Jensen AN-001

SOME TIPS ON STABILIZING OPERATIONAL AMPLIFIERS
by Deane Jensen
MERITS OF STABILITY
For the scope of this text, stable operation of a feedback amplifier
describes a condition which exhibits no oscillations, no overshoot,and no peak in the closed loop response. Of course, equalizer andfilter circuits can have overshoot and peaks without instability; thesewill be discussed after the general case of the wideband "flat" gain
block. Stable operation also results in relative freedom from RF
sensitivity and the type of clicks and pops which are actually burstsof oscillation triggered by an external transient noise source. Goodstability and low overshoot will result only if the feedback circuit
response determines a reasonable amount of feedback at all
frequencies of open loop gain. Often that means up to 10 MHz.
Low overshoot and ringing means freedom from transient distortion
caused by oscillations trailing each steep slope of the waveform.
"UNITY GAIN STABILITY"
Amplifiers differ in their ability to be stable even if the external
circuitry is optimum. To evaluate the stability potential for aparticular amplifier type, graphic data is required for both "gain vsfrequency" and "phase vs frequency" of the open loop amplifier. If
the phase response exhibits !180E at a frequency where the gain isabove unity, the negative feedback will become positive feedback
and the amplifier will actually sustain an oscillation. Even if thephase lag is less than !180E and there is no sustained oscillation,
there will be overshoot and the possibility of oscillation bursts
triggered by external noise sources, if the phase response is not"sufficiently less" than !180E for all frequencies where the gain isabove unity. The "sufficiently less" term is more properly calledphase margin. If the phase response is !135E, then the phasemargin is 45E (the amount "less than" !180E). Actually, the phasemargin of interest to evaluate stability potential must also include thephase response of the feedback circuit. When this combined phasemargin is 45E or more, the amplifier is quite stable. The 45E number
is a "rule of thumb" value and greater phase margin will yield evenbetter stability and less overshoot.
Often, but not always, the lowest phase margin is at the highest
frequency which has gain above unity; because there is always somedelay independent of frequency which represents more degrees athigher frequencies. An amplifier with 45E phase margin at the higher
frequency of unity open loop gain is said to be "unity gain stable".
Optionally, most amplifier types can be compensated for unity gainstability at some sacrifice in slew rate or high frequency noise. If
stability is considered to be of high priority, the tradeoff must bemade. Unity gain stable means stable operation at the lowest closedloop gain where stability is usually worst.
MILLER COMPENSATION ZERO
If the amplifier is the Miller compensated type with a capacitor fromcollector to base of the second stage, a resistor is sometimes used inseries with this capacitor to create a zero in the response near thefrequency of unity gain open loop. This adds up to 45E to the phasemargin at the frequency of unity gain open loop. A Miller
compensated amplifier without a compensating zero in its circuit will
most probably exhibit less than 45E phase margin at the frequencyof unity open loop gain and therefore may not be unity gain stable.

Simplified "Miller compensated" op-amp
EXCESS PHASE
There is always some time delay in the amplifier which isindependent of frequency and will therefore exhibit an "excess
phase" component which appears as a phase lag which increases
with increasing frequency. This delay is a critical term relating thefrequency of unity open loop gain to phase margin. Usually theamplifier response is close to a single pole or 6 dB/octave which
creates a phase response near unity gain of !90E. If the frequencyindependent delay represents !45E equivalent phase at thefrequency of unity open loop gain, the total is !135E or 45E ofphase margin. The number of degrees of excess phase created by
the frequency independent delay is dependent upon both the delay
time and the frequency of unity open loop gain. Only 12.5 ns ofexcess delay limits a 10 MHz amplifier with single pole compensation
to 45E phase margin. Given the excess delay time T, the maximum
possible unity gain frequency or Ft for 45E phase margin can becalculated as Ft = 1/8T.
FEEDBACK COMPENSATIONSo far, the characteristics mentioned relate to the internal amplifier
circuitry. An analysis of open loop gain and phase data reveals only
the potential to realize a stable gain block. For the scope of this text,
only amplifiers which are unity gain stable will be considered
acceptable for general purpose applications. Amplifiers that are notunity gain stable require analysis beyond the scope of this text andare usually confined to fixed gain configurations because therequired compensation must be changed for various closed loopgains.
Recall that the phase margin of interest for analyzing stability
includes not only the open loop gain and phase but the effects of thefeedback circuit phase response and related delay. Anotherviewpoint which suggests the need for frequency dependentcompensation in the feedback circuit is revealed by a "Bode Plot" ofopen and closed loop magnitude responses.

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Schematic of variable gain amplifier showing components required for stability
The graph below shows the open loop gain of a typical operational
amplifier with a gain bandwidth of 10 MHz. For amplifiers with lower
or higher gain bandwidth, the plot is simply moved to the left orright. Amplifiers differ also in the exact shape of the open loopresponse. Generally the open loop gain diminishes similar to the 6dB/octave slope shown, which describes some real limitations to theamount of gain which can be realized as a function of frequency. For
example, note that an amplifier with gain bandwidth of 10 MHz canexhibit 40 dB of closed loop gain only up to 100 kHz.

Responses of Variable Gain Amplifier
In this example, 100 kHz is called the "intercept" frequency, since itis where the uncompensated inverted feedback function or 1/B
intersects the open loop gain plot. Since the amount of feedback at
any frequency is approximately the difference between these plots,
there would be no feedback in the frequency range above intercept
if a simple resistive voltage divider is used in the feedback circuit.
Capacitor CFB connected across the series feedback resistor RFB canbe used to ensure a finite amount of feedback for the entire
frequency range of open loop gain greater than unity. The polefrequency created in the closed loop response must be lower than
the frequency of intercept by the same ratio as the feedback voltage
ratio chosen for the frequency range above intercept. If 3 dB is
considered initially, the inverted feedback function pole must be at
0.707 times the frequency of intercept. Once the frequency F of thepole is determined, it can be converted to the form of an RC time
constant: RC = 1 / 6.28F and CFB = RC / RFB.

2This calculation should be used to determine an initial value, butobservation of the small signal overshoot should be used to finalize
the compensation. Higher values will improve stability and reduceovershoot but reduce closed loop bandwidth. This type ofcompensation is called "feedback-zero compensation" or "phase leadcompensation" since it creates a zero in the feedback circuit which
advances the phase of the feedback signal.
VARIABLE GAIN CONTROLThe family of closed loop response curves (inverted feedbackfunctions) in the "Bode Plot" shows a variable gain amplifiercontrolled by adjustment of the feedback shunt resistor RSHUNT. Theseries feedback resistor RFB and the compensation capacitor CFB arefixed. This method yields close to "constant bandwidth" over therange of gain adjustment. The calculation of the compensation
capacitor value must be made for the maximum closed loop gain.
Usually RSHUNT is realized with a potentiometer in series with a fixedresistor which sets the limit for maximum closed loop gain. If thefixed resistor is connected directly to the inverting input of theamplifier, it will help prevent the wiring capacitance associated withthe potentiometer from causing a delay in the feedback signal which
would reduce phase margin.
If the series feedback resistor RFB is adjusted to control gain, thebandwidth increases as the gain is reduced. Generally, this method
may exhibit more overshoot at low gain, and would be used only if
the bandwidth determined by the above calculations is not sufficientat lower gain. Since the gain-bandwidth of this method is maximum
at low closed loop gains, the transient response must be observed at
the lowest gain setting to determine the maximum gain-bandwidth
which can be realized safely even though the initial calculation ismade for the maximum closed loop gain.
UNITY CLOSED LOOP GAIN
Even with a stable amplifier, unity closed loop gain operation resultsin the highest overshoot, sensitivity to RF pick-up, and possibility ofbursts of oscillation. For stability, it would seem well worth while toarrange some gain in the amplifier and add a voltage divider, or"pad", in the circuit to re-establish the overall gain of 1. Of course,
this may increase the noise to an unacceptable level. Short oflimiting the minimum closed loop gain to something on the order of2, or 6 dB, with some phase lead compensation, the merits of using
a feedback circuit with a resistor paralleled by a capacitor (ratherthan a direct connection) should be evaluated in the laboratory forthe specific amplifier type.

Jensen AN-001

INPUT LOW PASS FILTER
A low pass filter at the input to the amplifier can be used to limit thebandwidth to avoid overshoot and desensitize the effects of stray
positive feedback paths. This is done in addition to all otherprocedures, not in lieu of any necessary stabilizing precaution. It only
affects the resulting response of the signal at the input of theamplifier. Transient analysis (small signal square wave response, forexample), usually a good indicator for evaluating stability, may
become optimistically misleading with the filter in place.
SOURCE IMPEDANCE EFFECTS
Of course, with high source impedances, the possibility of somepositive feedback via stray capacitances suggests serious
consideration of the input low pass filter. But at low source
impedances, including "summing amplifiers" where the non-inverting
input is grounded, an internal problem may occur. The gainbandwidth of the first stage of the amplifier, usually a bipolartransistor differential pair, is highly dependent upon the source
impedance. A lower source impedance increases the gain-bandwidthof the first stage.

and eventually the loop's phase margin will be reduced to the pointof causing the amplifier to oscillate.
One remedy is a series resistor added between the output node andthe load. The feedback must still be derived directly from theoutput node. The value of resistance required to isolate the effect of
the load capacitance will depend upon the specific amplifier type,the load capacitance, and the closed loop gain. This value is best
determined by observing the small signal transient response.
If the required value of this resistor makes the output impedance toohigh for the application, an inductive series element can be used. An
inductance exhibits low impedance at low frequencies where the low
source impedance is usually required for the application. But theinductance yields increasing impedance with frequency whichfurther isolates the capacitive load. An excellent load isolator can bemade with 40 turns of #30 magnet wire wound around a 39 S, 1watt carbon composition resistor. The inductance of the winding isabout 4 µH creating an impedance pole at about 1.5 MHz. Above
1.5 MHz, the isolator is like a 39 S resistor; but below 1.5 MHz, theimpedance decreases to about 0.3 S at DC.
A smaller isolator can be made by threading a piece of bare wire
through a "ferrite" bead. Attention must be paid to the current levels
involved, because the "ferrite" material will magnetically saturate andcause distortion at some maximum current. Of course, this current
is proportional output voltage level and inversely proportional to theload impedance. Many different "ferrite" compounds exist, including
some nickel compounds which exhibit low distortion over a wide
range of levels. An additional series resistor, as small as 10 S, verysignificantly improves the isolator. However, since the output
impedance is now increased, it may be too high for certain loads,
such as steel core output transformers, where it will significantly
increase distortion.

Effect of source impedance on differential pair
Consider the first stage as an amplifier which has in its feedback paththe delays of the other stages as well as the feedback circuit of thecomplete operational amplifier. As the source impedance decreases,
the first stage gain-bandwidth increases, and its phase margindecreases. In some amplifiers, the phase margin of the first stage canactually reduce to below zero and oscillate. If this amplifier type must
be used with low source impedances, a resistor will be required inseries with the input to limit the net minimum source impedance.
Again, this may increase thermal noise. This problem is prevalent in
amplifiers lacking emitter resistors in the differential input pair. Theemitter resistors limit the gain bandwidth in a way similar to, but notexactly the same as, the series input resistor.
The preceding paragraph refers to the impedance at the noninverting input. The impedance of the feedback circuit has anotherlimitation regarding stability. If the feedback network impedance ishigh, additional phase lag or delay could occur as a result of theamplifier input capacitance. The resulting reduction in phase margin
affects stability. This is especially prevalent in amplifiers where theinverting (feedback) input is the emitter rather than the base of atransistor.
LOAD ISOLATIONThe open loop output impedance of an amplifier is not zero, butrather some finite amount which may actually increase withfrequency. This means that a capacitive load, even a length of cable,
will cause phase lag or delay of a signal from the output node of theamplifier. The feedback signal also suffers the delay caused by thecapacitive load. As the capacitance is increased, the delay increases

Some amplifiers, such as the TL070 and TL080 series IC op-amps,
have an internal series current limiting resistor in the output circuit
in addition to the emitter resistors. This makes the output impedance
rather high and, therefore, capacitive loads will cause increased
delay and reduced phase margin. This type of amplifier may not besuitable to drive even relatively small capacitive loads, perhaps evena length of cable without a relatively high value of "isolator"
resistance. Since the feedback circuit also loads the output stage, thecapacitor CFB required for "phase lead compensation" may create aphase lag at the output node.
POWER SUPPLY DECOUPLING
Each amplifier must have a low impedance (low inductance)
capacitor connected from each of its power supply terminals to thecommon point (ground) which is the reference for the load and thenon-inverting input. This ensures a low impedance at highfrequencies between these circuit nodes. Small monolithic ceramic
0.1 µF capacitors with short leads are usually very effective.
ACTIVE EQUALIZERSThe inverted feedback function of an active equalizer must beanalyzed to ensure sufficient loop gain at all frequencies. It ispossible that the equalization function may describe a condition
where the inverted feedback function exceeds the open loop gain athigh frequencies. Computer modeling is suggested to verify loop
gain and phase margin as a function of frequency. Equalizers withswitchable functions must be analyzed to reveal these functions foreach switch position as well as "in-between-positions" to avoid clicks
caused by momentary instabilities. Additional components to control

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stability for these "in-between-positions" can be considered after theresponse functions are revealed. The additional circuitry required
can then be verified by computer modeling and observation of thesmall signal transient response.
ACTIVE FILTERS

and R7 is set to about 10% of R2 to minimize the error which thestability modification introduces to the response function. Values lessthan 10% will create less error. Noise and amplifier loading
considerations should be used to scale the overall impedances used.
Capacitor C8 avoids intercept by introducing phase leadcompensation. The inverted feedback function of the "textbook"
topology is 2, or 6 dB, at all frequencies well above FC of thefunction, so the intercept frequency was the gain-bandwidth divided
by 2.
REFERENCES:"Operational Amplifiers, Design and Applications", Burr-Brown/Tobey, Graeme, Huelsman, McGraw-Hill, 1971.
"Operational Amplifiers, Theory and Practice", Roberge, Wiley,1975.

"Textbook" inverting hi-pass filter
Similar analysis is required for active filter circuits. A proper dose ofskepticism applied to published topologies may improve stability.
Computer-aided analysis of the active filter topologies published in
popular texts has revealed that, while the authors have accurately
synthesized the described functions, they have not analyzed theresulting amplifier stability. Many of the popular topologies use unity
closed loop gain configurations which are non-optimum forsensitivity to external noise sources. Many others, including a
popular "inverting high pass filter" shown in the schematic, require
individual analysis and modification for stability. Others have been
proven to be "impossible to stabilize" without significant error in thefunction.
The schematic for the "textbook inverting high pass" shows atopology which requires a voltage source (zero source impedance)at the input node to realize the function. A source impedance ofeven a few ohms seriously alters the flatness of the very highfrequency response. Therefore, an input buffer amplifier is required
and almost all realizations in use today incorporate this buffer. Notethat the two amplifier outputs are anti-phase and are connected
together through the two series capacitors C1 and C4. This condition
results in a peaking response due to the reduced phase margin
caused by the capacitive load. A possible secondary problem is slew
rate limitation determined by the maximum output current capabilityof the amplifiers and capacitances C1 and C4.

This article was originally written by Deane E. Jensen and waspublished in the June, 1978 issue of Recording Engineer/Producer.
The text was edited and additional graphics were generated by Bill
Whitlock in August 1995.
Copyright 1978 & 1995, Jensen Transformers, Inc.

Hi-pass filter modified for stability
The modified topology requires resistors R6 and R7, which isolate
the effects of the capacitive loading, and capacitor C8, which is thephase lead compensation to avoid intercept. The value for theisolation resistors is chosen to desensitize the capacitive loading
based on the peaking response and/or the slew rate limiting
depending upon the amplifier characteristics. Resistors R6 and R7
must be closely matched because their effects upon the very highfrequency response are complimentary. The absolute value of R64Jensen AN-001

Jensen Transformers, Inc.
7135 Hayvenhurst Avenue
Van Nuys, California 91406
Tel (818) 374-5857 Fax (818) 374-5856