Operational Amplifier (opamp) Circuits
Module Overview
In this module, the operational amplifier, more commonly called the op amp is introduced and used as a circuit element. While the op amp is not a fundamental circuit element, practical op amps display nearly ideal behaviour, thereby allowing one to construct many useful circuits with relative ease. Consequently, there are two motivations for studying the ideal op amp and common op amp circuits; Firstly, op amp circuits provide practical examples to practice the many circuit analysis techniques learned in the other modules. Secondly, op amps provide an easy way to implement many useful circuits. This module aims to cover the op amp at a level compatible with these two goals.
Introduction
In many first courses on linear circuits there is a short component on the operational amplifier, more commonly called the op amp. While the op amp is not a fundamental circuit element, practical op amps display nearly ideal behaviour, thereby allowing one to construct many useful circuits with relative ease. Consequently, there are two motivations for including a short study of the ideal op amp and common op amp circuits in a first course on linear circuits; Firstly, op amp circuits provide practical examples to practice the many circuit analysis techniques learned in the course. Secondly, op amps provide an easy way to implement many useful circuits providing motivation for many students. This module aims to cover the op amp at a level compatible with these two goals.
This module consists of a sequence of 12 short videos interspersed with self-assessment questions. The videos provide an alternative to in-class lectures and reading the textbook. The videos can be assigned in place of regularly scheduled lectures or as additional material. It is expected that the course instructor, will supplement the module with additional questions and perhaps one or two laboratory exercises.
Prerequisites
Before starting this module, it will be helpful to be familiar with;
- common circuit elements such as resistors, voltage sources and current sources,
- circuit laws such as Ohm’s Law and Kirchhoff’s Voltage and Current Laws,
- circuit analysis techniques such as Nodal Analysis and perhaps Mesh Analysis ,
- finally Superposition, is particularly useful for analyzing op amp circuits.
Learning Outcomes
With careful study, by the end of this module, one should be able to;
- identify the characteristics of an ideal op amp and model the ideal op amp for circuit analysis.
- analyze commonly used single-op amp circuits that perform useful functions such as precisely amplifying signals, combining signals and separating signals.
- analyze circuits containing multiple op amps.
Explore Module
Please note that this preview is intended for exploration purposes only. If you'd like to use this module in one of your courses, to ensure playback and tracking, you must upload the SCORM package (downloadable below) to your institution's Learning Management System (ex. Blackboard, D2L, Moodle, etc).
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