Understanding IC Operational Amplifiers

The term operational amplifier (op amp) derives from the fact that it has long been the basic tool used in electronic analog computers to perform such mathematical operations as addition, subtraction, integration and differentiation. Early operational amplifiers were limited almost entirely to analog computer use because of their large size and high cost. With the advent of semiconductor electronics complete operational amplifiers can now be fabricated on a single tiny chip of silicon. Here at last is a book written exclusively about the IC op amp. It explains how IC op amps work, how they are fabricated, how practical circuits can be designed using them, and how complete electronics systems can be formed around op-amp circuits. The book begins by describing the ideal op amp and then discusses the non-ideal characteristics of op amps. Basic semiconductor electronics is reviewed in chapter 2. Chapter 3 discusses the internal circuitry of the IC op amp. In chapter 4, practical design considerations are covered. Chapter 5 discusses linear applications and chapter 6 discusses nonlinear applications. Chapter 7 discusses complete electronic systems built around the previously discussed circuits.