Book Review

Operational Amplifiers, Applications, Troubleshooting and Design
author - David A. Bell
Prentice-Hall - ©1990

Reader Level

Amazon Rating

Synopsis Operational Amplifiers, Applications, Troubleshooting and Design by Davis A. Bell is one of the best general references on the use of operational amplifiers I have found. If you are new to analog design in general, and op-amp design in particular, this book is a good starting point. It is both a good general introduction to operational amplifiers, as well as a good source of application information. It is one of the first books you will reach for if you need a general op-amp application question answered. Mathematically, the book is very assessable, the mathematics level is simple algebra only. This is no limitation. As readers of our ezine's Fundamentals articles know, surprisingly, most electrical circuit analysis is not complex mathematics, but based upon straight forward algebra. Only the sections on Frequency Compensation and Active Filters, by necessity use complex variables (which really are not that complex) in the analysis. For the really ambitious and those using the book for self study, there are a number of problem exercises throughout the book. The answers to odd numbered questions are provided at the end of the book. And one nice thing about analog design, it does not change over night. Even though the book does not seem to be currently in print, it is still completely applicable to today's op-amps designs. Amazon lists a lot of copies available from independent book sellers, and the price is good!

Area of Interest
Analog Design, Operational Amplifier Based Circuits in particular

Audience
This book is not an academic treatise. It is clearly intended for working analog designers designing op-amp based circuits. It is a particularly helpful refresher for mechatronic designers who do not work with op-amps on a daily basis and need a quick refresher when the topic comes up.

Topics
The book, as the title suggests, is targeted at analog and mechatronic designers who use op-amp based building blocks in their designs.

Organization
The op-amp is the basic building block of active analog circuits. Even the most Complex analog circuit are comprised of simpler basic analog processing blocks. This book covers the basic building blocks, with sufficient analysis that the reader understands the building block circuity, and can modify it for his or her application.

Chapters 1 and 2 start off a discussion on what op-amps are, standard terminology and what the parameters typically listed on a spec sheet mean.

Chapters 3 - 4 get into the details of the op-amp used as a DC and an AC amplifier. All the standard configurations, benefits and limitations are discussed.

Chapters 5 discusses frequency response and compensation, the key to a to implementing a robust design, and to be sure it will function as specified over a wide range of conditions.

Chapters 6-12 get into the details of specific op-amp building blocks like signal processing, active filters, nonlinear circuits etc... It is good exposition of the kinds of things you can do in the analog domain. There are plenty of worked out examples, rather than just cook-booking from a vendor's spec. sheet.

Finally, there are several appendices of general references like standard resistor and capacitor values, as well the amplifier specs sheets used in the examples where specific op-amps are mentioned.

Where to buy
You can find a seller of this book online from amazon.com

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