Using Single Supply Operational Amplifiers in Embedded Systems

Beyond the primitive transistor, the operational amplifier (op amp) is the most basic building block for analog applications. Fundamental functions such as gain, load isolation, signal inversion, level shifting, adding and/or subtracting signals are easily implemented with an op amp. More complex circuits can also be implemented, such as the instrumentation amplifier, a current-to-voltage converter, and filters, to name only a few. Regardless of the level of complexity of the op amp circuit, knowing the fundamental operation and behavior of an op amp will save a considerable amount of up-front design time.