Op-amp integrator and differentiator in real-life

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the real-life applications of operational amplifier (op-amp) integrators and differentiators, exploring their output signals and practical uses in various contexts. Participants share insights on both theoretical understanding and practical implementations.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses understanding of the theory behind op-amps but seeks clarification on real-life applications of integrators and differentiators.
  • Another participant suggests a resource on PID controllers, indicating a potential application of op-amps in control systems.
  • A participant describes the configuration of an inverter op-amp to create an integrator, noting that a square wave input produces a triangle wave output, and discusses the relationship between input voltage, resistance, pulse width, and capacitance.
  • It is mentioned that using a capacitor at the input and a resistor for feedback results in a differentiator, producing spikes that can be useful for triggering devices.
  • One participant points out that integrating a constant results in a ramp, which could be applied in CRT technology to draw lines, although they suggest this may be less relevant with modern technology.
  • A later reply highlights the use of integrators and differentiators in calculating velocity and position from accelerometer data.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not appear to reach a consensus on specific applications or the relevance of these concepts in modern technology, with various viewpoints and examples presented without resolution.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes assumptions about the configurations of op-amps and their outputs, but does not clarify the mathematical relationships or dependencies on specific conditions. There is also a lack of detail on the limitations of the proposed applications.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in electronics, particularly those exploring practical applications of operational amplifiers in control systems, signal processing, and sensor data interpretation.

Kruum
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I've gone through some light theory on op-amps and can understand that fully. What I don't understand are the real-life applications for integrator and differentiator. What does the output signal looks like? Can somebody shed some light on these?
 
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If you use an inverter configuration op amp with a resistor R in series with the neg input and a feedback capacitor C from the output to the neg input, it is an integrator. Put a square wave in and get a triangle wave out. If you put occasional pulses V volts high and T sec wide in, the output will be proportional to the input voltage V divided by R times pulse width T divided by capacitance C.

If you replace the input R with a capacitor, and use a feedback resistor instead of a capacitor, you will get positive and negative spikes out (differentiated signal), good for triggering scalers, etc.
 
if you integrate a constant, you get a ramp. and that you could use to deflect an electron in a CRT to draw a horizontal line, and to gradually move that line a little lower vertically each sweep.

maybe about as interesting as vacuum tubes with today's technology, tho.
 
Thanks for the replies guys! I can't wait to be able to put theory into practise. All these sound like gold, espescially the PID controllere sounds something I'm going to need quite a lot.
 
You can also use them to calculate velocity, & position from accelerometer.
 

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