opcomp -0001 Q1 A1

Differences

What are the differences between operational amplifiers and comparators? The basic configuration is the same but there are the following differences. Operational Amplifier Basic operation Input signal Amplification Comparison Comparator

Output signal Output stage configuration Features Phase correction capacitor Pulse response characteristic Push-pull Difficult to oscillate Provided Slow (defined as slew rate) Open collector/drain Easy to oscillate during amplification operation Not provided Fast (defined as 50% output delay)

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Q2 A2

The processing methods for the unused pins of unused operational amplifiers and comparators differ. What is the reason? The purpose in both cases is the same, i.e., to stabilize the operation of unused operational amplifiers and comparators and not to exert an influence on other operational amplifiers and comparators (within the same package). There are differences between the stabilization methods. A voltage follower configuration that enables stabilization using negative feedback is recommended for operational amplifiers, while fixing the input voltage in order to achieve output stabilization is recommended for comparators.

Related FAQs

Operational amplifier:In a device with multiple channels, how should I handle the operational amplifiers not being used? Comparator: My device has multiple comparator channels; how should I handle comparators that

are not being used?

(2007/03)
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(2007/03 )

opcomp -0002 Q1 A1

Characteristics

What is the difference between operational amplifiers/comparators for general use and those for industrial use? An operational amplifier/comparator for general use is recommended for use in consumer products, whereas one for industrial use is recommended for use in industrial equipment. The latter are designed for use in sets that operate in difficult environments and therefore have a wider ambient operating temperature range than the former. Moreover, with operational amplifiers/comparators for industrial use, all devices are subject to testing with all test items. (Example) Single-power-supply dual operational amplifier For general use (UPC358G2) For industrial use (UPC1251G2) Ambient operating temperature range: -20 to +80C Ambient operating temperature range: -40 to +85C

(2005/09)
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Q2 A2

What is the rated power supply voltage (V -V )? This is the maximum power supply voltage that can be applied between the V and V pins. For example, if the rated power supply voltage is 36 V max., the following voltages can be applied. When using a dual-power-supply device: 18 V (asymmetrical is applicable) When using a single-power-supply device: +36 V
+ -

Operational amplifiers do not have a GND pin, so the voltage that can be applied between the V and V pins is 36 V for both dual- and single-power-supply devices. Note, however, that the device may be seriously damaged if the power supply is connected in reverse.

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Q3 A3

What is the rated input voltage? This is the range of voltage that can be applied to the input pins without degrading the characteristics or damaging the device. This rating must never be exceeded, even in the transient state when the power is being turned on and off. The input voltage on which an operational amplifier or comparator operates normally must be within the common mode input range prescribed in the electrical specifications. Note that although the rating for an operational amplifier or comparator is usually V -0.3V to V +0.3V, when using a single-power supply device, positive input voltage application is also possible when the power supply is OFF. See the absolute maximum ratings in the relevant data sheet for details.
+

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Q4 A4

What is total power dissipation (P T)? This is the maximum power that can be consumed by the IC at room temperature (TA=25C) with normal operation guaranteed. The total power dissipation is determined by maximum value of the chip's junction temperature (which is usually the same as the upper limit of the storage temperature (Tstg)) and the thermal resistance of the package. If the ambient operating temperature is high, the total power dissipation will be lower, so refer to the PT TA characteristics (derating curves) before commencing design.

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Q5 A5

What is thermal resistance? Thermal resistance indicates how difficult it is for heat to be transmitted, and is expressed by the package's rising temperature per unit power (see Thermal Design). Unless otherwise specified, the chip's (PN) junction temperature (Tj) is the maximum storage temperature (125C for an operational amplifier or comparator). The thermal resistance from the junction to the package ambient air (Rth: j - A) is calculated as follows from the absolute maximum ratings in the data sheet.

Note that thermal conduction appears like the figure below when changed to an electrical equivalence circuit.

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Q6 A6

What is a derating curve? Derating refers to thermal design in which the allowable power consumption is restricted according to the rise in the ambient temperature. A derating curve is a characteristics curve that indicates the total power dissipation (P T) vs. the ambient operating temperature (TA.) When TA= +80C in an 8-pin SOP (with PT = 440 mW and Rt h (j - A) = 227C/W @ T A = 25): PT=440-(80-25)/0.227=198mW The characteristics for each package type are shown in the graphs below.

Remark If the diagonal lines of the derating curves are extended, the value at PT=0 is the maximum junction temperature (125C in the case of operational amplifiers and comparators).
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Q7 A7

What is input offset voltage (VIO)? In an operational amplifier, the input offset voltage is the difference in the voltage between the + and input pins when negative feedback is applied. In a comparator, the input offset voltage is the comparison voltage (threshold voltage) error. Although ideally 0, in an operational amplifier, there is a difference between VBE of the + and - input transistors in the input-stage differential amplifier, which becomes the input offset voltage. In actual use; for example when using an operational amplifier with an input offset voltage of V lO 5mV, if 100 amplification is created, there will be an error of up to 5100= 500mV at the output. Therefore, when using a circuit that handles very small input signals, you must either select a product with a small input offset voltage, or adjust the offset externally.

Measurement method: Assuming VIN = 0 in the above circuit, the input offset voltage can be measured by dividing the output by 100. The measurement circuit in this case would be as follows.

Remark Because the input offset voltage is the potential difference between two pins, the maximum value is a value. However, the symbol may be omitted in some general reference materials.
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Q8 A8

What is input bias current (IB)? This is the current that flows in or out of the input pins. The input pins are the base pins of the transistor (or gate pins in the case of FET inputs). In order for the input transistor to operate, the base current (IB) must flow. This base current is the input bias current. In actual use, when a resistor with a high resistance (RIN) is inserted at the input, the input bias current is used to express the input signal error.

For example, if RIN=1M and IB=100nA, there is an error of 0.1 V. Therefore, when the impedance of the signal source is large, it is necessary to select a product with a small input bias current. Note also that the difference between the bias current of the + and - input is the input offset current. Whether the bias current flows in or out differs depending on the input stage transistor.

Note Because it is equivalent to the gate leakage current, the input bias current of a Pch FET has the feature that it is very small - in the order of pA units. However, if the temperature rises 10C, the bias current doubles.
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Q9 A9

What is input offset current (IIO)? There is a difference in the input current that flows in or out of each of the input pins, even if the output voltage of the operational amplifier is 0 V, due to the fact the pair characteristics (hFE,VBE) of the differential transistor do not match. This difference is known as the input offset current (IIO). IIO=|IB -IB |
+ -

The drop in voltage that occurs due to this different current flowing through the signal source resistors (RS) connected to the operational amplifier inputs causes the offset voltage to rise. Note that the input offset current causes an error in the output value in the same way as the input offset voltage.

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Q10 A10

What is the common mode input voltage range? This is the range of input voltage within which an operational amplifier or comparator will operate or V , and normal operation will no longer be possible. An example using the uPC4558 is shown below. Concept of common mode input voltage range VBE (about 0.7 V) is required for the transistors to operate.
+

correctly. If the common mode input voltage range is exceeded, the output will be saturated to either V

V -VICM(+)=VF1+VCE(sat) 1V (T A=25C) V -VICM(-)=VF4+VF3+VCE(sat)-VF2 1V (TA=25C)

-

(1) When common mode input voltage is exceeded

The shaded sections show the area in which the common mode input voltage range has been exceeded. In the uPC4558, this has caused the output to be saturated to V . (2) When power supply voltage is changed When V
+

= 15V, the common mode input voltage range is shown in the data sheet to be TYP 14 V.
+

However, because the common mode input voltage range is actually in the range of V +1V to V -1V, if the power supply voltage is lowered, the common mode input voltage range also becomes narrower.

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Q11 A11

What is a parasitic diode? Although not shown on an equi valent circuit, a parasitic diode is part of the IC structure and is configured at the PN junction. Cross-sectional diagrams of the NPN transistor and resistor in a bipolar IC are shown below.

The substrate (P layer) is connected to the power supply's lowest potential, V , and the isolation area (N layer) is connected to the power supply's highest potential, V . Therefore, if the potential of any of the elements exceeds the range of V and V , current flows through the parasitic diode, causing malfunction, degradation of characteristics, or serious damage to the device. In response to spike noise, etc., reverse current flows through the parasitic diode, causing it to operate as a protection diode. However, because the characteristics of the device cannot be guaranteed in this case, be sure to use the device within the range of the absolute maximum ratings. Parasitic diodes are configured in operational amplifiers and comparators as follows.
+ +

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Q12 A12

Do the characteristics change if stress is applied to the board? Yes, especially the input offset voltage. If stress is applied externally to a semiconductor, the semiconductor's resistivity changes due to the piezo effect. Therefore, if stress is applied to the board, stress will also be applied to the IC chips mounted on the board, which will change the characteristics of the differential amplifiers used in the input block of operational amplifiers and comparators. The extent to which the characteristics change differs depending on the size of the board, the mounting conditions, and how the stress is applied, so be sure to evaluate

the device as a whole rather than use the evaluation criteria of each individual IC.

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Q13 A13

Operational amplifiers and comparators are classified into "standard grades" and "DC characteristics selected grades: (5) suffixed to part number". How do they differ? DC characteristics selected grades are screened with stricter criteria than standard grades in order to provide better performance with respect to electrical characteristics such as input offset voltage and input bias current. For details, compare the electrical characteristics of the two grades on the data sheet. [Caution] Matters pertaining to the above mentioned (5) apply to NEC Electronics' operational amplifier and comparator products. Other products (other than operational amplifiers and comparators) of NEC Electronics are defined differently and must be confirmed separately.

(2006/11)
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(2006/11 )

opcomp -0003 Q1 A1

Circuit design
+ -

How should I design a circuit to protect against overvoltage for input? Assuming a case where the input voltage is higher than V
+ -

or lower than V , you should clamp the input

pins to V and V respectively using a diode with a small forward voltage, such as a Schottky barrier diode. The forward voltage of the parasitic diode is about 0.6 V, the same as a normal silicon switching diode. To protect the circuit, therefore, a diode with a small forward voltage must be attached to stop current flowing through this parasitic diode.

When externally attaching a normal silicon switching diode as a protection diode, the device can be protected from damage by inserting a series resistor at the input to limit the current flowing through the parasitic diode to no more than about 5 mA. However, as this may cause malfunction of the device, we recommend using a diode with a small forward voltage, such as a Schottky barrier diode.

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(2005/11 )

opcomp -0004 Q1 A1

Package

What is the difference between SOP packages with the symbols G and G2? The dimensions are different. The dimensions of this package were changed in 1983 to comply with JEITA (Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association; previously EIAJ) standards, so the package symbol was changed from G to G2 for differentiation purposes. Note that all packages manufactured after April 1984 are G2 packages. The respective dimensions are shown below.

Note also that this G, G2 distinction only applies to operational amplifiers and comparators.

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Q2 A2

What are the packing specifications for magazine cases and taping products? Please refer to the label on the packing.

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Q3 A3

In what container are operational amplifiers and comparators packed, except in a reel or tape? SOP and DIP package products are supplied in magazine containers. TSSOP products are not available as non-reel products. They are only offered in tape packing containers. For details on magazines and tapes, refer to Packing.

(2007/03)
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Q4 A4

What does the lot number mean? The lot number shows the date of manufacture and an i nternal management number.

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Q5 A5

What is the marking indication on the actual product? A general description of the marking indication is given below, using the uPC4570 an d uPC324 as examples. Note that there is an additional marking for Pb-free products. Please contact your local sales office for details.