Differential amplifier

Op-amp symbol

Differential amplifier

A differential amplifier is a type of electronic amplifier that amplifies the difference between two input voltages but suppresses any voltage common to the two inputs. It is a fundamental building block in analog circuits and is widely used in operational amplifiers, instrumentation amplifiers, and various other applications.

Operation

The differential amplifier operates by taking two input signals, typically denoted as V1 and V2, and producing an output voltage that is proportional to the difference between these inputs. The basic equation for the output voltage (Vout) of a differential amplifier is:

Vout = A(V1 - V2)

where A is the differential gain of the amplifier.

Types of Differential Amplifiers

There are several types of differential amplifiers, including:

• Long-tailed pair
• Current mirror
• Operational amplifier

Applications

Differential amplifiers are used in a variety of applications, including:

• Audio amplifiers
• Analog-to-digital converters
• Data acquisition systems
• Sensor signal processing

Advantages

Some of the key advantages of differential amplifiers include:

• High common-mode rejection ratio (CMRR)
• Improved noise immunity
• Better linearity compared to single-ended amplifiers

Design Considerations

When designing a differential amplifier, several factors need to be considered:

• Input impedance
• Output impedance
• Gain bandwidth product
• Power supply rejection ratio (PSRR)

See Also

• Operational amplifier
• Instrumentation amplifier
• Common-mode rejection ratio
• Analog circuit
• Electronic amplifier

Related Pages

• Operational amplifier
• Instrumentation amplifier
• Common-mode rejection ratio
• Analog circuit
• Electronic amplifier

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