REV. C
OP221
–9–
SPECIAL NOTES ON THE APPLICATION OF DUAL
MATCHED OPERATIONAL AMPLIFIERS
Advantages of Dual Monolithic Operational Amplifiers
Dual matched operational amplifiers provide the engineer with a
powerful tool for designing instrumentation amplifiers and many
other differential-input circuits. These designs are based on the
principle that careful matching between two operational amplifiers
can minimize the effect of dc errors in the individual amplifiers.
Reference to the circuit shown in Figure 6, a differential-in,
differential-out amplifier, shows how the reductions in error can
be accomplished. Assuming the resistors used are ideally matched,
the gain of each side will be identical. If the offset voltages of
each amplifier are perfectly matched, then the net differential
voltage at the amplifier’s output will be zero. Note that the output
offset error of this amplifier is not a function of the offset voltage
of the individual amplifiers, but only a function of the difference
(degree of matching) between the amplifiers’ offset voltages. This
error-cancellation principle holds for a considerable number of
input referred error parameters—offset voltage, offset voltage
drift, inverting and noninverting bias currents, common mode
and power supply rejection ratios. Note also that the impedances
of each input, both common-mode and differential-mode, are
high and tightly matched, an important feature not practical with
single operation amplifier circuits.
INPUT
OUTPUT
SIDE
‘A’
SIDE
‘R’
R1
R2
R3
R4
OP221
+
–
+
–
Figure 6. Differential-In, Differential-Out Amplifier
INSTRUMENTATION AMPLIFIER APPLICATIONS
Two-Op Amp Configuration
The two-op amp circuit (Figure 7) is recommended where the
common-mode input voltage range is relatively limited; the
common-mode and differential voltage both appear at V1. The
high open-loop gain of the OP221 is very important in achieving
good CMRR in this configuration. Finite open-loop gain of A1
(Ao1) causes undesired feedthrough of the common-mode input.
For Ad/Ao, << 1, the common-mode error (CME) at the out-
put due to this effect is approximately (2 Ad/Ao1) x VCM. This
circuit features independent adjustment of CMRR and differ-
ential gain.
Three-Op Amp Configuration
The three-op amp circuit (Figure 8) has increased common-
mode voltage range because the common-mode voltage is not
amplified as it is in Figure 7. The CMR of this amplifier is directly
proportional to the match of the CMR of the input op amps. CMRR
can be raised even further by trimming the output stage resistors.
R1
R2
GAIN
ADJ
R0
V1
R3
A1
A2
1/2
OP221
1/2
OP221
VCM – 1/2VD
VCM + 1/2VD
AD = 2 1+
R1
R0
R4
VO – ADVD
VO =
1 + 1
2
R2
R1
+
R2 + R3
R0
+
Vd +
–
VCM
R3
R4
R3
R4
R3
R4
R2
R1
IF R1 = R2 = R3 = R4, THEN VO = 2 1 +
VD
R1
R0
Vd
–
+
Figure 7. Two-Op Amp Circuit
A1
A2
R1
R2
R0
1/2
OP221
VCM – 1/2VD
VO = 2 1 +
VD
2R1
R0
A3
1/2
OP221
R2
VCM + 1/2VD
V–
–
V+
Vd
V+
V–
R2
VO
R1
V2
V1
Figure 8. Three-Op Amp Circuit