{"id":10067,"date":"2023-05-15T13:28:12","date_gmt":"2023-05-15T17:28:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dronebotworkshop.com\/?p=10067"},"modified":"2023-05-15T13:28:12","modified_gmt":"2023-05-15T17:28:12","slug":"op-amps","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dronebotworkshop.com\/op-amps\/","title":{"rendered":"Op-Amps – Analog Building Blocks"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\"Download<\/a> \"Parts<\/a> \"View<\/a><\/p>\n

Today we will look at one of the fundamental \u201cBuilding Blocks\u201d of analog electronics, the Operational Amplifier, commonly referred to as an \u201cOp-Amp\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Let\u2019s see how these devices work and how we can use them in our designs.<\/span><\/p>\n

Introduction<\/span><\/h2>\n

With most of the focus these days on microcontrollers and digital electronics, we tend to forget what an important role analog electronics play in modern designs. All the home entertainment and communications devices we cherish contain analog components, and there are still thousands of \u201canalog-only\u201d devices in use today.<\/span><\/p>\n

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One of the most important analog components is the operational amplifier or Op-Amp. This device permeates analog electronic designs due to its low cost, high performance, and, most of all, its versatility. Op-Amps can be configured so many different ways, and it is not uncommon for them to make up the bulk of an analog design<\/span><\/p>\n

Today we will explore how Op-Amps work and how to use them in several basic configurations. We\u2019ll also build a couple of projects, and we\u2019ll even make use of an op-amp with an Arduino.<\/span><\/p>\n

Let\u2019s get operational!<\/span><\/p>\n

Operational Amplifiers<\/span><\/h2>\n

Operational amplifiers, commonly known as <\/span>Op-Amps<\/span><\/i>, are versatile electronic components widely used in analog circuits.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

An Op-Amp is a high-gain differential amplifier that amplifies the difference between two input voltages. It consists of an inverting input (labeled with a minus sign), a non-inverting input (labeled with a plus sign), and an output.<\/span><\/p>\n

The basic function of an Op-Amp is to amplify the difference between the two input signals and make the resulting voltage available at the output. Due to their high gain, Op-Amps are often employed in applications such as audio and signal amplification, filtering, and mathematical operations. They find use in a wide variety of products.<\/span><\/p>\n

One of the most common applications of operational amplifiers is in building amplifiers or filters. Op-Amps can be configured to amplify, filter, phase-shift, or attenuate an analog signal when used with external components such as resistors and capacitors.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Op-Amps can also be used as comparators or integrators. In these modes, operational amplifiers can be used to interface analog signals to digital ones.<\/span><\/p>\n

Today we will look at some common operational amplifier chips and see how to use them in several classic configurations.<\/span><\/p>\n

History of the Operational Amplifier<\/span><\/h3>\n

Op-Amps have a long history, as they were originally developed for use in Analog Computers. Yes, there were computers that were not digital but analog! They used voltages to represent numbers and were incredibly fast.<\/span><\/p>\n

Analog computers were widely used in various scientific, engineering, and military applications during their heyday, particularly from the 1940s to the 1960s. They excelled in solving differential equations, simulating dynamic systems, and performing real-time computations in control systems. Some notable applications of analog computers included aircraft flight simulators, artillery trajectory calculations, and the simulation of chemical processes.<\/span><\/p>\n

Operational Amplifiers were a key component in Analog Computers; in fact, the name \u201doperational\u201d refers to their ability to perform many mathematical operations.<\/span><\/p>\n

The invention of the operational amplifier can be traced back to the early 20th century when the concept of a high-gain, direct-coupled amplifier was introduced. The foundations of modern op-amps were laid by Karl D. Swartzel Jr. in 1941 while working at Bell Labs. He created a device known as the “K2-W,” designed for analog computers and mathematical modeling during World War II.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This early op-amp was built using vacuum tubes. The K2-W was an essential component in developing the electronic analog computer, as it allowed for complex mathematical operations and simulations.<\/span><\/p>\n

The evolution of op-amps took a significant leap forward in the 1960s with the introduction of the transistor, a revolutionary semiconductor device that replaced vacuum tubes. Transistors offer numerous advantages, such as reduced size, lower power consumption, and increased reliability.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In 1963, Robert J. Widlar, an American engineer, designed the first integrated circuit (IC) operational amplifier, the uA702. This invention marked the beginning of the modern op-amp era. It combined several discrete transistors, diodes, and other components into a single IC, making the device more compact, efficient, and cost-effective.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Today, op-amps are available in various forms, such as bipolar, CMOS, and BiCMOS technologies, each offering unique advantages for specific applications.<\/span><\/p>\n

How Op-Amps Work<\/span><\/h2>\n

As mentioned earlier, Operational Amplifiers are high-gain differential amplifiers.\u00a0 They can be used in many different configurations.<\/span><\/p>\n

OP-Amp Schematic Symbol<\/span><\/h3>\n

In schematic diagrams, an op-amp is represented by a triangle, with the output at the tip, as shown here.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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The op-amp requires both a positive and negative supply voltage. Many modern op-amps are capable of operating on a single positive supply voltage.<\/span><\/p>\n

There are two inputs on an op-amp:<\/span><\/p>\n