Tutorial Sheet #1 , unit-1

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Prepared by:- Nirmal Kumar Pandey
Assistant Professor (E&I), Csit Durg
1. Give the definition of OPAMP.
Ans:- An Op-amp is an integrated circuits that operates as a voltage amplifier. The operational
amplifier is a direct-coupled high gain amplifier usable from 0 to over 1MH Z to which feedback
is added to control its overall response characteristic i.e. gain and bandwidth. The op-amp
exhibits the gain down to zero frequency. Such direct coupled (dc) amplifiers do not use
blocking (coupling and by pass) capacitors since these would reduce the amplification to zero at
zero frequency. Large by pass capacitors may be used but it is not possible to fabricate large
capacitors on a IC chip. The capacitors fabricated are usually less than 20 pf. Transistor, diodes
and resistors are also fabricated on the same chip.
2. Write short notes on Differential Amplifier with all configurations.
Ans:- Differential amplifier is a basic building block of an op-amp. The function of a differential
amplifier is to amplify the difference between two input signals.
Let us consider two emitter-biased circuits as shown in fig.1.

Fig. 1 Emitter biased circuits
The two transistors Q
1
and Q
2
have identical characteristics. The resistances of the circuits are
equal, i.e. R
E1
= R
E2
, R
C1
= R
C2
and the magnitude of +V
CC
is equal to the magnitude of -V
EE
.
These voltages are measured with respect to ground.
To make a differential amplifier, the two circuits are connected as shown in fig.2. The two +V
CC

and -V
EE
supply terminals are made common because they are same. The two emitters are also
connected and the parallel combination of R
E1
and R
E2
is replaced by a resistance R
E
. The two
input signals v
1
& v
2
are applied at the base of Q
1
and at the base of Q
2
. The output voltage is
taken between two collectors. The collector resistances are equal and therefore denoted by R
C
=
R
C1
= R
C2
.
Tutorial Sheet #1 , unit-1

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Prepared by:- Nirmal Kumar Pandey
Assistant Professor (E&I), Csit Durg
Ideally, the output voltage is zero when the two inputs are equal. When v
1
is greater then v
2
the
output voltage with the polarity shown appears. When v
1
is less than v
2
, the output voltage has
the opposite polarity.
Configurations of Differential Amplifier :
The differential amplifiers are of different configurations.
The four differential amplifier configurations are following:
1. Dual input, balanced output differential amplifier.
2. Dual input, unbalanced output differential amplifier.
3. Single input balanced output differential amplifier.
4. Single input unbalanced output differential amplifier.


Tutorial Sheet #1 , unit-1

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Prepared by:- Nirmal Kumar Pandey
Assistant Professor (E&I), Csit Durg

Fig. 2 Four configurations of differential amplifier
These configurations are shown in fig.2, and are defined by number of input signals used and the
way an output voltage is measured. If use two input signals, the configuration is said to be dual
input, otherwise it is a single input configuration. On the other hand, if the output voltage is
measured between two collectors, it is referred to as a balanced output because both the
collectors are at the same dc potential with respect to ground. If the output is measured at one of
the collectors with respect to ground, the configuration is called an unbalanced output.
A multistage amplifier with a desired gain can be obtained using direct connection between
successive stages of differential amplifiers. The advantage of direct coupling is that it removes
the lower cut off frequency imposed by the coupling capacitors, and they are therefore, capable
of amplifying dc as well as ac input signals.
3.Give the block diagram of OP-AMP.
Ans:- An operational amplifier is a direct coupled high gain amplifier consisting of one or more
differential (OPAMP) amplifiers and followed by a level translator and an output stage. An
operational amplifier is available as a single integrated circuit package.
The block diagram of OPAMP is shown in fig. 1.

Tutorial Sheet #1 , unit-1

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Prepared by:- Nirmal Kumar Pandey
Assistant Professor (E&I), Csit Durg
Fig. 1 Internal block schematic of an op-amp
The input stage is a dual input balanced output differential amplifier. This stage provides most of
the voltage gain of the amplifier and also establishes the input resistance of the OPAMP.The
intermediate stage of OPAMP is another differential amplifier which is driven by the output of
the first stage. This is usually dual input unbalanced output.
Because direct coupling is used, the dc voltage level at the output of intermediate stage is well
above ground potential. Therefore level shifting circuit is used to shift the dc level at the output
downward to zero with respect to ground. The output stage is generally a push pull
complementary amplifier. The output stage increases the output voltage swing and raises the
current supplying capability of the OPAMP. It also provides low output resistance.

Level Translator:
Because of the direct coupling the dc level at the emitter rises from
stages to stage. This increase in dc level tends to shift the operating
point of the succeeding stages and therefore limits the output voltage
swing and may even distort the output signal.
To shift the output dc level to zero, level translator circuits are used.
An emitter follower with voltage divider is the simplest form of level
translator as shown in fig. 2.
Thus a dc voltage at the base of Q produces 0V dc at the output. It is
decided by R
1
and R
2
. Instead of voltage divider emitter follower
either with diode current bias or current mirror bias as shown in fig.3
may be used to get better results.

Fig. 2
Tutorial Sheet #1 , unit-1

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Prepared by:- Nirmal Kumar Pandey
Assistant Professor (E&I), Csit Durg

Fig.4 shows a complete OPAMP circuit having input different amplifiers with balanced output,
intermediate stage with unbalanced output, level shifter and an output amplifier.

Fig. 4 Equivalent circuit of op-amp

In this case, level shifter, which is common collector amplifier, shifts
the level by 0.7V. If this shift is not sufficient, the output may be taken
at the junction of two resistors in the emitter leg.