What are the three main properties of an ideal op amp?
An operational amplifier (op-amp) is an integrated circuit (IC) capable of amplifying, adding, and subtracting signals. Designed to amplify weak electric signals, op-amps output the voltage difference between their two input pins. They are widely used to amplify weak analog signals from sensors in IoT devices and homes.
The three main properties of an operational amplifier are:
- High Gain: Op-amps have a very high voltage gain, typically greater than 100,000. This allows them to amplify weak input signals to a usable level.
- High Input Impedance: Very high input impedance (megaohms to teraohms) or even infinity, which produces negligible current at the input source.
- Low Output Impedance: Very low output impedance or even zero, so as not to affect the output of the amplifier by loading. This allows them to drive loads without significant loss of signal.