Open-loop gain: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 16:36, 20 June 2006

Revision as of 23:42, 1 February 2007

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The '''open-loop [[gain]]''' of an [[operational amplifier]] is the gain obtained when no [[feedback]] is used in the [[electrical network|circuit]].

Open loop gain is usually exceedingly high; in fact, an ideal operational amplifier has infinite open-loop gain. Typically an op-amp may have an open-loop gain of around <math>10^59</math>. Normally, feedback is applied around the op-amp so that the gain of the overall [[electrical network|circuit]] is defined and kept to a figure which is more usable. However the very high gain of the op-amp enables considerable levels of feedback to be applied to achieve required performance. The open-loop gain of an operational amplifier falls very rapidly with increasing [[frequency]]. Along with [[slew rate]], this is one of the reasons why operational amplifiers have limited [[bandwidth]].

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