Opamp logarithmic & exponential amplifiers

AI Thread Summary
Feeding 0V into logarithmic and exponential amplifiers yields a 0V output, which contradicts the theoretical equations stating that the log of zero is undefined and any number raised to the power of zero equals one. This discrepancy arises because the circuits are designed to compute one-sided log ratio functions, assuming inputs are greater than or equal to one, with an offset mapping of one to zero volts. The behavior of real-life operational amplifiers differs from idealized equations, particularly at low voltage levels where the effects of constant terms become significant. The Schottky equation for diode current explains that at voltages near zero, the approximation used in the equations fails, leading to the observed outputs. Therefore, the experimental results highlight the limitations of theoretical models in practical applications.
daskywalker
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So I was playing around with logarithmic & exponential amplifiers in my lab class. I was looking at the following equations:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/math/7/7/6/77663157d5b97ceb2e3edac5f587a620.png and
http://upload.wikimedia.org/math/b/3/c/b3c569c85552561e41dec916f6e8ebe8.png

Experimentally I found out that if I feed in 0V in both log. and exp. amplifiers I get 0V output.
But according to the equations the log of zero is undefined and the power of any number is one, i.e. I should never get zero output voltage.
I was wondering how to explain this observation, was it that my experiment was flawed or that real life op amps behave differently than those equations predict?
 
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Sorry for the delay.
These simple circuits compute one sided Log ratio functions. The input is assumed to be numerically greater than or equal to one. That minimum input of one is offset or mapped to zero volts.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Log_amplifier
 
Log and exponential amplifier are based on the Schotky equation for the current in a diode which is
$$I = I_s [exp( \frac{V}{nV_T} )- 1]$$ where V is the applied voltage, ##I_s## is the saturation current and ##V_t## is "thermal voltage", that is, ## k_B T/e## (Boltzmann constant x absolute temperature /elementary charge). So, when V is a few times greater than ##V_T##, the equation simplifies to $$I = I_s [exp( \frac{V}{nV_T} )- 1] \approx I_s exp( \frac{V}{nV_T} )$$ and that's the range of voltages where these circuit work as logarithmic or exponential amplifiers. But when V gets close to zero, the effects of the constant term in the first equation is not negligible.
 
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