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Chapter: Linear Integrated Circuits : Applications of Operational Amplifier

Precision Rectifier using Operational Amplifier

The ordinary diodes cannot rectify voltages below the cut-in -voltage of the diode.

Precision Rectifier:

 

The ordinary diodes cannot rectify voltages below the cut-in -voltage of the diode. A circuit which can act as an ideal diode or precision signal – processing rectifier circuit for rectifying voltages which are below the level of cut-in voltage of the diode can be designed by placing the diode in the feedback loop of an op-amp.


 

Precision diodes:

Figure shows the arrangement of a precision diode. It is a single diode arrangement and functions as a non-inverting precision half– wave rectifier circuit. If  V1 in the circuit of figure is positive, the op-amp output VOA also becomes positive. Then the closed loop condition is achieved for the op-amp and the output voltage V0 = Vi . When Vi < 0, the voltage V0A becomes negative and the diode is reverse biased. The loop is then broken and the output V0 = 0.

Consider the open loop gain AOL of the op-amp is approximately 104 and the cut-in voltage Vγ for silicon diode is ≈ 0.7V. When the input voltage Vi > Vγ / AOL, the output of the op-amp VOA exceeds Vγ and the diode D conducts.

Then the circuit acts like a voltage follower for input voltage level  Vi > Vγ / AOL ,(i.e. when Vi > 0.7/104 = 70μV), and the output voltage V0 follows the input voltage during the positive half cycle for input voltages higher than 70μV as shown in figure.

When Vi is negative or less than Vγ / AOL, the output of op-amp VOA becomes negative, and the diode becomes reverse biased. The loop is then broken, and the op-amp swings down to negative saturation. However, the output terminal is now isolated from both the input signal and the output of the op-amp terminal thus V0 =0.

No current is then delivered to the load RL except for the small bias current of the op-amp and the reverse saturation current of the diode.

This circuit is an example of a non-linear circuit, in which linear operation is achieved over the remaining region (Vi < 0). Since the output swings to negative saturation level when Vi < 0, the circuit is basically of saturating form. Thus the frequency response is also limited.

 

Applications: The precision diodes are used in

·           half wave rectifier,

·           Full-wave rectifier,

·           peak value detector,

·           Clipper and clamper circuits.

 

Disadvantage:

It can be observed that the precision diode as shown in figure operated in the first quadrant with Vi > 0 and V0 > 0. The operation in third quadrant can be achieved by connecting the diode in reverse direction.

 

Half – wave Rectifier:

 

A non-saturating half wave precision rectifier circuit is shown in figure. When Vi > 0V, the voltage at the inverting input becomes positive, forcing the output VOA to go negative. This results in forward biasing the diode D1 and the op-amp output drops only by ≈ 0.7V below the inverting input voltage. Diode D2 becomes reverse biased. The output voltage V0 is zero when the input is positive.

When Vi > 0, the op-amp output VOA becomes positive, forward biasing the diode D2 and reverse biasing the diode D1. The circuit then acts like an inverting amplifier circuit with a non-linear diode in the forward path. The gain of the circuit is unity when Rf = Ri.


The circuit operation can mathematically be expressed as     

V0 = 0         when Vi > 0 and

V0 = Rf/RiV1         forVi < 0

The voltage VoA at the op amp output is VOA = - 0.7V  for  Vi>0   

VOA= Rf/Ri V1 + 0.7V    forVi<0

 

Advantages:

·           it is a precision half wave rectifier and

·           it is a non saturating one.

The inverting characteristics of the output V0 can be circumvented by the use of an additional inversion for achieving a positive output.

 

Full wave Rectifier:

 

The first part of the Full wave circuit is a half wave rectifier circuit. The second part of the circuit is an inverting amplifier.


For positive input voltage Vi > 0V and assuming that RF =Ri = R, the output voltage VOA=Vi. The voltage V0 appears as (-) input to the summing op-amp circuit formed by A2, The is R/(R/2), as shown in figure.

The input Vi also appears as an input to the summing amplifier. Then, the net output is V0=-Vi -2V0= -Vi -2(-Vi) = Vi. Since Vi > 0V, V0 will be positive, with its input output characteristics in first quadrant. For negative input Vi < 0V, the output V‘0 of the first part of rectifier circuit is zero. Thus, one input of the summing circuit has a value of zero. However, Vi is also applied as an input to the summer circuit formed by the op-amp A2.

The gain for this input id (-R/R) = -1, and hence the output is V0 = -Vi. Since Vi is negative, V0 will be inverted and will thus be positive. This corresponds to the second quadrant of the circuit.

To summarize the operation of the circuit,

V0 = Vi when Vi < 0V and

V0 = Vi for Vi > 0V, and hence

V0 = |Vi |

 

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