Op-Amps - Using Operational Amplifiers
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Published 2023-05-15
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Operational Amplifiers, or “op-amps,” were initially designed for use in analog computers back in the 1940s. In fact, the “operational” in the name is a reference to the op-amp's ability to perform mathematical operations on voltages, which is how analog computers represent numbers.
Op-amps have been available in integrated circuit (IC) format for nearly 60 years and have become a vital component in analog electronic design. There are two reasons for their popularity:
1 - They are versatile - Op-amps can be configured into dozens of basic circuits.
2 - They are inexpensive - Op-amps are pretty cheap! One of the devices we will look at today costs about 10 cents per op-amp.
You can also use operational amplifiers to “glue” analog and digital electronics; in fact, one of the demos today uses an op-amp with an Arduino.
Aside from that, we’ll also learn how op-amps work, how to configure them into several basic “analog building block” circuits, how to build a light-sensitive switch using them, and how to turn a single power supply into a dual one using an op-amp.
Here is the Table of Contents for today's video:
00:00 - Introduction
02:20 - Operational Amplifiers
12:14 - Popular Op-Amps
16:17 - Op Amp Basic Circuits Hookup
18:32 - Voltage Follower (Buffer)
21:03 - Inverting Amplifier
22:36 - Non-Inverting Amplifier
24:06 - Low-Pass Filter
25:53 - High-Pass Filter
27:33 - Square & Triangle Wave Generator
29:22 - Op Amps with Arduino
34:58 - Light-Sensitive Switch
38:00 - Single to Dual Power Supply
42:13 - Conclusion
One other thing to note is that “classic” components, like op-amps, didn’t seem to be affected by the global chip shortage. One more reason to consider using them in your designs!
Hope you enjoy the video.
Bill
All Comments (21)
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Hi everyone - It's come to my attention that there has been someone masquerading as myself, responding to some comments here with a link to a Telegram chat to win a prize from me. THIS IS A SCAM, I am not holding a contest, nor do I have a Telegram account. PLEASE DO NOT RESPOND TO THESE MESSAGES!! It's happening on a lot of my videos, I'm taking steps to remove them manually, but as I have 162 videos, it will take some time. If you do run across a suspicious comment, I would appreciate you letting me know at info@dronebotworkshop.com/ Thanks! Bill (The real one!)
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Sorry for taking SO long to get another video out, as many of you are aware, we had an ice storm last month that cut my power off for 5 days, and dropped a tree onto my house and another one onto my car. So lots of interruptions while we got that sorted out, and it delayed me from working in the workshop. The tree is off the house now, and I have a rental while the car is being repaired, so I should have another one out shortly. Hope you enjoy this one! Bill
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Your videos are of the highest quality! You obviously put a lot of time and effort into making them, and it is greatly appreciated.
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Bill, I'm very sorry to hear about the ice storm and the damage it did to your vehicle. I'm glad you are ok! This was another wonderful video. Thank you for addressing op amps, a challenging subject. You made them a lot more approachable. Thank you also for noting that the formulas for gain are estimations and explaining why (the mention of not including impedances in the formulas). This video is going to help so many people better understand this subject.
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The usual high standards that we've learned to expect! Great video, with flawless production. Sorry to hear about the devastating ice storm. It's remarkable that you could still produce this video. Best wishes for a speedy "recovery", Bill!
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This deserves appreciation. One of the best explanation of Op-Amps and demonstrations. Thank you very much.
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I've been a long time viewer but extremely infrequent commenter. I just wanted to say that I truly and sincerely appreciate your videos. I very much appreciate your clear even comprehensible tone and explanations. I truly appreciate what a valuable tool your videos are and how much value they have brought to my project. Thank you very much
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Good day, Mr. Bill, with regards to the non-inverting amplifier, the actual formula is (1 + RF/RD) * VIN, so the actual amplifier gain when using 1k ohms as RF and 1k ohms as RD is actually 2, which explains why the output sine wave is bigger.
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Mr work shop thank you for sharing your knowledge..I am from Jamaica and I found a sudden interest in electronics engineering since September last year. I am will to accept all the help I can get.. again thank you and many blessings to everyone on your channel
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I have watched numerous explanations of operational amplifiers and this is the best. I really appreciate the documentation you make available. It makes it much easier to actually replicate your demonstrations, trying to follow along with a video is much too frustrating. Thank you for your commitment to teaching others.
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You just made me feel really old as I remember when the 741 Opp Amp was released 1968. They were a hassle to design circuits for as they required two power supplies, both a positive and negative with a shared ground. The LM324 (1974) was so much easier to use with its single sided supply.
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You're like the Bob Ross of Electronics Design. I took a course in analog electronics and spent a lot of time around the theory of Op Amps, but never really got taught about some of their more practical applications. This video was great at keeping things simple, to the point, and wonderful demonstrations to accompany each example. I've liked your videos for a long time, keep up the awesome work!
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Sorry for the trouble you've had with the Ice storm, I can relate (more or less...) We've had a really heavy Hail storm around our place that caused a huge roof leak... all fixed now ! And really happy to watch your videos once again, always something informative there. Keep up the great work (and yes it takes Work !), and courage !
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You are such a good teacher, this is mind boggling. Way better than teachers I had at university!
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I always try to guess the catch phrase at the beginning, I was sure you'd go for "there's a lot to gain so let's begin" I was wrong of course.
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Thank you for the great explanation! I studied op amps in school back in the mid '70's, but never such a good explanation! 😀
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I’ve got to take the prerequisite class to this video. This is very obviously a super informative video. I’ve been learning a lot from this channel. There are just too many concepts and terms I haven’t learned yet. This one will go in the watch later folder.
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Excellent video Bill, very nicely laid out, good graphics as always and great explanation. Thank you!
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Yeah I noticed your absence! Glad to see you're back and that everything gets sorted out. Very informative video and a nice recap of things that I almost had forgotten.
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Great demonstrations. Much clearer than what I learnt back at school 13yrs ago. Good job
