Single Op Amp

Difference Amplifier
 A Single Op-Amp Difference Amplifier

1 Nó a:

𝑉1 −𝑉𝑎 𝑉𝑜 −𝑉𝑎
𝑅1
+ 𝑅2
=0

2 Nó b:

𝑉2 −𝑉𝑏 𝑉𝑏
− =0
𝑅1 𝑅2

3 𝑉𝑎 = 𝑉𝑏 (virtual ground)

𝑅2
1 e 2 e 3 𝑣0 = 𝑣 − 𝑣1
𝑅1 2

Ad vId
4 Although ideally the difference amplifier will amplify only the differential input
signal vId and reject completely the common-mode input signal vIcm, practical
circuits will have an output voltage vO given by

𝑅2
𝑣0 = 𝑣 − 𝑣1
𝑅1 2

Ad vId
𝑣𝐼𝑑 = 𝑣2 - 𝑣1
𝑣𝑜 = 𝐴𝑑 𝑣𝐼𝑑 + 𝐴𝑐𝑚 𝑣𝐼𝑐𝑚 𝑣1 + 𝑣2
𝑣𝐼𝑐𝑚 =
2

Where Ad denotes the amplifier differential gain and Acm denotes its common-mode
gain (ideally zero). The efficacy of a differential amplifier is measured by the degree
of its rejection of common-mode signals in preference to differential signals. This is
usually quantified by a measure known as the common-mode rejection ratio
(CMRR), defined as:
𝐴𝑑
CMRR = 𝐴𝑐𝑚

𝐴𝑑
CMRR =20 log (dB)
𝐴𝑐𝑚
Calculation of Ad
and Acm
 Ad Calculation

1 Specifically, we wish to determine the output voltage vO in terms of vI1 and vI2.
Toward that end, we observe that the circuit is linear, and thus we can use
superposition.
2 To apply superposition, we first reduce vI2 to zero, that is ground the terminal to
which vI2 is applied, and then find the corresponding output voltage, which will be
due entirely to vI1. We denote this output voltage vO1.

𝑅2
𝑣𝑜1 = − 𝑣𝐼1
𝑅1

3 Next, we reduce vi1 to zero and evaluate the corresponding output voltage vO2. The
circuit will now take the form shown which we recognize as the noninverting
configuration with an additional voltage divider, made up of R3 and R4, connected to
the input vI2.
v+

𝑅4 𝑅2
𝑣𝑜2 = 𝑣𝐼2 1+
𝑅3 + 𝑅4 𝑅1

𝑅4 𝑅2 𝑅2
If = 𝑣𝑜2 = 𝑣𝐼2
𝑅3 𝑅1 𝑅1
4 The superposition principle tells us that the output voltage vO is equal to the sum of
vO1 and vO2. Thus we have:

𝑅2
𝑣𝑜1 = − 𝑣
𝑅1 𝐿1
𝑅2
+ 𝑣𝑜 = 𝑣 − 𝑣𝐼1
𝑅1 𝐼2
𝑅2
𝑣𝑜2 = 𝑣𝐼2
𝑅1

𝑅2
𝑣𝑜 = 𝐴𝑑 𝑣𝐼𝑑 + 𝐴𝑐𝑚 𝑣𝐼𝑐𝑚 𝐴𝑑 =
𝑅1
 Acm Calculation
5 Let’s next consider the circuit with only a common-mode signal applied at the input,
as shown in the circuito below:

5.1 Vx = Vy Vy

x 1 𝑅4 𝑅3 1
5.2 𝑖1 = 𝑣𝐼𝑐𝑚 − 𝑣 = 𝑣𝐼𝑐𝑚
𝑅1 𝑅4 +𝑅3 𝐼𝑐𝑚 𝑅4 +𝑅3 𝑅1
y Vy
𝑅4 Any mismatch in
5.3 𝑣𝑜 = 𝑣 − 𝑖2 𝑅2 the resistance
𝑅4 + 𝑅3 𝐼𝑐𝑚
ratios can make
5.4 𝑖2 = 𝑖1 Acm nonzero and
hence CMRR
finite !
to 𝑅4 𝑅 𝑅
5.1 5.4
𝑣0 = 𝑅 1 − 𝑅2 𝑅3 𝑣𝐼𝑐𝑚
4 +𝑅3 1 4

𝑅4 𝑅2 𝑅3
𝑣𝑜 = 𝐴𝑑 𝑣𝐼𝑑 + 𝐴𝑐𝑚 𝑣𝐼𝑐𝑚 𝐴𝑐𝑚 = 1−
𝑅4 + 𝑅3 𝑅1 𝑅4
𝑅4 𝑅2
= 𝐴𝑐𝑚 = 0
𝑅3 𝑅1
 Importance in
Instrumentation
 A Single-Op Difference Amplifier

A difference amplifier is one that responds to the difference between the two
signals applied at its input and ideally rejects signals that are common to the two
inputs.

Difference Amplifier

Difference Amplifier
X
Inversor Amplifier
Input Resistance
 Input Resistance

1 In addition to rejecting common-mode signals, a difference amplifier is usually

required to have a high input resistance. To find the input resistance between the
two input terminals (i.e., the resistance seen by vId), called the differential input
resistance Rid, consider the circuit below. Here we have assumed that the resistors
are selected so that:

𝑅3 = 𝑅1
𝑅4 = 𝑅2 𝑣𝑖𝑑
𝑅𝑖𝑑 =
𝑖𝐼

2 Since the two input terminals of the op amp track each other in potential, we may
write a loop equation and obtain:

𝑣𝑖𝑑 = 𝑅1 𝑖𝐼 + 𝑅1 𝑖𝐼
𝑣𝑖𝑑 𝑅𝑖𝑑 = 2𝑅1
𝑅𝑖𝑑 =
𝑖𝐼
Disadvantages
 Disadvantages

1 𝑅2
𝑣𝑜 = 𝑣 − 𝑣𝐼1 𝑅𝑖𝑑 = 2𝑅1
𝑅1 𝐼2

If the amplifier is required to have a large differential gain, then R1 will be relatively
small and the input resistance will be correspondingly low.

if R1 is chosen with a high value, let’s say 1 MΩ, it would require a higher R2 value for
getting a desirable gain which makes the circuit impractically !

2 Another drawback of the circuit is that it is not easy to vary the differential gain of
the amplifier because there are two R1 resistances.

Both of these drawbacks are overcome with

another kind of difference amplifier named
instrumentation amplifier !
 CMRR
Measurement
 1 If vc =0
𝑣𝑜
𝐴𝑑 =
𝑣𝑑
𝑣𝑜
𝑣1 = - 𝑣2 𝐴𝑑 = | |
2𝑣1
𝑣𝑜 = 𝐴𝑑 𝑣𝑑 +𝐴𝑐 𝑣𝑐
𝑣𝑑 = 𝑣1 - 𝑣2 = 2 𝑣1
𝑣𝑑 = 𝑣1 - 𝑣2

𝑣𝑐 =
𝑣1 + 𝑣2 If 𝑣1 = 0,5V 𝐴𝑑 = |𝑣𝑜𝑑 |
2

Ad - diferential gain 2 if vd =0
Ac - common mode gain
𝑣𝑜
𝐴𝑐 =
𝑣𝑐
𝑣
𝑣1 = 𝑣2 𝐴𝑐 = | 𝑜|
𝑣1
𝑣𝑐 = 𝑣2

If 𝑣1 = 1V 𝐴𝑐 = |𝑣𝑜𝑐 |

𝐀𝐝
𝐂𝐌𝐑𝐑 = | |
𝐀𝐜
 Ad Measurement

3 Ad measurement using |v1max |= |v2max| = 0,5V.

Function
Generator

𝑣1 = - 𝑣2
𝑨𝒅 = |𝒗𝒐𝒅 |
Inverter (gain=1)

Ac Measurement
4 Ac measurement using v1max = v2max = 1V.

Function 𝐀𝐝
Generator 𝐂𝐌𝐑𝐑 = | |
𝐀𝐜

𝑨𝒄 = |𝒗𝒐𝒄 |
𝑣1 = 𝑣2
CMRR measurement is made in different frequencies !

𝐀𝐝
𝐂𝐌𝐑𝐑 = | |
𝐀𝐜

Typical CMRR Curve

CMRR Measurement
in the LTSPice
CMRR measurement results in simulation are
very close to the ones using integrated circuits!
 𝐀𝐝
𝐂𝐌𝐑𝐑 = | |
𝐀𝐜

Input
Signals

Ac Measurement Ad Measurement
Amp Op
DC Voltages