# Opamps Design --- # Basic Op-Amp Design Op-amp fundamentals: ideal model, negative feedback, and open-loop behavior Welcome! These slides introduce the op-amp abstraction you'll use in analog design, including the ideal model, the actual operation of negative feedback, and why open-loop operation saturates. --- ## Ideal Op-Amp: Model Open-loop gain: $v_{out} = A (v_+ - v_-)$ Ideal assumptions: • $A \to \infty$ • Input currents: $i_+ = i_- = 0$ • Output can source/sink as needed (within rails) • Infinite input impedance, zero output impedance The “ideal” device is an amplifier with huge differential gain. In practice, $A$ is large but finite and bandwidth-limited. Keep these as design heuristics (“golden rules”). --- ## Ideal opamp /assets/ideal.png size: contain --- ## Golden Rules (with Negative Feedback) 1) No input current: $i_+ = i_- = 0$ 2) With negative feedback in linear region: $v_+ \approx v_-$ When negative feedback closes the loop and the output is not saturated, the amplifier forces the differential input toward zero. --- ## Open-Loop vs Closed-Loop Open-loop: • Tiny differential input → huge $v_{out}$ • Output rails → saturation Closed-loop (with feedback): • Gain set by resistors/network • Stable, predictable behavior Open-loop op-amps act like comparators (saturate high/low). Design uses closed-loop topologies to set usable gain/bandwidth. --- ## Inverting Amplifier Topology: • Input $v_{in}$ → $R_{in}$ → (−) node • Feedback $R_f$ from $v_{out}$ to (−) • (+) tied to reference (usually ground) Result (ideal): $G = \dfrac{v_{out}}{v_{in}} = -\dfrac{R_f}{R_{in}}$ Speaker notes: Kirchhoff at the inverting node: no current into op-amp, so $(v_{in}-v_-)/R_{in} + (v_{out}-v_-)/R_f = 0$. With negative feedback in linear region $v_- \approx v_+ = 0$, giving $v_{out} = -\dfrac{R_f}{R_{in}} v_{in}$. --- ## Non-Inverting Amplifier Topology: • (+) sees $v_{in}$ • Divider from $v_{out}$: $R_f$ to output, $R_g$ to ground into (−) Result (ideal): $G = \dfrac{v_{out}}{v_{in}} = 1 + \dfrac{R_f}{R_g}$ Speaker notes: Use $v_- \approx v_+ = v_{in}$. The divider forces $v_- = v_{out}\dfrac{R_g}{R_f+R_g}$. Solve for $v_{out}$. --- ## Voltage Follower (Buffer) Topology: • Non-inverting with $R_f \to \infty, R_g \to \infty$ (direct feedback) • (+) = input, (−) = output Ideal result: $G = 1 \quad\text{and}\quad Z_{in}\to\infty$ Provides isolation: high input impedance, low output impedance. --- ## Summing (Inverting) Amplifier Multiple inputs $v_{1..n}$ via $R_{1..n}$ into (−); feedback $R_f$. Ideal result: $v_{out} = -R_f\left(\dfrac{v_1}{R_1}+\dfrac{v_2}{R_2}+\cdots+\dfrac{v_n}{R_n}\right)$ Great for weighted sums and simple DACs. --- ## Negative Feedback Intuition • Senses output error and drives $v_+ - v_- \to 0$ • Sets closed-loop gain via passive network • Improves linearity and reduces sensitivity to op-amp $A$ Speaker notes: As long as the op-amp isn’t saturating and has sufficient phase margin, the loop stabilizes with $v_+ \approx v_-$. --- ## Open-Loop Behavior (Comparator-like) With no feedback: • $A$ is huge ⇒ sign of $(v_+ - v_-)$ decides the rail • Output saturates near $+V_{rail}$ or $-V_{rail}$ • Not for linear amplification Use a proper comparator IC for clean switching; many op-amps are slow or have input structures unsuited to rail-to-rail comparison. --- ## Practical Limits (Reality Check) Non-idealities: • Finite $A(s)$, finite bandwidth (GBW) • Input bias currents & offsets • Slew rate limits • Output swing vs rails & load Design with datasheet limits; verify stability with phase margin and consider source/load impedance. --- ## Quick Design Examples Inverting: Target $G=-10$ ⇒ pick $R_{in}=10\,\text{k}\Omega$, $R_f=100\,\text{k}\Omega$ Non-inverting: Target $G=11$ ⇒ $R_f/R_g=10$ ⇒ $R_f=100\,\text{k}\Omega, R_g=10\,\text{k}\Omega$ Speaker notes: Choose E-series values; check input/output swing vs rails and bandwidth: $f_{-3\text{dB}}\approx \dfrac{\text{GBW}}{G}$. --- ## Where Each Topology Shines Inverting: • Precise gains, easy summing, virtual ground node Non-inverting: • High input impedance, sensor buffering Follower: • Isolation between stages Pick based on source impedance and required gain. --- ## Wrap-Up • Ideal rules simplify analysis • Negative feedback sets the gain and linear region • Open-loop op-amps saturate—use comparators for switching Thank you! Questions?