op-amps

[Bartz, Jamison]

Here is a very simplified explanation of an op-amp.

           Vsup+
         |\ |
         | \|
Vin+  ---|+ \
         |   \____  Vout
         |   /
Vin-  ---|- /
         | /|
         |/ |
           Vsup-


Vout = Gain_of_opamp * ( Vin+ - Vin- )

The gain of the op-amp is very high.  (Like 100 to 2000 or so.)  The output
will not necessarily go that high though.  The limits on the output are the
voltage supplies to the chip. (Vsup+ and Vsup-).

Since the chip you have is a dual chip, it usually means that there are two
of the op-amps on the chip.

There are many different uses for the op-amp.  Some are for amplifiers or
comparators.

Jamison Bartz
Enterprise Computing Group
Workstation Division
Compaq Computer Corporation
Phone: 281-518-3372
E-Mail: Jamison.Bartz at compaq.com


		-----Original Message-----
		From:	James Weiler [mailto:james at brc.ubc.ca]
		Sent:	Wednesday, April 21, 1999 3:04 PM
		To:	diy_efi at efi332.eng.ohio-state.edu
		Subject:	op-amps

		What is an op-amp and what does it do?  I have an LM2904N
8-pin chip and 
		I understand it it a dual low power op-amp and I'd like to
understand 
		it's function.

		Thanks to all in advance,
		jw