Questions tagged [operational-amplifier]

Questions relating to the construction and applications of operational amplifiers, which are DC-coupled, high-gain electronic voltage amplifiers with a differential input and, usually, a single-ended output.

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70 votes
8 answers
23k views

Reasons not to use a 741 op-amp?

Simple enough question. Why not use a 741 op-amp in a target circuit or anyone's target circuit? What are the reasons not to use it? What might be the reasons to still choose this part?
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0 votes
3 answers
2k views

Op-amp: Virtual ground principle and other doubts [closed]

I can't understand some stuff about op-amps. Here is my list of doubts: If an op-amp amplify the difference between the V+ and the V-, how can it work if for the principle of virtual ground V+ = V-, ...
2 votes
1 answer
605 views

Transfer function of a LM380 power amp

This is an exam question. Our professor has some generator of tests and out of the blue this beast came. We couldn't ask for the clarification, being an exam question, but from what I can see it ...
22 votes
5 answers
37k views

Difference between differential op amp and comparator

What is the difference between a differential op amp and a comparator? I know a comparator can only give me two values (the supply values). The differential op amp amplifies the difference between ...
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25 votes
4 answers
2k views

Illustrating op amp feedback without control theory

We are teaching op amps in a high school class, before calculus. So we can't use control theory to teach how op amps respond. All the same, I would like to have an intuitive explanation for how a ...
  • 1,649
11 votes
3 answers
52k views

Analog voltage level conversion (level shift)

I have a joystick that puts out analog voltage somewhere between 1.5V and 3.5V. I want to transform this range of voltage to control a motor controller that takes analog voltage between 0V and 5V. ...
  • 221
3 votes
3 answers
8k views

How does this Push-Pull amplifier work?

I'm reading about op-amp circuits that use negative feedback from this article (question no.19). What confuses me is that the negative feedback for the Op-amp (which is being used to reduce ...
  • 379
29 votes
6 answers
29k views

Does this photodiode circuit work?

Oli used this circuit in an answer, and it pops up a lot on Google images too. But does it work? If it does a theoretical explanation will be welcome.
  • 145k
40 votes
6 answers
16k views

Designing a *linear* MOSFET driver stage

I'm looking for a MOSFET driver circuit that can be placed between an op-amp and a power MOSFET to operate the transistor as a linear amplifier (as opposed to a switch). Background I'm developing an ...
  • 6,922
15 votes
6 answers
48k views

How are positive and negative feedback of opamps so different? How to analyse a circuit where both are present?

In an opamp, feedback on the positive input places it in saturation mode and the output is of the same sign as V+ - V-; feedback on the negative input places it in "regulator mode" and ideally Vout is ...
15 votes
6 answers
21k views

Stability problem in unity-gain opAmp

As a part of a controlled power supply for hardware-in-loop testing for a student driven project, I had to develop a current buffer (voltage follower) which could source up to 1 A. I had the (bad) ...
  • 519
6 votes
4 answers
5k views

How to calculate the frequency of oscillation of this low-pass phase shift oscillator?

In the following phase-shift oscillator a low pass network is used instead of a high-pass network. simulate this circuit – Schematic created using CircuitLab Usually the frequency of ...
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10 votes
6 answers
8k views

How do I sample a -2 V to +2 V analog signal with a PIC microcontroller?

I am using a PIC micro with a 10bit ADC to take readings from an analog signal with a frequency less than 300 hz. However that analog signal is in the range of -2 V and +2 V. How can I condition the ...
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2 votes
8 answers
5k views

Why is op-amp output not zero if inputs have the same voltage?

I have started learning about op-amps and have a question. If Vout is the gain times the difference in voltage at the inputs, why is Vout not always zero if we assume the voltages at the inputs are ...
12 votes
1 answer
942 views

What is the difference between "opamp" and "comparator"?

In electronic part seller websites, I see that there are two separate categories for opamps and comparators. As far as I know, an opamp itself is already a comparator if you don't connect a negative ...
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11 votes
6 answers
17k views

How does this constant current sink actually work?

I have implemented a constant current source and it works wonderfully, but I was just hoping to try and understand it a little bit more! Here is the circuit in question: I have tried doing some ...
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2 votes
3 answers
844 views

Help understanding how op amps work

I've just been introduced to op-amps and am having a little trouble understanding exactly how they work. Take this circuit, for example. Suppose that there's a 1V source here. Without the op amp ...
2 votes
2 answers
1k views

What is the idea behind the ingenious Widlar current limiter?

For a long time, I had the idea of this circuit as a short circuit protection. I first saw it in the output stages of the Widlar's 301 and Fullagar's 741 op-amps... and knew it was Widlar's invention. ...
0 votes
4 answers
1k views

Op-amp rail-to-rail voltage follower latching up

I have selected a TS922 op-amp to use in a voltage follower configuration. The specs for the TS922 in summary are: Rail-to-rail input and output Low noise: 9 nV/√Hz Low distortion High output current:...
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34 votes
5 answers
75k views

Choosing resistor values for inverting amplifier and why?

The gain here is A = -Rf/Rin. However, lets say I want a gain of 10 V/V. Which resistor value would you choose and why? I know that you could have infinite number of combinations for these resistors ...
  • 1,610
24 votes
2 answers
74k views

How do I correct the offset voltage of op-amps which have no explicit offset-null pins?

Not all op-amps have explicit offset-null support, but all op-amps have an offset voltage. This is exactly my practical circuit: How do I correct the offset voltage of TL084 in this circuit? (...
  • 13.7k
24 votes
3 answers
140k views

What is "offset null" in IC 741?

What is Offset null in 1st and 5th pin in IC 741 (Op-Amp)? Why it is used, though it is not used in many circuits? Give me explanation regarding the offset null! Why offset voltage was formed in IC ...
22 votes
2 answers
27k views

Single supply op-amp audio amplifier

I am trying to create an op-amp amplifier that would work from single 5V supply, and would be able to amplify -100mV to +100mV audio signal to around a 1V peak-peak or so. I've came across this ...
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6 votes
4 answers
45k views

How do you determine the input impedance for an inverting amplifier?

Essentially I am getting confused trying to do the sums for an op amp with a gain of 10dB and an input impedance of 1kohm. I worked out that \$\frac{V_{out}}{V_{in}}=-\frac{R_{2}}{R_{1}}\$ because \$...
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3 votes
4 answers
5k views

Understanding Op-amp Negative Feedback

Have a look at the diagram above. It shows an op-amp with negative feedback. Ignoring the feedback loop for now, the voltage (pressure) coming from the 5V battery, acting on the inverting pin, ...
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1 vote
1 answer
10k views

Op-amp with T network in the feedback path

How do I calculate the equivalent T network resistance of the inverting amplifier below? The answer is 10 MΩ, but I don't know how to calculate it. I'm not looking for just a formula, but an in-depth ...
user avatar
30 votes
5 answers
4k views

What's the uA741's appeal?

OK, so the uA741 is 42 years old now. For its time it may have been a great opamp; the requirements weren't as high as today, and there was far less competition. But I was wondering what's the 741's ...
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28 votes
2 answers
5k views

How to disable a single op-amp in dual packaging?

I am using a dual op-amp package in a circuit, however I only need to use one. Is there anyway to disable the other op-amp so it doesn't inject electrical noise in my circuitboard? I think grounding ...
18 votes
6 answers
67k views

Why is feedback required in op-amp circuits?

I understand that, in order for an op-amp to function correctly, a DC feedback loop from the output to either the inverting or the non-inverting input (depending on the external circuitry) is required....
14 votes
3 answers
53k views

Scale 30-50 mV signal to 0-5 V range

I have a CO2 sensor that output signal values 30-50 mV. I need to translate these voltages to 0-5 V for my microcontroller with the highest resolution. I understand that I can amplify the voltage ...
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9 votes
3 answers
3k views

How do we create current sources?

Constant current sources (simply, current sources) are useful and necessary devices. They are widely used to drive LEDs, charge capacitors and batteries, to bias differential amplifiers, etc. The only ...
6 votes
3 answers
41k views

How to amplify and offset the voltage in an opamp?

I need to amplify a voltage, which comes from a DAC and is 0-2.5V and scale it 0-25V in an operational amplifier. After amplified, I need to offset it -1.25V, so the final voltage is -1.25 to 23.75V. ...
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5 votes
3 answers
1k views

Current source with unlimited cap drive op-amp oscillating

I've been trying to make a current source, and have finally gotten my hands on some LM8261's which should be an 'unlimited cap drive' op-amp. The problem is, it is still oscillating. This is the ...
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4 votes
2 answers
3k views

How to choose resistor values in op-amps

Ok so my question is what resistor values should I choose for this amplifier. Vin is 0.5Vpp, 50kHz and the desired Vout is 25Vpp, so the overall voltage gain is 50. I know that the voltage gain for an ...
3 votes
4 answers
22k views

Voltage Controlled Current Source integrated circuit? Exists?

Does anyone know of a Voltage Controlled Current Source IC? Or do you know how I can build one with as few other components as possible taking up a minimal amount of space? current range needed is ...
3 votes
2 answers
1k views

Op-amp speed: bandwidth vs slew rate

I was learning about the difference between op-amp slew rate and bandwidth. Everywhere it says slew rate is a large signal parameter and bandwidth is a small signal parameter. I have few questions: ...
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2 votes
5 answers
3k views

Design of a discrete BJT current buffer for low-current op amp

I built and simulated this BJT current buffer for an opamp based on examples I found in various places online: Link to simulation of above schematic It simulates fine, but I am pretty sure it will ...
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1 vote
2 answers
4k views

Making dual power supply from single for opamp?

For the circuit of opamp 741. we have to supply the dual power for it. How can I make a dual power supply from single. For example, make a (+9V)-GND-(-9V) from single 9V battery ?
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1 vote
2 answers
345 views

Differential vs non-inverting op amp advantage

Assuming I need to measure and amplify a voltage drop over a resistor that is connected to ground on one side (no negative voltages, since current flows always in one direction), is there any real, ...
45 votes
2 answers
159k views

What is input and output impedance of an opamp?

I have never understood input and output impedances of an op-amp. If anyone can explain what these two terms mean in an op-amp I'd highly appreciate it. Thank you! http://www.eecs.tufts.edu/~dsculley/...
28 votes
6 answers
13k views

What is noise gain, really? And how is it determined in the general case?

UPDATE: This question triggered what might fairly be called a research obsession for me. I've gotten pretty close to the bottom of it I think, I've posted my findings as an answer below. There was a ...
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27 votes
2 answers
18k views

Do op amps need one bypass capacitor or two?

As with other ICs, it's standard practice to place bypass capacitors near the supply voltage pins of op amps. But I've seen conflicting opinions on how to properly bypass an op amp (here, for example)....
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24 votes
1 answer
54k views

What's input bias current in opamps?

Is it the current you have to drive in the input to get a specific, defined voltage at the output? And don't the currents cancel each other when applied to both inputs?
20 votes
5 answers
38k views

Inverting buffer with op-amps

I know that it's easy to make a unity gain buffer with an op-amp (as a voltage follower): simulate this circuit – Schematic created using CircuitLab I also know that it's easy to make an ...
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18 votes
8 answers
15k views

Op-amp input resistor?

I'm reading through the datasheet for the TL064, which contains this figure on page 16: This is an instrumentation amplifier that apparently uses an inverting amplifier's output instead of a ground ...
  • 1,387
17 votes
1 answer
35k views

Subtracting two voltages using an op-amp

I'm essentially a digital guy, and am used to using a comparator to compare two voltages and give a high or low depending on their relative values. Now instead I want to subtract one voltage from ...
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14 votes
3 answers
6k views

What does this op-amp circuit do? (part of an ECG)

I would like create an ECG circuit based on this schematic (from the AD620AN datasheet): I don't know this part of the circuit and how it works. I know this is called a right leg driven circuit which ...
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12 votes
6 answers
20k views

Input voltage range of opamps

I understand that, for an ideal opamp, Vo is bounded by Vee and Vcc (i.e.; Vee < Vo < Vcc). But, what about the input voltage range? What is the allowed input voltage range in which opamp works ...
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9 votes
6 answers
4k views

How does an op amp integrator work?

I know there are at least two questions related to this on stackoverflow but neither really answer my question, and in any case, both questions got downvoted. What I am after is an operational ...
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8 votes
6 answers
18k views

Is a square wave still considered DC?

Say I have a logic-level square wave, where 0V is "low" and 5V is "high". I'm pulsing this at a constant 60Hz, 50% duty cycle. My intuition says that since the voltage never goes negative, it's a DC ...
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