Electronic Circuits and Systems EEE211

Ideal Operational Amplifier

Circuits

Dr. Xiaoyang Chen

Dept. of Electrical & Electronic Engineering

XJTLU
Electronic Circuits and Systems EEE211

Part 1: Introduction of the

Operational Amplifier

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Electronic Circuits and Systems EEE211
The Operational Amplifier

• An operational amplifier (op-amp) is an integrated circuit that amplifies the

difference between two input voltages and produces a single output.

• Versatility - Op-amps can be used to perform mathematical operations –

addition, subtraction, differential and integration – then put together to build
analogue computers – which could solve differential equations, etc.

• An op-amp is specially designed to be used with feedback. Recall for an

amplifier with feedback, the closed loop gain is
AOL
ACL =
1 + bAOL
If loop gain >>1 then 𝐴!" ≈ 1/𝛽

So to build a precision amplifier (i.e. one with a precise gain) it is sufficient to just buy
a few precision resistors and a cheap but high gain op-amp.

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Electronic Circuits and Systems EEE211
Circuit Representation
• An op-amp is normally made up from 20 to 30 transistors. However, as a typical IC
op-amp has parameters that approach the ideal characteristics, we can treat it as a
simple compact device.

• In most cases, an op-amp requires DC power, so that the internal transistors are
biased in the active region.

• From a signal point of view, the op-amp has two input terminals and one output
terminal. Therefore, we often use a simplified symbol. But keep in mind that the op-
amp does require DC input.

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Electronic Circuits and Systems EEE211
Equivalent Circuit
Omitting power supplies, the equivalent circuit for an op-amp is

• The output voltage source is controlled by the differential input voltage 𝑣#$ so
if there is no load, 𝑣% = 𝐴%$ 𝑣#$ ⟹ looks like a reasonable voltage amplifier

• An operational amplifier generally has large input impedance, low output

impedance and very high voltage gain

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Electronic Circuits and Systems EEE211
Ideal Op-Amp Equivalent Circuit

① Inverting input:
𝑉%&' = −𝐴%$ 𝑉(

② Non-inverting input:
𝑉%&' = 𝐴%$ 𝑉)

③ Output:
𝑉%&' = 𝐴%$ (𝑉) − 𝑉()

Ideal Parameters:

• the input resistance 𝑅# between terminals 1 and 2 is infinite

• the output terminal of the op-amp acts as an ideal voltage source, i.e., 𝑅% is zero
• the open loop gain 𝐴%$ is very large and approaches infinity

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Electronic Circuits and Systems EEE211

Part 2: Basic Operational

Amplifier Circuits

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Electronic Circuits and Systems EEE211
Analysis Method - Conventional
+
Consider the following non-inverting op- -
Rg
amp circuit (this is not just an op-amp, it R2 RL vo
also has feedback resistors)
+
vg

R1

ro
2 4 5
+
Replacing the op-amp by its equivalent +
circuit gives Rg vd rd R2 RL vo
Aolvd
1
+ -
3
vg

R1

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Electronic Circuits and Systems EEE211

Assume the op-amp is ideal, i.e., 𝑟# → ∞ and 𝑟% → 0

Then there are no currents flowing through 22 44

vp
vp
𝑣+ and 𝑣, terminals, we can write: +
Rg vd Aolvd R2 RL vo
For node 2 𝑣+ = 𝑣) = 𝑣-
1
1
vn
vn

+
For node 4 𝑣% − 𝑣, 𝑣, vg 3
3
=
𝑅) 𝑅(
R1

At output 𝑣% = 𝐴*" (𝑣+ − 𝑣, )

Solving gives:
vo AOL AOL
= = R1
vg é R ù 1 + b AOL where b =
1 + AOL ê 1 ú R1 + R2
ë R1+R2 û
vo AOL AOL 1 R + R2
For 𝐴*" → ∞ we have: = = » = 1
vg é R ù 1 + bAOL b R1
1 + AOL ê 1 ú
ë R1+R2 û

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Electronic Circuits and Systems EEE211
Analysis Method – Virtual Short Principle

• An Op – amp has a very high gain, so for any reasonable output voltage, the
input differential voltage 𝑣+ − 𝑣, will be vanishingly small

• So if the gain is very large then we can say that 𝑣+ − 𝑣, ≈ 0 or 𝑣+ ≈ 𝑣,

• This is a very useful approximation – a ‘Golden Rule’ !! ( But remember –

it only applies if the gain is very large); We say that 𝒗𝒏 tracks 𝒗𝒑

• This leads to the concept of a virtual short – the circuit behaves as though there
is a short across the inputs because the voltage difference between 𝑣+ and 𝑣, is
kept zero, but it is not actually shorted . Hence the name ‘Virtual Short’. It greatly
simplifies the analysis of op-amp circuits.

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Electronic Circuits and Systems EEE211
Applying Virtual Short Principle for Op-Amp Circuits

1. The Non-Inverting Amplifier

vp ideal
For an ideal op-amp, the input resistance is ∞, +
then it seems to be an open circuit between - vo
Rg
𝑣+ and 𝑣, vn R2 RL

+
Then we have: 𝑣+ = 𝑣- vg

R1
According to virtual short principle:
𝑣, = 𝑣+ = 𝑣-

And we have:
𝑣, 𝑣% − 𝑣, 𝑅(
= → 𝑣, = 𝑣%
𝑅( 𝑅) 𝑅( + 𝑅)

𝑣% 𝑅( + 𝑅)
Hence, we can find: = (non-inverted voltage gain)
𝑣- 𝑅(

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Electronic Circuits and Systems EEE211

2. The Inverting Amplifier

R2
From the virtual short principle, we have:
R1
𝑣, ≈ 𝑣+ = 0 -
vo
0V +
+
Since the current flowing into the op-amp is RL
vg
assumed to be zero, we have:
𝑖0! = 𝑖0"
𝑣- − 0 0 − 𝑣%
where 𝑖0! = and 𝑖0" =
𝑅( 𝑅)

Then we have:
𝑣% 𝑅)
=− (inverted voltage gain)
𝑣- 𝑅(

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Electronic Circuits and Systems EEE211
3. The Summing Amplifier
i1 R1

+ if Rf
i2 R2
v1

+ -
v2 i3 R3
+
0V vo
+
v3

This example has 3 inputs, but could be as many as you want

Since 𝑣, = 𝑣+ = 0 (from virtual short principle) and KCL gives 𝑖( + 𝑖) + 𝑖1 = 𝑖2 , we have:

v1 v2 v3 v é Rf Rf Rf ù
+ + =- o \v0 = - ê v1 + v2 + v3 ú
R1 R2 R3 Rf ë R1 R2 R3 û

So the output voltage is equal to the sum of all the inputs with each multiplied by an
individual gain factor set by 𝑅2 and 𝑅(, 𝑅) and 𝑅1

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Electronic Circuits and Systems EEE211
R1 R2
4. The Difference Amplifier
+
Use superposition: vg1 -
+
vo
First 𝑣-" is turned down to zero, leaving only its internal
R3 R4
resistance in the circuit (0 W for a perfect voltage source)
𝑅) vg2
+
Then the contribution to 𝑣% due to 𝑣-! alone is: 𝑣%( = − 𝑣-(
𝑅(

Now restore 𝑣-" and turn 𝑣-! down to zero instead, at the non-inverting terminal, we have:
𝑣+ 𝑅3
=
𝑣-) 𝑅1 + 𝑅3
𝑅( + 𝑅) 𝑅( + 𝑅) 𝑅3
Then the contribution to 𝑣% due to 𝑣-) alone is: 𝑣%) = 𝑣+ = 𝑣
𝑅( 𝑅( 𝑅1 + 𝑅3 -)
So 𝑣% = 𝑣%( + 𝑣%) gives
0 0
𝑅 So to make a difference amplifier we require 0! = 0#,
𝑅) 1 + 𝑅( 0"
" $
) giving 𝑣% = (𝑣 − 𝑣-()
𝑣% = 𝑣 − 𝑣-( 0! -)
𝑅( 𝑅1 -)
1+
𝑅3

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Electronic Circuits and Systems EEE211
5. The Integrator
iR R iC C
v=0

For an ideal op-amp, we assume no current + -

vC
+
flowing into it, then vg
-

𝑖0 = 𝑖! +
vo
𝑣- 𝑡 − 0 −𝑑𝑣%
where 𝑖0 = and 𝑖! = 𝐶
𝑅 𝑑'

𝑑𝑣% 1
Hence =− 𝑣 (𝑡)
𝑑' 𝑅𝐶 -

1
⟹ 𝑣% = − ∫ 𝑣 𝑡 𝑑𝑡
𝑅𝐶 -

i.e. Output is proportional to the time integral of the input

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Electronic Circuits and Systems EEE211
6. The Differentiator iC C R iR
0V

We have 𝑖! = 𝑖0 +
vg -

𝑑(𝑣- −0) 0 − 𝑣% (𝑡) +

vo
𝑖
where ! = 𝐶 𝑖
and 0 =
𝑑' 𝑅

Hence
𝑑𝑣-
𝑣% 𝑡 = −𝑅𝐶
𝑑𝑡

i.e. Output is proportional to the time derivative of the input

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 Electronic Circuits and Systems EEE211
A practical application – the Analogue Computer

Widely used in the 1960’s before the digital revolution – still found in some special applications
dx
Suppose we want to solve the differential equation + 10 x = - 2 sin (wt )
dt
dx
Then = - 10 x - 2sin (wt ) = - [10 x + 2 sin wt ]
dt
x = - ò [10 x + 2 sin wt ] dt

So we need an integrator and a summing amplifier

'Weighted’ summer
- [10 x + 2 sin wt ]

-1
x = - ò [10 x + 2 sin wt ]dt
x
+ -10

2Sin(wt)

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 Electronic Circuits and Systems EEE211
Circuit Design i3 C = 1µF

i1
i1 + i2 = i3 1M 0V
-
+ + vo x(t)
2 sin (wt ) v dv 2Sin(wt)
\ + 0 = - (1µF ) 0 0.1M 0V
1M 0.1M dt i2

dv 0 -v 2 sin (wt )
= 5 0 -6 - 6
dt 10 ´10 1 0 ´10 -6

dvO v 2 sin (wt )

=- 0 -
dt 0.1 1

dv0
\ + 10 v0 = - 2 sin (wt ) as required
dt

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Electronic Circuits and Systems EEE211

Part 3: Op-Amp Representation of

Feedback Amplifiers

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Electronic Circuits and Systems EEE211
1) Voltage Amplifier (Series-Shunt)

The non-inverting op-amp is an example of the series-shunt configuration:

- The input signal is the input voltage 𝑉#

- In this case, the feedback voltage is taken at 𝑅(
- The error signal is the terminal voltage difference

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Electronic Circuits and Systems EEE211
For an ideal inverting op-amp (𝐴4 very large),
we have
𝑉% 𝑅( + 𝑅)
𝐴42 = =
𝑉# 𝑅(
𝑅(
Therefore 𝛽4 =
𝑅( + 𝑅)

We can also take a finite amplifier gain into account:

For 𝑅% ≈ 0, we have 𝑉% = 𝐴4 𝑉5

and 𝑉5 = 𝑉# − 𝑉26

Therefore 𝑉% = 𝐴4 (𝑉# − 𝑉26 ) Thus we obtain

Assuming the input resistance is very large,

𝑉% 𝐴4 𝐴4
the feedback voltage is given by 𝐴42 = = =
𝑉# 1 + 𝐴4 1 + 𝛽4 𝐴4
𝑅( 𝑅 +𝑅
( )
𝑉26 ≅ 𝑉 𝑅(
𝑅( + 𝑅) %

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 Electronic Circuits and Systems EEE211
2) Current Amplifier (Shunt-Series)

- The input signal is the current 𝐼#7 from the Norton equivalent source of 𝐼# and 𝑅8

- The feedback signal is 𝐼26

- The output current is taken at 𝑅"

- The error signal is the current 𝐼5

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Electronic Circuits and Systems EEE211

For an ideal inverting op-amp, we have

𝐼5 = 0

Then 𝐼# ≅ 𝐼#7 = 𝐼26

(𝑅8 is normally very large for a current

source)

Since 𝑉( is at virtual ground:

𝑉% = −𝐼26 𝑅9 = −𝐼# 𝑅9
1
Hence 𝛽# = 𝑅9
And current 𝐼( is 𝐼( = −𝑉% / 𝑅( 1+
𝑅(
Then the output current can be expressed by
1 𝑅9
𝐼% = 𝐼26 + 𝐼( = 𝐼# + − −𝐼# 𝑅9 = 𝐼# 1 +
𝑅( 𝑅(
𝐼% 𝑅9
Therefore, the ideal current gain is =1+
𝐼# 𝑅(

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Electronic Circuits and Systems EEE211

Again we can take a finite amplifier gain into account:

We have 𝐼% = 𝐴# 𝐼5

and 𝐼5 = 𝐼#7 − 𝐼26 ≅ 𝐼# − 𝐼26

therefore, 𝐼% = 𝐴# (𝐼# −𝐼26 )

If we assume 𝑉( is virtual short, we have

𝑉% = −𝐼26 𝑅9
𝑉% 1 𝑅9
We can then write 𝐼( = − =− −𝐼26 𝑅9 = 𝐼26
𝑅( 𝑅( 𝑅(
𝑅9
The output current is expressed as 𝐼% = 𝐼26 + 𝐼( = 𝐼26 + 𝐼26
𝑅(

𝐼% 𝐴#
Solving for 𝐼26 yields the closed-loop current gain 𝐴#2 = =
𝐼# 1 + 𝐴#
𝑅
1 + 𝑅9
(

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Electronic Circuits and Systems EEE211
3) Transconductance Amplifier (Series-Series)

- The input signal is the input voltage 𝑉#

- The output signal is 𝐼%
- The feedback voltage is taken at 𝑅:

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Electronic Circuits and Systems EEE211
Assuming an ideal op-amp and neglecting
the transistor base current, we have
𝐼% 1
𝑉# = 𝑉26 = 𝐼% 𝑅: and 𝐴-2 = =
𝑉# 𝑅:
Therefore 𝛽; = 𝑅:

Still, we can take a finite amplifier gain into account:

Assuming the collector and emitter currents are
nearly equal and 𝑅# is very large, we have
𝑉26
𝐼% = = ℎ9: 𝐼6 = ℎ9: 𝐴- 𝑉5
𝑅:
where ℎ9: is the current gain of the transistor
Also 𝑉5 = 𝑉# − 𝑉26 = 𝑉# − 𝐼% 𝑅:
Therefore
𝐼% = ℎ9: 𝐴- (𝑉# − 𝐼% 𝑅: )
𝐼% ℎ9: 𝐴-
and 𝐴-2 = =
𝑉# 1 + ℎ9: 𝐴- 𝑅:

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Electronic Circuits and Systems EEE211
3) Transresistance Amplifier (Shunt-Shunt)

An inverting op-amp circuit can also perform

like a transresistance amplifier:

- The input signal is 𝐼#

- The feedback current 𝐼26

- The output signal is 𝑉%

For an ideal inverting op-amp,

we have 𝑉% = −𝐼26 𝑅) and 𝐼26 = 𝐼#
𝑉% 1
Then 𝐴;2 = = = −𝑅)
𝐼# 𝛽-
So without the need of detailed derivation, if we take a finite amplifier gain
into account, we will see:
𝑉% 𝐴;
𝐴;2 = =
𝐼# 1 + 𝐴; 𝛽-

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 Electronic Circuits and Systems EEE211
Exercise
Consider the circuit shown below. (a) Determine the ideal output voltage 𝑣* if 𝑣< =
− 0.40 V. (b) Assume the op-amp is ideal except it has a finite open-loop gain.
Determine the actual output voltage if the open-loop gain of the op-amp is 𝐴%$ = 5×101.

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 Electronic Circuits and Systems EEE211
Solution:
(a) For an ideal Op-Amp, the input resistance
and open-loop gain are infinite.

From Virtual Short Principle, we have

𝑅)
𝑣* = − C 𝑣< = 8.8 V
𝑅(

(b) For an actual Op-Amp with finite open-loop gain (no virtual short), we have
𝑣< − 𝑣( 𝑣( − 𝑣*
= The closed-loop gain is then
𝑅( 𝑅)
𝑅)
Since 𝑣) = 0, the output voltage is 𝑣* − 𝑅(
𝐴!" = = = −21.8993
𝑣 1 𝑅 )
𝑣* = −𝐴*" 𝑣( < 1+ (1 + )
𝐴*" 𝑅(
We find 𝑣* = (−21.8993)× −0.4 = 8.7597 V
𝑣< 1 1 𝑣*
= 𝑣( + −
𝑅( 𝑅( 𝑅) 𝑅)

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See you in the next lecture...

The End

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