
is to introduce an error term into the output. If we use the LM318 opamp again,
we find that the data sheet shows an input offset voltage of 4 mv (typical) to 10 mv
(maximum). Using the maximum offset and a gain of 6, we get an output offset of
6 10 mv, or 60 mv. This is three ADC steps, or 2 bits of imprecision, in an 8-bit,
0–5 V system. In a 16-bit system, it is 786 steps or 9 bits of imprecision! Clearly,
the LM318 is not suitable for a high-precision application.
To be fair, the LM318 is an excellent example to illustrate the offset voltage
problem, but it is an older part, originally designed for high speed and low
power, not high precisio