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\begin{document}

\title{An Amplified Review of Operational Amplifiers in High-Frequency Applications}

\author{\IEEEauthorblockN{Martin Kennedy}
\IEEEauthorblockA{\textit{College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences} \\
\textit{University of Vermont}\\
Burlington, Vermont, USA \\
martin.kennedy@uvm.edu}
}

\maketitle

\begin{abstract}
  Operational amplifiers see wide use in modern electronics thanks to
  their convenient properties. However, commonplace op-amps like the
  LM741 have limitations which make them unsuitable in some
  applications. This document discusses an active first-order
  high-pass filter design, and uses a more realistic model of the
  op-amp to analytically investigate the importance of op-amp
  selection in this type of application.
\end{abstract}

\begin{IEEEkeywords}
op-amp, filter, signaling
\end{IEEEkeywords}

\section{Introduction}
The operational amplifier is one of the most important building blocks
in analog electronic circuits. Discrete op-amp integrated circuits
(ICs) are produced by nearly every general semiconductor manufacturer,
but not all op-amps perform equally.

In this paper, a simple high-pass filter based on an op-amp is
introduced, and used to review a particular property of the op-amp:
the frequency response of the open-loop gain.

One of the most well-known op-amps is the LM741. In no small part to
demonstrate one weakness of the LM741, a cutoff frequency of
$\SI{40}{kHz}$ is selected for the high-pass filter design. To compare,
three op-amps are selected beyond the LM741:

\begin{enumerate}
\item
  The TI TL081,
\item
  The TI OPA818, and
\item
  The ``ideal'' op-amp.
\end{enumerate}

To focus on the real-world impact of the variations in performance of
these op-amps: imagine that the application for our high-pass filter
is as a pre-amplifier for a hobbyist kit, to be sold in the United
Kingdom, which can use the MSF signal ($\SI{60}{\kHz}$) \cite{b4} to
tell the current time.

\section{Design of a High-pass Active Filter}

A design for a first-order inverting active high-pass filter with
amplification is depicted in Figure \ref{fig:hpf}.

\begin{figure}[h]
  \caption{A first-order high-pass filter}
  \label{fig:hpf}
  \begin{circuitikz}[american voltages]
   \draw
    (0,2) node[left=0cm]{$v_{in}$} to [short, o-] [R, l_=$R_1$] (1.5,2) coordinate (IN)
    (3,3) to [R, l_=$R_2$] (5.375,3) coordinate (FB)
    (3,2)
    node[op amp, noinv input down, anchor=-](OA) {}
    (OA.-) to [short, o-] ++(0, 1)

    (OA.-) to [C=$C_1$] (IN)
    (OA.+) to  [short, o-] ++(0,-0.5) node[ground]{}
    (OA.out) to ++(0, 0) coordinate (OUT) to (FB)
    (OUT) to [short, *-o] ++(0.5,0) node [right=0.2cm]{$v_{out}$};
    \node (v_p) [above=0cm] at (OA.+) {$v_p$};
    \node (v_n) [below=0cm] at (OA.-) {$v_n$};
    ;
\end{circuitikz}
\end{figure}

Ordinarily, the analysis of this filter is easy. With an ideal op-amp
configured in negative feedback, $v_n = v_p$: this is easy to see by
inspection with awareness of the properties of an ideal op-amp, as
when $v_p > v_n$, $v_{out}$ is driven as high as possible, and
vice-versa when $v_p < v_n$.

At this point, it is easy to derive the relationship between
$v_{out}$ and $v_{in}$: $v_n = v_p = \SI{0}{V}$; since all current
which flows from $v_{in}$ into $v_n$ then flows from $v_n$ into
$v_{out}$, the network of $R_1$ and $C_1$ into $R_2$ forms a voltage
divider, and so

\begin{equation}\label{eqn:hpf_tf}
  \frac{v_{out}}{v_{in}} = - \frac{R_2}{R_1+Z_{C_1}}
\end{equation}

The high-pass filter design is a common one, with a well-known cutoff
frequency $\omega_c = \frac{1}{R_1 C}$ and gain $K = \frac{R_2}{R_1}$
\cite{b3}. To acquire a cutoff frequency of
$\omega_c = \SI{40}{\kHz} \approx \SI{2.51E5}{}$ rad/s,
$R_1 = \SI{100}{\ohm}$ and $C_1 = \SI{39}{\nano\farad}$ will
suffice. Only $R_2$ remains to be selected to determine the limit on
gain; selecting $R_2 = \SI{100}{\kohm}$ yields
$K = 1000 = \SI{30}{dB}$.

\subsection{Toward a more perfect Model}
A more accurate representation of the op-amp foregoes the
assumption, oft made regarding op-amps wired in a feedback
configuration, that $v_n = v_p$. Avoiding this assumption requires a
more precise description of the properties of the op-amp itself,
describing its input resistance $R_i$, output resistance $R_o$, and
the relationship between the input and output - the open-loop gain
$A$. Figure \ref{img:opamp_internal} depicts such a model.

\begin{figure}[h]
  \caption{A more accurate depiction of an op-amp \cite{b2}}
  \label{img:opamp_internal}
  \centering
  \includegraphics[width=0.4\textwidth]{opamp_internal}
\end{figure}

An ideal op-amp operates as though $R_i \to \infty$, $R_o \to 0$, and
$A \to \infty$: it is these three properties which in the ideal case
allow $v_n$ to be considered equal to $v_p$ in the closed-loop
feedback configuration \cite{b2}.

This paper focuses only on adjusting $A$ in our model; the
assumptions that $R_o = 0$ and $R_i \to \infty$ remain in place.

\subsection{Notes on Terms related to Open-Loop Gain}

Manufacturers document the value of $A$ primarily as a function of
frequency in an attribute called the ``open-loop gain''. This is the
gain of the op-amp when no feedback is applied to connect the output
and input of the op-amp. This measure is useful, as it describes the
absolute maximum gain performance of the op-amp: notice, for example,
that the feedback resistor $R_2$ in the selected high-pass filter
design only serves to limit the gain and has no bearing on the cutoff
frequency.

In some cases, manufacturers give more precise details about op-amp
operation than would be specified under generic ``open-loop gain'':
for example, the LM741 datasheet documents the \textit{Open-Loop
 Large-Signal Differential Voltage Amplification} as a function of
frequency, as seen in Figure \ref{img:lm741_oclsg}. Despite being
closely related to ``open-loop gain'', it is distinct in that it is
measured with an output load (in this case, $R_L = \SI{2}{\kohm}$),
and under conditions such that the load is significant, i.e. that the
operating output is known to be a meaningful fraction of the supply
voltage \cite{b1}. Here, it is $V_o = \SI{10}{V}$ for
$V_{CC} = \pm \SI{15}{V}$.

\begin{figure}[h]
  \caption{The large-signal open-loop gain of the LM741}
  \label{img:lm741_oclsg}
  \centering
  \includegraphics[width=0.4\textwidth]{lm741_oclsg}
\end{figure}

\section{A Combined Description of the Filter}

Using the more complete model of the op-amp makes analysis more
complex. The following observations simplify the task:
\begin{itemize}
\item $v_p$ remains at ground potential, so the dependent voltage
  source has voltage $A(-v_n)$
\item $R_i \to \infty$ is, in effect, an open circuit, so the $R_i$
  branch need not be considered
\item $R_o = 0$ acts as a wire, meaning $R_o$ can be ignored.
\end{itemize}

The simplified circuit can be depicted as seen in Figure
\ref{fig:simp_model}.  Solving this system is not daunting; there is
only a single branch.

\begin{figure}[h]
  \caption{A simplification of the combined model}
  \label{fig:simp_model}
  \begin{circuitikz}[american voltages]
   \draw (0,0) node[left=0cm]{$v_{in}$} to [short, o-] [R, l_=$R_1$, i=$i$] (1.5,0);
   \draw (1.5,0) to [C, l_=$\frac{1}{s C_1}$] (2.75,0);
   \draw (2.75,0) node [above=0.1cm]{$v_n$} to [short, o-] [R, l_=$R_2$] (5,0);
   \draw (5,0) node [above=0.1cm]{$v_{out}$} to [short, o-] [american controlled voltage source, label=$A(-v_n)$] (7,0);
   \draw (7,0) node[ground]{};
\end{circuitikz}
\end{figure}

By Kirchoff's Current Law,

\begin{equation}\label{eqn:kcl}
  \frac{v_{in}-v_n}{R_1+\frac{1}{s C_1}} - \frac{v_n - v_{out}}{R_2} = 0
\end{equation}

By observation,

\begin{equation}\label{eqn:known}
  v_{out} = A(-v_n), \quad \frac{-v_{out}}{A} = v_n
\end{equation}

Combining equations \ref{eqn:kcl} and \ref{eqn:known},

\begin{align}
  \begin{split}
    0 &= \frac{v_{in}-v_n}{R_1+\frac{1}{s C_1}} - \frac{v_n - A(-v_n)}{R_2} \\
      &= \frac{v_{in}}{R_1+\frac{1}{s C_1}} - v_n \left(\frac{1}{R_1+s C_1} + \frac{A+1}{R_2} \right) \\
      &= \frac{v_{in}}{R_1+\frac{1}{s C_1}} + \frac{v_{out}}{A} \left(\frac{1}{R_1+s C_1} + \frac{A+1}{R_2} \right) \\
  \end{split}
\end{align}

So,

\begin{align}
  \begin{split}
    \frac{v_{out}}{A} \left(\frac{1}{R_1+s C_1} + \frac{A+1}{R_2} \right) &= -\frac{v_{in}}{R_1+\frac{1}{s C_1}} \\
    H(s) = \frac{v_{out}}{v_{in}} &= -A \frac{R_2}{R_2+(A+1)(R_1+\frac{1}{s C_1})} \\
                                                                          &= -A\frac{\SI{10}{\kohm}}{\SI{10}{\kohm} + (A + 1) (\SI{100}{\ohm} + \frac{1}{s \SI{39}{\nano\farad}})} \\
                                                                          &= -A\frac{\SI{E4}{}}{\SI{E4}{} + (A + 1) (\SI{E2}{} + \frac{\SI{2.56E7}{}}{s})}
  \end{split}
\end{align}

$H(s)$ is our \textit{transfer function}, representing how the signal
changes from the input to the output (specifically, the ratio of the
output to the input, as a function of frequency).

There remains an unspecified term $A$; this term depends on which
op-amp is being used. It remains to be shown how the overall transfer
function responds as the properties of each op-amp are applied in
turn.

\subsection{The original case: the LM741}

As previously seen in Figure \ref{img:lm741_oclsg}, the open-loop gain
$A$ of the LM741 decreases logarithmically as the frequency increases
logarithmically. The rate of reduction matches that which is seen in
normal first-order filters, approximately 20dB per order of magnitude
of frequency increase (also known as ``per decade''). This standard
decrease means that a transfer function can be used to represent $A$ as
one might represent a first-order low-pass filter.  For given values of
$\tau = \frac{1}{\omega_c}$ and $A_0$:

\begin{equation}
  A(s) = \frac{A_0}{\tau s + 1}
\end{equation}

$A_0$ represents the peak gain; we can see from Figure
\ref{img:lm741_oclsg} that this is about
$\SI{106}{dB} \approx \SI{2E5}{}$. The cut-off frequency is that for
which the gain is $\SI{6}{dB}$ less than this peak - this is
approximately $\omega_c = 25$ rad/s. This yields:

\subsection{An improvement: the TL081}

\begin{figure}[h]
  \caption{The large-signal open-loop gain of the TL081}
  \label{img:tl08xx_oclsg}
  \centering
  \includegraphics[width=0.4\textwidth]{tl08xx_oclsg}
\end{figure}

In this case, the peak gain $A_0$ is still approximately $\SI{2E5}{}$
(agreeing with earlier content of the datasheet, noting
$A_{VD}= 200V/mV$ typical). The cut-off frequency, however, is much
higher, closer to $\omega_c = 210$ rad/s.

\subsection{A whole new world: the OPA818}

\begin{figure}[h]
  \caption{The open-loop gain of the OPA818}
  \label{img:opa818_olgm}
  \centering
  \includegraphics[width=0.4\textwidth]{opa818_olgm}
\end{figure}

While the OPA818 has a lower peak gain of
$A_0 \approx \SI{92}{dB} \approx \SI{4E4}{}$, it is a much
higher-bandwidth part, with a cutoff frequency of approximately
$\SI{7E5}{}$ rad/s.

\subsection{The ideal op-amp}

In the case of the ideal op-amp, the transfer function is much
clearer: $A \to \infty$, so, substituting $A$ back in the overall
transfer function approaches
$-\frac{AR_2}{A(R_1 + \frac{1}{sC_1})} = -\frac{R_2}{R_1 +
  \frac{1}{sC_1}}$. This is, unsurprisingly, exactly the transfer
function seen in Equation \ref{eqn:hpf_tf} for the inverting ideal
active high-pass filter.

\begin{thebibliography}{00}
\bibitem{b1} J. Karki, ``Understanding Operational Amplifier Specifications.'' Accessed: May 05, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.ti.com/lit/an/sloa011b/sloa011b.pdf, p. 14.
\bibitem{b2} J. W. Nilsson and S. A. Riedel, Electric Crircuits, 12th ed., Hoboken: Pearson, 2022, p.168
\bibitem{b3} J. W. Nilsson and S. A. Riedel, Electric Crircuits, 12th ed., Hoboken: Pearson, 2022, p.576
\bibitem{b4} ``MSF radio time signal,'' NPLWebsite. https://www.npl.co.uk/msf-signal
\end{thebibliography}
\vspace{12pt}
\end{document}
