Operational Amplifier Fundamentals Unit 1 – The Operational Amplifier
UNIT 1 – THE OPERATIONAL AMPLIFIER
UNIT OBJECTIVE
At the completion of this unit, you will be able to describe the basic characteristics of operational
amplifiers.
UNIT FUNDAMENTALS
An operational amplifier (op amp) is an integrated circuit (IC)used to amplify ac and dc
input voltages.
An op amp provides a linear output voltage proportional to the difference between the op amp
input terminals.
Internally, typical op amps are constructed with three basic building blocks.
- A differential amplifier with high input impedance buffers, or prevents loading of, the signal
source. - A high gain amplifier boosts the output signal from the differential amplifier.
- A low impedance, or output, buffer prevents loading of the gain stage by an external circuit
load.