Tag: OPAMP Circuits

  • 8.7 Voltage-to-Current Signal Conversion

    In instrumentation circuitry, DC signals are often used as analog representations of physical measurements such as temperature, pressure, flow, weight, and motion. Most commonly, DC current signals are used in preference to DC voltage signals, because current signals are exactly equal in magnitude throughout the series circuit loop carrying current from the source (measuring device)…

  • 8.6 An Analogy for Divided Feedback

    A helpful analogy for understanding divided feedback amplifier circuits is that of a mechanical lever, with relative motion of the lever’s ends representing change in input and output voltages, and the fulcrum (pivot point) representing the location of the ground point, real or virtual. Take for example the following noninverting op-amp circuit. We know from…

  • 8.5 Divided Feedback

    If we add a voltage divider to the negative feedback wiring so that only a fraction of the output voltage is fed back to the inverting input instead of the full amount, the output voltage will be a multiple of the input voltage (please bear in mind that the power supply connections to the op-amp…

  • 8.4 Negative Feedback

    If we connect the output of an op-amp to its inverting input and apply a voltage signal to the noninverting input, we find that the output voltage of the op-amp closely follows that input voltage (I’ve neglected to draw in the power supply, +V/-V wires, and ground symbol for simplicity): As Vin increases, Vout will…

  • 8.3 The Operational Amplifier

    Long before the advent of digital electronic technology, computers were built to electronically perform calculations by employing voltages and currents to represent numerical quantities. This was especially useful for the simulation of physical processes. A variable voltage, for instance, might represent velocity or force in a physical system. Through the use of resistive voltage dividers…

  • 8.2 Single-ended and Differential Amplifiers

    For ease of drawing complex circuit diagrams, electronic amplifiers are often symbolized by a simple triangle shape, where the internal components are not individually represented. This symbology is very handy for cases where an amplifier’s construction is irrelevant to the greater function of the overall circuit, and it is worthy of familiarization: The +V and…

  • 8.1 Introduction to Operational Amplifiers (Op-amps)

    What is an Operational Amplifier (Op-amp)? Operational Amplifiers, also known as Op-amps, are basically a voltage amplifying device designed to be used with components like capacitors and resistors, between its in/out terminals. They are essentially a core part of analog devices. Feedback components like these are used to determine the operation of the amplifier. The…