 1.

Vout
Av
1
Vin

Vout Vin

Op-Amp Applications
Summing Amplifiers

If

A summing amplifier has

two or more inputs.
Using concept of Zin =
and virtual ground: the
V 0 and has no
current through it.

0V

The current of I1, I2, I3 combine and form the total current (If),
which go through Rf.

I f I1 I 2 I 3 ... I n

Op-Amp Applications
Summing Amplifiers

If

0V

Vout I f R f
Vout ( I1 I 2 ... I n ) R f

Vout
Vout

VIN 1 VIN 2
VINn
R f

...
R2
Rn
R1
Rf
Rf
Rf

VIN 1
VIN 2 ...
VINn
R2
Rn
R1

The Vout will thus be

the sum of Vin1, Vin2,
,VIn, multiplied by
the gain factors, Rf/R1
, Rf/R2 , Rf/Rn

Op-Amp Applications
Summing Amplifiers - Example
Find the output voltage of the following Summing Amplifier circuit.

Vout

Rf
Rf

VIN 1
VIN 2
R2
R1

Vout

10k
10k

2mV
5mV 45mV
2k
1k

Op-Amp Applications
Summing Amplifiers
Summing Amplifier with Unity Gain:
1. If R1 = R2 == Rf = R, then:

Vout

Rf
Rf
Rf

VIN 1
VIN 2 ...
VINn
R2
Rn
R1

Vout VIN 1 VIN 2 ..... VINn

If

Op-Amp Applications
Summing Amplifiers - Example
Determine the output voltage of the following Summing Amplifier
circuit.

R1 = R2 = R3 = Rf = R, then:

Vout

Rf
Rf
Rf

VIN 1
VIN 2
VIN 3
R2
R3
R1

Vout VIN 1 VIN 2 VIN 3

Vout 3V 1V 8V 12V

Op-Amp Applications
Summing Amplifiers
Summing Amplifier with Gain greater than Unity:
2. If R1 = R2 == R , then:

Rf
Rf
Rf

Vout
VIN 1
VIN 2 ...
VINn
R2
Rn
R1

Rf
VIN 1 VIN 2 ..... VINn
Vout
R

If

Op-Amp Applications
Summing Amplifiers - Example
Determine the output voltage of the Summing Amplifier circuit.

R1 = R2 = R , then:

Rf
Rf

Vout
VIN 1
VIN 2
R2
R1

Rf
VIN 1 VIN 2
Vout
R
10k
0.2V 0.5V 7V
Vout
1.0k

Op-Amp Applications
Summing Amplifiers - Example
Given Ra = 4k. Determine the value of Rb, Rc and Rf that will
provide an output voltage of Vo = -(3Va+5Vb+2Vc).
Ra

Rf
Rb
Rc

Va
Vb
Vc

Vout

Rf
Rf

VIN 1
VIN 2
R2
R1

Ans: Rf =12 k, Rb = 2.4 k, Rc= 6 k

Vout

Given Ra = 4k. Determine the value of Rb, Rc and Rf that

will provide an output voltage of Vo = -(3Va+5Vb+2Vc).
Rf
Rf
Rf

Vo
Va
Vb
Vc (3Va 5Vb 2Vc )
Rb
Rc
Ra

Ra = 4k

Rf

3Va
Va
4K

Rf 12 k

Hence Rb = 2.4k & Rc = 6k

Op-Amp Applications
Summing Amplifiers
3. If R1 = R2 = = R and VIN1, VIN2, are either 0V (digital 0) or 5V
(digital 1) then the output voltage is now proportional to the number
of (digital) 1s input.

If

Op-Amp Applications
Summing Amplifier Applications

Digital to Analog Converter

binary-weighted resistor DAC

Op-Amp Applications
Summing Amplifier Applications

Digital to Analog Converter

R/2R Ladder DAC

Differencing Amplifiers
This circuit produces an output which is proportional to the difference
between the two inputs;

v out

Rf

R1

v1 v 2

Op-Amp Applications
Differencing Amplifiers
The circuit is linear so we can look at the output due to
each input individually and then add them (superposition
theorem).

Op-Amp Applications
Differencing Amplifiers
Set v1 to zero. The output due to v2 is the
same as the inverting amplifier, so:

v out 2

Rf
R1

v2

Op-Amp Applications
Differencing Amplifiers
The signal to the non-inverting output,
is reduced by the voltage divider:

v in

Rf
R1 R f

v1

Op-Amp Applications
Differencing Amplifiers
The signal to the non-inverting output,
is reduced by the voltage divider:

v in

Rf
R1 R f

v1

Op-Amp Applications
Differencing Amplifiers
The output due to this is then that for a non-inverting amplifier:

v out 1

Rf
v in
1
R1

Op-Amp Applications
Differencing Amplifiers

v in

Rf
R1 R f

v1

v out 1

Rf

v in
1
R1

v out 1

v out 1

Rf
Rf

1
R R
R
1
1
f

v1

Rf
v1

R1

Op-Amp Applications
Differencing Amplifiers

v out 1

Rf

R1

v1

v out 2

Rf
R1

v2

Thus the output is:

v out v out 1 v out 2

Rf
R1

v1 v 2

Thus the amplifier subtracts the inputs and amplifies their

difference.

Op-Amp Applications
Integrators
Iin

0A

The basic integrator is easily identified by the capacitor in

the feedback loop.
The input resistor (Ri) and the capacitor form an RC circuit.
The inverting (-) input is at virtual ground (0V), so the voltage
across Ri equal Vin.

Op-Amp Applications
Integrators
Iin

So, the input current is:

0A

Vin
I in
Ri

Negligible current at the inverting (-) input (I = 0A), because

of the very high input impedance.
This makes all the Iin go through the capacitor:

I C I in

Op-Amp Applications
Integrators The Capacitor Voltage (VC)

Since Iin is
constant, so is IC.

The constant IC
charges the
capacitor linearly,
and produces a
linear ramp voltage
across capacitor.
The +ve side of the capacitor is held at 0V by the virtual
ground.
The ve side of the capacitor (which is Vout) decreases
linearly from zero as the capacitor charges.
This voltage, VC at -ve going-ramp is due to constant +ve
input.

Op-Amp Applications
Integrators The Output Voltage (Vout)

Vout is same as the voltage on the ve side of the capacitor.

When a constant +ve Vin in the form of step or pulse is
applied, the output is a negative-going ramp until the op-amp
saturates at its maximum ve level.

Op-Amp Applications
Integrators The Output Voltage (Vout)

When a constant -ve Vin in the form of step or pulse is applied,

the output is a positive-going ramp until the op-amp saturates
at its maximum +ve level.
The integrator can be used to change a square wave input
into a triangular wave output.

Op-Amp Applications
Integrators The Output Voltage (Vout)

If R = 100 k

The slope of the ramp is determined

by the RC time constant.

Vout
Vin

t
RC

Op-Amp Applications
Integrators - Exercise
Determine the rate of change of the Vout in response to the input
square wave. The Vout is initially zero. The pulse width is 200 s.
Determine the Vout and draw the waveform.

Op-Amp Applications
Integrators - Exercise

Vout
Vin

25mV / s
The rate of change of the Vout :
t
RC
Vout

Vin

t (25mV / s )( 200 s ) 5V
RC
Draw the waveform:
The Vout is initially zero.
The pulse width is 200 s

Op-Amp Applications
Integrators - Exercise
Beginning in position 2, the switch is thrown into position 1 and
held there for 10 ms, then back to position 2 for 10 ms, and so
forth. Determine the rate of change of the Vout. The Vout is initially
zero. The pulse width is 200 s. Determine Vout and draw the
waveform.

Op-Amp Applications
Integrators - Exercise
Beginning in position 2, the switch is thrown into position 1 and
held there for 10 ms, then back to position 2 for 10 ms, and so
forth.

Op-Amp Applications
Integrators

The capacitive impedance:

1
1
Xc

jC sC

Op-Amp Applications
Integrators

Since

I C I in

Vin
Vout
Vout
I

sCVout
Ri
Xc
1 /sC

Op-Amp Applications
Integrators

Vin
sCVout
Ri

Vout
1

Vin
sCRi

Op-Amp Applications
Integrators

Thus, the Vout in time domain:

Vout

1
1

Vin
Vindt

jRi C
Ri C

Op-Amp Applications
Differentiators

Rf

C
Vin

Vin

Rin

Vout

Vout
+

Ideal Differentiator

+
Rc

Practical Differentiator

The ideal differentiator is an inverting amplifier that has a

capacitor in the input path, a resistor at the feedback loop.
The Vout is proportional to the negative rate of change of the Vin.

Op-Amp Applications
Differentiators
Rf

C
Vin

Vin

Rin

Vout

Vout
+

Ideal Differentiator

+
Rc

Practical Differentiator

Ideal differentiator circuit has very high gain for highfrequency noise.
The practical differentiator, a small series resistor is often
added to the input to reduced high frequency gain and is less
prone to noise.

Op-Amp Applications
Differentiators

Apply a positive-going ramp voltage to the input.

The voltage across the capacitor equal to Vin (VC = Vin) at all
times because of virtual ground on the inverting (-) input.
Current at the inverting (-) input is negligible (I = 0A).

I C I in I R

Op-Amp Applications
Differentiators

t1 t2

The differentiator does the opposite of the integrator.

When the Vin is a positive-going ramp voltage, Vout is constant
-ve.
When the Vin is a negative-going ramp voltage, Vout is constant
+ve.
The Vout is constant and equal to the voltage across Rf (Vout =
VRf) because one side of the feedback resistor is always 0V

Op-Amp Applications
Differentiators

t1 t2

During +ve slope of the input, the capacitor is charging from

the input source.
The constant current through the feedback resistor is in the
direction as shown.
During ve slope of the input, the capacitor is discharging.
The current is in the opposite direction.

Op-Amp Applications
Differentiators

t1 t2

If the slope of the input increases, Vout increases.

If the slope of the input decreases, Vout decreases.
The amplitude of Vout is determined by:

Vout I R R f I C R f
Vout

VC

CR f
t

VC
IC
C
t

Vout

Vin

CR f
t

Op-Amp Applications
Differentiators

Vout

t1 t2

Vin

CR f
t
Slope of the ramp

Op-Amp Applications
Differentiators - Example
Determine the output voltage of the op-amp differentiator below for the
triangular-wave input shown.

Vout
Vout

VC
Rf C
t
10V
2.2k 0.001F 4.4V
5s

Vout for positive-going ramp

Op-Amp Applications
Comparators
The comparator is an op-amp circuit that compares two input
voltages and produces an output indicating the relationship
between them.
The inputs can be two signals (such as two sine waves) or a
signal and a fixed dc reference voltage.
Comparator can be used to produce a square wave from a
sine wave.

Comparators are most commonly used in digital applications.

Comparators
Digital circuits respond to rectangular or square waves, rather
than sine waves.
These waveforms are made up of alternating (high and low)
dc levels and the transitions between them.

Comparators : Zero-Level Detection

Inverting (-) input is grounded to produce a zero level.

Non-inverting (+) input is connected with input signal voltage.
When the sine-wave is +ve, the output is at its maximum +ve
constant level.
When the sine-wave across 0, the amplifier is driven to its
opposite state and the output goes to its maximum ve
constant level.

Comparators : Nonzero-Level Detection

(a). To detect +ve and ve voltages, a fixed reference voltage

(VREF) source is connected to the inverting (-) input.
(b). Using a voltage divider to set the reference voltage (VREF).

VREF

R2
V

R1 R2

+V is the +ve op-amp

dc supply voltage.

Comparators : Nonzero-Level Detection

As long as Vin is less than VREF, the Vout remains at the

maximum ve Vout.
When the Vin exceeds the VREF, the Vout goes to its maximum
+ve V .

Comparators : Example

Comparators : Solution
The reference voltage is set by
R1 and R2 as follows:

VREF

R2
V

R1 R2

VREF

1.0k
15V

8.2k 1.0k

VREF 1.63V

Comparators : Example
Each time the input exceeds
+1.63V, the Vout switches to its
+14V.
Each time input goes below
+1.63V, the Vout switches back
to its -14V level.

Op-Amp Applications
Comparators
Remember that the comparator is configured in open-loop,
making the gain very high.
This makes the comparator very susceptible to unwanted
signals (noise) that could cause the output to arbitrarily switch
states.

Op-Amp Applications
Comparators: Output Bounding
Some applications require a limit to the output of the
comparator (such as a digital circuit).
The output can be limited by using one or two zener diodes in
the feedback circuit.
This process of limiting the output range is called bounding.

Z1

Op-Amp Applications
Comparators Applications
Over-Temperature Sensing circuit

Op-Amp Applications
Comparators Applications
Analog-to-Digital
(A/D) Converter

Op-Amp Applications
Controlled Sources
Op-amp can be used to form various types of controlled
sources.
An Vin can be used to control an Vout or Iout.
Or, an Iin can be used to control an Vout or Iout.

Controlled Sources: (1) Voltage-controlled Voltage Sources

An ideal form of a voltage source whose Vout is controlled by
Vin.

Vout kVin
Vin

kVin

Vout

The Vout is seen to be dependent

on the Vin (times a scale factor k).

Op-Amp Applications
The practical circuit can be built using an op-amp as shown
below: (a). using the inverting (-) input.
(b). using the non-inverting (+) input.

Rf
V1
V0
R1

Rf
V1
V0 1
R1

Op-Amp Applications
Controlled Sources: (2) Voltage-controlled Current Sources
An ideal form of circuit providing an I0 controlled by an Vin.

I 0 kV1
The Iout is dependent on the Vin.

A practical circuit can be built as follow:

V1
I0
kV1
R1
The Iout through RL controlled by
the V1.

Op-Amp Applications
Controlled Sources: (3) Current-controlled Voltage Sources
An ideal form of a voltage source controlled by an Iin.

V0 kI1
The Iout is dependent on the Vin.

A practical form of the circuit is built as follow:

V0 I1 RL kI1

Op-Amp Applications
Controlled Sources: (4) Current-controlled Current Sources
An ideal form of a circuit providing an Iout dependent on an Iin.

I 0 kI1

A practical form of the circuit is as follow:

I 0 I1 I 2
I1 R1
I 0 I1
R2

R1
I 0 1 I1 kI1
R2

Op-Amp Applications
Summary
The summing amplifiers output is the sum of the inputs.
An averaging amplifier yields an output that is the average of
all the inputs.
The scaling adder has inputs of different weight with each
contributing more or less to the input.
Integrators change a constant voltage input to a sloped
output
Differentiators change a sloping input into a step voltage
proportional to the rate of change.
The op-amp comparators output changes state when the
input voltage exceeds the reference voltage.