1- Differentiator op-Amp

Operational Amplifier as Differentiator or a Differentiator Amplifier.

Differentiator Amplifier can be Passive or Active based on the components used in
its design. Configuring Operational Amplifier as Differentiator or Differentiator
Amplifier is basically using Op-Amp as a High Pass Filter and is used in wave
shaping circuits, frequency modulators etc.

An op-amp differentiator or a differentiator amplifier is a circuit configuration

which is inverse of the integrator circuit. It produces an output signal where the
instantaneous amplitude is proportional to the rate of change of the applied input
voltage.

Mathematically speaking, the output signal of a Differentiator is the first order

derivative of the input signal. For example, if the input signal is a ramp, then the
output of the circuit with an Operational Amplifier as Differentiator will be simple
DC (as the rate of change of ramp signal is constant). Similarly, if the input signal
is a sinusoid, then the output signal is also a sinusoid but with phase difference of
900. A differentiator with only RC network is called a passive differentiator,
whereas a differentiator with active circuit components like transistors and
operational amplifiers is called an active differentiator. Active differentiators have
higher output voltage and much lower output resistance than simple RC
differentiators.

An op-amp differentiator is an inverting amplifier, which uses a capacitor in series

with the input voltage. Differentiating circuits are usually designed to respond for
triangular and rectangular input waveforms.

Differentiators have frequency limitations while operating on sine wave inputs; the
circuit attenuates all low frequency signal components and allows only high
frequency components at the output. In other words, the circuit behaves like a
high-pass filter.
Ideal Op-Amp Differentiator Circuit
An op-amp differentiating amplifier uses a capacitor in series with the input
voltage source, as shown in the figure below.

For DC input, the input capacitor C1, after reaching its potential, cannot accept any
charge and behaves like an open-circuit. The non-inverting input terminal of the
op-amp is connected to ground through a resistor Rcomp, which provides the input
bias compensation, and the inverting input terminal is connected to the output
through the feedback resistor Rf.
 2- Integrator as op-Amp

Operational amplifier can be configured to perform calculus operations such as

differentiation and integration. In an integrating circuit, the output is the integration
of the input voltage with respect to time. A passive integrator is a circuit which
does not use any active devices like op-amps or transistors but only passives like
resistors and capacitors.
An integrator circuit, which consists of active devices, is called an Active
Integrator. An active integrator provides a much lower output resistance and higher
output voltage than it is possible with a simple RC circuit.Op-amp differentiating
and integrating circuits are basically inverting amplifiers, with appropriately placed
capacitors. Integrator circuits are usually designed to produce a triangular wave
output from a square wave input.

Integrating circuits have frequency limitations while operating on sine wave input
signals.

Ideal Operational Amplifier Integrator Circuit

An operational amplifier integrator circuit produces an output voltage which is
proportional to the area (amplitude multiplied by time) contained under the
waveform.

An ideal op-amp integrator uses

a capacitor Cf, connected
between the output and the op-
amp inverting input terminal, as
shown in the figure below.
The negative feedback to the inverting input terminal ensures that the node X is
held at ground potential (virtual ground). If the input voltage is 0 V, there will be
no current through the input resistor R1, and the capacitor is uncharged.

Hence, the output voltage is ideally zero.

If a constant positive voltage (DC) is applied to the input of the integrating

amplifier, the output voltage will fall negative at a linear rate, in an attempt to keep
the inverting input terminal at ground potential.

Conversely, a constant negative voltage at the input results in a linearly rising

(positive) voltage at the output. The rate of change of the output voltage is
proportional to the value of the applied input voltage.
 3- Differential Amplifier as op-Amp
Definition: Differential Amplifier is a device that is used to amplify the difference
in voltage of the two input signals. Differential Amplifier is an important building
block in integrated circuits of analog system. It typically forms input
stages of operational amplifiers. In simple words, we can say It is a device that
amplifies the difference of 2 input signals.

Let’s have a look at the below-shown diagram where an operational amplifier is

used as a differential amplifier:

Here, the voltage difference present at

the inverting and non-inverting
terminal gets amplified and thus an
amplified output is received. Because
of input configuration, all op-amps are
considered to be differential amplifiers.

When two inputs are applied at the two terminals the voltage difference produced
resultantly will be proportional to the difference of the two applied input signals.
Differential amplifier behaves as subtractor circuit, that basically subtracts the two
input signal. The differential amplifier can be constructed by making use of BJTs
and FETs.