INVERTING AND NON INVERTING AMPLIFIERS
An op-amp or operational amplifier is a device that is used for the
amplification of signals. It uses external components such as resistors
and capacitors to perform various operations on signals. It has certain
ideal characteristics such as infinite input resistance, zero output
resistance, infinite open-loop gain, high bandwidth.
It has three terminals including two inputs and one output terminal. One
of the two input terminals is a positive (Non-Inverting) terminal and the
other is a negative (inverting) terminal. It is used for mathematical
operations on signals such as amplification, addition, subtraction,
comparison, integration, filtering, etc.
What is Inverting Amplifier?
An inverting amplifier is a type of amplifier that is designed to produce
output that is 180 degrees out of phase with the input signal. As its
name suggests, it inverts the phase of the input signal. For example, if
we apply a positive voltage signal at its input, its output will be a
negative voltage signal.
Here is the design of an inverting amplifier. The input signal is applied at
the inverting (negative) terminal while the non-inverting terminal is
grounded. The feedback signal is applied at the inverting terminal. The
feedback signal feeds part of the output signal back at the input through
resistors to form a closed-loop circuit. Since the open-loop gain is very
high, it helps reduce and accurately control the gain of the amplifier.
The voltage at both input terminals of an ideal op-amp is equal to each
other; this is also known as the virtual short concept. To find the gain of
this amplifier, apply KCL at the inverting node.
(0 – Vi) / Rin + (0 – Vo) / Rf = 0
-Vi / Rin – Vo / Rf = 0
Vo / Vi = – (Rf / Rin)
Voltage gain, Av = Vo / Vi = – (Rf / Rin)
Since the amplifier is in inverting configuration, its voltage gain is
negative.
Features of Inverting Amplifier
It amplifies and also inverts the phase of the input signal.
The output is 180 degrees out of phase with the input signal.
The input signal is applied at its inverting (Negative) terminal.
The non-inverting terminal is grounded.
Its voltage gain is given Av = -(Rf/ Rin)
Its voltage gain is negative.
Its gain can be designed to have less than, greater than, and equal to
1.
Its input impedance is Rin.
What is Non-Inverting Amplifier?
The type of amplifier that is designed to amplify the input signal without
changing its phase is called a non-inverting amplifier. Its output is in-
phase with the input signal. It does not change the phase of the signal
but only amplifies it. As its name suggests, it does not invert the phase of
the signal.
The given figure shows a non-inverting amplifier configuration. Here the
input is applied to the non-inverting (positive) terminal of the op-amp.
While the inverting terminal is grounded through a resistor. Also, the
feedback is applied to its inverting terminal, also called negative
feedback, for better control of the gain.
Using the virtual short concept of an ideal op-amp, the voltage at both
input terminals is equal i.e. both terminals have Vi. Applying KCL at the
inverting node of the op-amp.
(Vi-0) / R + (Vi-V0) / Rf = 0
Vi/R + Vi / Rf – V0 / Rf = 0
Vi (R + Rf) / RRf = V0/Rf
V0 / Vi = (R + Rf) / R
Voltage gain, Av= V0 / Vi = 1 + Rf / R
Since the amplifier is in a non-inverting configuration, the gain is also
positive and it is greater than inverting amplifier by 1.
Features of Non-Inverting Amplifier
It amplifies and does not change the phase of the signal.
Its output is in-phase with the input signal.
The input is applied at its non-inverting terminal.
The inverting terminal is grounded through a resistor.
Its voltage gain is given by Av = 1 + Rf / R
It gain is always greater than 1.
Its voltage gain positive.
Its input impedance is infinite.
Main Differences between Inverting and Non-Inverting Amplifier
Inverting Amplifier Non-Inverting Amplifier
A type of amplifier whose amplified
A type of amplifier whose amplified
output is 180 degrees out of phase with
output is in-phase with the input signal.
the input signal.
The input and output signals are in-
The input and output signal has 180
phase or have a 0 degree phase
degrees of phase difference.
difference.
The input signal is applied at the The input signal is applied at the non-
inverting terminal. inverting terminal.
The inverting terminal is grounded
The non-inverting terminal is grounded.
through a resistor.
Its gain is given by Av = -(Rf / Ri). Its gain is given by Av = 1 + (Rf / R).
Its gain is the sum of 1 and ratio of
Its gain is the ratio of the resistance.
resistance.
Its gain can be less than, greater than,
Its gain will be always greater than 1.
or equal to 1.
It has a lower gain than a non-inverting
It has a relatively higher gain.
amplifier.
It has a negative voltage gain. It has a positive voltage gain.
Its input impedance is Rin. Its input impedance in infinite.
Comparison between Inverting and non inverting amplifie
The inverting amplifier inverts the phase of the signal while the non-
inverting amplifier does not change the phase of the signal.
The gain of inverting amplifier is 1 less than the non-inverting
amplifier.
The gain of inverting amplifier can be less than, greater than, or equal
to 1 but the non-inverting amplifier gain is always greater than 1.
The gain of inverting amplifier is negative while the gain of the non-
inverting amplifier is positive.
In inverting amplifier, the input signal is applied at inverting terminal
while in a non-inverting amplifier, the input signal is applied at its
non-inverting terminal.
The input impedance of inverting amplifier is Rin while it is infinite in a
non-inverting amplifier.
The Op-Amp Voltage Follower
The most basic form of the voltage follower, also called a
unity-gain buffer, is shown in the diagram below.
A voltage follower produces an output signal that is equal in
amplitude to the input signal. Because the input signal is
applied to the non inverting input terminal, no inversion
takes place. Thus, the voltage follower is a non inverting
buffer.
The unity-gain operation of the voltage follower is achieved
by means of negative feedback. The input signal is applied
to the op-amp’s non inverting input terminal, and the output
terminal is connected directly to the inverting input terminal.
A voltage follower is a unity-gain, non inverting buffer that
requires only an operational amplifier (and a decoupling
capacitor).
Voltage followers have high input impedance and low output
impedance—this is the essence of their buffering action.
They strengthen a signal and thereby allow a high-
impedance source to drive a low-impedance load.
An op-amp used in a voltage-follower configuration must be
specified as “unity-gain stable.”
A high-current unity-gain driver can be created by
incorporating an external transistor into the voltage-follower
configuration.
