Chapter 6. Operational Amplifiers

This chapter focuses on the highlighted blocks in the concept map above.

Key question this chapter helps you answer: How can we compare signals (comparator) or amplify signals in a controlled way (negative feedback) without saturating the device?

Lab connection: Build a light-threshold detector with an op amp comparator and then drive a motor through a transistor stage when the threshold is exceeded.

Where this shows up in systems:

• Op amps provide “decision” (thresholding) and “conditioning” (gain/feedback behavior) blocks in sensor-driven systems.
• Real op amps have output limits; practical designs often require a separate driver stage for motors and other high-current loads.