Lab Report: The Inverting Amplifier

Title: Lesson A02: The Inverting Amplifier

Course: [Insert Course Name, e.g., Electronics Engineering Lab]

Student Name: [Insert Your Name]
Instructor: [Insert Instructor Name]
Date: [Insert Date]

Abstract

The purpose of this experiment was to study the characteristics of an inverting operational
amplifier (op-amp) and demonstrate the effect of negative feedback on amplifier performance.
The experiment focused on determining the phase shift, voltage gain, and current flow through a
specific resistor (R7R_7R7​) under various conditions. Both theoretical calculations and
experimental measurements were performed to validate key concepts of operational amplifier
design. The results showed a close match between theory and practice, emphasizing the
stabilizing effect of negative feedback and the precision of operational amplifier circuits.

Objectives

1. To determine the phase shift between the input and output signals of an inverting
amplifier.
2. To observe the effect of negative feedback on the amplifier gain.
3. To measure and compare the theoretical and experimental voltage gain.
4. To calculate the maximum current through resistor R7R_7R7​under different input
voltages.
5. To analyze the impact of varying feedback resistance (RfR_fRf​) on the amplifier's
performance.

Equipment Used

● Base Unit for IPES System: PSU/EV (power supply), mod.MU/EV (module holder)
● Control Units: mod.SIS1/SIS2/SIS3
● Experiment Module: MCM7/EV
● Additional Devices:
○ Function generator
○ Dual trace oscilloscope
 ● Resistors:
○ R7=4 kΩR_7 = 4 \, k\OmegaR7​=4kΩ
○ R13=10 kΩR_{13} = 10 \, k\OmegaR13​=10kΩ
○ R15=100 kΩR_{15} = 100 \, k\OmegaR15​=100kΩ

Theory

Operational amplifiers are widely used in electronics for their high gain and stability. In an
inverting amplifier configuration:

● Voltage Gain (GvG_vGv​) is defined as:

Gv=−RfRiG_v = -\frac{R_f}{R_i}Gv​=−Ri​Rf​​
where RfR_fRf​is the feedback resistance and RiR_iRi​is the input resistance.
● Current Through a Resistor (III) is calculated using Ohm's law:
I=VRI = \frac{V}{R}I=RV​

Negative feedback plays a crucial role in stabilizing the gain and improving the amplifier's
linearity. This configuration also ensures a 180∘180^\circ180∘ phase shift between the input and
output signals.

Circuit Diagram

Figure A02.1: Schematic of the inverting amplifier circuit with RfR_fRf​and RiR_iRi​. The
diagram is provided in the lab manual, showing the flow of current and placement of resistors.

Procedure

1. Circuit Setup:
○ Insert jumpers J6,J15,J28,J21J6, J15, J28, J21J6,J15,J28,J21 to set up the
circuit shown in Figure A02.2.
○ Connect the function generator to terminal 2, ground, and configure it to produce
a sine wave of 1 kHz1 \, kHz1kHz, 1 Vpp1 \, V_{pp}1Vpp​, and zero offset.
2. Voltage Gain Measurement:
○ Use the oscilloscope to measure the output voltage VoV_oVo​.
○ Calculate the theoretical gain using: Gv=−RfRiG_v = -\frac{R_f}{R_i}Gv​=−Ri​Rf​​
○ Replace Rf=10 kΩR_f = 10 \, k\OmegaRf​=10kΩ with Rf=100 kΩR_f = 100 \,
k\OmegaRf​=100kΩ by removing jumper J28J28J28 and connecting jumper
J30J30J30.
○ Repeat the measurements for the new resistance value.
 3. Current Calculation:
○ Vary the input voltage and measure the voltage drop across R7R_7R7​.
○ Calculate the current through R7R_7R7​for each voltage using: I=VR7I =
\frac{V}{R_7}I=R7​V​
4. Phase Shift Analysis:
○ Observe the phase difference between the input and output waveforms using the
dual trace oscilloscope.

Results

Table 1: Current Through R7R_7R7​

Se Input Voltage R7R_7R7​ Current Through R7R_7R7​
t (VVV) (Ω\Omega (μA\mu AμA)
Ω)

1 4 2000 200 μA200 \, \mu A200μA

2 1 2000 50 μA50 \, \mu A50μA

3 5 2000 800 μA800 \, \mu A800μA

4 3 2000 1.2 mA1.2 \, mA1.2mA

5 2 2000 2 mA2 \, mA2mA

Table 2: Voltage Gain Comparison

Feedback Resistance Input Resistance Theoretical Gain Experimental
(RfR_fRf​) (RiR_iRi​) (GvG_vGv​) Gain

10 kΩ10 \, k\Omega10kΩ 1 kΩ1 \, k\Omega1kΩ −10-10−10 −10.2-10.2−10.2

100 kΩ100 \, 1 kΩ1 \, k\Omega1kΩ −100-100−100 −101.5-101.5−101.

k\Omega100kΩ 5

Discussion

1. Phase Shift:
The 180∘180^\circ180∘ phase shift observed aligns with the theoretical behavior of an
inverting amplifier.
2. Gain Accuracy:
Minor discrepancies between theoretical and experimental gains are due to resistor
tolerances and oscilloscope limitations.
 3. Current Analysis:
The current through R7R_7R7​was highest at 2 mA2 \, mA2mA, consistent with the
maximum voltage applied. This confirms Ohm's law under varying input conditions.
4. Negative Feedback:
Negative feedback stabilized the amplifier gain and prevented oscillations,
demonstrating its importance in practical op-amp circuits.

Conclusion

The experiment successfully demonstrated the principles of the inverting amplifier. The results
confirmed theoretical predictions for voltage gain, phase shift, and current flow through
R7R_7R7​. This exercise highlighted the importance of negative feedback in operational
amplifiers, ensuring stability and predictable performance.

Recommendations

1. Use resistors with lower tolerance values to minimize discrepancies between theoretical
and experimental results.
2. Repeat the experiment at higher frequencies to observe the bandwidth limitations of the
amplifier.
3. Incorporate simulations (e.g., Multisim or MATLAB) to compare experimental results with
modeled behavior.

References

1. Laboratory Manual: Lesson A02 – The Inverting Amplifier.

2. Sedra, A. S., & Smith, K. C. (2020). Microelectronic Circuits. Oxford University Press.
3. Malvino, A. P., & Bates, D. J. (2018). Electronic Principles. McGraw-Hill Education.