LINEAR INTEGRATED CIRCUITS LAB

VIVA-VOCE QUESTIONS

1. State the ideal characteristics of Op-amp.

i) Open loop gain, Aol = ∞
ii) Input impedance, Ri = ∞
iii) Output Impedance, Ro = 0
iv) Zero Offset, Vo = 0
v) Bandwidth, BW = ∞

2. Why differential amplifier is used as an input stage of IC op-amp?

The differential amplifier eliminates the need for an emitter bye-pass
capacitor. So, differential amplifier is used as an input stage in op-amp ICs .

3. What does operational amplifier refers to?

Operational amplifier refers to an amplifier that performs a
mathematical operation. A typical op-amp is a DC amplifier with a very high
voltage gain, very high input impedance and very low output impedance.

4. What causes slew rate?

The rate at which internal or external capacitance of Op-amp changes
causes slew rate. Also slew rate is caused by current limiting and saturation
of internal stages of op-amp where a high frequency, large – amplitude
signal is applied.

5. What is input bias current?

The average of the currents entering the negative input (IB-) and
positive input (IB+) of an op-amp is called input bias current(IB)

6. Why do we use Rcomp resistor?

In a bipolar op-amp circuit, even when the input is zero, the output will
not be zero. This is due to effect of input bias current. This effect can be
compensated by using compensation resistor Rcomp

7. What is thermal drift?

In an op-amp the bias current, offset current and off set voltage
changes with change in temperature. Offset current drift is measured in nA/
0C and offset voltage drift is measured in mV/ 0C. These indicate the change
in offset current or voltage for each degree Celsius change in temperature.
Forced air cooling may be used to stabilize the ambient temperature

8. Why is IC741 op-amp not used for high frequency applications?

Op-amp IC741 has very low slew rate (0.5V/μS) and therefore cannot
be used for high frequency applications.

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9. What is unity gain circuit?
Voltage follower is called unity gain circuit. The circuit does not amplify
and provides constant gain of unity.

10. What is a comparator?

A comparator is a circuit which compares a signal voltage applied at
one input of an op-amp with known reference voltage at other input. It is
basically an Op-amp with output Vsat (»Vcc).

11. What is the difference between a basic comparator and ZCD?

Comparator has only one reference voltage whereas ZCD has zero
reference voltage.

12. Give the gain expression for inverting and non inverting amplifier.
Inverting Amplifier = -Rf/Ri
Non inverting Amplifier = 1+( Rf/Ri)

13. State some linear and non linear applications of Op-amp.

Linear:
a) Adder
b) Subtractor
c) Instrumentation amplifier
Non linear:
a) Rectifier
b) Peak detector
c) Clippers and Clampers.

14. Differentiator is also a High pass filter.

15. Integrator is also a low pass filter.

17. State some applications of integrator.

a) Analog computers
b) ADC
c) Signal wave shaping circuits.

18. What are the characteristics of Comparator?

a) Speed of operation
b) Accuracy
c) Compatibility of the output.

19. List some applications of comparator.

a) Window detector
b) Time marker generator
c) Phase meter d) Zero crossing detector

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 19. What are the modes in which op-amp is operated with finite gain and
infinite gain?
Open loop mode with infinite gain: Comparator
Closed loop mode with finite gain: Amplifier

20. What is the basic difference between comparator and Schmitt trigger?
A comparator compares the input signal with reference voltage and
gives the output whereas Schmitt trigger operates between two reference
points LTP and UTP.

21. State barkhausen criterion.

a) Magnitude, Av = 1
b) Phase, Av = 0

22. What is the merit of regenerative comparator?

In regenerative comparator, the feedback enhances the comparator
input. The phase difference is not visualized due to positive feedback.

23. What is an oscillator?

An oscillator is basically a positive feedback circuit where a fraction of
output voltage Vo is fed back to the input end of the basic amplifier, which is
in phase with the signal to the basic amplifier.

24. How can you obtain triangular wave using schmitt trigger?
The output of Schmitt trigger when connected to integrator yields
triangular output.

25. Wein bridge oscillator uses positive and negative feedback. Why?
Negative feedback is used for stability gain positive feedback is used
for oscillation

26. What is the function of lead-lag network in Wein bridge oscillator?

The function of lag lead network is to obtain the zero degree phase
shift.

27. Why Schmitt trigger is called regenerative comparator?

The reference voltages LTP andUTP are regenerated depending on the
output voltages +Vsat and –Vsat.

28. What is hysteresis voltage in Schmitt trigger?

The difference in voltage between lower and upper threshold voltage is
called hysteresis voltage.

29. What is a filter?

A filter is a frequency selective circuit that passes a specified band of
frequencies and blocks a specified the frequencies outside the band.

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30. State the advantage of active filters over passive?
a) Gain and frequency adjustment flexibility
b) No loading problems
c) Low cost
d) Absence of inductors makes the circuit work for high frequency
applications.

31. Define order of a filter?

The number of RC networks employed in filter circuits represents the
order of the circuit.

32. What are the types of active filters?

a) Low pass filter
b) High pass filter
c) Band pass filter
d) Band reject filter.

33. What is frequency response?

The variation of gain in decibels with respect to frequency is called
frequency response.

34. What is a filter?

A filter is a frequency selective circuit that passes a specified band of
frequencies and blocks a specified the frequencies outside the band.

35. State the advantage of active filters over passive?

a) Gain and frequency adjustment flexibility
b) No loading problems
c) Low cost
d) Absence of inductors makes the circuit work for high frequency
applications.

36. Define order of a filter?

The number of RC networks employed in filter circuits represents the
order of the circuit.

37. What are the types of active filters?

a) Low pass filter
b) High pass filter
c) Band pass filter
d) Band reject filter.

38. What is frequency response?

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 The variation of gain in decibels with respect to frequency is called
frequency response.

39.List the basic blocks of IC 555 timer?

 A relaxation oscillator.
 R-S flip-flop
 Two comparators
 Discharge transistors.

40. Give the applications of 555-timer Astable multivibrator.

a) Square wave generator
b) Voltage Controlled Oscillator (VCO)
c) FSK Generator
d) Schmitt trigger.

41. What is the advantage of 555 IC over op amp?

555 IC generates accurate time delay compared to op amp.

42. List the applications of monostable mode of 555 timer. .

a) Missing Pulse detector
b) Linear ramp generator
c) Frequency divider

43. List the basic blocks of IC 555 timer?

 A relaxation oscillator.
 R-S flip-flop
 Two comparators
 Discharge transistors.

44. Give the applications of 555-timer Astable multivibrator.

a) Square wave generator
b) Voltage Controlled Oscillator (VCO)
c) FSK Generator
d) Schmitt trigger.

45. What is the advantage of 555 IC over op amp?

555 IC generates accurate time delay compared to op amp.

46. List the applications of monostable mode of 555 timer. .

a) Missing Pulse detector
b) Linear ramp generator
c) Frequency divider

47. List all the types of DAC.

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a) Weighted resistor
b) R-2R ladder
c) Inverted R-2R ladder.
48. What is the advantage of R-2R ladder over weighted resistor?
In weighted resistor, for higher order conversion the values of resistors
become very high which is overcome in R-2R ladder which has only R and 2R
values of resistors.

49. List the various types of ADC.

i) Direct type
a) Flash type
b) Counter
c) Successive Approximation Register
d) Tracking

ii) Integrating type

a) Charge balancing
b) Integrating

50. Define resolution.

Smallest change in voltage which may be produced at output of the
converter.

51. List the specifications of DAC and ADC.

a) Resolution
b) Linearity
c) Accuracy
d) Monotonicity
e) Settling time
f) Stability.

52. How many comparisons will be performed in an 8 bit successive

approximation type ADC?
8 Comparisons

53. The basic step of 9 bit DAC is 10.3mV. If 000000000 represents 0V. What
output is produced if the input is 101101111?
7.38mV.

54. State the applications of DAC and ADC .

a) Digital signal processing
b) Communication circuits

55. For R-2R ladder 4 bit type DAC find the output voltage if digital input is
1111. Assume VR = 10V, R = Rf = 10K. Vo = 9.375V

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56. Which is the fastest type of ADC? Why?
Successive approximation is the fastest type of ADC. It completes n-bit
conversion in n clock periods.

57. What is phase locked loop?

It is a circuit which provides frequency selective tuning and filtering
without coils or inductors.

58. List the components of the block diagram of PLL.

a) Phase detector
b) Low pass filter
c) Error amplifier
d) Voltage controlled Oscillator.

59. What is voltage controlled oscillator?

Oscillator circuit in which the frequency of oscillations can be
controlled by an externally applied voltage.

60. Define pull in time.

The total time taken by the PLL to establish lock.

61. Define Lock-in range.

The range of frequencies over which PLL can maintain lock with the
incoming signal.

62. Define capture range.

The range of frequencies over which PLL can acquire lock with the
input signal.

63. What are the applications of PLL?

a) FM Modulation
b) Signal generation
c) Frequency shift keying
d) Frequency multipliers

64. What are the 3 stages of PLL characteristic?

a) Free running
b) Capture
c) Locking.

65. What is a voltage regulator?

A voltage regulator is an electronic circuit that provides a stable DC
voltage independent of the load current, temperature and AC line voltage
variations.

66. What is the main function of voltage regulator?

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 The main function of a voltage regulator is to provide a stable DC
voltage for processing other electronic circuits.

67. What are the different types of voltage regulators?

a) Fixed output voltage regulator (positive or negative)
b) Adjustable output voltage regulators (positive or negative)
c) Switching regulators.
d) Special regulators.

68. What are switching regulators?

Regulators which operate the transistor as a high frequency ON/OFF
switch, so that the power transistor does not conduct current continuously is
called switching regulator.

69. What are the four main parts of voltage regulators?

a) Reference voltage circuit
b) Error amplifier
c) Series pole transistor
d) Feedback Network.

70. What are the main advantages of voltage regulators?

a) Short circuit Protection.
b) Output Voltage can be varied.

71. Define line regulation or source regulation.

Line regulation is defined as the percentage change in the output
voltage for a change in the input voltage. It is usually expressed in millivolts
or as percentage of the input voltage.

72. Define Load regulation.

Load regulation is defined as the change in regulated output voltage
for a change in load current. It is usually expressed in millivolts or as a
percentage of V0.

73. What are the limitations of 723 regulators?

a) No built in thermal protection.
b) It has no short circuit current limits.

74. What is current limiting ability?

Current limiting ability refers to the ability of the regulator to prevent
the load current from increasing above a preset value.