Operational amplifiers (op amps) are almost the perfect amplifier. As long as you keep a few important details in mind, their imperfections will seem invisible. In part 1, Equations 2 and 3 used the term AV for the voltage gain of the simple noninverting amplifier shown in Figure 1. The equations use α for the […]
Amplifiers
Class-D amplifiers operate at 2 MHz switching frequency to reduce PCB space
STMicroelectronics has revealed new class-D automotive audio amplifiers for smart-cockpit applications, engineered for tiny overall dimensions and with a digital input that simplifies circuit design. The new HFDA80D and HFDA90D extend ST’s family of high-frequency automotive amplifiers, complementing the HFA80A analog-input IC. All the devices operate at a switching frequency of 2MHz to save PCB […]
How op amps work and why you should use them: part 1
Operational amplifiers (op amps) may initially look intimidating, but with a bit of study, they can be easily understood and used in a variety of applications. Op amps can be thought of as a perfect amplifier in a black box. When we create a design using an op amp, we initially presume that the device […]
Amplifier delivers 0.15% gain accuracy with 2.1 MHz bandwidth
STMicroelectronics’ TSC1801 low-side current-measurement amplifier integrates matched resistors to set the gain, which simplifies the circuit design, saves bill-of-materials costs, and ensures gain accuracy within 0.15% over the entire temperature range. The fixed gain also eliminates production trimming of external resistors. Combining very high accuracy and wide bandwidth, the TSC1801 is used for motor control, […]
Design a circuit for ultra-low power sensor applications
Sensors monitoring mechanical and biological systems must often scavenge power from the thing being sensed. The oscillator circuits shown here let you operate those sensors. Sensor circuits that connect to thermocouples, electromagnetic mechanical-to-electrical transducers, and piezoelectric mechanical-to-electrical transducers often use oscillators powered through energy harvesting from solar cells and other sources. These power sources can […]
Infrared preamps improve sensitivity and better reject interference
Vishay Intertechnology, Inc. announced that it has upgraded its VSOP383xx series of preamplifier circuits for infrared (IR) remote control applications in consumer products with the new Cyllene 2 IC. Offered in the 2 mm by 2 mm by 0.76 mm QFN package, the enhanced solutions provide drop-in, plug-and-play replacements for existing devices in the series […]
What are the advantages of a three op-amp instrumentation amplifier?
An instrumentation amplifier (INA) built using three operational amplifiers (op amps) can provide performance advantages in terms of high input impedance, low output impedance, easily adjustable gain, excellent common-mode rejection ratio (CMRR), high accuracy, and high open-loop gain. This article examines the basic design of INAs and their performance benefits, then discusses some application considerations, […]
Achieving isolation in an isolation amplifier
Isolation amplifiers create a galvanic isolation barrier between input and output circuits to protect sensitive equipment and personnel from high voltages. Such isolation can be optical, capacitive, or inductive in an isolation amplifier. This FAQ will help us understand how each isolation type works and how they differ. How do optical isolation amplifiers work? Optical […]
Amplifiers support high-speed data communications in defense and aerospace
Qorvo has announced three new MMIC power amplifiers specifically designed for Ku-Band satellite communications (SATCOM) terminals. These amplifiers are part of a family of devices aimed at enhancing performance and efficiency in satellite uplink systems, supporting the increasing demand for high-speed data communications in defense and aerospace applications. The amplifier family offers output power ranging […]
Next-gen op amps meet reliability requirements of AEC-Q100 Grade 1
NOVOSENSE Microelectronics has launched its new NSOPA series of general-purpose operational amplifiers. Engineered for automotive and industrial applications, these amplifiers can be widely used for signal conditioning of voltage, current, temperature, and other signals, OBC/DC-DC/PDU, traction inverters, BMS, thermal management, BCM, industrial automation, photovoltaic inverters, motor drivers, digital power supplies and charging stations. The inaugural […]
