EC (Operational Amplifiers)

Question 1

Compute the gain of the following circuits from first principles. (Use the OpAmp voltage and
current rules)

a)

The derivation is shown in the class notes.

b)

The derivation is shown in the class notes.

c)

The derivation is left as an exercise.

d)

The solution requires that one compute the voltage V_ as a function of the
resistors and the output voltage. Since by voltage rule of ideal OpAmps,
V_ = V+ = Vin, the gain would then be directly computed.
Therefore, the focus is to compute V_ from the circuit shown below.

This requires the following steps.

Step 1. Compute Va as a function of Vo. Since i_ = 0, there is no current flowing

to the OpAmp. This would make R1 and R2 on the left side in series. Let Rs
denote this series combination. Therefore, Rs would then be in parallel
with R1 (the resistor shown in the middle). Let Req denote this parallel
combination

R s R1 (R + R ) R
Req = = 1 2 1
R s + R1 (R1 + R2 )+ R 1

Va is computed as

R eq
V a= V
Req + R 2 o

Step 2. Since V_ = Vi, this is computed as a function of Va

R1
V i= Va
R 1+ R 2

Vo
Step 3. Compute the gain as A=
Vi

R1 Req
V i= V
R1 + R2 R eq + R2 o

(R eq + R2 ) (R1 + R2 )
A=
Req R1
e)

This gain can be derived from the circuit of Q1c. (Express the circuit above based on the
circuit in Q1c. Select values for resistors R1 and R2 that converts the circuit in Q1c to the
circuit above. )

Question 2

For the following circuit, derive an expression for the output voltage using first principles.

The derivation is left as an exercise.

Question 3

For the following circuit, derive an expression for the output voltage using first principles.

The derivation is left as an exercise.

Question 4

a)

Design an operational amplifier that has a gain of −10±20 %. Assume that the internal
source resistance does not exceed 1000 Ohms. The available resistors have tolerance of 5%.

Draw the final circuit diagram of the operational amplifier.

The solution requires the selection of amplifier configuration and he design of the resistor
values. Since the required gain is −10±20 %, the configuration is inverting OpAmp.

Therefore, the design of resistors is required for R1 and R2 .

R2
Since =10 , choose R1 ≫R s . Hence, one choice would be
R s + R1
R1=100 R s=100(1000)=100 k Ohm . Therefore, R2=10(R s + R1 )=10(1+100)=1010 kOhm

Verify the choice with the actual tolerance of the resistors.

 R2 1010+0.05(1010)
A max = max
= = 11.16 (+11.6 %)
R s + R1
min min
0+100−0.05(100)

R2 1010−0.05 (1010)
A min= min
= = 9.05 (-9.5%)
R s + R1
max max
1+100+ 0.05(100)

Therefore, the required OpAmp circuit is shown below

b)

Design an operational amplifier that has a gain of 10±20 %. The available resistors have
tolerance of 5%. Draw the final circuit diagram of the operational amplifier.

Since the gain required is 10±20 , one would have to use non-inverting OpAmp as shown
below.
 R2 R2
The gain of non-inverting OpAmp is A=1+ . Hence, 10=1+ . Choose
R1 R1
R1=10 k Ohm . Therefore, R2=9 R1 =90 k Ohm .

Verify the gain with 5% tolerance resistors.

R2 90+0.05 x 90
A max =1+ =1+
max
= 10.95 (+9.5 %)
R1min
10−0.05 x 10

R2 90−0.05 x 90
A min =1+ =1+
min
= 9.14 (-8.6%)
R1max
10+ 0.05 x 10

Question 5

This is left as an exercise.