Operational Amplifier Applications

John Carlo Tigue

Paolo Louis Manghihilot

Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering

University of San Carlos
Nasipit, Talamban, Cebu City
tiguejohncarlo@gmail.com

Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering

University of San Carlos
Nasipit, Talamban, Cebu City
paololouism@gmail.com

Abstract - This paper aims to examine the operational

amplifier applications such as waveform converter circuit,
non-inverting comparator and Schmitt trigger. It is also
explained in this paper the detailed functions of the parts
or terminals of an Op-amp. This paper presents the
characteristics of a basic operational amplifier and how it
differs from a non-amplifier or what so-called,
comparator. In the experiment, the students instructed to
construct the operational amplifier application circuits
that are presented in the manual. Moreover, the voltage
input and the voltage output are measured through the
oscilloscope and these values are used to compute the
measured value of the amplifiers gain. However, the
resistors (input resistor and feedback resistor) are used to
obtain the computed value of the voltage gain of the
amplifier. The two values, the computed and measured, are
being compared after the values are computed. The
resulted input and output waveforms of each op-amp
circuit are discussed and explained after the experiment.
Index Terms Operational Amplifier Applications, Comparator
Circuit,SchmittTrigger,WaveformConverterCircuit

I. INTRODUCTION
The basic operational amplifier, or known as Op-amp, is
basically a device with a very high open loop gain, very low
output impedance or ideally 0 and has a very high impedance
or ideally

(infinity). Moreover, feedback is used to

control the relationship between the output and input voltage.

This feedback is created because of this so-called closed loop
configuration. This happens when the output signal is supplied
back to the inverting input of the amplifier. As a result, a
negative feedback is created which generally the type of
feedback that is required in op-amps.

Moreover, Op-amp is a 5-terminal device as shown in

figure 1 above. It has two terminal inputs, one positive (+) and
one is negative (-). One associated with positive is called the
non-inverting input and the one connected in negative is
inverting input. We also have one output as a result of the two
inputs and it also have the power supply terminals, the top
terminal is usually reserved for positive power supply and one
at the bottom is for negative power supply. Since the Op-amp
is an active device that requires power to make it work.
However, the positive terminal supply is usually denoted as
+Vosat and the negative power supply is usually denoted as
-Vosat. The external power supplies are required for the opamp to operate as an active device. The power required for
signal amplification comes from the terminals from an
external power source. The +Vosat and -Vosat voltage applied
to these terminal also determines the upper and lower limits of
the op-amp voltage input.
Basic Operational Amplifiers Applications
Comparator Circuit
It compares applied input voltage to a certain reference
voltage. Its primary function is to determine whether the input
voltage is higher or lower than the reference voltage.
There are two kinds of comparator circuits: non-inverting
comparator and inverting comparator. In a non-inverting
comparator, the voltage input is connected to the noninverting input or positive input. When the input voltage is
higher than the reference voltage, the output will be a positive
value. However when the input voltage is lower than the
reference voltage, the output will be a negative value. In an
inverting comparator, the voltage input is connected to the
inverting input or negative input. When the input voltage is
higher than the reference voltage, the output will be a negative
value. However when the input voltage is lower than the
reference voltage, the output will be a positive value.
A. Schmitt Trigger

Figure 1. Operational Amplifier

It is a special type of comparator that compares applied

input voltage with reference voltage (upper or lower threshold
levels) and gives output at either positive or negative
saturation level. (Vsat or Vsat). When the input voltage is
lower than the lower threshold voltge (LTV), the output will
be equal to +Vo saturation. Moreover, it will shift to Vo

saturation when the input voltage is higher than the reference

voltage, Upper Threshold Voltage (UTV).
This comparator is used to produce a square wave signals.
Also, this is useful in avoiding errors when a noisy input
signal that generates square wave signals is applied to the
circuit.

The Schmitt Trigger

Figure 5. The Schmitt Trigger Circuit Diagram

Figure 2. Basic Schmitt Trigge

II. CIRCUIT DIAGRAMS

Figure 3, 4 and 5 that are shown below are the circuit
diagrams for waveform converter circuit, non-inverting
comparator and Schmitt trigger. These diagrams are presented
in the manual and were used during the experiment.
A. Waveform Converter Circuit

III. METHODOLOGY
The students were tasked by their instructor to construct
the given circuit diagrams as shown in figures , 2 and 3 which
are the operational amplifier applications namely: waveform
converter circuit, non-inverting comparator and the Schmitt
trigger. The data and results were tabulated in the manual.
A. Waveform Converter Circuit
After familiarizing the pins of a 741-Op-amp IC, the
students construct the given circuit diagram as shown in figure
3. The positive DC source (+12V) is connected to pin7 and
positive DC source (-12V) is connected to pin 4 of the 741 opamp IC. The positive terminal of the function generator is
connected to a connecting wire connected to pin 2. The
negative terminal of the function generator is then connected
to the ground of the trainer. The output of the function
generator is adjusted to 0.3 Vp-p at a frequency of 1 KHz. Pin
4 which supplies negative 12 V DC source is connected to the

terminals of a 1 F, 16 V-capacitor. The other terminal of

Figure 3. Waveform Converter Circuit Diagram

B. Inverting Amplifier Configuration

the capacitor is directed to the ground. A 10k- resistor is

connected to pin 6 of the 741-Op-amp and the other terminal
is connected to the terminal of a 0.1

F mylar capacitor.

The other terminal of the mylar capacitor is then directed to

the ground. . The channel 1 tip of the oscilloscope is
connected to the wire connecting to the negative input and the
positive terminal of the function generator. The channel 2 tip
is then connected to pin 6 which is the output of the 741 Opamp IC. The two negative terminals of the tip are connected to
ground.

Figure 4. Non-inverting Comparator Circuit Diagram

The vertical division of the oscilloscope is calibrated

before making measurements. The recommended setting of the
oscilloscope is adjusted. For channel 1 and channel 2, it
should be 0.1 volt per division and 0.5 volte per division,
respectively; 0.2 milli-seconds for the time per division, dual
mode and an input switching AC.

The theoretical +Vo saturation and -Vo saturation values

are computed. These values are then compared to the
measured positive peak output and negative peak output
values which are expected to be equal to

voltage output

saturations. The channel 1 probe tip is transferred to TP2 test

point as shown in figure 1. The students have witnessed the
conversion of waveform after transferring the probe and what
circuit is responsible for this conversion.
B. Non-inverting Comparator
The students construct the given circuit diagram as shown
in figure 4. The positive DC source (+12V) is connected to
pin7 and positive DC source (-12V) is connected to pin 4 of
the 741 op-amp IC.
The first pin of a potentiometer
with 20k- resistance is connected to pin 7 which supplies
positive 12 V DC source. The center pin of the potentiometer
is connected to the positive input or non-inverting input (pin
3). The third pin is then directed to the ground. A 10k-
resistor is connected to pin 7 and the other terminal is
connected to the negative input or inverting input (pin 2).
Also, the first terminal of a 2k- resistor is connected to the
inverting input. The other terminal of the resistor is connected
to the ground. Pin 4 which supplies negative 12 V DC source

is connected to the terminals of a 1 F, 16 V-capacitor. The

other terminal of the capacitor is directed to the ground. A 1k resistor is connected to pin 6 of the 741-Op-amp and the
other terminal is connected to a forward bias LED. The other
terminal of LED is then directed to the ground.
The potentiometer is initially adjusted to fullycounterclockwise position. The voltmeter is placed at the noninverting input in order to monitor the input voltage,Vi. The
reference voltage (Vref) is computed using the rule of voltage
divider. This is actually the voltage supplied to the negative
input or inverting input. The computed value of the reference
voltage (Vref) is recorded on the space provided in the
manual.
After constructing the circuit diagram as shown in figure
2 and making sure that the connections are correctly followed,
power is applied to the circuit. The potentiometer is initially at
minimum resistance since the potentiometer is initially
adjusted to fully counter-clockwise position. So it is expected
that the LED should be initially off after the energizing the
circuit. The potentiometer is slowly rotated in a clockwise
direction until it reaches the fully-clockwise position. The
observations after it reaches the fully-clockwise position are
tabulated on the space provided in the manual. The process is
repeated starting with the fully CCW position of the
potentiometer shaft. The range of the input voltage where the
LED stays in the OFF and On state is observed. The range
of the input voltage for both cases is then recorded in table 1.
The resistor (2k ) which is used in the first procedure is
changed to 5.6k . The same process is used in a 2k-
resistor to obtain the range of the input voltage where the LED

stays in the OFF and On state. The range of the input

voltage for both cases is then recorded in table 2.
C. The Schmitt Trigger
The students construct the given circuit diagram for
Schmitt Trigger as shown in figure 5. The positive DC source
(+12V) is connected to pin7 and positive DC source (-12V) is
connected to pin 4 of the 741 op-amp IC. The first pin of a
potentiometer with a 20k- resistance is connected to pin 7
which supplies positive 12 V DC source. The center pin of the
potentiometer is connected to the negative input or inverting
input (pin 2). The third pin is then directed to the ground. A
2k- resistor is connected in series with an 18k- resistor.
The terminal of a 2k- resistor is connected to a +5V DC
from the trainer. This voltage now will serve as the voltage
reference (Vref). The other terminal of an 18k- resistor is
directed to the output part (pin 6) of the Op-amp. Pin 4 which
supplies negative 12 V DC source is connected to the
terminals of a 1

F, 16 V-capacitor. The other terminal of

the capacitor is directed to the ground. A 1k- resistor is

connected to pin 6 of the 741-Op-amp and the other terminal
is connected to a forward bias LED. The other terminal of
LED is then directed to the ground. Also, a reversed bias LED
is connected in parallel with forward bias LED. The
potentiometer is initially adjusted to fully-counterclockwise
position. The voltmeter is placed at the non-inverting input of
the circuit in order to monitor the input voltage (Vi).
After constructing the circuit diagram as shown in figure
2 and making sure that the connections are correctly followed,
the circuit is then energized. The observation which LED is on
the ON state and which one is in the OFF state after
applying power to circuit is noted. The potentiometer shaft is
slowly rotated until it reaches the fully counter-clockwise
position while observing the status of the two LEDs
connected to its output. The observations of the status of the
two LEDs connected are noted.
The process where the potentiometer shaft is slowly
rotated until it reaches the fully counter clockwise position is
repeated. The input voltage that produces a shift in the output
voltage from positive to negative (LED status from LED 1 to
LED 2). The input voltage is referred to as Upper Threshold
Voltage (UTV) is noted. The potentiometer is slowly rotated
from fully clockwise to fully counter-clockwise. The input
voltage that produces a shift in the output voltage from
negative to positive (LED status from LED 2 to LED 1) is
tabulated. The input voltage is referred to as Lower Threshold
Voltage (LTV). The hysteresis voltage (Vh) is computed by
getting the difference between the two reference voltages
(UTV and LTV).
The measured values of the upper Threshold Voltage
(UTV), Lower Threshold Voltage (LTV) and Hysteresis (Vh)
are compared to the computed values of LTV, UTV, and Vh
using the equations derived in introduction part.
III. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Tables1,2,and3,4and5representthemeasuredvalues
obtained during the experiment. The values are being
comparedanddiscussed.
A.Waveform Converter Circuit
Table1:MeasuredPositivePeakOutputValueandNegative
PeakOutputValue
OutputVoltage

MeasuredVoltage

PositivePeakOutputValue

12V

PositivePeakOutputValue

12V

Table 1 shows the measured values of positive peak

outputvalueandnegativepeakoutputvalue.Themeasured
values ofthepositivepeakoutput valueand negative peak
outputare12Vand12V,respectively.Itisexpectedthatthe
measured peak output values will be equal to the expected
+VosaturationvoltageandtheVosaturationvoltagesince

Vosat determines the upper and lower limits of the

outputvoltageorthepeakoutputvalueoftheoutputvoltage
waveform.
Table2:OutputVoltageWaveformWhenChanel1ProbeTip
istransferredtoTP2TestPoint
TypeofWaveform
Chanel1ProbeTipis
transferredtoTP2

TriangularWaveform

Table 2 shows the output voltage waveform when

channel 1 probe tip is transferred to TP2 test point of the
circuitshowninfigure2.Thecircuitwhichisresponsiblefor
theconversionofasquarewavetoatriangularwaveformis
theintegratorcircuit.
B.Noninverting Comparator
Table3:Rangeofinput voltage where the LED stays in the
OFF and On state
InputVoltage
LEDON
LEDOFF
Vi,min

2.042V

5.3mV

Vi,max

11.84V

1.940V

Table3showsthe rangeof input voltage where the

LED stays in the OFF and On state.Themeasuredrange
ofinputwheretheLEDstaysOffisfrom5.3mVminimum
voltageinputto1.940Vmaximumvoltageinput.Ontheother
hand,therangewheretheLEDstaysOnisfrom11.84V
minimumvoltageinputto11.84Vmaximumvoltageinput.
Thecomputedreferencevoltage(Vref)is2Vusingtheruleof
voltagedivider.In the data presented in table 3, it shows that
the LEDstaysOniftherangeofthevoltageinputisfrom
2.042V to 11.84 V. This happens because the comparator used
usedisnoninverting,theoutputwillbeapositivevalueifthe
inputvoltageishigherthanthereferencevoltage. In this case,
the LED stays On since the voltage input range is from
2.042V to 11.84 V higher than the reference voltage of 2V. On
the other hand, the LEDstaysOffiftherangeofthevoltage
inputisfrom5.3mVto1.940Vbecausethevoltageinputis
lowerthanthereferencevoltage.
Table4:Rangeofinput voltage where the LED stays in the
OFF and On state when 2k- is changed to 5.6k-
LEDON
LEDOFF
InputVoltage
Vi,min

4.313V

1.3mV

Vi,max

11.83V

4.297V

Table4aboveshowsthe rangeof input voltage where

the LED stays in the OFF and On state when 2k- is
changed to 5.6k-.Themeasuredrangeofinputwherethe
LEDstaysOffisfrom1.3mVminimumvoltageinputto
4.148Vmaximumvoltageinput.Ontheotherhand,therange
wheretheLEDstaysOnisfrom4.1498Vminimumvoltage
input to 11.83 V maximum voltage input. The computed
referencevoltage(Vref)is4.307Vusingtheruleofvoltage
divider.In the data presented in table 3, it shows that the LED
staysOniftherangeofthevoltageinputisfrom4.313 V to
11.83 V. This happens because the comparator used isnon
inverting, the output will be a positive value if the input
voltageishigherthanthereferencevoltage. In this case, the
LED stays On since the voltage input range is from 4.313V
to 11.83 V higher than the reference voltage of 4.307 V. On the
other hand, the LEDstaysOffiftherangeofthevoltage
inputisfrom1.3mVto4.297Vbecausethevoltageinputis
lowerthanthereferencevoltage.
C.TheSchmittTrigger
Table5:MeasuredandComputedValuesoftheUpper
ThresholdVoltage,LowerThresholdVoltageandHysteresis
%
Computed Measure
Voltage
Differenc
Voltage
dVoltage
e
UpperThreshold
5.7V
5.7V
0%
Voltage(UTV)

LowerThreshold
Voltage(LTV)
Hysteresis

3.3V

3.3V

0%

2.4V

2.4V

0%

Table5aboveshowsthemeasuredandcomputedvalues
oftheupperthresholdvoltage(UTV),lowerthresholdvoltage
(LTV)andhysteresis.Themeasuredandcomputedvaluesare
equalwith0%difference.

HYSTERESIS VOLTAGE=UTV LTV

5.73.3

The computed and measured values are

approximatelyequal.

IV. DATA COMPARISON

V. CONCLUSION

SchmittTrigger
Belowisthesolutioningettingthecomputedvalues
for Upper Threshold Voltage (UTV), Lower Threshold
Voltage(LTV)andHysteresis.

UTV =Vref +R 1
UTV =5+2 k

( VsatVref
R 1+ R 2 )

( 2125
k +18 k )

UTV =5.7 V

LTV =Vref + R 1
LTV =5+2 k

( VsatVref
R1+ R 2 )

125
2 k +18 k

LTV =3.3V

Therefore, in an inverting comparator, inverting

comparator, the voltage input is connected to the inverting
input or negative input. When the input voltage is higher than
the reference voltage, the output will be a negative value.
However when the input voltage is lower than the reference
voltage, the output will be a positive value. For non-inverting
comparator, the voltage input is connected to the noninverting input or positive input. When the input voltage is
higher than the reference voltage, the output will be a positive
value. However when the input voltage is lower than the
reference voltage, the output will be a negative value.
Moreover,the SchmittTrigger compares applied input
voltage with reference voltage (upper or lower threshold
levels) and gives output at either positive or negative
saturation level. (Vsat or Vsat). When the input voltage is
lower than the lower threshold voltge (LTV), the output will
be equal to +Vo saturation. Moreover, it will shift to Vo
saturation when the input voltage is higher than the reference
voltage, Upper Threshold Voltage (UTV).

REFERENCES
1
2
3
4

http://www.electronics-tutorials.ws/opamp/opamp_8.html
https://www.google.com.ph/?
gfe_rd=cr&ei=osn7V5ulB6zl8AeG9oDgBQ&gws_rd=ssl#q=basic+oper
ational+amplifier+application
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schmitt_trigger
http://www.electronics-tutorials.ws/opamp/op-amp-comparator.html