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🔦electrical circuits and systems ii review

Real op-amp

Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025

Definition

A real op-amp is an operational amplifier that considers practical characteristics such as finite gain, input and output impedance, bandwidth limitations, and non-ideal behaviors that differ from the ideal op-amp model. These characteristics play a crucial role in determining how the op-amp will perform in actual circuit applications, affecting accuracy, stability, and overall functionality.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

  1. Real op-amps have a finite open-loop gain that decreases with frequency, which can affect amplification and signal fidelity.
  2. The input impedance of real op-amps is high but not infinite, allowing for some current draw from the preceding circuit, which can influence circuit behavior.
  3. Output impedance in real op-amps is not zero; this impacts how well the amplifier can drive loads without signal distortion.
  4. Bandwidth limitations in real op-amps lead to a decrease in gain as frequency increases, known as gain-bandwidth product.
  5. Non-linearities and distortion can arise from thermal effects and component tolerances in real op-amps, impacting their performance in precision applications.

Review Questions

  • Compare and contrast the characteristics of ideal and real op-amps and explain how these differences affect circuit design.
    • Ideal op-amps are defined by characteristics such as infinite gain, infinite input impedance, and zero output impedance, which make them perfect for theoretical analysis. In contrast, real op-amps have finite gain, non-infinite input impedance, and non-zero output impedance, leading to practical considerations in circuit design. These differences require engineers to account for factors like stability, accuracy, and loading effects when implementing op-amps in real-world applications.
  • How does the common-mode rejection ratio (CMRR) relate to the performance of real op-amps in practical applications?
    • The common-mode rejection ratio (CMRR) is crucial for assessing how well a real op-amp can reject common-mode signals while amplifying differential signals. A high CMRR means the op-amp can effectively filter out noise or interference present at both inputs, ensuring that the desired signal is amplified with minimal distortion. This is particularly important in environments with significant electrical noise or when dealing with sensor signals that may have noise superimposed on them.
  • Evaluate the impact of input offset voltage on the accuracy of circuits using real op-amps and suggest ways to mitigate this issue.
    • Input offset voltage affects the accuracy of circuits by introducing a small error voltage at the input terminals of a real op-amp, causing the output to deviate from the expected value. This deviation can lead to significant errors in precision applications such as instrumentation amplifiers. To mitigate this issue, techniques such as auto-zeroing, chopper stabilization, or calibration can be employed to minimize the effects of offset voltage and enhance circuit performance.