Op-Amp or operational amplifier have a lot of applications in the modern era of integrated circuits. It can be used in its amplifier mode or switching mode, When the mode of op-amp changes its performance also changes. with this mode change, reference voltage change, feed back change (positive or negative or maybe no feedback) and component change we can create numerous applications. Such as Integrator, summing , inverting amplifier, non inverting amplifier, integration and differentiation, comparator etc. Some of them are linear applications and some others are non linear applications. Here we are finding Linear and Nonlinear Applications of OP-Amp with examples.
Therefore Op-Amp operations are classified into two
- Linear Applications of Op-Amp
- Non linear Applications of Op-Amp
The output voltage or current which is directly proportional to either input voltage or current are called LINEAR Op-Amp Circuits. A NON LINEAR OP-Amp is one in which the output signal is not directly proportional to the input signal.
Contents
Linear Applications of Op-Amp
In Linear applications, op-Amp works in Amplifier mode, which is a very narrow linear region of the op-amp characteristics. This narrow region is obtained by a negative feed back to the Op-amp.
Examples for linear application of Op-amp
- Inverting Amplifiers
- Non Inverting Amplifiers
- Voltage Followers
- Log and Anti log amplifiers
- Instrumentation amplifiers
- Integrator / Differentiator
- current to voltage converter
- voltage to current converter
Non Linear Applications of Op-Amp
In Non linear applications, op-amp works in switching mode. Non-linear operation can result from using components in an op amp circuit that cause the non-linear operation. In other words non-linear operation occurs when the op amp output reaches either positive saturation or its negative saturation.
Examples for non linear application of Op-amp
- Zero Crossing Detectors
- Non Zero Crossing Detectors
- Voltage comparators
- Schmitt triggers
- Precision rectifier or super diode with the combination of op amp as voltage follower and a diode.
- Multivibrators – Astable, Monostable and Bistable