Tennessee State University

College of Engineering, Technology, and Computer Science

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
ENGR 2001
CIRCUITS I LAB
Section 02

Lab Experiment #8
Analysis of Operational Amplifiers

Vance Willis
Lab Partner: Tish Spalding
Instructor: Dr. Carlotta A. Berry

Lab Performed: November 3, 2005

Report Submitted: November 17, 2005

ABSTRACT
The purpose of this experiment was to demonstrate how operational amplifiers function
by exploring the performance of two popular types of amplifiers: inverting, and noninverting. Inverting amplifiers amplifier a signal, while simultaneously reversing the
output polarity. Non-inverting amplifiers amplify a signal, while keeping the same output
polarity. The operational amplifier (or op amp) is an active circuit element designed to
perform mathematical operations such as
addition,
subtraction,
multiplication,
division, differentiation, and integration.
The op amp is an electronic device
consisting of a complex arrangement of
resistors, transistors, capacitors, and
diodes. For application purposes, it is best
to consider the op amp as a building block
for circuits, and not consider what exactly
takes place internal to the op amp. The
basic symbol for the op amp is shown to
the right. Two important characteristics of
op amps are:
1) The currents into both input terminals are zero.
2) The voltage across the input terminals is negligibly small (zero).
For an inverting amplifier, the output voltage (vout) measured at the output pin can be
expressed as:
R
vout = f vin
R1
For a non-inverting amplifier, the output voltage (vout) measured at the output pin can be
expressed as:
Rf
vin
vout = 1 +
R
1

In this experiment, each type of amplifier was constructed on a breadboard and tested
to determine output voltage, input resistor current, and output resistor current, as the
input voltage level was varied from 0 to 1.5 V. The experimental values were compared
to theoretical results found using hand calculations and computer simulations using the
PSpice circuit simulation software. An inverting amplifier having a gain of 8 was built
and tested to function within theoretical expectations with a maximum error of 5.6%. A
non-inverting amplifier having a gain of 6 was built and tested to function within
theoretical expectations with a maximum error of 7.2%. The errors noted in the
experiment were considered to have been caused mainly by the fact that calculations
consider ideal op amps, and in reality, the performance is slightly different.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Abstract
I.

Objective

II.

Theory

III.

Equipment

IV.

Apparatus

V.

Circuits

VI.

Procedure

VII.

Graphs

VIII.

Results, Conclusions, and Recommendations

Appendix A

Data

Appendix B

Formulas and Sample Calculations

Appendix C

References

I.

Objective:
The objective of this experiment was to demonstrate how operational amplifiers
function by exploring the performance of two popular types of amplifiers:
inverting, and non-inverting. Inverting amplifiers amplifier a signal, while
simultaneously reversing the output polarity. Non-inverting amplifiers amplify a
signal, while keeping the same output polarity.

II.

Theory:
The operational amplifier (or op amp) is an active circuit element designed to
perform mathematical operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication,
division, differentiation, and integration. The op amp is an electronic device
consisting of a complex arrangement of resistors, transistors, capacitors, and
diodes. For application purposes, it is best to consider the op amp as a building
block for circuits, and not consider what exactly takes place internal to the op
amp. The basic symbol for the op
amp is shown to the right. The
important connections to the op
amp are:
Inverting Input
Non-Inverting Input
Output
Positive Power Supply
Negative Power Supply
Two important characteristics of op
amps are:
3) The currents into both input terminals are zero.
4) The voltage across the input terminals is negligibly small (zero).
For an inverting amplifier, the non-inverting terminal is grounded, a feedback
resistor (Rf) is connected between the inverting terminal and the output terminal,
and the input power supply (vin) is connected in series with the input resistor (R1)
to the inverting terminal. The output voltage (vout) measured at the output pin can
be expressed as:
R
vout = f vin
R1
For a non-inverting amplifier, the input power supply (vin) is connected to the
non-inverting terminal, a feedback resistor (Rf) is connected between the
inverting terminal and the output terminal, and the input resistor (R1) is connected
between the inverting terminal and ground. The output voltage (vout) measured
at the output pin can be expressed as:
Rf
vin
vout = 1 +
R
1

III.

Equipment:
Tektronix Digital Multimeter model # CDM250
Tektronix Power Supply model # CPS250
Lamda Power Supply model # LPD-421A-FM
Resistors: 1 k, 2 k, 5 k, and 16 k
Op amp: model LM741
Leads (2 pair)
Hook-up wires (1 pair)
Alligator Clips
Breadboard
PSpice software program

IV.

Apparatus:
Experiment Parts 1 and 2:
The apparatus used for this experiment consisted of a Tektronix digital
multimeter (used in both voltmeter and ammeter modes), a Tektronix power
supply, a Lamda power supply, resistors (1 k, 2 k, 5 k, and 16 k), hook-up
wires, a breadboard, and alligator clips attached to the leads on the resistors.
Figure 1 illustrates the apparatus configuration.

Figure 1
(Lab Apparatus used for Experiment Parts 1 and 2)

Circuits
Figures 2 and 3 are the circuit diagrams for parts 1 and 2 of the experiment,
respectively.
Rf
16k

15Vdc

Vance Willis
ENGR2001-02
11/17/2005
Lab #8 Report

R1
2
2k

V-

Vcc

uA741 OUT

+
+

V+

Vin

Vout

V.

15Vdc

Vee

Figure 2
(Circuit used for Experiment Part 1)

Rf
5k

15Vdc

R1
2
1k

6
+

V+

uA741 OUT
3

Vance Willis
ENGR2001-02
11/17/2005
Lab #8 Report

V-

Vcc

Vout

Vin
Vee

15Vdc
-

Figure 3
(Circuit used for Experiment Part 2)

VI.

Procedure
Experiment Part 1:
1. Build the inverting amplifier circuit shown in Figure 2.
2. Connect outputs A and B of the Tektronix power supply as shown and
adjust the voltage of each to 15 V.
3. Connect the output from the Lamda power supply as shown and adjust the
voltage to 1.5 V.
4. Connect a digital voltmeter across terminal 6 and ground record the voltage
measured (Vout).
5. Connect a digital ammeter in-line with resistor R1 and record the current
measured (i1).
6. Connect a digital ammeter in-line with resistor Rf and record the current
measured (if).
7. Repeat steps 3 through 6 using the following values for Vout: 0 V, 0.125 V,
0.25 V, 0.5 V, 0.75 V, 0.875 V, 1.00 V, and 1.25 V.
8. Calculate the theoretical values for output voltage (Vout), current through
resistor R1 (i1), and current through resistor Rf (if) using hand calculations.
9. Perform a DC sweep simulation using the PSpice software program, and use
the resulting graph to find the output voltage (Vout), current through resistor R1
(i1), and current through resistor Rf (if). Verify these results match the results
from the hand calculations.
10. Perform an error analysis for the measured versus theoretical values.

Experiment Part 2:
1. Build the non-inverting amplifier circuit shown in Figure 3.
2. Connect outputs A and B of the Tektronix power supply as shown and
adjust the voltage of each to 15 V.
3. Connect the output from the Lamda power supply as shown and adjust the
voltage to 1.5 V.
4. Connect a digital voltmeter across terminal 6 and ground record the voltage
measured (Vout).
5. Connect a digital ammeter in-line with resistor R1 and record the current
measured (i1).
6. Connect a digital ammeter in-line with resistor Rf and record the current
measured (if).
7. Repeat steps 3 through 6 using the following values for Vout: 0 V, 0.125 V,
0.25 V, 0.5 V, 0.75 V, 0.875 V, 1.00 V, and 1.25 V.
8. Calculate the theoretical values for output voltage (Vout), current through
resistor R1 (i1), and current through resistor Rf (if) using hand calculations.
9. Perform a DC sweep simulation using the PSpice software program, and use
the resulting graph to find the output voltage (Vout), current through resistor R1
(i1), and current through resistor Rf (if). Verify these results match the results
from the hand calculations.
10. Perform an error analysis for the measured versus theoretical values.

VII.

Graphs
Experiment Part 1:
Figure 4 shows a scatter plot of 1) the calculated results for output voltage, and
2) the experimental measured data for output voltage from the inverting amplifier.
Figure 5 shows a scatter plot of 1) the calculated results for input and feedback
current, 2) the experimental measured data for input current, and 3) the
experimental measured data for feedback current from the inverting amplifier.
The close proximity of the curves demonstrates the small error observed in this
experiment. Figures 6 and 7 show the results from DC sweep simulations
performed using the PSpice circuit simulation software. Figure 6 shows the
output voltage as the input voltage is varied from 0 to 1.5 V. Figure 7 shows the
input or feedback current as the input voltage is varied from 0 to 1.5 V. Note that
only one graph is shown since the results indicate the input current was equal to
the feedback current.

Output Voltage (V out ) vs. Input Voltage (V in )

(Inverting Amplifier, Gain=8)
0

Calculated
Experimental

-2

Output Voltage (V)

-4
-6
-8
-10
-12
-14
0

0.25

0.5

0.75

1.25

1.5

Input Voltage (V)

Figure 4
(Plot of Calculated and Experimental Output Voltage for Experiment Part 1)

10

Input Current (i 1 ) and Feedback Current (i f ) vs. Input Voltage (V in )

(Inverting Amplifier, Gain=8)
0.8
Calculated
Input and Feedback Currents (mA)

0.7

Meas. Input Current

Meas. Feedback Current

0.6
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0
0

0.25

0.5

0.75

1.25

1.5

Input Voltage (V)

Figure 5
(Plot of Calculated and Experimental Input and Feedback Currents for Experiment
Part 1)

11

Figure 6
(Results from PSpice Circuit Simulation for Experiment Part 1
Output Voltage as Input Voltage is Varied from 0 to 1.5 V)

12

Figure 7
(Results from PSpice Circuit Simulation for Experiment Part 1
Input or Feedback Current as Input Voltage is Varied from 0 to 1.5 V)

13

Experiment Part 2:
Figure 8 shows a scatter plot of 1) the calculated results for output voltage, and
2) the experimental measured data for output voltage from the non-inverting
amplifier. Figure 9 shows a scatter plot of 1) the calculated results for input and
feedback current, 2) the experimental measured data for input current, and 3) the
experimental measured data for feedback current from the non-inverting
amplifier. The close proximity of the curves demonstrates the small error
observed in this experiment. Figures 10 and 11 show the results from DC sweep
simulations performed using the PSpice circuit simulation software. Figure 10
shows the output voltage as the input voltage is varied from 0 to 1.5 V. Figure 11
shows the input or feedback current as the input voltage is varied from 0 to 1.5 V.
Note that only one graph is shown since the results indicate the input current was
equal to the feedback current.

Output Voltage (V out ) vs. Input Voltage (V in )

(Non-inverting Amplifier, Gain=6)
10
Calculated

Measured

Output Voltage (V)

8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
0

0.25

0.5

0.75

1.25

1.5

Input Voltage (V)

Figure 8
(Plot of Calculated and Experimental Output Voltage for Experiment Part 2)

14

Input Current (i 1 ) and Feedback Current (i f ) vs. Input Voltage (V in )

(Non-inverting Amplifier, Gain=6)
1.6
Calculated
Meas. Input Current

Input and Feedback Currents (mA)

1.4

Meas. Feedback Current

1.2
1
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
0

0.25

0.5

0.75

1.25

1.5

Input Voltage (V)

Figure 9
(Plot of Calculated and Experimental Input and Feedback Currents for Experiment
Part 2)

15

Figure 10
(Results from PSpice Circuit Simulation for Experiment Part 2
Output Voltage as Input Voltage is Varied from 0 to 1.5 V)

16

Figure 11
(Results from PSpice Circuit Simulation for Experiment Part 1
Input or Feedback Current as Input Voltage is Varied from 0 to 1.5 V)

17

VIII.

Results, Conclusions and Recommendations

Experiment Part 1:
For part 1 of the experiment, the analysis of the inverting amplifier using hand
calculations matched perfectly with the results of the PSpice simulation. Table 1
shows a comparison of the data accumulated by hand calculations to the data
extracted from the PSpice graphs. Note that no error analysis is given for hand
calculations vs. PSpice since all results were exact (0% error for all figures). The
experimental results appeared to be accurate, based on a maximum reported
error of 5.6%. Table 2 shows a summary of the calculated results, the
experimental results, and the error analysis. Figure 4 shows a scatter plot of 1)
the calculated results for output voltage, and 2) the experimental measured data
for output voltage from the inverting amplifier. Figure 5 shows a scatter plot of 1)
the calculated results for input and feedback current, 2) the experimental
measured data for input current, and 3) the experimental measured data for
feedback current from the inverting amplifier. The close proximity of the curves
demonstrates the small error observed in this experiment. Figures 6 and 7 show
the results from DC sweep simulations performed using the PSpice circuit
simulation software. Figure 6 shows the output voltage as the input voltage is
varied from 0 to 1.5 V. Figure 7 shows the input or feedback current as the input
voltage is varied from 0 to 1.5 V. Note that only one graph is shown since the
results indicate the input current was equal to the feedback current. The error
observed in this experiment is likely due to the performance of the model LM741
op amp not exactly matching the performance of the ideal op amp, which is
used for calculations.

Table 1
(Comparison of Hand Calculations to PSpice Results for Experiment Part 1)
Calculated by Hand

Calculated with PSpice

Vin
Vout

i1

if

Vout

i1

if

(V)

(mA)

(mA)

(V)

(mA)

(mA)

0.125

-1

0.0625

0.0625

-1

0.0625

0.0625

0.25

-2

0.125

0.125

-2

0.125

0.125

0.5

-4

0.25

0.25

-4

0.25

0.25

0.75

-6

0.375

0.375

-6

0.375

0.375

0.875

-7

0.4375

0.4375

-7

0.4375

0.4375

-8

0.5

0.5

-8

0.5

0.5

1.25

-10

0.625

0.625

-10

0.625

0.625

1.5

-12

0.75

0.75

-12

0.75

0.75

(V)

18

Table 2
(Calculated Data, Experimental Data, and Error Analysis for Experiment Part 1)
Calculated

Measured

Error Analysis

Vin
Vout

i1

if

Vout

i1

if

Vout

i1

if

(V)

(mA)

(mA)

(V)

(mA)

(mA)

(%)

(%)

(%)

0.00%

0.00%

0.00%

0.125

-1

0.0625

0.0625

-0.984

0.059

0.0603

1.60%

5.60%

3.52%

0.25

-2

0.125

0.125

-1.985

0.119

0.125

0.75%

4.80%

0.00%

0.5

-4

0.25

0.25

-3.99

0.237

0.247

0.25%

5.20%

1.20%

0.75

-6

0.375

0.375

-5.92

0.357

0.374

1.33%

4.80%

0.27%

0.875

-7

0.4375

0.4375

-6.93

0.418

0.437

1.00%

4.46%

0.11%

-8

0.5

0.5

-7.97

0.481

0.504

0.38%

3.80%

0.80%

1.25

-10

0.625

0.625

-9.91

0.599

0.628

0.90%

4.16%

0.48%

1.5

-12

0.75

0.75

-11.89

0.75

0.753

0.92%

0.00%

0.40%

(V)

19

Experiment Part 2:
For part 2 of the experiment, the analysis of the non-inverting amplifier using
hand calculations matched perfectly with the results of the PSpice simulation.
Table 3 shows a comparison of the data accumulated by hand calculations to the
data extracted from the PSpice graphs. Note that no error analysis is given for
hand calculations vs. PSpice since all results were exact (0% error for all
figures). The experimental results appeared to be somewhat accurate, based on
a maximum reported error of 7.2%. Table 4 shows a summary of the calculated
results, the experimental results, and the error analysis. Figure 8 shows a
scatter plot of 1) the calculated results for output voltage, and 2) the experimental
measured data for output voltage from the non-inverting amplifier. Figure 9
shows a scatter plot of 1) the calculated results for input and feedback current, 2)
the experimental measured data for input current, and 3) the experimental
measured data for feedback current from the non-inverting amplifier. The close
proximity of the curves demonstrates the small error observed in this experiment.
Figures 10 and 11 show the results from DC sweep simulations performed using
the PSpice circuit simulation software. Figure 10 shows the output voltage as the
input voltage is varied from 0 to 1.5 V. Figure 11 shows the input or feedback
current as the input voltage is varied from 0 to 1.5 V. Note that only one graph is
shown since the results indicate the input current was equal to the feedback
current. The error observed in this experiment is likely due to the performance of
the model LM741 op amp not exactly matching the performance of the ideal op
amp, which is used for calculations.

Table 3
(Comparison of Hand Calculations to PSpice Results for Experiment Part 2)
Calculated by Hand

Vin

Calculated with PSpice

Vout

i1

if

Vout

i1

if

(V)

(mA)

(mA)

(V)

(mA)

(mA)

0.125

0.75

0.125

0.125

0.75

0.125

0.125

0.25

1.5

0.25

0.25

1.5

0.25

0.25

0.5

0.5

0.5

0.5

0.5

0.75

4.5

0.75

0.75

4.5

0.75

0.75

0.875

5.25

0.875

0.875

5.25

0.875

0.875

1.25

7.5

1.25

1.25

7.5

1.25

1.25

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

(V)

20

Table 4
(Calculated Data, Experimental Data, and Error Analysis for Experiment Part 2)
Calculated

Vin

Measured

Error Analysis

Vout

i1

if

Vout

i1

if

Vout

i1

if

(V)

(mA)

(mA)

(V)

(mA)

(mA)

(%)

(%)

(%)

0.00%

0.00%

0.00%

0.125

0.75

0.125

0.125

0.775

0.116

0.125

3.33%

7.20%

0.00%

0.25

1.5

0.25

0.25

1.507

0.23

0.25

0.47%

8.00%

0.00%

0.5

0.5

0.5

3.04

0.5

0.5

1.33%

0.00%

0.00%

0.75

4.5

0.75

0.75

4.53

0.75

0.75

0.67%

0.00%

0.00%

0.875

5.25

0.875

0.875

5.25

0.87

0.885

0.00%

0.57%

1.14%

6.01

0.17%

0.00%

0.00%

1.25

7.5

1.25

1.25

7.51

1.25

1.26

0.13%

0.00%

0.80%

1.5

1.5

1.5

9.07

1.49

1.51

0.78%

0.67%

0.67%

(V)

21

APPENDIX A
Data

Table 5
(Measured Data for Experiment Part 1)
Measured

Vin
Vout

i1

if

(V)

(mA)

(mA)

0.125

-0.984

0.059

0.0603

0.25

-1.985

0.119

0.125

0.5

-3.99

0.237

0.247

0.75

-5.92

0.357

0.374

0.875

-6.93

0.418

0.437

-7.97

0.481

0.504

1.25

-9.91

0.599

0.628

1.5

-11.89

0.75

0.753

(V)

Table 6
(Measured Data for Experiment Part 2)
Measured

Vin

Vout

i1

if

(V)

(mA)

(mA)

0.125

0.775

0.116

0.125

0.25

1.507

0.23

0.25

0.5

3.04

0.5

0.5

0.75

4.53

0.75

0.75

0.875

5.25

0.87

0.885

6.01

1.25

7.51

1.25

1.26

1.5

9.07

1.49

1.51

(V)

22

APPENDIX B
Formulas, Sample Calculations, and Error Analysis
Formulas:
A=

Rf

vout =

i1 =

(Gain for inverting amplifier)

R1
Rf
R1

(Output voltage for inverting amplifier)

vin

vin
R1

if =

(Input current for inverting amplifier)

vout
Rf

A = 1+

(Feedback current for inverting amplifier)

Rf

(Gain for non-inverting amplifier)

R1

Rf

vin
vout = 1 +
R
1

(Output voltage for non-inverting amplifier)

i1 =

vin
R1

(Input current for non-inverting amplifier)

if =

v out vin
Rf

(Feedback current for non-inverting amplifier)

% error =

theoretical measured
theoretical

*100

(Percent error)

23

Calculations:

R f = AR1 = (8)(2000) = 16000

vout =

i1 =

Rf
R1

vin =

(Resistance Rf for inverting amplifier)

(16000)
(1.5) = 12 V
(2000)

(Output voltage for inverting amplifier)

vin
(1.5)
=
= 0.75 10 3 = 0.75 mA
R1 (2000)

if =

(Input current for inverting amplifier)

vout
(1.5)
=
= 0.75 10 3 = 0.75 mA
(16000)
Rf

(Feedback current for inverting

amplifier)

R f = R1 ( A 1) = (1000)(6 1) = 5000

(Resistance Rf for non-inverting

amplifier)

Rf
5000
vin = 1 +
vout = 1 +
(1.5) = 9 V
R1
1000

(Output voltage for non-inverting

amplifier)

i1 =

vin
(1.5)
=
= 1.5 10 3 = 1.5 mA
R1 (1000)

(Input current for non-inverting amplifier)

if =

vout vin (9 1.5)

=
= 1.5 10 3 = 1.5 mA
Rf
(5000)

(Feedback current for non-inverting

amplifier)

% error =

9 9.07
9

*100 = 0.78%

(Percent error, output voltage for noninverting amplifier)

24

APPENDIX C
References
Alexander, Charles K. and Matthew Sadiku, Fundamentals of Electric Circuits, 2nd
Edition, McGraw Hill, 2004.
Berry, Dr. Carlotta A. Circuits I Lab Study Guide for ENGR2001. Tennessee State
University

25