Page 43 - Op Amps Design, Applications, and Troubleshooting

26 BASIC CONCEPTS OF THE INTEGRATED OPERATIONAL AMPLIFIER

described in subsequent paragraphs are universal and are appropriate to all pro-
totyping methods including the following:

1. Protoboard
2. Wirewrap
3. Perforated board
4. Copper-clad board

This is not intended as a complete list of prototyping methods or even the
best methods. Rather, the list represents some of the most common methods used
by technicians and engineers in the industry.

Circuit construction essentially consists of placing the components on some sort of
supporting base, then interconnecting the appropriate points. If the circuit being
constructed is a noncritical, DC, resistive circuit, then component placement may be
arbitrary. As the frequency of circuit operation increases, the importance of proper
component placement also increases. An op amp is inherently a high-frequency
device. Even if it is being used as a DC amplifier, high-frequency noise signals will
be present and can adversely affect circuit operation. Therefore component place-
ment is important when constructing op amp circuits regardless of the application.
The components should be physically placed such that both of the following
goals are accomplished:

1. Interconnecting leads can be as short as practical
2. Low-level signals and devices should not be placed adjacent to high-level
devices

Although these rules may seem difficult or unnecessarily restrictive at first,
they will become second nature to you if you consistently use these practices.

1.5.3 Routing of Leads
If you consistently achieve the goals cited in Section 1.5.2, then the task of properly
routing the interconnecting wires is much easier. The wire routing should achieve
the following goals:

1. Make all leads as short as practical
2. Avoid routing input leads or low-level signals parallel to output or high-
level signals
3. Make straight, direct connections rather than forming cables or bundles of
wires

1.5.4 Power Supply Distribution

Power supply distribution refers to the way that the ±V CC and ground connections
are routed throughout the circuit. For consistently good results with prototype
operation, you should apply the following power supply distribution techniques: