Operational Amplifier DC

Analysis

Samuel A. Molines
06-10-2015

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Operational Amplifier DC Analysis 1

In order to do DC analysis of op-amps quickly and easily, the following concepts are
needed.

1) Voltage divider
2) Ohm’s Law V = IR and voltage drop/rise across resistors
3) Ideal op-amp behaviour

VP
+
iP
VM
iM

a) Op-amp inputs are high impedance. Thus

iP = iM = Ø input currents are zero

b) An ideal op-amp has infinite open loop gain. If op-amp is used with a negative
feedback, (i.e. the output or portion of the output is fed back to the inverting (-)
terminal)
VP = VM input voltages are equal and are virtually shorted

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Operational Amplifier DC Analysis - cont’d 2

4) Concept of Amplification
a) The input voltage to be amplified is converted first to current (transconductance gain gm)
b) The current is passed through a resistor R to convert it back to voltage. The higher the R the
bigger the gain. However, too high R could put the transistor in the non-linear or triode
region.

VCC

i ⓑ

VOUT = i R
i = gmVIN = (gmVIN)R
VIN ⓐ
VOUT / VIN= gm R

ⓐⓑ

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Operational Amplifier DC Analysis – cont’d 3

Examples:

1) Compute VOUT

iP = Ø
VIN
+
VOUT

Since op-amp is in negative feedback configuration the input terminals are virtually shorted. Thus

VIN = V+ = V- = VOUT
VOUT = VIN

The circuit is called a buffer or follower because aside from the output following or duplicating
the input, the op-amp prevents the “loading” of the signal source because iP = Ø.

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Operational Amplifier DC Analysis – cont’d 4

2) Explain the function of the circuit below.

Do the resistors R affect the output voltage VOUT?
R
VIN
+
VOUT

R
3) Analyse the circuit below to compare VOUT
iP = Ø
VIN + - +
R2
①
VOUT

iM = Ø ②

VIN + - vf +
④

③ R1
-

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Operational Amplifier DC Analysis – cont’d 5

Step 1) Compute the voltage at the (+) terminal

Since iP = Ø , there is no voltage drop across R2 (V2 = Ø)
Therefore
v(+) = vin

Step 2) Since the op-amp is in negative feedback configuration the input terminals are virtually shorted . Thus
v(-) = v(+) = vin

Step 3) The voltage at the (-) terminal is converted to current by the resistor R1. Since v(-) = vin the input
voltage is converted to current

first step in amplification

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Operational Amplifier DC Analysis – cont’d 6

Step 4) The current (which represents the input voltage vin) is passed through the feedback resistor Rf since
iM = Ø. This current produces a voltage vf across Rf.

vout
Rf

- +
+
vin Vf = i Rf
R1

Step 5) VOUT can be computed by adding or subtracting (depending on the current direction of i) the voltage
vf to the voltage at the inverting terminal (-). For this example

vout = v(-) + vf

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Operational Amplifier DC Analysis – cont’d 7

NOTE: We are NOT supposed to memorize the formula. We are supposed to remember “HOW” we arrived at
the answer by understanding each step which basically contains the concepts

Exercises:

1) Use the steps/concepts to analyse the given op-amp circuits below.

R1

V1 VOUT (?) = _______

R3
R2

V2

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Operational Amplifier DC Analysis – cont’d 8

Exercises:

1) Use the steps/concepts to analyse the given op-amp circuits below.

R1

R2

V1 VOUT (?) = _______

R3

R4
V2

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Operational Amplifier DC Analysis – cont’d 9

Exercises:

VOUT (?) = _______

R3
R1 R2

V1 V2

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Operational Amplifier DC Analysis – cont’d 10

Exercises:

R1 R2

VOUT (?) = _______

R3

Q1 Q2
×5 ×1

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Operational Amplifier DC Analysis – cont’d 11

Exercises:

V1

R1

VOUT (?) = _______

Q2

R2

Q1
R3

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Operational Amplifier DC Analysis – cont’d 12

Exercises:

R1

R2 R3
V1
VOUT
V2 +
R4 R5
R6

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