KKKL2173 Analogue Electronic Op-amp Differentiator Circuit (Group 24)

The Basic Foundation and Theoretical Aspects of Op-amp Differentiator Circuit

An op-amp differentiator amplifier as shown in Figure 1 uses a capacitor C in series
from the input voltage source to the inverting input of the op-amp. A feedback resistor Rf is
then used to provide the negative feedback around the op-amp chip. The feedback resistor gives
the circuit DC stability – an important factor in many applications. The non-inverting input is
connected to ground.

Figure 1: Op-amp differentiator amplifier

A differentiator circuit is one in which the voltage output is directly proportional to the
rate of change of the input voltage with respect to time. This means that a fast change to the
input voltage signal, the greater the output voltage change in response. The voltage output for
the op-amp differentiator can be determined from the relationship below:

𝑑𝑉𝑖𝑛
𝑉𝑜𝑢𝑡 = −𝑅𝑓 𝐶
𝑑𝑡

where:
Vout = output voltage from op-amp differentiator
Vin = input voltage
t = time in seconds
Rf = resistor value in the differentiator in Ω
C = capacitance of differentiator capacitor in Farads
dVin/dt = rate of change of voltage with time

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KKKL2173 Analogue Electronic Op-amp Differentiator Circuit (Group 24)

Some of the typical waveforms such as sine waves, square waves and triangular waves
provide very different waveforms at the output of the differentiator circuit. For the waveforms
shown in Figure 2, it can be seen that the greater the rate of change of the waveform at the
input, the higher the output voltage at that point.

Figure 2: Waveforms and their differentiated derivatives

At low frequencies, the reactance of the capacitor XC is high, resulting in a low gain
(Rf/XC) and low output voltage from the op-amp. At high frequencies, the reactance of the
capacitor is much lower which gives a higher gain and higher output voltage from the
differentiator amplifier.

However, differentiators have issues with noise and sometimes instabilities at high
frequencies as a result of the gain and also the internal phase shifts within the op-amp. These
issues can be overcome by adding some high frequency roll off (HF roll off) based on Figure
3.

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KKKL2173 Analogue Electronic Op-amp Differentiator Circuit (Group 24)

Figure 3: Op-amp differentiator circuit with additional resistor and capacitor for stability

Figure 4: Frequency response of op-amp differentiator circuit with additional resistor and
capacitor for stability

The choice of the resistor Rin and capacitor Cf are very dependent on the conditions of
the output noise level of differentiator. For further noise reduction, it is necessary to incorporate
the capacitor Cf. From the equation below, an appropriate starting value for the differentiator
circuit can be calculated by using:
1
𝑓≫
2𝜋𝑅𝑓 𝐶𝑖𝑛

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KKKL2173 Analogue Electronic Op-amp Differentiator Circuit (Group 24)

Op-amp Differentiator Circuit Design Procedures, Simulation Results and Analysis

Part A: Simple op-amp differentiator for triangular wave input with low input frequency
Calculation to obtain the amplification factor:
𝐿𝑒𝑡 𝑓𝑖𝑛 = 10 𝐻𝑧, 𝑅𝑓 = 16 𝑘Ω 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐶𝑖𝑛 = 0.01 µ𝐹,

1
𝑇=
𝑓𝑖𝑛
1
=
10
= 0.1 𝑠

𝑇 0.1
=
2 2
= 0.05 𝑠

𝐹𝑜𝑟 𝑡1 < 𝑡 < (𝑡1 + 0.05), 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑡1 = 𝑇 ∙ 𝑀 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑀 = 0, 1, 2, 3, … …

𝑑𝑉𝑖𝑛
𝑉𝑜𝑢𝑡 = −𝑅𝑓 𝐶𝑖𝑛
𝑑𝑡
1 − (−1)
= −(16𝑘)(0.01µ)
(𝑡1 + 0.05) − 𝑡1
2
= −0.16𝑚 ( )
0.05
= −6.4 𝑚𝑉

𝐹𝑜𝑟 𝑡2 < 𝑡 < (𝑡2 + 0.05), 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑡2 = 𝑇 ∙ 𝑁 + 0.05 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑁 = 0, 1, 2, 3, … …

𝑑𝑉𝑖𝑛
𝑉𝑜𝑢𝑡 = −𝑅𝑓 𝐶𝑖𝑛
𝑑𝑡
−1 − 1
= −(16𝑘)(0.01µ)
(𝑡2 + 0.05) − 𝑡2
−2
= −0.16𝑚 ( )
0.05
= 6.4 𝑚𝑉

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KKKL2173 Analogue Electronic Op-amp Differentiator Circuit (Group 24)

Simulation Results and Analysis:

𝐴𝑡 0.1𝑠 < 𝑡 < 0.15𝑠, 𝑉𝑜𝑢𝑡 = −5.1046 𝑚𝑉

𝐴𝑡 0.15𝑠 < 𝑡 < 0.2𝑠, 𝑉𝑜𝑢𝑡 = 7.6954 𝑚𝑉

The simulated and calculated values of Vout are slightly different. The triangular wave input
transforms to a square wave in line with the rising and falling levels of the input waveform.
The values of Vout obtained are smaller compared to Vin.

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KKKL2173 Analogue Electronic Op-amp Differentiator Circuit (Group 24)

Part B: Simple op-amp differentiator for triangular wave input with high input frequency
Calculation to obtain the amplification factor:
𝐿𝑒𝑡 𝑓𝑖𝑛 = 10 𝑘𝐻𝑧,

1
𝑇=
𝑓𝑖𝑛
1
=
10𝑘
= 0.1 𝑚𝑠

𝑇 0.1𝑚
=
2 2
= 0.05 𝑚𝑠

𝐹𝑜𝑟 𝑡1 < 𝑡 < (𝑡1 + 0.05𝑚), 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑡1 = 𝑇 ∙ 𝑀 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑀 = 0, 1, 2, 3, … …

𝑑𝑉𝑖𝑛
𝑉𝑜𝑢𝑡 = −𝑅𝑓 𝐶𝑖𝑛
𝑑𝑡
1 − (−1)
= −(16𝑘)(0.01µ)
(𝑡1 + 0.05𝑚) − 𝑡1
2
= −0.16𝑚 ( )
0.05𝑚
= −6.4 𝑉

𝐹𝑜𝑟 𝑡2 < 𝑡 < (𝑡2 + 0.05), 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑡2 = 𝑇 ∙ 𝑁 + 0.05 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑁 = 0, 1, 2, 3, … …

𝑑𝑉𝑖𝑛
𝑉𝑜𝑢𝑡 = −𝑅𝑓 𝐶𝑖𝑛
𝑑𝑡
−1 − 1
= −(16𝑘)(0.01µ)
(𝑡2 + 0.05𝑚) − 𝑡2
−2
= −0.16𝑚 ( )
0.05𝑚
= 6.4 𝑉

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KKKL2173 Analogue Electronic Op-amp Differentiator Circuit (Group 24)

Simulation Results and Analysis:

The Vout waveform is unstable and starts to oscillate at high frequency. In brief, there is noise
at the Vout waveform.

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KKKL2173 Analogue Electronic Op-amp Differentiator Circuit (Group 24)

Part C: Improved op-amp differentiator with additional resistor and capacitor for
triangular wave input
Calculation to obtain values of additional resistor Rin, Rcomp and capacitor Cf:
𝐿𝑒𝑡 𝑓𝑎 = 10 𝑘𝐻𝑧 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑓𝑏 = 100 𝑘𝐻𝑧,

𝐿𝑒𝑡 𝐶𝑖𝑛 = 0.01 µ𝐹,

1
𝑓𝑎 =
2𝜋𝑅𝑓 𝐶𝑖𝑛
1
𝑅𝑓 =
2𝜋𝑓𝑎 𝐶𝑖𝑛
1
=
2𝜋(10𝑘)(0.01µ)
= 1591.55 Ω

𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑎𝑟𝑑 𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑟 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑅𝑓 = 1.6 𝑘Ω.

1
𝑓𝑏 =
2𝜋𝑅𝑖𝑛 𝐶𝑖𝑛
1
𝑅𝑖𝑛 =
2𝜋𝑓𝑏 𝐶𝑖𝑛
1
=
2𝜋(100𝑘)(0.01µ)
= 159.15 Ω

𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑎𝑟𝑑 𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑟 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑅𝑖𝑛 = 160 Ω.

𝐴𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑅𝑖𝑛 𝐶𝑖𝑛 = 𝑅𝑓 𝐶𝑓

𝑅𝑖𝑛 𝐶𝑖𝑛
𝐶𝑓 =
𝑅𝑓
(160)(0.01µ)
=
1.6𝑘
= 1 𝑛𝐹

𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑎𝑟𝑑 𝑐𝑎𝑝𝑎𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑜𝑟 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝐶𝑓 = 1 𝑛𝐹.

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KKKL2173 Analogue Electronic Op-amp Differentiator Circuit (Group 24)

𝑅𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝 = 𝑅𝑖𝑛 ||𝑅𝑓

= (160)||(1.6𝑘)
= 145.45Ω

𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑎𝑟𝑑 𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑟 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑅𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝 = 150Ω.

Let input signal 10 times lower than 𝑓𝑎 ,

𝑓𝑎
𝑓𝑖𝑛 =
10
10𝑘
𝑓𝑖𝑛 =
10
𝑓𝑖𝑛 = 1𝑘𝐻𝑧

𝐹𝑜𝑟 𝑡1 < 𝑡 < (𝑡1 + 0.5𝑚), 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑡1 = 𝑇 ∙ 𝑀 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑀 = 0, 1, 2, 3, … …

𝑑𝑉𝑖𝑛
𝑉𝑜𝑢𝑡 = −𝑅𝑓 𝐶𝑖𝑛
𝑑𝑡
1 − (−1)
= −(1.6𝑘)(0.01µ)
(𝑡1 + 0.5𝑚) − 𝑡1
2
= −16µ ( )
0.5𝑚
= −64 𝑚𝑉

𝐹𝑜𝑟 𝑡2 < 𝑡 < (𝑡2 + 0.5𝑚), 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑡2 = 𝑇 ∙ 𝑁 + 0.05 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑁 = 0, 1, 2, 3, … …

𝑑𝑉𝑖𝑛
𝑉𝑜𝑢𝑡 = −𝑅𝑓 𝐶𝑖𝑛
𝑑𝑡
−1 − 1
= −(1.6𝑘)(0.01µ)
(𝑡2 + 0.5𝑚) − 𝑡2
−2
= −16µ ( )
0.5𝑚
= 64 𝑚𝑉

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KKKL2173 Analogue Electronic Op-amp Differentiator Circuit (Group 24)

Simulation Results and Analysis:

𝐴𝑡 1.0𝑚𝑠 < 𝑡 < 1.5𝑚𝑠, 𝑉𝑜𝑢𝑡 = −63.865𝑚𝑉

𝐴𝑡 1.5𝑚𝑠 < 𝑡 < 2.0𝑚𝑠, 𝑉𝑜𝑢𝑡 = 64.135𝑚𝑉

The simulated and calculated values of Vout are approximately equal. The output become stable
and square waveform is observed as from Part A but with very little noise only.

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KKKL2173 Analogue Electronic Op-amp Differentiator Circuit (Group 24)

Part D: Frequency response for improved op-amp differentiator with additional resistor
and capacitor
Calculation to obtain values of cut-off frequencies:
1
𝐶𝑢𝑡 − 𝑜𝑓𝑓 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑦 𝑎𝑡 0𝑑𝐵, 𝑓0 =
2𝜋𝑅𝑓 𝐶𝑖𝑛
1
=
2𝜋(1.6𝑘)(0.01µ)
= 9.947 𝑘𝐻𝑧

1
𝐶𝑢𝑡 − 𝑜𝑓𝑓 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑦 𝑑𝑢𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑖𝑛𝑝𝑢𝑡 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑜𝑛𝑒𝑛𝑡, 𝑓1 =
2𝜋𝑅𝑖𝑛 𝐶𝑖𝑛
1
=
2𝜋(160)(0.01µ)
= 99.472 𝑘𝐻𝑧

1
𝐶𝑢𝑡 − 𝑜𝑓𝑓 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑦 𝑑𝑢𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑓𝑒𝑒𝑑𝑏𝑎𝑐𝑘 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑜𝑛𝑒𝑛𝑡, 𝑓2 =
2𝜋𝑅𝑓 𝐶𝑓
1
=
2𝜋(1.6𝑘)(1𝑛)
= 99.472 𝑘𝐻𝑧

𝐻𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒, 𝑓1 = 𝑓2

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KKKL2173 Analogue Electronic Op-amp Differentiator Circuit (Group 24)

Simulation Results and Analysis:

𝑓𝑜 = 9.947 𝑘𝐻𝑧
𝑓1 = 𝑓2 = 69.183 𝑘𝐻𝑧

The simulated and calculated values of cut-off frequency at 0dB is exactly the same as
calculated value. The simulated cut-off frequency at maximum point of magnitude plot that is
𝑓1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑓2 are slightly difference with the calculated values.

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KKKL2173 Analogue Electronic Op-amp Differentiator Circuit (Group 24)

Part E: Improved op-amp differentiator with additional resistor and capacitor for sine
wave input with high frequency
𝐿𝑒𝑡 𝑓𝑖𝑛 = 10 𝑘𝐻𝑧.

Simulation Results and Analysis:

The sine wave is converted to a cosine waveform which gives 90° of phase shift of the signal.

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KKKL2173 Analogue Electronic Op-amp Differentiator Circuit (Group 24)

Part F: Improved op-amp differentiator with additional resistor and capacitor for square
wave input with high frequency
𝐿𝑒𝑡 𝑓𝑖𝑛 = 10 𝑘𝐻𝑧.

Simulation Results and Analysis:

The output waveform has visible spike observed before reach to 0V.

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KKKL2173 Analogue Electronic Op-amp Differentiator Circuit (Group 24)

Discussion
When designing this experiment, the value of VCC used was ±15 V based on the range
values obtained from the µ𝐴741 op-amp data sheet. The values of resistor and capacitor
calculated were converted to the nearest commercially available values. Although the
calculated values will be easier to obtain result that is closer to perfect and ideal pre-set values
of op-amp differentiator circuit, but we need to obtain simulation result that can be assumed to
be the same as in real lab experiment.

The values of the resistor used are kept to be less than 100 kΩ so that the input
impedance of the op-amp has no effect on the operation of the circuit. The non-inverting input
terminal of the op-amp is connected to ground through a resistor Rcomp, which provides input
bias compensation.

From the simple op-amp differentiator circuit simulation at Part A, we can see that the
output waveform for low frequency is smooth square waveform with little noise only. The
output waveform shows a waveform in line with the rising and the falling of the triangular
input. However, the Vout obtained is smaller and has an opposite polarity compare to Vin and it
is also smaller than the value of VCC, which is as expected. We could know from the formula
𝑑𝑉𝑖𝑛
𝑉𝑜𝑢𝑡 = −𝑅𝑓 𝐶𝑖𝑛 , the negative sign indicates that output waveform will have a phase shift
𝑑𝑡

of 180°. We also can increase the Vout value by increasing the frequency of input waveform.

At Part B with high frequency input, the output waveform obtained contains a lot of
noise where it becomes unstable and start to oscillate at some high frequency. This is because
of the first-order effect which determines the frequency response of the op-amp circuit causing
a second-order response which, at high frequency gives an output voltage far higher than what
would be expected. This noise is able to eliminate by adding suitable value of resistor in series
with Cin and adding a capacitor parallel to Rf. The value can be calculated from the assumption
of 𝑅𝑖𝑛 𝐶𝑖𝑛 = 𝑅𝑓 𝐶𝑓 .

From the simulation at Part C after adding the resistor and capacitor to the op-amp
differentiator circuit, we can see that the waveform obtained become smooth square waveform
again with lesser noise observed as compared to the observation from Part A. The additional
resistor and capacitor are able to effectively reduce the output noise at high input frequency.

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KKKL2173 Analogue Electronic Op-amp Differentiator Circuit (Group 24)

From the frequency response curve, we can observe that the gain of the improved op-
amp differentiator was increased to above 0 dB at some frequency. For passive filter, the gain
of the magnitude plot should not above 0 dB. While this op-amp differentiator is an active filter
so it should increase at 20 dB per decade until a frequency value. After this frequency, it will
show decreasing trend to negative gain again due to the additional of the resistor and capacitor
added that use to reduce noise. The cut-off frequency at gain of 0 dB can be calculated from
1
the simple op-amp differentiator which is 𝑓0 = 2𝜋𝑅 and is proved exactly same from the
𝑓 𝐶𝑖𝑛

simulation value. Although the magnitude plot obtained from simulation did not reach the
theoretical value of maximum 20 dB and the cut-off frequency calculated has slightly
difference with the simulation value, but it is still within acceptable range.

For the sine waveform input, the output waveform shows a similar shape but has a
phase shift of 90° which means it becomes a cosine output waveform. For the square input
waveform, the output waveform shows positive and negative spikes at the time where square
wave is changing between positive and negative wave. These spikes are corresponding to the
charging and discharging of the capacitor connected.

The op-amp differentiator circuit is used in analogue computer applications where it is

able to provide a differentiation manipulation on the input analogue voltage. The differentiator
circuit is possibly used most widely in process instrumentation to monitor the rate of change
of various points. If the measurement device returns a rate of change greater than a pre-set level,
this will give an output voltage above a certain threshold and this can be measured using a
comparator and used to signal an alarm or warning indication. The op-amp circuit for a
differentiator can also be used in waveform transformations where signals need to be processed.
The gain of the op-amp circuit indicates that the transformation is almost perfect, although
noise can be a limitation.

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KKKL2173 Analogue Electronic Op-amp Differentiator Circuit (Group 24)

Conclusion
From this mini project, we have learned the basic foundation and theoretical aspects of
the op-amp differentiator circuit. We have designed the op-amp differentiator circuit using
formula and pre-set frequency range.

The main findings in this mini project include the three different input waveforms will
have different output waveforms where triangular input waveform will have square output
waveform, sine input waveform will have cosine output waveform and square input waveform
will have output waveform with spikes. Besides that, the input frequency will also affect the
output waveform of an op-amp differentiator circuit where a high input frequency will cause
noise to the output waveform. A higher input frequency will also result in a higher output
voltage.

The calculated values are verified by comparing with the simulation results. Although
there are some difference between the calculated and simulated values, but they are still within
the acceptable range.

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