Texas Instruments Incorporated Amplifiers: Op Amps

Calculating noise figure in op amps

By James Karki (Email: j-karki@ti.com)
Member, Group Technical Staff, High-Performance Linear
Introduction Figure 1. Non-inverting noise analysis diagram
Noise figure is commonly used in commu-
nications systems because it provides a
simple method to determine the impact of
system noise on sensitivity.
Today, the performance of wide-band
op amps is making them viable alternatives
SI Op Amp
to more traditional open-loop amplifiers NI NA ini
NI SO
like monolithic microwave integrated
NO
circuits (MMICs) and discrete transistors eni NO
in communications design.
RS RT
Recognizing the need to specify wide-
band op amps in RF engineering termi- iii
nology, some manufacturers do provide eS eT
noise figure, but they seem to be the
exception rather than the rule.
Op amp manufacturers typically specify eG eF
noise performance by giving the input- RG RF
referred voltage and current noise. The
noise figure depends on these parameters,
the circuit topology, and the value of
external components. If you have all this
information, noise figure can be calculated.

Review of noise figure

Noise figure (NF) is the decibel equivalent of noise factor
(F): NF (dB) = 10log(F).
Noise factor of a device is the power ratio of the signal-
to-noise ratio (SNR) at the input (SNRI) divided by the
SNR at the output (SNRO):
Assuming that the input is terminated in the same
impedance as the source, NI = kT = 174 dBm/Hz, where
k is Boltzmans constant and T = 300 Kelvin). Once we
find the input noise spectral density of the device, it is a
simple matter to plug it into Equation 2 and calculate F.

F=
SNRI
. (1)
NF in op amps
SNRO Op amps specify input-referred voltage and current noise.
Using these two parameters, adding the noise of the exter-
The output signal (SO) is equal to the input signal (SI) nal resistors, and calculating the total input-referred noise
times the gain: SO = SI G. The output noise is equal to based on the circuit topology, we can calculate the input
the noise delivered to the input (NI) from the source plus spectral density and use it in Equation 2.
the input noise of the device (NA) times the gain: In this discussion, the terms op amp and amplifier
NO = (NI + NA) G. Substituting into Equation 1 and mean different things. Op amp refers to only the active
simplifying, we get device itself, whereas amplifier includes the op amp and
SI associated passive resistors that make it work as a usable

SNRI N amplifier stage. In other words, the amplifier is everything
F= = I = 1 + NA . (2) shown in Figures 13 except RS, and the op amp is only
SNRO G S I NI
G(N + N ) the components within the dashed triangles. In this way,
I
A the plane marked NA and NI is the input to the amplifier.
This is the point to which the noise sources must be
referred so that Equation 2 can be used.

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 Amplifiers: Op Amps Texas Instruments Incorporated

The noise from the source and the input

Figure 2. Inverting noise analysis diagram
noise of the amplifier are referred to the
same point. Because the impedance is the
same, expressing the ratio between NA and
NI as a voltage ratio squared is equivalent to
the power ratio. An op amp is a voltage-
driven device, so using voltage-squared
Op Amp
terms makes the calculations easier. In the ini
SO
following discussion, voltage-squared terms
are used for NA and NI. NO
eni NO
Op amps use negative feedback to control
the gain of the amplifier. One result is that RT
the voltage across the input terminals is
iii
driven to zero. This is often referred to as eT
a virtual short. It is used in the following
analysis* and referred to as amplifier SI
action, since it is a by-product of the op NI NA NI eF
amp doing its job as an amplifier. eG
Superposition is used throughout the
analysis, wherein all sources except the one RG RF
under consideration are defeatedvoltage RS RM
sources are shorted and current sources
are opened.
Non-inverting amplifier eS eM
Of the three basic op amp circuits, it is
easiest to find the input-referred noise for
the non-inverting op amp amplifier, so it will
be discussed first. Figure 1 shows a noise
analysis diagram for a non-inverting op amp Figure 3. Fully differential noise analysis diagram
amplifier with the noise sources identified.
The source resistance RS generates a
noise voltage equal to 4kTRS. The noise NI NA RG RF
voltage delivered to the amplifier input from
the source is divided by the resistors RS and eG eF
RT. Therefore,
SI
2
RT NI
NI = 4kTRS .
RS + R T ini
Op Amp
SO
RT is typically used to terminate the input RS RM NO
so that RT = RS, in which case NI = kTRS. eni NO
The amplifiers voltage noise is a combina-
tion of eni, ini, and iii with associated imped- eS eM
ances eT, eG, and eF. These are all referred iii

eF
eG

RG RF

*The virtual-short concept simplifies the analysis. Much more work is required
to obtain the same results by other means such as nodal analysis.
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Texas Instruments Incorporated Amplifiers: Op Amps

to the input by their respective scaling factors and Figure 2 shows a noise analysis diagram for an inverting
summed to find NA; i.e., op amp amplifier with the noise sources identified.
To find the input-referred noise, it is easiest in some
NA = c1e2ni + c2i 2ni + c3i 2ii + c4eT2 + c5eG
2 + c e2 ,
6 F (3) cases to find the output noise and then divide by the
signal gain of the amplifier.
where c1 through c6 are the scaling factors.
The noise voltage delivered to the input from the source
The op amps input voltage noise is eni. It appears
is divided by the resistors RS and RM in parallel with RG.
directly at the amplifiers input and its scaling factor is 1
2 = e2 .
Therefore,
or unity, so that c1eni ni 2
The op amps non-inverting input current noise is ini. R M RG
It develops a voltage through the parallel combination of NI = 4kTRS .
RS(RM + RG ) + (RMRG )
RS and RT, which appears directly at the amplifiers input,
so that
RM is typically selected so that RM || RG = RS, in which
2
R R case NI = kTRS.
c2i 2ni = i 2ni S T . The amplifiers input-referred voltage noise is a combi-
RS + R T
nation of eni, ini, and iii with associated impedances eT, eG,
The op amps inverting input current noise is iii. It devel- eF, and eM. These are all referred to the input by their
ops a voltage through the parallel combination of RF and respective scaling factors and summed to find NA; i.e.,
RG at the op amps inverting input. By amplifier action, NA = c1e2ni + c2i 2ni + c3i 2ii + c4eT2 + c5eG
2 + c e2 + c e2 , (4)
6 F 7 M
this voltage appears at the amplifiers input, so that
2 where c1 through c7 are the scaling factors.
R F RG
c3i 2ii = i 2ii . The op amps input voltage noise, eni, at the op amps
R F + RG non-inverting input appears at the amplifier output as a
function of the amplifier noise gain,
The noise voltage term eT associated with RT is equal to
4kTRT. It is divided by the resistors RS and RT, so that RF
1+ ,
RSRM
2 RG +
RS RS + RM
c4eT2 = 4kTRT .
RS + RT
and is then referred back to the amplifier input as a func-
If RT = RS, then c4eT2 = kTRT. tion of the signal gain, RF /RG. Thus,
The noise voltage term eG associated with RG is equal to 2
4kTRG. This noise is divided by the resistors RF and RG
and applied to the op amps inverting input. Again by R RG
amplifier action, noise from RG appears at the amplifiers c1e2ni = e2ni G + . **
RF RSRM
RG +
RS + RM
input, so that
2
RF
2
c5eG = 4kTRG . The op amps non-inverting input current noise is ini. It
R F + RG develops a voltage through RT that appears directly at the
The noise voltage term eF associated with RF is equal to amplifiers input, so that
4kTRF and appears at the amplifiers output. Dividing by
2

the signal gain gives us R R RTRG

2 c2i 2ni = i 2ni T G + .
RG RF RSRM
c6eF2 = 4kTRF RG +
.
RF + RG RS + RM

With all the terms in Equation 3 quantified, we can take
the sum to find NA and use NA along with NI in Equation 2
to find F.
Inverting amplifier
Finding the input-referred noise of an inverting op amp
amplifier is more cumbersome than finding that of a non-
inverting op amp amplifier. The main problem is that the
signal gain of the amplifier and the noise gain are different.
It is hard to see how to calculate the op amps inverting
input current noise, iii. Basically, due to amplifier action,
the inverting node is at ground so that no current is drawn
through the input resistor RG. The noise current flows
through RF, producing a voltage at the output equal to iiiRF.
Referring to the amplifiers input results in c3iii2 = iii2(RG)2.
The noise voltage term eT associated with RT is equal to
4kTRT. Just like eni, it appears at the output as a function

**The gain is actually RF/RG; but since it is squared, the minus sign is
ignored in this analysis.
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 Amplifiers: Op Amps Texas Instruments Incorporated

of the amplifier noise gain and is then referred back to the where c1 through c6 are the scaling factors.
amplifier input as a function of the signal gain, so that In this analysis it is assumed that the two input resistors
2 RG are equal and that the two feedback resistors RF are

equal.
R RG
c4eT2 = kTRT G + . The op amps input voltage noise, eni, at the op amps
RF RSRM input appears at the amplifier output as a function of the
RG +
RS + RM amplifier noise gain,
RF
The noise voltage term eG associated with RG is equal to 1+ ,
4kTRG. It is divided by the resistors RG and RS in parallel RSRM
RG +
with RM en route to the amplifiers input, so that 2(RS + RM )
2
and is then referred back to the amplifier input as a func-
RG tion of the signal gain, RF/RG. Thus,
2 = 4kTR
c5eG .
G
RS R M 2
RG + R + R
S M R R
c1e2ni = e2ni G + G .
The noise voltage term eF associated with RF is equal to RF RS R M
RG +
4kTRF and appears directly at the amplifiers output. 2(RS + RM )
Dividing by the signal gain gives us
2 Since the input resistors are equal and the feedback
R
c6eF2 = 4kTRF G . resistors are equal, the op amps non-inverting input cur-
RF rent noise, ini, and inverting input current noise, iii, have
the same scaling factors. Due to amplifier action, the input
The noise source eM associated with the input termina-
nodes of the op amp are ac grounds so that no current is
tion matching resistor RM is equal to 4kTRM. It is divided
drawn through the input resistors RG. All the noise cur-
by the resistors RM and RS in parallel with RG, so that
rent flows through RF, producing a voltage at the output
2 equal to iniRF or iiiRF. Referring to the amplifiers input
RS RG
c7e2M = 4kTRM . 2 = i2 (R )2 and c i2 = i2 (R )2.
results in c2ini
RM (RS + RG ) + RSRG
ni G 3 ii ii G
The noise voltage term eG associated with each RG is
equal to 4kTRG. It is divided by the resistors RG and one-
With all the terms in Equation 4 quantified, we can take half RS in parallel with RM, so that
the sum to find NA and use NA along with NI in Equation 2
2
to find F.
RG
Fully differential amplifier 2 = 2 4kTR
c4eG .
G RS R M
RG +
Fully differential op amp amplifiers are very similar to

inverting op amp amplifiers, and the analysis follows very 2(RS + RM )
closely. Figure 3 shows the noise analysis diagram.
The source resistance generates thermal noise equal to The noise voltage term eF associated with each RF is
4kTRS. The noise voltage delivered to the input from the equal to 4kTRF and appears directly at the amplifiers
source is divided by the resistors RS and RM in parallel output. Dividing by the signal gain gives us
with 2RG. Therefore, R
2

2 c5eF2 = 4kTRF G .
2RM RG RF
R + 2R
NI = 4kTRS M G . The noise source eM associated with the input termina-
2RMRG tion matching resistor RM is equal to 4kTRM. It is divided
RS + R + 2R by the resistors RM and RS in parallel with 2RG, so that
M G
2
RM is typically selected so that RM || 2RG = RS, in which 2RSRG
case NI = kTRS. R + 2R
The amplifiers input-referred voltage noise is a combi- c6e2M = 4kTRM S G .
2RSRG
nation of eni, ini, and iii with associated impedances eG, eF, RM + R + 2R
and eM. These are all referred to the input by their respec- S G

tive scaling factors and summed to find NA; i.e., As before, with all the terms in Equation 5 quantified,
NA = c1e2ni + c2i 2ni + c3i 2ii + c4eG
2 + c5eF2 + c6e2M , (5) NA can be calculated and used with NI in Equation 2 to
find the noise factor.

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Texas Instruments Incorporated Amplifiers: Op Amps

Table 1. Comparison of calculated vs. measured noise figure

eni ini iii RF RG RT RM CALCULATED NF MEASURED NF
OP AMP CONFIGURATION (nV) (pA) (pA) () () () () (dB) (dB)
THS3202 Non-inverting 1.65 13.5 20 255 49.9 49.9 13.6 13.0
THS3202 Inverting 1.65 13.5 20 255 49.9 11.6 11.5
THS4501 Fully differential 7 1.7 1.7 392 392 56.2 30.1 30.6

Conclusion amplifiers configured as previously detailed were measured

The input-referred voltage noise and current noise, along with an Agilent N8973A noise figure analyzer. Table 1
with the circuit configuration and component values, can shows that the results are good, with the input current
be used to calculate noise figure. This is a tedious task at and voltage noise specifications given as typical values.
best. Setting up a spreadsheet for each topology where Related Web sites
component values and op amp specs can be entered is
analog.ti.com
recommended. In this way, various scenarios can be quickly
www.ti.com/sc/device/THS3202
tested. Verification by testing the circuit with a noise figure
www.ti.com/sc/device/ THS4501
analyzer is always suggested.
As an example of how well the theory outlined in this
article matches test results, the noise figure of three op amp

AppendixSummary of noise terms in op amp amplifiers

Signal input noise (NI) terms
AMPLIFIER
NOISE SOURCE NOISE CONTRIBUTION
CONFIGURATION
2
RT
Non-inverting Source thermal noise 4kTRS
RS + R T

2
R M RG
Inverting Source thermal noise NI = 4kTRS
RS(RM + RG ) + (RMRG )

2
2RM RG
R + 2R
Fully differential Source thermal noise 4kTRS M G
2RMRG
RS + R + 2R
M G

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 Amplifiers: Op Amps Texas Instruments Incorporated

AppendixSummary of noise terms in op amp amplifiers (Continued)

Device input noise (NA) terms
AMPLIFIER
NOISE SOURCE NOISE CONTRIBUTION
CONFIGURATION
Op amp input-referred voltage noise 2
eni
2
R R
Op amp non-inverting input-referred current noise i 2ni S T
RS + R T
2
R R
Op amp inverting input-referred current noise i 2ii F G
RF + RG
2
Non-inverting RS
Termination resistor thermal noise voltage 4kTRT
RS + RT
2
RF
Gain resistor thermal noise voltage 4kTRG
RF + RG
2
RG
Feedback resistor thermal noise voltage 4kTRF
RF + RG
2

R RG
Op amp input-referred voltage noise e2ni G +
RF RSRM
RG +
RS + RM
2

R R R R
Op amp non-inverting input-referred current noise i 2ni T G + T G
RF RSRM
R +
G
RS + RM

Op amp inverting input-referred current noise i2ii(RG)2

2

R RG
Inverting Non-inverting bias matching resistor thermal noise voltage 4kTRT G +
RF RS R M
RG +
RS + RM
2

RG
Gain resistor thermal noise voltage 4kTRG
RSRM
R +
G R + R
S M

2
R
Feedback resistor thermal noise voltage 4kTRF G
RF
2
RS RG
Inverting termination matching resistor thermal noise voltage 4kTRM
M S
R ( R + RG ) + RS G
R

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Texas Instruments Incorporated Amplifiers: Op Amps

AppendixSummary of noise terms in op amp amplifiers (Continued)

Device input noise (NA) terms (Continued)
AMPLIFIER
NOISE SOURCE NOISE CONTRIBUTION
CONFIGURATION
2

R RG
Op amp input-referred voltage noise e2ni G +
RF RS R M
RG +
2(RS + RM )

Op amp non-inverting input-referred current noise i2ni(RG)2

Op amp inverting input-referred current noise i2ii(RG)2
2

RG
Fully differential Gain resistor thermal noise voltage 2 4kTRG
RS R M
RG +
2(RS + RM )

2
R
Feedback resistor thermal noise voltage 2 4kTRF G
RF
2
2RSRG
R + 2R
Termination matching resistor thermal noise voltage 4kTRM S G
2RSRG
RM + R + 2R
S G

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