ELECTRONICS AND COMMUNICATIONS ENGINEERING DEPT. LABORATORY EXPERIMENTS, NONLINEAR OP AMP CIRCUITS OBJECTIVES 1. To build a go-no go detector 2. To look at the output of an active half-wave rect 3, To measure the output of an active peak detector 4. To limit low-level signals INTRODUCTORY INFORMATION. Comparator The simplest way o-use an op amp is open loop (no feedback resistors), as shown in Fig. 34-1. Because ofthe hi the op amp, the slightest error voltage [typically (jV)] produces maximum output swing. For instance, when Y, is greater than V3, the error voltage is positive and the ‘output voltage goes to its maximum positive value, typically 1 t02 V less than the supply voltage. On the other hand, if V, is Jess than V5, the output vol negative value Figure 34-1b summarizes the action. A positive error voltage drives the output 10 +Veqr-t swings to its maximum ¢ maximum positive value of output voltage. A negative error voltage produces ‘sar- When an op amp is used like this, it is called a comparator because all it can do is compare V, 10 V2. producing a saturated positive or negative output, depending ‘on whether V, is greater or less than V5. Active Half-Wave Rectifier Op amps can enhance the performance of diode circuits. For one thing, an op amp can eliminate the effect of diode offset voltage, allowing us to rectify, peak-detect, clip, and clamp Fig. 344, low-level signals (those with amplitudes smaller than the offset voltage). And because of their buffering action, op eliminate the effects of source and load on dio circuits, Circuits that co active diode circuits Figure 34-2 shows an active half-wave rectifier. When the input signal goes positive, the output goes positive and turns ‘on the diode. The circuit then acts like a voltage follower, and the positive half-cycle appears across the load resistor. On the other hand, when the input goes negative, the op amp output goes negative and tums off the diode, Since the diode is ‘open, no voltage appears across the load resistor. This is why the final output is almost a perfect half-wave signal, The high gain of the op amp virtually eliminates the effect of offset voltage, For instance, if the offset voltage @ equals 0.7 V and open-loop gain is 100,000, the input that just turns fon the diode is ine op amps and diodes are called o7V = [00,000 Keon) =7nV When the input voltage is greater than 7 j2V, the diode turns fon and the circuit acts like a voltage follower. The effect is equivalent to reducing the offset voltage by a factor of A Fig. 34-2. Active hat ave rectifier (2) Comparator; (o) Aput-ourput charactensc Page 25 of 57ELECTRONICS AND COMMUNICATIONS LABORATORY EXPERIMENTS. ENGINEERING DEPT, The active hall-wave rectifier is useful with low-level signals. For instance. if we want to measure sinusoidal volt ages in the millivolt region, we can add a milliammeter in series with the R, of Fig. 34-2. With the proper value of Ry we can calibrate the meter to indicate rms millivolts ‘Active Peak Detector ‘A peak detector is circuit whose output isa de voltage equal to the peak value of the input waveform. For example, puta 4 peak value of 10 V into an ideal peak detector and out comes a dc voltage Figure 34-30 shows a passive peak dete ‘only on the positive half-cyeles, The capacit peak of the input voltage less the offset vol peak detector is useful only when the peak input volt i than the offset voltage To peak-detoct small sig detector like Fig. 34-36 active half-wave rectifier. AML we have done is connect a capacitor across the load resistor. The capacitor will charge to the peak input voltage. Because of the op amp, the effective offset voltage of the diode is reduced from 0.7 V volts, As a result, we can peak-detect millivolt signals Active Positive Limiter Figure 34-4 is an active positive limiter (also called a “clip. per"). With the wiper all the way tothe left, Vey 48 0 and the ‘noninverting input is grounded. When Vj, goes positive, the error voltage drives the op amp o the diode. This means the final output V Viern) for any positive value of Vi ‘When V,, goes negative, the op amp output is postive which ums off the diode and opens the loop. When this ye and turns on 1s 0 (same as alfeycle of input voltage. cycle appears at the output This is why the negative halt Fig. 34-3. (a) Passive poak detector (6) actwe peak detector Fig. 34-4. Active bron niting level, all we do is adjust Vy a8 is case, clipping occurs at iggy as shown in Fig ‘As usual, the op amp effectively reduces the offset voltage to the microvolt region. Because of this, the acti Fig. 34-4 can limit low-level signals, limiter of Active Clamper Figure 34-5 is an active positive clamper. The first negative half-cycle produces a positive op amp output which turns on the diode. This allows the capacitor to charge to the peak value of the input with the polarity shown, Just beyond the negative peak, the diode turns off. This clamps the output the OV. wavefe SUMMARY 1. The simplest way to use an op ampis open loop. When an op amp is used like this, itis ealled a comparato 2. Op amps can greatly reduce the effect of diode offset voltage. This allows active diode circuits to work in the rillivol region The active half-wave rectifier no longer has an offset voltage of 0.7 V. Instead, ithas an effective offset voltage somewhere in the microvolt region, {An weal peak detector produces a de output volage that equals the peak of the input waveform ‘An active peak detector can peak-detect signals in the millivolt region. ‘The active limiter uses an op amp and a limiter circuit to lip low-level signals, ‘An active clamper can clamp low-level signals, SELF-TEST Check your understanding by answering these questions. 1. An op amp used open loop is called a 2. When op amps are used in diode circuits, the effect of __voltage is almost eliminated 3. If the diode offset voltage is 0.7 V and an op amp has a voltage gain of 100,000, the effective offset voltage is Ry Page 26 of 57ELECTRONICS AND COMMUNICATIONS LABORATORY EXPERIMENTS ENGINEERING DEPT. oT cd Fig. 345 ‘An active —__ output whose peak vokage equals the peak voltage of the A peak detector produces to the peak value of the input waveform An peak detector can peak-dete in the millivot region An active V voltage equal signals _ clips the signal at the level PROCEDURE ‘Comparator 1. Connect the no go circuit of Fig 2. Vary the potentio 3. Use 46. peter and notice what the LI ‘de-coupled input of the oscilloscope to look at the input voltage to pin 3. Adjust th get +100-mV input. Record the color 0 (lable 34-1). J. Adjust the potentiometer to get an input of Record the color of the oN LED. Ds do, potentiometer to the ox LED 100 mv Fig. 34-6. Go-no go detector Aetne camper MATERIALS REQUIRED © Power supplies: Two 15-V © Equipment: AC generator, oscilloscope © Resistors: 1-8 2, LORE? Yo-W © Potentiometer: 1-kO (or nearest available value) © Diode: IND14 (or any smalls @ LEDs: THL22! and TIL LEDs) "0p w = Capacit nal diode) (or equivalent ted and green ip 741 1: 100-AF (at Feast 1S V) TABLE 341, _Go-no go Detector Color (st Color (ten 4) Half-Wave Rectifier $. Build the circuit of Fig. 4-7 6. Connect the oscilloscope (Je input) across the 10-40 0 Hz and adjust the level to get a peak output of 1 V on the oscilloscope. Toad resistor. Set the generator tI (This should be a half-wave signal Connect the oscilloscope to the input (pin 3). Record the peak value of the input sine wave (Table 44-2). Adjust the signal level t peak value of 100 mV. Then measure a ‘input peak voltage (Table 44-2). ct a half-wave output with a Wd record the Page 27 of STELECTRONICS AND COMMUNICATIONS LABORATORY EXPERIMENTS: ENGINEERING DEPT. Active Halt-Wave Rector 9. Connect # 100-4F capacit circuit of Fig. 34-76. 10. Adjust the generator to across the load to get the 4 an input peak value of 1 V Measure and record the de output value (Table 34-3), ak value of 100 ible 34-3) Readjust the generat mV. Measure an pet an input p record the de output ( TABLE 34-3, Vas (step 10) Vas (step 11) QUESTIONS 1, Explain why the circuit of Fig. 34-6 1s called a “go-no go detector Suppose pin 2 is returned to + 1.5 V grounded in Fig. 4-6, Describe wh vary the potentiometer If the diode is reversed in Fi ‘output be for an input sine “a Ifthe input signal has a peak of 250 mV in F what would the peak output voltage be? Based on the data in Table 34-3, how much output would there be if the input waveform has a peak value of 375 mV? stead of bein happens whea you 34-7a, what would the Limiter 12, Build the circuit of Fig. 34.8 13. Adjust the generator to produce a peak value of 1 V at the hand end of the 2.2-k©! resistor. 14, Look at the output signal while turing the potentiom ter through its entire range 15, Adjust the generator to produce a peak output of 100 mV at the lelt-hand end of the 2.2-k22 resistor. Then repeat step 14. 6. Describe the output of Fig. 34-7h if the diode is reversed. 7. Is the circuit of Fig. 34-8 a positive or negative limiter? 8. If the diode were reversed in Fig. 34-8, what would the ‘output be like? Answers to Self-Test comparator 5. de offset 6. active 7 7. clipper half-wave; input Page 28 of 57