Transimpedance Operational Amplifier Simulation circuit help

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the analysis and simulation of a transimpedance operational amplifier circuit. Participants are addressing the derivation of the relationship between output voltage and input current, calculations involving specific resistor values, and modeling the circuit using PSPICE. The conversation includes theoretical derivations, algebraic manipulations, and circuit analysis techniques.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Participants discuss deriving the relationship between output voltage (V) and input current (I), with some proposing that V = kI and attempting to find k in terms of resistors R1, R2, and Rf.
  • There is ambiguity in the algebraic expression for k, with some participants suggesting the need for clearer notation and questioning the sign of k based on the expected behavior of the circuit.
  • Calculations for the input current I are debated, with some participants noting that the calculated current appears too large and questioning the sign based on the negative output voltage.
  • Different approaches to circuit analysis are presented, including KCL (Kirchhoff's Current Law) at the junction of resistors R1 and R2, with some participants expressing confusion about the correct application of nodal analysis.
  • Participants suggest using symbolic derivation rather than numerical substitution to avoid errors in calculations, particularly when small differences can significantly affect the outcome.
  • There is a discussion about the potential drop across the feedback resistor Rf and its implications for the nodal equations being formulated.
  • Some participants express uncertainty about how to incorporate the feedback resistor Rf into their equations and how to express the relationship between the input current I and the voltage V1 at the node.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the correct derivation of k or the calculations for the input current I. Multiple competing views and methods for analysis are presented, and the discussion remains unresolved regarding the correct approach to the circuit analysis.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight limitations in their derivations, including potential errors in the order of operations, assumptions about the signs of voltages and currents, and the need for clearer definitions of variables used in the equations.

  • #31
Try changing the op amp type to an ideal op amp. The software should have an ideal op amp in the parts list.
 
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  • #32
With 1nA of input current, what does your formula predict the output to be? Try it with a few μA.
 
  • #33
FYI, I set up and ran a simulation under LTSpice in about two minutes and obtained the predicted results.
 
  • #34
With LTspice and a precision operational amplifier model, I have -100.088mV which I think is close enough. Simetrix required a voltage controlled voltage source to create ideal opamp conditions which just got confusing.

op amp.png
 
  • #35
CNC101 said:
With LTspice and a precision operational amplifier model, I have -100.088mV which I think is close enough. Simetrix required a voltage controlled voltage source to create ideal opamp conditions which just got confusing.
That result is almost exactly right if you don't make a numerical approximation simplifications in the expression for K. An exact value for K would yield 100.09 mV for the output voltage.
 
  • #36
Could you explain what you mean by Numerical approximation simplification, cheers :)
 
  • #37
CNC101 said:
Could you explain what you mean by Numerical approximation simplification, cheers :)
In post #28 you wrote:

CNC101 said:
Ok, (-I*Rf-Vout)/R1+(-I*Rf-0)/R2-I= 0 transposes as Vout=-I*Rf(R1/R2+1) to which I= 1nA.

Which is true if you've made the assumption that ##\frac{(R_1 + R_2)}{R_2} R_f >> R_1##, which is a pretty good approximation in this case.

The exact expression is:

##V_{out} = -I \left[ \frac{(R_1 + R_2)}{R_2} R_f + R_1 \right]##
 
  • #38
Well my exact expression was -I(R1(Rf/R2)+1)+R)=V Which gave me 0.9991nA which on the simulation, Vo is shy by just 0.002mV compared to 0.09mV!
 
  • #39
Hi guys,

Just thought I would chime in in case as a semi novice like me is reading this thread and to make sure there is nothing wrong with what I have done or if there is a situation where it would be none sense. Hopefully one of you clever lads will be able to put me right.
I got the 1nA just from doing ohms law. We know there is -0.1V across R1 and R2 so R1 must drop -0.09V and R2 must drop -0.01V. We can also agree that R2 is in parallel with RF which also much have the -0.01V volt drop. There for I=0.01/10*10^6 = 1*10^9. Then if you transpose the Vout= -Rf/Rin*Vin formula and substitute Rf*(R1+R2)/Rf+(R1+R2) for Rf and put Rin as 1 (this was me using half educated reason because 0 would bugger the whole thing up) you get 1.01*10^-6 V for the input voltage which I think was mentioned earlier.
Did I get lucky here? or is that a reasonable way to do it? because If I am honest I haven't done your methods for years and couldn't be arsed having to re learn it haha.

Cheers
 
  • #40
Rafeng404 said:
We know there is -0.1V across R1 and R2 so R1 must drop -0.09V and R2 must drop -0.01V.
How do you know that? There's a junction between R1 and R2 where there's a third connection (to Rf), and you can't make the assumption that it doesn't interfere with the potential drop ratio without justification. In the case of the given problem with the given component values it is possible to make such a justification, but if those values had been different it might not have been the case.

If you submitted your working for marking without providing such a justification, you'd very likely lose points.
 
  • #41
gneill said:
How do you know that? There's a junction between R1 and R2 where there's a third connection (to Rf), and you can't make the assumption that it doesn't interfere with the potential drop ratio without justification. In the case of the given problem with the given component values it is possible to make such a justification, but if those values had been different it might not have been the case.

If you submitted your working for marking without providing such a justification, you'd very likely lose points.

Thank you for your reply, just so that I understand you correctly, in this case, as we know all the values it is ok to do what I did?
 
  • #42
Rafeng404 said:
Thank you for your reply, just so that I understand you correctly, in this case, as we know all the values it is ok to do what I did?
Yes, just be sure to state clearly why your assumption/approximation is valid.
 
  • #43
Will do, thank you.
 
  • #44
Hi All,

My attempt is a little different, could any of you guys confirm I've gone about this one the right way?

Using KCL at V-
I=(0-Vx)/Rf
Vx=-I*Rf

Using KCL at Vx
((Vx-Vout)/R1)+(Vx/R2)=0
(R2*Vx)-(R2*Vout)+(R1*Vx)=0
Vout=(R1+R2/R2)Vx
Vout=-(R1+R2/R2)I*Rf
Vout=-kI
k=(R1+R2/R2)Rf

I=-((Vout*R2)/((R1+R2)Rf))
I=-((0.1*(10k))/((90k+10k)10M))=-1nF

Any advice would be greatly appreciated...Thanks!
 
  • #45
Is I = +1nF or -1nF?
 
  • #46
gneill said:
The exact expression is:

##V_{out} = -I \left[ \frac{(R_1 + R_2)}{R_2} R_f + R_1 \right]##

When I substitute 0.1 V for Vout and solve for I.
The result is, I = -1/1,900,000 A

I do not think this is the correct answer.
 
  • #47
dave pallamino said:
Hi All,

My attempt is a little different, could any of you guys confirm I've gone about this one the right way?

Using KCL at V-
I=(0-Vx)/Rf
Vx=-I*Rf

Using KCL at Vx
((Vx-Vout)/R1)+(Vx/R2)=0
(R2*Vx)-(R2*Vout)+(R1*Vx)=0
Vout=(R1+R2/R2)Vx
Vout=-(R1+R2/R2)I*Rf
Vout=-kI
k=(R1+R2/R2)Rf

I=-((Vout*R2)/((R1+R2)Rf))
I=-((0.1*(10k))/((90k+10k)10M))=-1nF

Any advice would be greatly appreciated...Thanks!

Your KCL equation at Vx: ((Vx-Vout)/R1)+(Vx/R2)=0

is incomplete. It should be: ((Vx-0)/Rf)+((Vx-Vout)/R1)+(Vx/R2)=0

Also, the units in your final answer should be in nA, not nF.
 
  • #48
gneill said:
The exact expression is:

##V_{out} = -I \left[ \frac{(R_1 + R_2)}{R_2} R_f + R_1 \right]##

Hi, would it be possible to run through the steps of getting from

(((-IRf)-0) / R2) + (((-IRf) - V) / R1) - I = 0 through to the above?

Initially I would tend to x R1 to remove one of the denominators and get to:

(-IRfR1/R2) + (-IRf - V) - IR1 = 0 but then I forget. I usually use my Stroud engineering mathemtics textbook as a reference but I don't have it with me.

Thanks.
 

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