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I need to create a differential signal using low power single ended op amps(not a fully differential op amp).

Obviously an inverting op amp gets the signal inverted BUT the use of inexact resistors produces a differential error that is not acceptable. I do not have the equipment or quality components to get decent results.

Is there an op amp topology(can use more than one op amp) that can take a signal and produce an inverted signal that is nearly perfect and doesn't dependent on external component values?

For example, a non-inverting buffer is "ideal" as far as I'm concerned. Since there are no external components the gain is exact. Unfortunately the inverting buffer requires resistors which create a variable gain(either due to tolerance, temperature, or whatever).

Basically the circuit topology I'm using is one op amp for gain/drive and another taking it's output to invert the signal. This produces a differential signal but the inverting op amp doesn't produce an "exact" copy which causes problems. (Here the issue, again, comes from the external gain resistors not being exact)

Maybe there is some way to combine the two stages in to one in some ingenious way to get a fully differential output?

Also, the output impedance of the signal to the op amps is a not very high or very low(around 1k-10k) will effect the accuracy of the inverting op amp configuration.

(I'd use a fully diff. op amp if I could find one for my applications... but they don't seem to exist. (low power < 500uA, high voltage(>= 36V)))

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  • \$\begingroup\$ How exact is "exact"? \$\endgroup\$
    – EM Fields
    Jul 20, 2014 at 21:05
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    \$\begingroup\$ Search for the holy grail this sounds like \$\endgroup\$
    – Andy aka
    Jul 20, 2014 at 21:17
  • \$\begingroup\$ @EMFields exact, as I said, does not depend on external components to any significant degree. e.g., gain is independent of resistors or the gain for both non-inverting and inverting is dependent on the same components. (so changing one resistor will effect the gain in the same way. \$\endgroup\$ Jul 20, 2014 at 21:22
  • \$\begingroup\$ A non-inverting buffer does not dependent on components. It would be nice if there was an equivalent inverting buffer that worked in the same way. I imagine it is possible... possibly using another op amp or two in the feedback loop. A current mirror somewhere... who knows... that's why I'm asking. \$\endgroup\$ Jul 20, 2014 at 21:25
  • \$\begingroup\$ You can use flying capacitors as mentioned in my answer but that's got its limitations. Just charge a capacitor to the input voltage then flip it and apply it to a buffer input (with capacitor). Rinse and repeat. Limited by charge injection and frequency of 'flight'. \$\endgroup\$ Jul 20, 2014 at 21:28

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This is a kind of silly question, but not in a bad way, it can be used as a teachable moment.

The issue you have isn't so much that resistors can be poorly matched, it is that you're assuming op-amps are ideal. That is, "the only source of error is from the resistors, so if I get rid of those I will reach nirvana".

Even if you get matched resistor made from un-obtainium you'll not achieve your (unstated - or rather unparameterized) goal.

In reality all op-amps have issues with input current balancing, input voltage offsets, frequency dependant behaviour etc. Your solution must account for all of these.

And the parameters of your solution space will dictate what can be ignored and what can't be corrected. Hint -> this means you need to give more details as to what is needed, BW, etc.

One classical technique is to use a chopper stabilized amplifier which switches back and forth and self corrects for op-amp and in some topologies, even the resistor network non-linearity.

Another technique is to use switched cap techniques.

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  • \$\begingroup\$ Thank you generous sensei for your immense intellectual powers! \$\endgroup\$ Jul 20, 2014 at 21:43
  • \$\begingroup\$ It's best to use high grade resublimated thiotimoline resistors if you want to have no phase shift between input and output. \$\endgroup\$ Jul 21, 2014 at 1:14
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    \$\begingroup\$ @SpehroPefhany I think you can only use one, to predict what the other resistors value is going to be. If you use two then you'd likely get oscillations. I might try to simulate this is SPICE using .NONCAUSAL \$\endgroup\$ Jul 21, 2014 at 2:14
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I don't think there is any way** that does not reduce to having a tightly matched pair of resistors somewhere.

Of course you can buy those precision-trimmed resistors as part of a chip and pretend they're not there (for example, use a dual instrumentation amplifier with G=1, inputs connected in inverse).

You can buy a pair of 0.05% ratio matched resistors inexpensively (eg. Susumu) or use a trimpot and adjust 0.1% resistors.

The LT5400 has resistors matched in ratio to 0.01% (but poor absolute tolerance). Or if your shoulders are broad and pockets deep, there is the exemplary Vishay Z-foil series that have 0.01% matching and superior TCR tracking.

** That doesn't involve precision transformers or flying capacitors.

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  • \$\begingroup\$ Yeah, I know you can buy the stuff but I'd rather not have to wait around for it to show up and would rather find a way to do it without such "risks"(trimpots could be affected by temp, vibration, wear, etc...). As I said, I don't have the best equipment. \$\endgroup\$ Jul 20, 2014 at 21:24
  • \$\begingroup\$ You only need repeatability and resolution to match the outputs with a DVM at DC. \$\endgroup\$ Jul 20, 2014 at 21:26
  • \$\begingroup\$ I guess I'm spoiled- ordinary stuff like that generally shows up the next morning when I order it before 21:00. If you use a cermet trimpot and limit the range of adjustment you can count on maybe +/-1% so a 0.1% resistor gets down to tens of ppm, similar to a non-inverting buffer. \$\endgroup\$ Jul 20, 2014 at 21:30
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    \$\begingroup\$ The inverting opamp with two precision resistors is my favorite down stream gain stage. (Jim Williams, was the first to tell me to always invert, unless you can't.) Re LT5400: Ouch$, they don't give those away. I do like a couple of susumus, keeps the price of the R's less than the opamp, which just seems right. \$\endgroup\$ Jul 20, 2014 at 21:57
  • \$\begingroup\$ @GeorgeHerold Always listen to Jim (RIP). Especially important to keep CM voltage near 0 for high end audio. \$\endgroup\$ Jul 20, 2014 at 22:02

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