Download Op-Amps and Saturation

Op-Amps
Operational Amplifiers
What is an Op-amp ?
• An op-amp is a type of amplifier – an operational
amplifier.
• It takes in one or more voltages ( V1 and V2 ) and
processes them, giving out another voltage ( Vout ).
• Depending on how it is connected up, the op-amp seems
to carry out mathematical operations such as addition,
subtraction etc.
The Op-Amp Symbol
Inverting input
-
+Vs
Output
Non-inverting input
+
-Vs
The Op-Amp needs a power supply to make it work. This
is represented by Vs.
The power supply connections are often missed out in
diagrams.
Power Supplies for Op-Amps
The power supplies used
with Op-Amps are a bit
unusual. They are set up to
have a positive terminal and
a negative terminal and a
zero volts terminal between
the two.
The zero volts terminal acts
as a reference voltage when
making measurements.
+ Vs
9 Volts
0V
9 Volts
- Vs