Op Amp Applications Handbook

SECTION 3-1

Introduction

Walt Kester

This chapter of the book deals with data conversion and associated signal conditioning circuitry involving the use of op amps. Data conversion is a very broad topic, and this chapter will provide only enough background material for the reader to make intelligent decisions regarding op amp selection. Much more material on the subject is available in the references (see References 1-5).

Figure 3-1 shows a generalized sampled data system and some possible applications of op amps. The analog input signal is first buffered and filtered before it is applied to the analog-to-digital converter (ADC). The buffer may or may not be required, depending upon the input structure of the ADC. For example, some ADCs (such ...