OP AMP B Lecture 7

OpAmp Applications

Chapters 10 and 11 of the Textbook

Ross Twiname
AUT University

(Inverting) Voltage Summer

The output voltage is the weighted
sum of the input voltages:

A smaller input resistor results in a

greater current into the virtual earth
(inverting input terminal), resulting
in a greater weighting for that input

Each input has Zin = the resistor value

A bigger feedback resistor Rf results in a larger
gain (feedback theory: smaller feedback amount
=> larger ACL)

Voltage Summer
The output voltage is the weighted sum of the input voltages
A smaller resistor results in a greater weighting for that
input:

where:

Zin is not large (c.f. noninverting/buffer amplifier)

The voltage VN at the non-inverting
i/p is calculated using voltage
divider theory
The cutoff frequency is the same
for each input signal

Combined Amplifier
This may be analysed as the superposition
of inverting and non-inverting amplifiers:

For the particular case, in which the ratios (the

individual values are irrelevant) of the resistors in
each leg is the same, a difference amplifier results:
This circuit is a low performance version of an
instrumentation amplifier. It has equal non-inverting and
inverting gains. It doesnt have matched, nor high, input
impedances (I.A. has very high Zin).

(Inverting) Integrator
As shown it is suitable for definite
integration (between limits). The
capacitor voltage will be reset to
the initial condition of Vout
With the addition of a second
resistor, in parallel with C1, indefinite
integration may be approximated
(the circuit is now actually a 1 pole
low-pass filter). This resistor may be
omitted if the integrator is placed
within a feedback loop of another
system, e.g. DC Servo, auto zero.

The OpAmp needs to have a small

offset voltage and small bias current
to minimise errors

Theoretical (Inverting) Differentiator

The output voltage is
proportional to the rate of
change of the input voltage
Usually of academic interest
only in this form (stability
problem)
With the addition of a second
resistor, in series with R1, a
stable circuit may be
achieved. However, the circuit
is then that of a 1 pole high
pass filter

Comparator
Since an OpAmp has a very high gain (assumed to
be 106 here), the output is saturated at close to
one of the power rails when the differential input
voltage is greater than a very small value. It is an
approximation to a comparator (which would have
a zero volt band and a vertical line). V
10 V
When used as a comparator the OpAmp
circuit does not have negative feedback
= 0 or maybe positive feedback is -10
used
V
V
Applications include:
10 V
Temperature/level/pressure threshold
Zero-crossing detection
-10 V
Limiters
Out

Diff

Comparator (cont.)
A comparator is a component, distinct from an OpAmp.
Examples are an LM311 (BJTs) and LMC7211 (CMOS)
It has an output which has logic voltage levels and is
usually open drain (FET) or open collector (BJT) i.e. it can
only sink current, supplied by an external pullup resistor to
the logic voltage. Purpose designed for an interface to a
logic device
It has very good dynamic characteristics it switches very
quickly (OpAmps low slew rate => long time to switch)
Because of its intended application, its specifications
(particularly the input parameters) are very different to
that of OpAmp. For example, a large Zin or a small I B
arent important.

Comparator (cont.)
Practical comparator circuits, whether they use an
OpAmp or a comparator, use hysteresis to prevent
jitter at the thresholds as a result of noise in the input
signal
Hysteresis is achieved by the use of a small amount of
positive feedback. (All amplifier circuits use NFB =>
linear response)
As a consequence of the PFB, there are two thresholds
The output level (H/L) depends not only on Vin but also
on the present output level, hence the term Hysteresis

Comparator (cont.)
Non-Inverting Schmitt
trigger

Inverting Schmitt trigger

Limit Comparator
Also known as a window
comparator
Detects when the input voltage is
within a preselected range
smaller than the upper threshold
and larger than the lower threshold
Both comparators must have open
drain outputs (for wired AND for
logic H output both comparator
outputs must be H)

Lecture References

Electronics Tutorials
www.electronics-tutorials.ws
Wayne Storr

Electronic Principles (7th Ed)

Malvino & Bates
McGraw-Hill

Electronic Circuits
Paul Moroney
AUT 736006