The 741 opAmp

DC and Small Signal Analysis

Jeremy Andrus
For Engineering 332
May 15, 2002
Prof. Ribeiro
Overview: Five Parts of the 741
 Biasing Currents
 Input Stage
 Second Stage
 Output Stage
 Short Circuit Protection
 Overview: 741 Schematic

HI
Q12 Q13b Q13a

Q14

Q15
Q9 Q8 Q19
R6
27k
Q18
Vo
R10 R7
Vin+ Vin- 40k 27k
Q1 Q2 Q21
R5
39k
Q20
Cc
Q3 Q4 Q23

30p

Q7 Q16

Q17
R9
Q11 Q10 Q6 50k
Q5 R8
R3 100
50k
R4 R1
5k 1k R2
1k Q24
Q22
R11
50k

LO
 Biasing Current Sources
Q12

Q9 Q8

R5
39k

Q11 Q10

R4
5k

 Generates the reference bias current

through R5
 Biasing Current Sources:
DC Analysis
 The opAmp reference current is given by:
VCC  VEB12  VBE11   VEE
Iref
R5

 For Vcc=Vee=15V and VBE11=VBE12=0.7V,

we have IREF=0.73mA
 Input Stage

Vin+ Vin-
Q1 Q2

Q3 Q4

Q7

Q6
Q5
R3
50k
R1
1k R2
1k

 The differential pair, Q1 and Q2 provide the main input

 Transistors Q5-Q7 provide an active load for the input
 Input Stage:
DC Analysis - 1
 Assuming that Q10 and Q11 are
matched, we can write the equation from
the Widlar current source:
 IREF 
VT  ln  IC10  R4
 IC10 
 Using trial and error, we can solve for
IC10, and we get: IC10=19A
 Input Stage:
DC Analysis -2
 From symmetry we see that IC1=IC2=I,
and if the npn  is large, then IE3=IE4=I
 Analysis continues:
 Input Stage:
DC Analysis -3
 Analysis of the active load:
Second (Intermediate) Stage
Q13b Q13a

Cc

30p

Q16

Q17
R9
50k
R8
100

 Transistor Q16 acts as an emitter-follower

giving this stage a high input resistance
 Capacitor Cc provides frequency compensation
using the Miller compensation technique
 Second Stage:
DC Analysis

 Neglecting the base current of Q23, IC17 is

equal to the current supplied by Q13b
 IC13b=0.75IREF where P >> 1
 Thus: IC13b=550uA=IC17
 Then we can also write:
 IC17 
VBE17 VT  ln  618mV
 IS 
IE17  R8  VBE17
IC16 IE16 IB17  16.2A
R9
 Output Stage
Q14

Q15
Q19
R6
27k
Q18
Vo
R10 R7
40k 27k
Q21

Q20

Q23

 Provides the opAmp with a low output resistance

 Class AB output stage provides fairly high current load
capabilities without hindering power dissipation in the IC
 Output Stage:
DC Analysis

 Q13a delivers a current of 0.25IREF, so we

can say: IC23=IE23=0.25IREF=180A
 Assuming VBE18 = 0.6V, then IR10=15A,
IE18=180-15=165A and IC18=IE18=165A
 IC19=IE19=IB18+IR10=15.8A
 Short Circuit Protection

Q24
Q22
R11
50k

 These transistors are normally off

 They only conduct in the event that a large
current is drawn from the output terminal (i.e. a
short circuit)
 DC Analysis Summary

DC Collector Currents of the 741 (mA)

Q1 9.5 Q8 19 Q13b 550 Q19 15.8
Q2 9.5 Q9 19 Q14 154 Q20 154
Q3 9.5 Q10 19 Q15 0 Q21 0
Q4 9.5 Q11 730 Q16 16.2 Q22 0
Q5 9.5 Q12 730 Q17 550 Q23 180
Q6 9.5 Q13a 180 Q18 165 Q24 0
Q7 10.5
 741 opAmp Simulation: Schematic

HI
Rfeedback2
Vo
20k
Rfeedback1
Q12 Q13b Q13a
Vin-
1k
Q14
VOFF = 0V Vin
VAMPL = 1mV
Q15 FREQ = 1k
Q9 Q8 Q19
R6
Vin+
27k
Q18
0
Vo
R10 R7
Vin+ Vin- 40k 27k
Q1 Q2 Q21
R5
39k
Q20
Cc
Q3 Q4 Q23

30p Inverting Amplifier with a gain of 20

Q7 Q16

Q17
R9

HI
Q11 Q10 Q6 50k
Q5 R8
R3 100
50k 15Vdc
R4 R1 Vcc
5k 1k R2
1k Q24
Q22 Vee
R11 -15Vdc
50k 0

LO
LO
 741 opAmp Simulation: Input
1.0mV

0.5mV 1mV Amplitude

0V

-0.5mV

-1.0mV
0s 1.0ms 2.0ms 3.0ms 4.0ms
V(Vin:+)
Time
 741 opAmp Simulation: Output
20mV

20mV Amplitude

0V

Inverted output

-20mV
0s 1.0ms 2.0ms 3.0ms 4.0ms
V(Vo) - 28.234mV
Time
 Conclusions
 The 741 is a versatile opAmp that can be
used in a multitude of different ways

 When you break it down into the different

components, it’s operation is actually
understandable and comprehendible