469

IEEE JOURNAL OF SOLID-STATECIRCUITS,VOL.sC-7,NO. 6,DECEMBER ]972

monolithic IC time delay generator has been built, which

precisely controls the reset time and the initial ramp
voltage o Ean external RC sweep circuit and incorporates
precision voltage comparators to provide three separate
time-delayed outputs with accuracies of +1 percent
from 40 to + 125C. This approach eliminates the
need for a linear voltage sweep (and thus a precision
current source on the die), provides greater desensitivit y
to variations in the IC parameter specifications, and
allows a large number of die per wafer and a high die
yield per wafer to provide an economic precision building
block for automotive electronic fuel injection.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The authors wish to acknowledge the excellent laboratory assistance of D. Culmer and the compact layout
design of A. Smith.
REFERENCES
[1] J. D. Graeme, G. E. Tobey, and L. P. Huelsman, Eds., Operational
A mpl@iers,Design and Applications.
New York: McGraw-Hill,
1971, pp. 52-58.
[2] D. S. Babb, Pulse Circuitsswitching
and Shaping. Englewood Cliffs, N. J.: Prentice-Hall, 1964, pp. 1121.
[3] M. J. Gay, Impact of economic considerations on consumer IC
design, 197$ ISSCC Dig. Tech. Papers, pp. 122123.
CapacitorsTheir
Use in Electronic Circuits.
[4] M. Brotherton,
New York: Van Nostrand, 1946, ch. 2.

An Electronic Gyrator
HANS O. VOORMAN

ANDARNOLD

AbstractAfter a brief introductionto the gyrator concept, its

realizationas an accuratemonolithicintegratedcircuitis described.
The inherentelectronicproblemsare consideredand performance
criteria are defined. Data are given. Applications,particularlyin
electric filters, are discussed and it is shown that in the lower
frequency range the use of these semifloating gyratorscan be
very advantageous.The monolithicintegrationof the gyrator can
be seenas a major steptowardintegratedselectivity.

INTRODUCTION
A.NY attempts have been made to replace LC
filters by filters which, while maintaining their
M
excellent properties [1], do not require big and
costly inductors. A possible method is to replace each
coil by a gyrator terminated in a capacitor.
To replace a coil we need at least another energy
reservoir, e.g., a capacitor. If we compare the equations
for an inductor and a capacitor we see that the role
played by voltage and current is reversed (Fig. 1). To
simulate an inductance with a capacitor we must transform the current ic to a voltage v~ and the voltage VC
to a current i~:
v~ = Rlic

i~ = (1/RJvc,

(1)

where RI and Rz are resistances. We thus get an inductance L = RIR,C. In this way all normal values of
inductances up to very high values can be simulated
(e.g., R, = R, = 1 Mfl, C = 1 pF gives L = 1 MH).
Fig. 2 shows a circuit realizing (l). Only the signalManuscript received April 20, 1972; revised July 31, 1972.
The authors are with the Philips Research Laboratories, Eindhoven, the Netherlands.

BIESHEUVEL

handling part is indicated. It consists of two differential

stages antiparallel. Each stage is supposed to convert
accurately a voltage into a current. The electronic circuit
(a two-port) together with the capacitor simulates an
inductance L = RIRZC.
If R, = R, the electronic two-port is [lossless and it
behaves as a gyrator, as defined by Tellegen [2]. The
symbol for a gyrator is shown in Fig. 3.
The differential stages of the gyrator can be integrated
in a monolithic process. For reasons of accuracy, however,
the gyration resistors R, and R, must be connected
exteimally. Hence, a simulated inductance consists of
an integrated circuit, two resistors, and a capacitor,
DESIGN
Many gyrator circuit configurations are known [3]-[5].
We present an accurate integrated realization using only
two external components (R,, RJ. This also gives the
most accurate inductance value for given component
tolerances and gives a low noise factor [6], [7].
Our circuit is based on the configuration of Fig, 2, The
inductance value is given by L = RIRZC (1 + 3), where
R,, R,, and C are values of external components and 8 is
the influence (variable, temperature dependent) of the
integrated electronic circuit. 16I must be made much
smaller than the tolerances of RI, Rz, and C, e.g., lower
1 We refer each time to inductance simulation instead of treating
the gyrator as a two-port because it is felt that the very major
part of the applications of the gyrator will be inductance simulation.
In this case we have L = R,R,C but for a different design [5]
L = RIRBRsC/R2, which is somewhat less accurate for the same
component tolerances.

470

IEEE JOURNAL OF SOLID-ST.4TE

CIRCUITS,DECEMBER 1972
it possible

not only to use the simple formula L = RIRZC,

where Rl, RZ, and C are determined externally, but also
to reduce intermodulation (e.g., the transconductance is
current-dependent nonlinear.
To meet the two requirements, we use for each of the
four transistors of Fig. 2 a cluster of integrated transistors
with internal feedback. Each cluster can be considered
as an artificial transistor. The main diagram of these
artificial transistors is given in Fig. 5(a) for the n-p-n
and in Fig. 5(b) for the p-n-p transistor. Base b, emitter e,
Fig. 1. Voltage-to-current
transformations
make an inductance
from a capacitance.
and collector c have been indicated. DC currents 1 are
supplied by current sources. The great difference between
these
circuits is due to the fact that an integrated n-p-n
v~
,,
4
transistor (vertical) is much better than the (lateral)
R,
p-n-p transistor available in a standard monolithic
PI
P:
integration process, e.g. ~ the basecollector current gain
of an n-p-n transistor may be in our case between 50
and 150, and for a p-n-p between 3 and 10.3
How the artificial transistors are used can be seen in
the
complete gyrator circuit (Fig. 6). Note that the
P2
P;
Rz
indications pl, p1, . 91, g1, . in Fig. 6 correspond
&_%
4
c
to those in Fig. 2. All resistors are equal valued (in our
+
k
case, about 7 k~).
Darlington circuits 1, 2 and 1, 2 increase the accuracy
Fig. 2. Two differential stages antiparallel and a capacitor simulate
of the artificial n-p-n transistors. Diode 3(3) lowers the
an inductance L = RIRZC.
cutoff frequency of the lateral p-n-p in the feedback of
the artificial p-n-p to prevent HF oscillations and small
capacitors (diodes from emitter to collector of lateral
R
i
i2
-+
+-p-n-p) make a short circuit for high frequencies.
one of our main problems was the problem of different
v,
V*
stable states. Roughly speaking each transistor can
have three states: 1) working (V,. N 0.6 V, V., >0.3 V),
.lc.
V,= - Ri2
2) not conducting (V,, < 0.6 V), and 3) bottoming
V*= fill
(Vbe E 0.6 v, v.. % O V). Hence, the gyrator network
with
50 transistors (diodes have only two states; also
Fig. 3. Symbol for a gyrator (R = gyration resistance),
parasitic transistors must be considered) can have 350
different states. Only in one of these states does it behave
v
*
*
as a gyrator. We have to be absolutely sure that after
v
applying the proper supply voltages we obtain the correct
r
state of the network. We have to prove with the help of
Kirchhoffs laws that after applying the supply voltages
the current distribution is unique.
As an example we see in Fig. 7(a) and (b) two different
Fig. 4. For an accurate gyrator the differential stages must
stable
states of the p-n-p artificial emitter follower. In
approximate
the equation z = v/R as closely as possible.
Consequently, we must have v = o and i = r?.
Fig. 7(a), the current source is bottoming and three
transistors are not conducting. In Fig. 7(b) all transistors

/L=*

than 10-3. 8 is a measure for the accuracy of the gyrator.

For an accurate gyrator the voltage-to-current transformations must be very accurate. Hence, we have to
fulfill the following two requirements (Fig. 4): 1) v= v
(high transconductance tloftransistors)
2) i=i
(high
current gain of transistors, @ >> 103).2 This reduction of
the influence of the IC on the inductance value makes
2 For the voltage-to-current
transformation
of Fig. 4 we find
v/i = R(I + (2/SR)) (1 + (l/p)),
while the ideal formula was
v/i = R. Consequently, we can see the correction terms as a contribution to the inaccuracy 6 of the gyrator of approximately (2/ISR) +
(1/P), which must be kept as small as possible.

s If ~. (@r) is the basecollector current gain of the n-p-n (p-n-p)

transistors we find for the artificial transistors roughly
6. . . . . = @nZBp,L? P...P= ~nz, tl~.u.n = SP-.. P = &qI/(k T),
where S denotes the transconductance
of the artificial transistors.
Hence, the artificial transistors have a high basecollector current
gain and a high transcondnctance.
4 The more transistors and the less resistors we have in the circuit
the more important this problem will be. Particularly when collector
currents (current sources ) must fit to each other controlled by
feedback, a wrong state can easily occur before the feedback starts
working. However, we must be certain that it does not remain in the
wrong state. In a gyrator with all its loops this problem is a dominating one.
6 A start to a theoretical treatment of this problem is made by
Skmdberg and Willson [8], [9].

471

vOORMAN AND BIESHEUVEL : ELECTSONIC GYSATOR

with the lowest transistor of the basic circuit) a multiplier

to improve the signal handling at maximum signal,
particularly at higher frequencies.
The dc current, supplied to the gyrator by a set of
accurately coupled high-impedance current sources with
resistors in the emitters to decrease the noise, is adjusted
with a single resistor between a and b (b to ground).
cd is short circuited directly or via diodes (to increase
the signal-handling capacity).
Port 1 (p, p,) of the gyrator is floating in order
to be able to simulate floating coils. The dc level of port 2

I-T-l-@c

+
I

(a)

(b)

Fig. 5. Main diagrams of the artificial (high-current-gain

hlghtransconductance)
transistors. (a) n-p-n; (b ) p-n-p, as used for
the differential stages of the gyrator: bbase, e-emitter,
c
collector.

(PZ PZ) is fixed internally (terminal PZ). The gyrator

is semifloating.s
The circuit has been integrated in a standard monolithic
process (chip size: 3.4 mm, Fig. 8) and it is mounted
in a dual in-line package. To have a completely generalpurpose gyrator 14 pins of the package are needed.
In the layout, special attention was paid to obtain
equal transistors where necessary. Furthermore, the
base regions of the n-p-n transistors of the p-n-p-n-p-n
combinations used as current sources from the plus supply
voltage were made extra large to obtain a high base
collector capacitance. This prevents oscillations at high
frequencies of these current sources.
PERFORMANCE

Table I shows the main gyrator characteristics for

a particular application. They will be discussed in the
next section.
d
Unequal current sources and unequal base-emitter
voltages give rise to dc offset of the gyrator. Over a
simulated coil we find an offset voltage. An offset current
is flowing to the ground [Fig. 9(a)]. The offset must be
kept low with respect to the currents and voltages (signal
Fig. 6. Integrated gyrator circuit (P1-P1, pz-pz: por$; gl-g1,
gz-gz: handling capacity) in the gyrator, otherwise it is difficult
gyration resistance terminals; ab: dc current adjustment; c~:
to cascade a number of gyrator filter sections.
o, 1, 2, . . . diodes).
To reduce the offset, throughout the gyrator basecurrent compensation is used. For this reason transistors
+3V
+ 3V
6-8 (Fig. 6) have been included. For a single branch the
compensation is shown in Fig. 9(b). All base currents
(1/~) flowing from a branch are compensated by equalvalued base currents to the branch. Hence, here g1 and
p, do not have to deliver supply current (offset) to reach
a current balance per branch. The base current at PI
is delivered by the neighboring branch and does not
come from outside. Currents of an order of magnitude
-iv
3V
of l/flz and lower have been neglected @ is the base
(b)
(a)
collector current gain of the n-p-n transistors).
Fig. 7. Two different stable states of the p-n-p artificial transistor.
(a) Current sourcebottoming and threetransistors
not conducting.
A good test circuit for a gyrator is a symmetrical
(b) All transistors
working correctly.
parallel resonant circuit (Fig. 10). The resonant frequency
is COO
= (l/RC).
The quality factor Q (0./3 dB bandwidth) is for low
are- working correctly. Diodes 4, 4 (Fig. 6) make it
impossible for these incorrect states to occur. Diode 5,
is also included only to prove (which we did with the
s A fully floatinggyrator will generally need a higher power
help of a truth table), that after applying the supply
consumption and isof interestonly where the gyrator isused as a
two-port (isolator,circulator).Orchard and Sheahan [10] have
voltages all transistors will work correctly.
considered the applicationof grounded gyrators (in hybrid thick
The remaining unmentioned transistor and 2 diodes
film)in bandpass filters.
Then a largernumber of gyratorsisrequired
added to the artificial p-n-p transistor form (togetl~er particularlyin low-pass filters.

V-(-H
v-id!

L*3V
Vwosv

IEEE JOURNAL OF SOLID-STATECIRCUITS,DECEMBER 1972

472
TABLE
Gyrator Characteristics

(R, = R1 = 10 kft)
+4.4 V7.6V
0.8mA
<25mV<9pA
1.6 V 0.16 mA

Supply voltages
Current consumption
Offset
Maximum output peak signals
signal power
Efficiency ~ =
supply power
Accuracy
yo:atya~:;
$,

1.370
L = R,R,C

* 0.2~o

>500
50 + 50 000/.f, j(Hz)

I/@

I-

-.
(b)

(a)

Fig. 9. (a) Offset of an electronic gyrator. (b) Base current compensation (shown for a single branch) to reduce it. Currents of 0(1/(39)
have been neglected.

o
n

?32

1
103

d
2

f (liZ)

Fig. 10. Quality factor of a symmetrical resonant circuit as a

function of frequency (P1 or p1 grounded, R, = Rj = 10 kfl).

Fig. 8.

frequencies

mainly

Gyrator chip (3.4 mm),

determined

by

the

input

resistance

of

the differential stages, which can also be seen as loss

resistances of the capacit,orsj and by the resistances of
the current sources.
In fact all phase shifts 6h in the circuit add up to

the quality factor-bandwidth product of a gyrator that

is more or less equivalent to the gain bandwidth product
of an operational amplifier. For higher frequencies the
quality factor is negative and we have an oscillator.
In filters the resonant circuits are damped strongly by
the terminating resistors. Then a negative but highvalued quality factor can even be advantageous to cancel
losses of the other components.
Means of extending the frequency range of the gyrator
are to increase the supply current and decrease the
impedance level (lower R, higher C values). However,
to derive

For

loss

resistances

R. we have 8 % R/RP and for the

caused
by parasitic capacitances
6 = C,/C.
Particularly the phase shift of the differential stages
gives generally a negative contribution that can dominate
the influence of parasitic capacitances and make the
quality factor go to infinity for higher frequencies (Fig.
10)7. As a good measure for this performance can serve

influence

7 If desired, this can be compensated fairly well by introducing

deliberately an extra parasitic capacitance [11].

full advantage

miniaturization

we

from

must

(small size) for inductance

high-resistance

values.

For

use

the

simulation
our

use

of gyrators

low-capacitance
and

example

in

values

consequently
a compromise

of R = 10 kfl has been chosen.

Theoretically, the maximum efficiency is for an amplifier
in class A: 25 percent; for a clifferential stage: 12.5 percent; and for this gyrator (two clifferential stages): 6.25
percent. Mainly because of the power consumption of
the noise feedback resistors, the baseemitter diodes,
and the extra branch for the supply current adjustment,

473

VOORMAN AND BIESHEUVEL : ELECTRONIC GYRATOR

the efficiency for a practical circuit is much lower. We

still obtained a value of 1.3 percent.
For a maximum output voltage chosen at a value of
1.6V and gyration resistors of 10 kfl the supply current
per branch must be at least 1.6/104 A = 160 pA. Consequently all five branches take together a supply current
of 800 pA. In this application the minimum SUPPIy
voltages are +4.4 and 7.6 V. Now also the power
consumption is minimal and the efficiency maximal.
Different maximum output voltages and gyration resistances lead to different values for supply voltages,
power consumption, and efficiency but they can be used
equally well.
The deviation 18I of the inductance value due to the
electronic circuitry is not larger than 0.2 percent in the
temperature range 20 to +80C and for all normal
supply currents and voltages. Hence, the inductance
behavior is generally almost completely determined
by the external components.
Note that in a more accurate description of the circuit,
but too lengthy for this paper, this gyrator has to be
treated as a five-terminal network (p,, P1, p,, p,, and
ground).
The noisefactor F and an equivalent circuit for a
noisy gyrator are discussed extensively in former publications [6], [7]..
COMPARISON
Among all gyrator circuit configurations those that
are based directly on the voltage-to-current transformations or, vice versa, on the current-to-voltage transformations without any compensation of positive with negative
resistances, seem to be the simplest. However, gyrators
based on current-to-voltage
transformations (currentcontrolled voltage sources CCVSS) can become instable
in one of their most important applications: namely when
terminated capacitively on both sides.s
The voltage-controlled current sources (VCCSS) must
be connected antiparallel. This can be done by using an
inverter stage. Examples of gyrators with two VCCSS
and an invertor stage are the Riordan gyrator [12] and
its derivatives [10], [5] and the resonant circuit best
described by two integrators and an inverter in a ring [13]
also used in second-order filter blocks [14], [15]. Note
that in this last case the gyrator is not used as a lossless
device. The inaccuracy in the inductance value (or
resonant frequency) is not only determined by the nonideal VCCSS but also by the inverter stage, for instance
by the inaccuracy in a resistance ratio (R,/RJ.
By a direct coupling (antiparallel) as shown in Fig. 2
this last source

of inaccuracy

is avoided.

Our

gyrator

s A gyrator together with its terminations forms a loop. We have

here the following ring of equations: Vj = RII, 1, = pC,V,,
V1 = RI,, II = pC,V, with a loop gain RpCZRpC,. For high
frequencies the loop gain increases strongly and may cause HF
instability. For a gyrator with voltage-controlled
current sources
the loop gain decreases for high frequencies when capacitively
terminated.

50

R .lOk.11,

40
30
co71359

Fig. 11. Performance of a low-pass gyrator capacitor (telephony)

filter (code C 07 10 598, not adj ~lst,ed, component tolerances
1 percent).

seems to be the first accurate monolithic

this type.

gyrator

of

APPLICATIONS
From

the foregoing

frequencies
gyrator

can

(where

it will be clear that for the lower

coils are

easily be

used

large

and

in resonant

expensive)

the

circuits with

a high selectivity (pilot filters).

In LC filters every inductance can be replaced by a

gyrator and a capacitor. The element values can be
found in standard LC filter tables [16], [17]. As an example
the performance of a low-pass (telephony) filter (code
C 07 1059 [16]) is shown in Fig. 11. These results have
been obtained without any adjustment (component
tolerances 1 percent). To obtain the same low attenuation
in the passband with an LC filter we need coils with a
quality factor of about 2000, which is almost impossible
to make nowadays even with big coils. Finally, the
measured maximum signal-to-noise ratio of this filter
psophometrically weighted [18] is 90 dB.
These excellent results were obtained so easily because
two important properties of conventional LC filters were
preserved, namely losslessness and the ladder structure
of the filters.
These gyrators can also be applied easily in oscillators,
frequency-variable
circuits (variation of gyration resistors), and nonlinear elements (conjunctor [19], etc.).
CONCLUSIONS
The electronic problems inherent in the design of a
monolithic
integrated semifloating gyrator (accuracy,
HF oscillations, stable states) have been illustrated.
The use of gyrators to simulate coils in the low frequency range (dependent on dissipation up to about
100 kHz) in resonant circuits and filters gives results
that are closer to the specifications than in the LC case
because, of the low losses. Generally, adjustment is not
necessary.
The application will make the practical research on
frequency-variable circuits (e.g., variations of the gyrag Provided that there is a dc path to the ground (for the offset
current ) as is almost always the case in practical filters.

---- JUUHNAh
. . ..-. . . WI?
.- SLJL,lLh!SIAlii
. . . .. -- ,
CIRUU1lS,

474

tion resistances, changes the resonant frequency of a

resonant circuit instantaneously) and nonlinear circuits
easier.
Particularly, the low losses, the smaller size, the easy
handling, and insensitivity to magnetic interference are
advantages over the use of coils.
AC~NOWLEDG~ENT
We wish to express our thanks to our colleagues:
D. Blom who initiated this subject, N. van Hurck and
R. J. van der Plassche for their assistance with the
electronics, to A. van Dedem and J. S. Visser of our
telecommunications
department (PTI) and finally to
C. Mulder and his colleagues for their assistance in the
layout design and integration of this gyrator.
REFERENCES
[1] H. J. Orchard, Inductorless filters, E[ectrwn. Ldt., vol. 2,
pp. 224225, June 1966.
[2]B. D. H. Tellegen, The gyrat,or, a new electric network element, Philips Res. Rep., vol. 3, pp. 81-101, Apr. 1948.
[3] T. N. Rao and R. W. Newcomb,
Direct-coupled
gyrator
suit able for integrated circuits and time variation,
Electron.
Letf., vol. 2,p.250,Jaly1966.
[4]R. H. S. Riordau, Simulated indllctors using differential
amplifiers, Electron. L.tt., vol. 3? pp. 50-51, Feb. 1967.
[5] H. R. Trimmel and W. E. Heinlein,, FLdly floating chaintype gyrator
circuit
using operatloual
transconductance
amplifiers,
Dig. IEEE
Symp. Electrical Network Theory,
City University, London, 1971, pp. 61-62.
[6] D. Blom and J. O. Voorman, [Noise and dissipation of elec-

A 15-W Monolithic

VUL,.

SC-(,

---

/.

NO.

0,

DM!EMBBR

n-c.

lY(A

tronic gyrators, Philips Res. Rep., vol. 26, pp. 103-113, 1971.
[7] J. O. Voorman, and D. Blom, Noise in gyratorcapacitor
filters, Philips Res. Rep., vol. 26,pp.114133,,
Apr.1971.
[8] A. N. Willson, Jr., New theorems on the equations of nonlinear DC transistor networks, Befl Syst. Tech. J., vol.
49,pp.
1713-1738,
Oct. 1970.
[9] 1. W. Sandberg, Theorems on the computation of the transient
response of non-linear networks containing transistors and
diodes, Bett S~st. Tech. J., vol. 49, pp. 1739-1776, Oct. 1970.
[10] H. J. Orchard and D. F. Sheahan, Inductorless
bandpass
filters, IEEE J. Solid-State Circuits, vol. SC-5, pp. 108-118,
June 1970.
[11] H. T. van Looy and K. M. Adams, Wideband
electronic
gyrator circuit, Electron. Lett.j vol. 4,pp.431-432,
Oct.1968.
[12] R. H. S. Riordau, Simulated
inductors using clifferential
amplifiers, Electron. Lett., vol. 3, pp. 50-51, Feb. 1967.
[13] E. A. Faulkner and V. Downe, A second-order active filter
circuit for tuned amplifiers and sin~~soidal oscillators, Electron.
Eng., vol. 39, pp. 289-290, May 1967.
[14] W. J. Kerwin, L. P. Huelsma~,, and R. W. Newcomb, [Statevariable synthesis for insensltwe integrated circait transfer
functions, IEEE J. Solid-State CirCuds, vol. SC-2, ,..DD. 87-92,
Sept. 1967.
[15] a. L. C. Thomas, The Biquad-part
I: Some practical design
considerations,
IEEE Trans. Circuit Theory, vol. CT-18, May
1971, pp. 350-357.
b. [The
Biqtladpart
II :A multipurpose active filtering
system, pp. 358-361.
[16] R. Saal. Der Entwurf von Filtern mit Hilfe des Katalmres
.=-.
normierten Tiefpasse, Telef unken J., Backnang, Germany,
lcull.
[17] P. It. Geffe, Simplified Modern Filter Design, student ed.
London: Iliffe, 1964.
[18] Recommendations
de principe et mesures relatives ii la qualit6
de transmission. a~~areils t616~honiaues. Corn. Consult. Int.
Teleph., vol. 4, p. ~~2, Union ~nt. Telecommun., Geneva, 1956.
[19] S. Duinker, Conjunctors,
another new class of non-energic
non-linear network element s, Philips Res. Rep., vol. 17, pp.
1-19,
Feb. 1962.

Power Operational Amplifier

PAUL R. GRAY

AbstractThe
design of a new general-purpose
monolithic
power amplifier functional block is described and the flexibility
of the block in various applications is discussed. The effects of
thermal coupling on the die between components in high-gain
dc power amplifiers are examined and a technique is presented
for the analytical evaluation of dc circuit performance in the presence
of these thermal interactions. Experimental results from the 15-W
amplifierare presented.A new integratedpower transistorstructure
is described that includes emitter degeneration resistorsas part
of the emitter structure.Circuitperformance is summarized.

INTRODUCTION
EVERAL
monolithic

regulators

recent

papers

audio
with

bilitiesof up to 15 W.

[1], [2] have

amplifiers
internal

power

and

dissipation

In this paper, a power

amplifier is described that is intended

described

power

supply
capa-

purpose functional building block in servo amplifiers

audio amplifiers, and power supply regulators. The
.
aPPllcatlon of such a functional block is discussed first,
followed by a description of the amplifier circuit. The
effects of undesirable thermal interactions on the IC
die on the dc and low-frequency performance of the
circuit are then investigated and a technique for the
quantitative prediction of these effects is described with
experimental results. The power transistor and power
diode structure used are then described and the performance of the circuit is summarized.
POWER

OPERATIONAL
lbNCTIONAL

AMPLIFIER

AS A

BLOCK

operational

for use as a general-

Mauuscript received April 24, 1972; revised JLdy 15, 1972.

The author is with the Department of Electrical Engineering,
University of California, Berkeley, Calif.

The great advantage of the operational-amplifier

approach to power integrated circuits is its great flexibility. Used alone, a single device can drive an acoustic
speaker or small servomotor directly when connected
in any of the standard operational-amplifier configurations