Experiment 3

PART A : LINEAR OP-AMP APPLICATIONS : INVERTING SUMMING AND

DIFFERENCE AMPLIFIERS

OBJECTIVES :

To demonstrate the use of Operational Amplifier for performing mathematical operations

 summation and difference.

PARTS AND EQUIPMENT:

DC Power Supply
Oscilloscope
Function Generator
LM 741 Op-amp
Resistors

BACKGROUND

Op-Amp circuits employing negative feedback can be used in various configurations.

Since in these applications there is a linear relation between input(s) and output, we
usually refer to these application circuits as linear applications. Negative feedback
produces bounded input-bounded output stability; i.e. a finite input voltage cannot
produce an infinite output voltage.

Figure 1 shows the schematic symbol of an op amp. A is the voltage gain. The non-
inverting input is v1, and the inverting input is v2. The differential input is

v in = A(v i − v 2 )

Notice that v1, v2 and vout are node voltages. This means they are always measured with
respect to ground. The differential input vin is the difference of two node voltages, v1 and
v2.

When the first operational amplifiers were constructed, their primary function was to
perform mathematical operations in analog computers. These included summation,

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Experiment 3

subtraction, multiplication, division, integration and differentiation. The summation

circuit is also used to mix or combine analog signals together.

a) Inverting Summing Amplifier

Figure 2 shows an example of how an operational amplifier is connected to perform

voltage summation. In this figure, an ac and a dc voltage are summed. In general,

R R 
VO = − f V1 + f V2 + ......etc.
 R1 R2 
RF = 100 kΩ

+15 V
V1 R1 = 47 kΩ 2 - 7

741
R2 = 100 kΩ 3
6 +
V2 + 4
VO
VS = 1 Vpk -
-15 V

5V

Figure 2

b) Difference Amplifier

A difference amplifier has two inputs and the output voltage is proportional to the voltage
difference of the input voltages. In fact, the (open-loop) Op-Amp itself is a difference
amplifier, except that the gain is ideally infinity. Here we want a difference amplifier
with finite gain. One such circuit using a single Op-Amp is shown in Figure 4. It can be
shown that the gain of the difference amplifier can be calculated using the following:

  R  R 3    R f 
VO =  V2 1 + f    − 
 V1 
  R1  R 2 + R 3    R 1 

This equation can be simplified by making R3 = RF = R1 = R2, yielding a simple

differential amplifier with unity gain:
VO = V1 − V2

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Experiment 3

PREPARATION/PRE-LAB ASSIGNMENTS/SIMULATIONS

1. For the Inverting Summing Amplifier circuit of Figure 2,

(i) derive the output equation.
(ii) generate the output voltage waveform using Multisim if V1 is a sine wave
or a square-wave of 1 Volt peak, and V2 is a DC voltage of 5 V. Print out
the curve plot as a function of amplitude against time.

2. For the Difference Amplifier circuit of Figure 3,

(i) derive the output equation.
(ii) generate the output voltage waveform using Multisim if V1 is a sine wave
or a square-wave of 1 Volt peak, and V2 is a DC voltage of 5 V. Print out
the curve plot as a function of amplitude against time.

PROCEDURES

Part 1 : Inverting Summing Amplifier

1) To demonstrate the use of an operational amplifier as a summing amplifier,

connect the circuit of Figure 2.

2) With VS adjusted to produce a 1 V peak sine wave at 1 kHz, observe the output
voltage VO (and VS to note the phase relationship) on an oscilloscope set to dc
input coupling.

3) Sketch the output voltage waveform. Be sure to note the dc level in the output.

4) Interchange the 5 V dc power supply and the 1 V peak signal generator. Repeat
procedure step 2.

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Experiment 3

Part 2 : Difference Amplifier

5) To investigate the use of an operational amplifier in a difference amplifier

configuration, connect the circuit of Figure 3.

6) With VS adjusted to produce a 1 V peak sine wave at 1 kHz, observe the output
voltage VO (and VS to note the phase relationship) on an oscilloscope set to dc
input coupling.

7) Sketch the output voltage waveform. Be sure to note the dc level in the output.

8) Interchange the 5 V dc power supply and the 1 V peak signal generator. Repeat
procedure step 7.

4
Experiment 3

PART B : COMPARATOR AND SCHMITT TRIGGER

________________________________________________________________________

OBJECTIVES :

After completing this experiment, you will be able to

1. Compare the input and output waveforms for comparator and Schmitt Trigger
circuits
2. Use an oscilloscope to plot the transfer curve for a comparator circuit, including
one with hysteresis.

PARTS AND EQUIPMENT:

DC Power Supply
Oscilloscope
Function Generator
LM 741 Op-amp
Resistors
Protoboard

BACKGROUND

Voltage comparators are used in numerous applications in practice, including wave-

shaping, waveform generation, interfacing between analog and digital circuits, controllers
etc. There are in general three classes of voltage comparators: single threshold
comparator (open loop comparator), two threshold with hysteresis (Schmitt Trigger), and
two threshold without hysteresis (window comparator). In this experiment we will study
the first two types.

a) Comparator

Single threshold voltage comparators compare two voltages and provide a voltage output
that indicates which of the two voltages is higher. Most of the times a high gain Op-amp
operated open loop as shown in Fig 2a can be used as a comparator. When the non-
inverting input is slightly larger than the inverting input, the output goes to positive
saturation, otherwise it goes to negative saturation.

A comparator circuit is characterised by its transfer characteristic. The transfer

characteristic (curve) is a plot of the output voltage (plotted along the y axis) as a
function of the input voltage (plotted along the x axis). The associated transfer
characteristic is shown in Fig 2b.

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Experiment 3

Vo
VCC
VOH
3 7
VI +
6
LM Vi
741 VT
VT -
2 4

-VCC VOL

Figure 2a Figure 2b
Generally,

If V + > V -, Vo = + Vsat = VCC(Ideal)

If V + < V-, Vo = - Vsat = -VCC(Ideal)

From Fig 2a and 2b,

If (V + = Vi) > (V - = VT), Vo = + Vsat = VOH

If (V + = Vi) < (V - = VT), Vo = - Vsat = VOL

b) Schmitt Trigger

Because of the sensitivity to a small input change, the output of a comparator may change
due to noise on the input when the input changes very slowly. To avoid this, hysteresis is
added to the comparator circuit by introducing positive feedback. The circuit is called
Schmitt Trigger, has two switching threshold – one for rising input voltage, the other for
a falling input. By separating the two threshold, noise effects can be eliminated.

In other word, the Schmitt trigger is a voltage comparator with positive feedback, as
opposed to the open loop (no feedback) comparator. The input values that cause the
output change are usually called threshold, transition or firing voltages. The distance
between the threshold voltages is called the hysteresis.

Schmitt triggers using Op-Amps can be configured in two ways; inverting and non
inverting. A typical inverting circuit is shown in Fig 2c with associated transfer
characteristic shown in Fig 2d.

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Experiment 3

VO
VOH
VI -
VO
+
VI
VFI VF2
R1
R2 VOL

Vr

The upper threshold point can be calculated from

R R
VUTP = VF2 = 2 (+ V ) + 1 ( + Vr )
sat
R +R R +R
2 1 2 1

The lower threshold point can be calculated from

R R
VLTP =VF1 = 2 (− V ) + 1 ( + Vr )
sat
R +R R +R
2 1 2 1

The output state is given by

Vin > VUTP, Vo = + Vsat = VOH

Vin < VLTP, Vo = - Vsat = VOL

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Experiment 3

PREPARATION/PRE-LAB ASSIGNMENTS/SIMULATIONS

Comparator

15 V
Vin 7
3 +
741 6 VO
15 V VREF
VSig 2
- 4
R
10 KΩ -15 V

-15 V
Figure 4

a) Simulate the circuit shown in Figure 4, in Multisim or of any equivalent

software. The purpose of potentiometer R is to set a variable reference voltage
between + VCC and – VCC that can be applied as VREF to the op-amp. Note that
changing the setting (%) of the potentiometer changes the voltage on the
associated terminal.

Set the signal generator (Vsig) for a 3 Vpp triangle waveform at 1 KHz. Set
the value of VREF for several positions of the potentiometer. Select both
positive and negative values of VREF. Print out the Vsig and Vout as a function
of time waveforms for 5 different combinations of potentiometer settings.
Choose 3 positive values of VREF (including VREF = 0) and 2 negative values
of VREF.

b) Print out the tranfer curve (Vo vs Vsig) for the comparator by clicking B/A
on the oscilloscope. Choose 3 values of VREF including the one that will
produce a square wave at the output. Mark the transition points (Vsig that
causes Vout to change state) and record the reference voltage (Vref).

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Experiment 3

PROCEDURES

The Schmitt Trigger

+15 V

2 7
-
6
741 VO
3
+
4
Vsig
- 15 V

R2
R1 47KΩ
4.7 KΩ

+ 5V
Figure 5

i) Construct the Schmitt Trigger circuit shown in Figure 5. Drive the circuit with 1 KHz
sine wave, beginning with an amplitude of a few tenths of a volt, and observe the
output waveform on an oscilloscope. The input coupling of both channels should be
set to DC .Try increasing the input signal amplitude, and record the observed output
waveforms for different values of input. Prepare a table (Table 1) that shows Vsig and
Vo for 3 different values of input (Vsig). Plot the waveforms on the same axis. Be sure
to note the levels of Vsig at which the output voltage Vo changes levels (VUTP,
VLTP).

ii) In this step, you will plot the tranfer curve for the comparator on the oscilloscope.
Place Vsig on channel 1 and Vout on channel 2. Set the Volts/Div control so that both
signals are on the screen. Neither channel should be inverted. Then switch the
oscilloscope to the XY mode. Vary the input signal amplitude and sketch (and label)
the transfer curve you see. Prepare a table (Table 2) that shows Vsig vs Vout for 3
different values of input (Vsig). Identify the transition points (VUTP, VLTP).

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Experiment 3

REFERENCES

1. Boylestad, R and Nashelsky. (2006). “Electronic Devices and Circuit Theory,” 9th
Edition, Prentice Hall.

2. Floyd, Thomas L. (2005). “Electronic Devices,” 7th Edition, Prentice Hall.

3. Paynter, R.T. (2003). “Introductory Electronic Devices and Circuits,” 6th Edition,
Prentice Hall.

4. Neaman, D.A. (2001). “Electronic Circuit Analysis and Design,” 2nd Edition, Mc
Graw Hill.

5. Horenstein, M.N. (1996). “Microelectronic Circuits and Devices,” 2nd Edition,

Prentice Hall.

6. Fleeman, S.R. (1990). “Electronic Devices Discrete and Intergrated,”Prentice Hall.

Prepared By

Camallil Omar
Abd Hamid Ahmad

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