OP297GSZ: An Instrumentation Amplifier with a General-Purpose Design

Amplifiers are one of the major components to be added to consumer electronics. Sometimes, the choice of the right amplifier can be overwhelming, considering that there are lots of variations out there.

The instrumentation amplifier is one of the most popular because of the capability to reproduce an analog signal with an attendant increase in the amplitude. The instrumentation amplifier also performs a wide range of other functions, including isolating a signal source from a driven load, performing different kinds of mathematical operations on the analog signals, as well as reducing the source impedance.

OP297GSZ is an instrumentation amplifier with a difference, because it is optimized for general-purpose uses. In this article, we explain more about how this amplifier works.

The Precision Operational Performance

There are two keywords here, “precision” and “operational.” Both go to show how excellent the optimization of OP297GSZ as an instrumentation amplifier can be.

As a precision operational amplifier with a focus on general-purpose applications, OP297GSZ helps to provide an outstanding noise performance, lower the gain temperature and generally optimized for use with the low-level transducers.

How OP297GSZ Maintains Current

One of the challenges of working with an amplifier is the difficulties associated with maintaining currents. For what it is worth, the amplifier might be unable to keep up with the different (bias) currents at different operating temperatures.

That is a huge advantage of the OP297GSZ, which leverages the super-beta input stage enabled with a bias current cancellation. These two help the amplifier to maintain picoamp bias currents at all of the supported operating temperatures.

When this is compared to some of the popular options out there, it promises to beat them hands-down. For example, the combination of the bias current cancellation and the super-beta input stage helps to outshine the FET input op amps, which has a minimum picoamp range of 25˚C. the FET input op amps can potentially reach a nanoamp range of 85˚C or more and tends to double the FET input op amps for every 10˚C rise in the temperature.

In contrast, OP297GSZ uses an Input bias current of under 100pA, and which operates at 25˚C. It also supports the under 450 pA range, which makes it ideal for use with the devices that are under the military temperature range per amplifier.

OP297GSZ is the Ideal Amplifier for Different Applications

Today, we have more and more peripherals and components for Integrated Circuits (ICs), which have been optimized for specific uses. From the medical to the aerospace, defense and industrial markets, these applications are optimized for the best possible results.

However, some might be used for different applications or use cases at the same time. Not many amplifiers support that and that is what makes OP297GSZ unique.

Due to the low input bias current and the low-power optimization, it can be used with several applications, including those requiring lower inputs and those requiring low-power usage.

OP297GSZ Offers Precision Performance in a Box

If an amplifier is to offer as much functionalities as the OP297GSZ does, there is a likelihood that it would have to use a higher package.

On the contrary, OP297GSZ uses a small form-factor design, specifically the 8-lead SOIC package. While this package might have ruled out the possibility of deriving maximum performance from the amplifier, it does actually boost the performance, thanks to the low input bias current.

OP297GSZ Ensures the Best Precision Performances

One of the best ways to derive the maximum performance from an amplifier is by being certain of the linearity. The linearity of the OP297GSZ instrumentation amplifier is bolstered by the open-loop gain that exceeds 2000 V/mV.

How OP297GSZ Eliminates Error Issues

If errors or inordinate design iterations are proliferated in an application, it wouldn’t be long before the successful optimization of the said application is limited.

It is therefore imperative to optimize the application and the device or interface used for the configuration for the best results.

OP297GSZ tackles the errors associated with common-mode signals by eliminating or removing the common-mode rejection of over 120 dB. Through this elimination, OP297GSZ is then able to cut down on the traditional offset voltage changes peculiar to the battery-powered systems.

How an Instrumentation Amplifier Functions

OP297GSZ is categorized under the Instrumentation Amplifier (INA), so we want to know what it means. According to Analog IC Tips, an Instrumentation Amplifier is a “precision device”, meaning that it can be configured for a precise performance, to some extent.

However, there are some clauses to how an Instrumentation Amplifier works and these factors could impede the extent of the performance.

The first factor is that an INA is not another type of Operational Amplifier, meaning that it might not be usable for operational purposes.

The second factor is that an Instrumentation Amplifier can only allow for the gain to be set to a chosen value. Also, the amplifier may not be configured in different ways.

In light of these factors, it is best to say that an Instrumentation Amplifier has a wide range of limiting features. If you are to place it side-by-side with the Operational Amplifier, the following would be the key differences:

1. Versatility

Unlike the Instrumentation Amplifiers (INAs) that cannot be configured in a multitude of ways; the Precision Operational Amplifier (Op-Amp) like OP297GSZ can be used in different ways. That is why OP297GSZ’s application flexibility derived via the low-power optimization and low input bias current paves the way for its use in different devices.

2. Accuracy

If you are looking for an amplifier with a higher accuracy, it is better to go one with a precise functionality. The Precision Operational Amplifier like OP297GSZ can help boost the accuracy of the reproduced analog signals.

The accuracy is derivable from the amplifier’s input bias current, zero-drift over time, lower internal noise and precision offset.

Conclusion

To wrap it up, a Precision Operational Amplifier is better than an Instrumentation Amplifier. OP297GSZ may have been categorized under the former, but most of the attributes point towards the latter, which is why it supports a low offset voltage of 50 µV maximum, a 120 dB (minimum) high common-mode rejection and a 100 pA maximum very low bias current.

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