Mechatronic Instrumentation Laboratory

16-Mar-18

Lab Exercise 8
8. Operational Amplifiers (Part 2)

8.1. Objectives
 Learn about some more circuits that use operational amplifiers and their applications.

8.2. Introduction
Differential amplifier (difference amplifier)
This circuit amplifies the difference in voltage between its inputs.

Figure 1: Differential amplifier

If we suppose: R2 / R1 = R4 / R3

Then: V0 = R2 / R1 * [ V2 – V1]

Constant current source

In this circuit, we use a zener diode to maintain certain voltage reference. Remember that a zener diode
allows current to flow in the forward direction in the same manner as an ideal diode, but also permits it to
flow in the reverse direction when the voltage reaches a certain value known as the breakdown voltage.
From that point on, the relatively low impedance of the diode keeps the voltage across the diode at that
value. That’s why zeners are commonly used as voltage regulators.

The resistance RL in the circuit shown below takes the place of a load that you may want to feed with your
current source. The current I flowing through your load will not depend on its impedance, just be sure that
RL is equal or lower than R2.

-
+

Figure 2: Constant current source

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I=VZ/R2, independent of RL
R1=(15-VZ)/IZ
RLmin=(Saturation Voltage)/I
R2 RL
Inverting integrator
The integrator is mostly used in analog computers, analog-to-digital converters and wave-shaping circuits.
It integrates (and inverts) the input signal Vin(t) over a time interval t, t0 < t < t1, yielding an output voltage
at time t = t1 of:

Where Vout(t0) represents the output voltage of the circuit at time t = t0.

In the following image, Vo = - (1 / RC) * Vedt.

Figure 3: Inverting integrator

Note that it is common to place a resistor, called RS, which is 10 times greater than R, in parallel with the
capacitor, in order to not integrate the error voltage (offset) from the op-amp. It is also common to place a
resistor R2 from the positive input to the ground, instead of the cable, which value is equal to the parallel
between R and RS, in order to reduce the effects from the error voltage of the op-amp.

Inverting differentiator
This circuit differentiates an inverted signal over time. The output is calculated as:

Figure 4: Inverting differentiator

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In the circuit shown in figure 4, Vo = -RC * dVe/dt

Instrumentation amplifier
The instrumentation amplifier is made by adding a non-inverting buffer to each input of the differential
amplifier to increase the input impedance.

Figure 5: Instrumentation amplifier

In this circuit, eo=(e2–e1)*(R4/R3)*(1+2R2/R1)

8.3. Parts and equipment

 3 100 KΩ resistors  3 10 KΩ resistors
 1 68 KΩ resistor  3 LM741 I.C.s
 2 47 KΩ resistors  1 breadboard
 1 33 KΩ resistor  1 oscilloscope
 1 27 KΩ resistor  2 DC voltage sources

8.4. Development
EXPERIMENT 1: Differential amplifier
 Build the circuit from figure 1, with R1=R3=47 KΩ, R2=R4=100 KΩ.
 Supply a ±12 V voltage to the appropriate terminals of your op-amp.
 Connect in series a 100 KΩ, a 33 KΩ, and a 68 KΩ resistor, with a voltage from 0 to 12 V. Reference
1 will be between the node joining the 100 KΩ and 33 KΩ resistors and the ground node. Reference
2 will be between the node joining the 33 KΩ and 68 KΩ resistors and the ground node. Measure the
voltages at references 1 and 2. Take pictures as evidence.
 Connect reference 1 to V1 and reference 2 to V2, according to figure 1. Measure the output voltage
from the op-amp. Compare the measured voltage against the theoretical one. Take pictures.
 Repeat the previous step connecting the references at the opposite inputs.

EXPERIMENT 2: Comparator
 Research and design an experiment for this configuration with a REAL LIFE practical application.
Include a diagram of the circuit you implemented and explain its purpose.

EXPERIMENT 3: Instrumentation amplifier

 Build the circuit from figure 5, with R1=R2=R4=10 KΩ and R3=27 KΩ.
 Supply a ±12 V voltage to the appropriate terminals of your op-amp.
 Connect in series a 100 KΩ, a 33 KΩ, and a 68 KΩ resistor, with a voltage from 0 to 12 V. Reference
1 will be between the node joining the 100 KΩ and 33 KΩ resistors and the ground node. Reference
2 will be between the node joining the 33 KΩ and 68 KΩ resistors and the ground node. Measure the
voltages at references 1 and 2. Take pictures as evidence.

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 Connect reference 1 to e1 and reference 2 to e2, according to figure 5. Measure the output voltage
from the op-amp. Compare the measured voltage against the theoretical one. Take pictures.
 Repeat the previous step connecting the references at the opposite inputs.
 Compare the results from this instrumentation amplifier with the ones from the differential amplifier.
 Research the applications for this amplifier circuit and the advantages it has over the differential
amplifier.

Rubrics
Concept Value Grade
Experiment 1 1.33 points
Experiment 2 1.33 points
Experiment 3 1.33 points
Correct answers to questions Each incorrect answer will deduct half a point from the
asked by the professor. final grade.
Grade from the report. 2 points. The printed report allows the team to be
evaluated and get a grade.
Total grade for Lab Exercise 8

Note: You don’t need to copy the theoretical framework in the report, you only need to fully explain the
development of the experiments and answer the questions. If the professor sees that some topics are not
explained well, he may ask about them in particular to the team during evaluation.
The rubrics should be on the first page of the report, followed by the names and student ids of the team
members and a line so each team member can sign on it. Remember that no signature means no assigned
grade for that student.

8.5. References
 Wolf Stanley & R. Smith. (1992). Guía para mediciones electrónicas y prácticas de laboratorio.
First edition, Prentice Hall.
 Johnson Curtis (1993). Process control instrumentation technology. Fourth edition, Prentice Hall.
 Coughlin Robert y Driscoll F.(1993). Amplificadores operacionales y circuitos integrados
lineales. Fourth edition, Prentice Hall.
 Considine D. & Ross S. (1971). Manual de instrumentación aplicada. Tome 1, First Edition, CECSA.
 Doebelin Ernest. Diseño y aplicación de sistemas de medición. First Edition, Diana.
 Howard M. Design of Op-amp Circuits with Experiments. Ed. E&L Instruments.
 Carter, Bruce & Brown, Thomas R. Handbook of operational amplifier applications. Texas
Instruments. October, 2001.
 Operational Amplifiers Lab. 2005. Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Portland
State University. Tektronix.

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8.6. Annex

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