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Selecting the op amps

A project log for Simulation Source Measurement Unit

Combine core elements of lab equipment into one platform. Goal is to cover the topics present in an ECE101 classroom and lab.

bunneydudeBunneyDude 08/19/2014 at 07:150 Comments

The op amps form the most important analog part of the SSMU - the magnitude and phase measurements of a sine wave (the Bode plot circuits). They also amplify the DAC output for the device/circuit under test.

I first determined what kind of slew rate I would need. While I planned for a maximum output voltage of 15V, I initially relaxed this down to 9V to make sure I wasn't filtering out any op amps with compelling specs or prices. There are two main frequencies of interest - 20kHz and 100kHz. The first is the required max for audible sound and the second is the cutoff I picked so a filter at 100kHz would do a decent job of attenuating the DAC switching frequency. This calls for a slew rate of 1.88-9.42V/us for 15V max or 1.26-6.28V/us for 9V max.

Next I looked at the errors introduced by input offset voltage and input bias current. With a 12bit ADC at 3.3V, 1LSB = 0.806mV. There are about 4 op amps cascaded in the Bode plot circuit (1 with up to 5V/V gain).

Finally, I needed a supply rail up to 9-15V at a reasonable price. Based on these points I've currently picked the MAX44252. It comes in a quad package for $2.64 and while it doesn't quite have the 15V slew rate for 100kHz (8V/us) it does have a pretty good input offset voltage (3-6uV) and input bias current (200pA).

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