Can Op Amps be Used for Digital Circuits?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the potential use of operational amplifiers (op amps) in digital circuits, exploring whether they can be effectively utilized to create logic gates and other digital components. The scope includes theoretical considerations and practical applications related to electronics and digital logic design.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that op amps can be used to create digital circuits, specifically mentioning the use of window comparators to achieve various logic gates.
  • One participant reflects on their experience attempting to create gates with op amps, noting confusion and a shift towards exploring ternary logic instead of binary.
  • Another participant recommends a specific textbook, "The Art of Electronics," for practical insights on using op amps, particularly regarding the requirements for operating them with a single supply rail.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying levels of familiarity with the topic, and while some propose methods for using op amps in digital circuits, there is no consensus on the effectiveness or practicality of these approaches. The discussion remains open-ended with multiple viewpoints presented.

Contextual Notes

Some limitations include the participants' varying levels of knowledge and experience with op amps and digital circuits, as well as the potential need for specific conditions or configurations to successfully implement op amps in digital applications.

PhilosophyofPhysics
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I had electronics last semester, and we went over some digital briefly at the end. I think we learned a bit about digital circuits using diodes and something about transitor-transitor logic?

Anyway, at the time I was wondering if there was a way to use Op Amps to create digital circuits.
 
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In TTL, 0 volts = 0 and 5 volts = 1

You can easily achieve various gates with op amps, a combination of window comparators could work.
 
I remember after the semester ended I was attempting to create gates with op amps and I was getting some 2s in there. I might have then tried to see how it fit in with ternary instead of binary.

but it seems as if too much of my memory has decayed since then. I need to read up on this stuff again.
 
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I'd recommend that you read the intro electronics book "The Art of Electronics" by Horowitz and Hill. In there, you will learn all kinds of practical things, like what it takes to run an opamp with a single supply rail like 5V. You cannot run just any old opamp between those rails and expect to get something useful.
 
cool my school has a copy

i'll check it out
 

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