Op
Amps are basic building blocks of analog circuits. They are used in several
signal conditioning tasks such as voltage amplification, filtering, and
mathematical operations. An important characteristic of an op amp is its speed.
Ideally, op amps function infinitely fast with infinite gain at all
frequencies, but in reality, they have finite speeds.
But, what causes an op amp to have finite speed in the first
place? This happens because real life op amps are limited by finite impedances
at nodes. Impedance at a node is determined by the amount of resistance and
capacitance at a node. As frequency increases, capacitance behaves more like a “short”
leading to lower impedances and hence lower gains. Eventually, a point comes
when the signal starts getting “lost”. It is this point which limits how fast
an op amp can work.
Characteristics and Functions of Three
Operational Amplifiers
A difference amplifier is the first known application of the
Op Amps. The original function of the op-amp was to take two small voltage
inputs, in the presence of large common-mode voltage. The difference between
the two small inputs was amplified when going through the three stages of the
op-amp.
Being able to detect and amplify small differences in
signals has many uses within analog circuit blocks. Vital signals in your
design may be small and you may want to amplify them so you can send their
information to a controller or some other circuit block that requires a larger
signal. A difference op-amp can be a good choice for this application.
A current-sense amplifier measures and amplifies a very
small voltage at its inputs. The small voltage is developed across a current-sense
electrical device, external and upstream of the op-amp. The amplifier outputs a
voltage proportional to the current flowing in the sense resistor. Amplifying a
small voltage on its inputs is done in the presence of very high common-mode
voltages.
A current sense Op
Amps is characterized by its ability to withstand high input voltages that
are higher than the op-amp rails. When the input voltages present on the op-amp
inputs is greater than the op-amp rails, the amplifier powers itself from the
input common-mode voltages present. To allow high voltage on its inputs, this
type of op-amp employs specialized ESD structures to prevent damage to the
part.
A transimpedance amplifier is employed as a
current-to-voltage convertor. It is useful when wanting to amplify signals from
upstream circuits or components whose current is more linear than its voltage.
Devices whose current is a lot of linear than their supply voltage ar usually diodes. Sensing devices
usually use diodes to discover close lightweight or to sense a collision. The
current signal of these sensors is linear and easier to process, so a
transimpedance amplifier is used to amplify and deliver its signal downstream
in the system.
A few common terms encountered once using
op-amps are:
Bandwidth: The
band of frequencies over that the gain of the amplifier is sort of constant.
CMRR: Common-mode
rejection ratio is the ability of the amplifier to reject common signals
present on both inputs of the amplifier.
Gain: The
amplitude of magnification to the input signal.
Linearity: When
the output signal is directly proportional to the input signal.
Precision Resistor:
AN actual part that doesn’t drift a lot of from its par value.
Quiescent Current:
Quiescent current is the average current the amplifier will use when off.
Reference Voltage:
A constant voltage provided to the amplifier which doesn’t change when loaded,
under temperature changes, the passage of time, and/or power supply variations.
Slew Rate: The
maximum rate of time it takes for a signal to become present on the output of
an op-amp.
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