Solving the Op-Amp Problem

Analyzing Circuits with Ideal Op-Amps

It is highly recommended to use Nodal Analysis!
Some advice:
Prior to performing the nodal analysis, label the input currents
to the op-amp to be 0A, and the input voltage to be 0 V:
This serves as a nice reminder to the properties of the op-amp
that impact the nodal analysis
The 0 V differential voltage means the nodes at the input of
the op-amp share the same node voltage
OA input current impacts KCL at the input nodes
The last constraint to remember, is that you can never
perform KCL on a node that is at the output of an op-amp.
0A
0A
0V
-
+
EE211/221S.Gedney,UniversityofKentucky
0A
0A
0V
-
+
a
V
a
V
0
V
Op-Amp Nodal Analysis
Recipe for Op-Amp Nodal analysis
1. Identify the reference node. Label this node as 0 V!
2. Label nodes connected to the input of the op-amp, applying the
op-amp voltage constraint: They share the same node voltage.
3. Label all other non-reference nodes
4. Apply voltage constraints
a. Constrain all node voltages by voltage sources
b. Any op-amp node (and its differential partner) connected to the
reference node should be labeled as 0 V
5. Count your number of unknown node voltages. This will = the
number of KCL equations you will need.
6. Apply KCL at all non-reference nodes not connected to a
voltage source and not connected to the output terminal of
the op-amp and not directly connected to ground.
7. Solve the resultant linear system of equations for the node
voltages
EE211/221S.Gedney,UniversityofKentucky
Example
Find Vo for the op-amp circuit:
Solution:
Nodal Analysis
1. Label Ref. Node as 0V.
2. Label the input nodes of the op-amp by applying the op-amp
constraint that the differential voltage = 0, therefore, the
two input nodes share the same voltage value (labeled below
as Va).
EE211/221S.Gedney,UniversityofKentucky
Example, continued
3, 4. Label all the remaining non-reference nodes, and apply
voltage constraints due to all voltage sources
5. Count the # of unknowns. Here, there are two:
6. Identify the nodes to apply KCL two (we need two). These
cannot be connected to the reference node or a voltage source,
or the output of the op-amp. Two such nodes fit this
description.

,
a o
V V
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Example, continued
6. KCL:
7. Solve:
From 2:
Then from 1:
The solution is now complete!
0

0
1. 0=0
10 k 40 k
a a
V V V
+ +
O O

12 0 0
2. 0=0
10 k 10 k
a a
V V
j
Z
+ +
O O
10 k

12 0 6 6 V=8.485 -45
10 k 10 k
a
j
V j
j
O
= Z = Z
O O
0
1 1

40 k 5
10 k 40
42.425 -
k
45 V
a a
V V V
| |
= O + =

=
|
Z
O
\ .

O
EE211/221S.Gedney,UniversityofKentucky
Example 2
Find Vo as a function of Vs1 and Vs2:
Solution:
steps 1 & 2:
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Example 2, continued
3., 4. It is observed that Va(+) is connected to ground.
Therefore, Va(+) = Va(-) = 0 V! Label all other nodes:
5. There are 3 unknowns: Vb, Vc, Vo
Solution:
6. KCL at all non-reference nodes, not connected to a
voltage source or to the output of an op-amp. There should
be 3 of them. Can you find them?
EE211/221S.Gedney,UniversityofKentucky
Example 2, continued
KCL:
Solution:
1
1 2 3

0 0 0
1. 0 0
s c o
V V V
Z Z Z

+ + + =
5 4

2. 0 0
b c b o
V V V V
Z Z

+ + =
2
6 7

0
3. 0 0
b s b
V V V
Z Z

+ + =
( )
( )
( )( )
3 7 4 5
2 3 4
1 2
1 2 4 3 5 2 4 3 5 6 7

o s s
Z Z Z Z
Z Z Z
V V V
Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z
+
=
+
EE211/221S.Gedney,UniversityofKentucky