A non-inverting amplifier is a type of electronic circuit commonly used in analog signal processing. Its primary purpose is to amplify an input signal while maintaining the same polarity as the original signal. In other words, the output voltage of the non-inverting amplifier is in phase with the input voltage.
The basic non-inverting amplifier circuit consists of an operational amplifier (op-amp) and two resistors: a feedback resistor (Rf) and an input resistor (Rin). The input signal is applied to the non-inverting input terminal (+) of the op-amp, while the inverting input terminal (-) is connected to the ground or a virtual ground. The output is taken from the output terminal of the op-amp.
The key characteristics and purposes of a non-inverting amplifier circuit are as follows:
Voltage amplification: The primary function of the non-inverting amplifier is to amplify the input voltage signal. The voltage gain (Av) of the circuit is determined by the ratio of the feedback resistor (Rf) to the input resistor (Rin) and can be calculated as:
Av = 1 + (Rf / Rin)
The gain is always greater than 1, which means the output voltage will be larger than the input voltage.
High input impedance: The input resistor (Rin) is connected in series with the input signal source. Since the input impedance of an ideal op-amp is extremely high, the non-inverting amplifier circuit offers a very high input impedance, making it suitable for applications where the input signal source has a high output impedance or needs to be isolated from the amplifier circuit.
Low output impedance: The output impedance of the non-inverting amplifier is determined primarily by the op-amp itself, which typically has low output impedance. This low output impedance allows the circuit to drive low impedance loads effectively without significant loss of signal amplitude.
No phase inversion: Unlike the inverting amplifier, where the output is phase-inverted compared to the input, the non-inverting amplifier maintains the same phase as the input signal. This is advantageous in applications where preserving the phase relationship between the input and output signals is crucial.
Signal buffering: The non-inverting amplifier acts as a buffer between the input source and the load (output) device. It isolates the input and output, preventing the load from affecting the input source and vice versa.
Non-inverting amplifiers are widely used in various applications, such as audio amplification, sensor signal conditioning, voltage followers, signal buffering, and active filters, where preserving the input signal's phase and providing high input impedance are essential requirements.