Electronics Lab Report: Experiment 5

Ivor Allan Jake Denham-Dyson: 737213

July 21, 2016

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1 Introduction
Operational Amplifiers(op-amps) are the building blocks of analog computing used to perform tasks such
as adding, subtracting or integrating. This lab focuses on the use of differential op-amps which takes the
difference of two input signals and amplifies it in some way.

Figure 1: Anatomy of an Operational Amplifier (Spectrose, 2016)

The V+ and V− supply the op-amp with direct current as op-amps require their own individual power
supply. The difference Vnon-inverting − Vinverting is amplified to Voutput . By connecting an op-amp to external
components a variable gain can be obtained and a mathematical function can be modelled.

Negative feedback plays a crucial role in the function of op-amps. If no negative feedback is present
the gain is reffered to as the open loop gain (OLG) which is typically so large it can be assumed to be infinite.

Negative feedback is discussed in greater a detail and used to determine the function of a non-inverting
amplifier. The inverting amplifer is then addressed and the expected theoretical values are calculated. The
summing amplifier is used to add voltages together however the output is inverted and a way to navigate
this problem is presented. Results are then plotted against the values obtained and 3 cases of inverting
amplifier are discussed.

2
2 Theory
2.1 Negative Feedback
Feedback is the act of varying the input of a system using the output of the system. Negative feedback
introduces the output of a system to the input of a system in such a way that the output is decreased until
it reachs an equilibrium where the output reachs a stable but continually fluctuating value.

Figure 2: Negative feedback is obtained by ’feeding’ the output back into the inverting input.

To illustrate this define

Vout = A(Vnon − Vinv )

Realising Vout = Vinv

Vinv = A(Vnon − Vinv )

Vinv + AVinv = AVnon
(1 + A)Vinv = AVnon
AVnon
Vinv =
1+A
Vnon
Vinv = 1
A +1

The gain A is typically very large.

Vinv ≈ Vnon

2.2 Non-Inverting Amplifier

Figure 3: Non-Inverting Operator

To determine the gain for this circuit observe,

Vout = A(Vnon − Vinv )

Vout = A(Vnon − βVout )

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where β is some feedback coefficent
R0
β=
R1 + R0
This can be seen as the feedback loop is a voltage divider circuit.
R0
Vout + A Vout = AVnon
R1 + R0
R0
Vout (1 + A ) = AVnon
R1 + R0
AVnon
Vout =
(1 + A R1R+R
0
0
)
Vnon
Vout = 1
A + R1R+R
0
0

as A → ∞
Vnon
Vout ≈ R0
R1 +R0
(R1 + R0 )Vnon
Vout =
R0
R1
Vout = Vnon (1 + )
R0

Thus to achieve a gain of 11 with R0 = 1kΩ

R1
Vout = Vnon (1 + )
R0
Vout R1
=1+
Vnon R0
R1
A=1+
R0
R1
11 = 1 +
1
10 = R1

Thus for a gain of 11 with a R0 = 1kΩ and a frequency of 5kHz with a voltage < 1V
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- 0.0002 - 0.0001 0.0001 0.0002

-2

-4

-6

Figure 4: Blue Vin and yellow Vout

However one must ensure that V−supply is connected to a negative power supply as the omp-amp can
only produce voltage between V−supply and V+supply otherwise the op-amp is saturated. If connected to
ground the voltage is cutoff at 0 and one would expect,

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 5

- 0.0002 - 0.0001 0.0001 0.0002

Figure 5: Blue Vin and yellow Vout

It is clear negative section 2.1 is a special case of this with β = 1

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2.3 The Inverting Amplifier

Figure 6: Inverting Amplifier

Vout = A(Vnon − Vinv )

Rf Rin
Vinv = Vin + Vout
Rf + Rin Rf + Rin

This can be seen as the feedback loop and Vin is part of the voltage divider.

Rf Rin
Vout = 0 − A( Vin − Vout )
Rf + Rin Rf + Rin
Rin Rf
Vout + A Vout = −A Vin
Rf + Rin Rf + Rin
Rin Rf
Vout (1 + A ) = −A Vin
Rf + Rin Rf + Rin
Rf
Vout = −A Vin
Rf + Rin + ARin
Rf
Vout = − Rf Rin
Vin
A + A + Rin

as A → ∞

Rf
Vout ≈ − Vin
Rin

Thus the choice of resistors determines the proportionality constant between Vout and Vin and for our
resistor values we expect the results.
aa
aa
aa Rin 1kΩ 2.2kΩ 4.7kΩ 6.9kΩ 10kΩ
Rf aa
a
1kΩ -1.3 -2.86 -6.11 -8.97 -13.
2.2kΩ -0.590909 -1.3 -2.77727 -4.07727 -5.90909
4.7kΩ -0.276596 -0.608511 -1.3 -1.90851 -2.76596
6.9kΩ -0.188406 -0.414493 -0.885507 -1.3 -1.88406
10kΩ -0.13 -0.286 -0.611 -0.897 -1.3

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2.4 The Summing Amplifier

Figure 7: Summining Amplifier

A summing amplifier is an exstension of a inverting amplifier as it introduces several other input voltages
which sum at a point.

Vin
Vout = −Rf
Rin

or if there are multiple inputs

V1 V2 Vn
Vout = −Rf ( + + ··· + )
R1 R2 Rn

In this lab we exam two inputs hence,

V1 V2 Vn
Vout = −Rf ( + + ··· + )
R1 R2 Rn
Vin V1
Vout = −Rout ( + )
Rin R1

with Rout = 1kΩ, Rin = 2.2kΩ, R1 = 4.7kΩ and V1 = −5V

 
Vin −5
Vout = −1000 +
2200 4700
Vout = 1.06383 − 0.454545V

Hence we expect,

Vin Vout
8 -2.57253
6 -1.66344
4 -0.754352
2 0.154739
0 1.06383.
-2 1.97292
-4 2.88201
-6 3.7911
-8 4.70019

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3 Procedure
• Part 2:

1. Build the circuits from Figure 6 with the op-amps power supply at +15V and −15V..
2. Use AC current with the amplitude 1.3V and a sine wave with a frequency of 500Hz.
3. Ensure the f < 1 >l, Vmax < 1 > and Vmin < 2 > are being measured.
4. Record the output voltage for each circuit and the signal for (4a-i), (4a-v) and (4b-v).
(a) Rin = 1kΩ
i. Rin = 1kΩ
ii. Rin = 2.2kΩ
iii. Rin = 4.7kΩ
iv. Rin = 6.9kΩ
v. Rin = 10kΩ
(b) Rout = 10kΩ
i. Rout = 1kΩ
ii. Rout = 2.2kΩ
iii. Rout = 4.7kΩ
iv. Rout = 6.9kΩ
v. Rout = 10kΩ

• Part 3:

1. Build the circuits from Figure 7 with the op-amps power supply at +5V and −5V.
2. Use DC current.
3. Ensure the Vin < 1 > and Vout < 1 > are being measured.
4. Record the output voltage for each circuit.
(a) Rin = 2.2kΩ, Rout = 1kΩ, R1 = 4.7kΩ and V1 = −5V.
i. Vin = 8V
ii. Rin = 6V
iii. Rin = 4V
iv. Rin = 2V
v. Rin = 0V
vi. Rin = −2V
vii. Rin = −4V
viii. Rin = −6V
ix. Vin = −8V

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4 Results
Part 2
Rin (kΩ) Rout (kΩ) Vout (V)
1 1 -1.3
1 2.2 -2.9
1 4.7 -6.4
1 6.9 -9.4
1 10 -13.4
2.2 10 -6.0
4.7 10 -2.8
6.9 10 -2.0
10 10 -1.4

Part 3
Vin (V) Vout (V)
8 -2.40
6 -1.40
4 -0.60
2 0.40
0 1.20
-2 2.20
-4 3.00
-6 3.40
-8 3.40

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 Figure 8: Inverting Amplifier - Rin = 1kΩ and Rout = 1kΩ

Figure 9: Inverting Amplifier - Rin = 1kΩ and Rout = 10kΩ

Figure 10: Inverting Amplifier - Rin = 10kΩ and Rout = 10kΩ

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5 Discussion
Plotting our results aginst our expected values

2 4 6 8 10

-2

-4

-6

-8

- 10

Vout
Figure 11: Inverting Amplifier - Vin vs Rout when Rin = 1kΩ predicated (blue) and actual (yellow) values.

2 4 6 8 10

-2

-4

-6

-8

- 10

Vout
Figure 12: Inverting Amplifier - Vin vs Rin when Rout = 10kΩ predicated (blue) and actual (yellow) values.

-5 5

-2

Figure 13: Summing Amplifier - Vout vs Vin predicated (blue) and actual (yellow) values.

For part 2 it is clear the choice of Rout controls the magnitude of the gain and scales linearly as seen
in figure 11. The choice of Rin is indirectly proportional to the gain. In the calulation of the theoretical

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 4

-5 5

-2

Figure 14: Summing Amplifier - Vout vs Vin Interpolating over all values obtaing f (0) = 1.06 and and the
gradient of mf = −0.452187

values an approximation of infinite gain was made, this is reflected in the slight offeset between the ac-
tual data and the theoretical data however, it is clear that the assumption is valid as this error is negligable.

From figure 8,9 and 10 for equal resistor values the |output| = |input| and for resistors separated by
orders of magnitude the output is changed by the corresponding order of magnitude. This is evident in the
predicated results too from the table in section 2.3 the all elements along the tables diagonal are equal and
the orders of magnitude differ at the top far right and bottom far left cells.

In part 3 we expect a straight line with y-intercept 1.06383 and gradient -0.454545. Interpolating over
the obatined values the y-intercept is found to be 1.06 and the gradient -0.452187. We therefore find that
our expected and measured values agree very well however, it can be seen there is a slight departure from
expected results and obtained results around Vout > 4. This is thought to be due to the external wer supply
being at −5V and 5V and at Vout > |5| the op-amp being saturated. An increase in the external power
supply may elimanate this error.

To elminate the - sign infront of our summing amplifier we can simply use another inverting op amp
with equal resistor values. This would then invert the inverted output whithout any scaling.

Figure 15: Summing Amplifier Uninverted

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6 Conclusion
Negative feedback plays a crucial role in the implementation of an operational amplifier. It has been shown
that an op-amp can be used as a comparator, invertor and summer. If other components such as capacitors
are introduced this would allow for more complex operations such as integration and differention to be
performed fairly simply.

Figure 16: Differentiator

Figure 17: Integrator

7 References
1. http://www.allaboutcircuits.com/textbook/semiconductors/chpt-8/the-operational-amplifier/
2. http://www.electronics-tutorials.ws/opamp/opamp 3.html
3. http://www.radio-electronics.com/info/circuits/opamp non inverting/op amp non-inverting.php

4. http://www.learnabout-electronics.org/Amplifiers/amplifiers63.php
5. http://research.cs.tamu.edu/prism/lectures/iss/iss l5.pdf
6. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operational amplifier applications

7. http://www.facstaff.bucknell.edu/mastascu/InstrumentationCourse/MeetingNotes/MtgOpAmps.htm
8. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operational amplifier#Noninverting amplifier
9. http://electronics.stackexchange.com/questions/142293/opampsnegativepowersupplytoground

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