Operational Amplifier Applications Unit 6 – Full-Wave Bridge Driver/Conversion
By adding a full-wave bridge (FWB) rectifier as shown, this circuit is still a voltage-to-current
converter, but you can adjust R1 to calibrate the output current to the peak, rms, or average value
of a sinusoidal input voltage.
An ac input signal results in an ac output signal from the op amp. This signal is rectified by the
full-wave bridge before driving the milliammeter.
This circuit can also accept dc signals of either polarity.
The full-wave rectifier ensures that positive voltage always appears at the positive meter
terminal.
NEW TERMS AND WORDS
voltage-to-current converter - a circuit whose output is a current proportional to its input voltage
conversion factor - a number that establishes the relationship of output current
EQUIPMENT REQUIRED
F.A.C.E.T. base unit
Milliammeter
Multimeter
Oscilloscope, dual trace
Generator, sine wave
OPERATIONAL AMPLIFIER APPLICATIONS circuit board