Electronic – Bandwidth of inverting and non-inverting op-amps

bandwidthfeedbackgain-bandwidth-productoperational-amplifier

If the same op-amp is used in both inverting and non-inverting modes (with same closed loop gain using appropriate resistors),
will the closed loop bandwidth of the op-amp in both cases be the same?

For example,
Both op-amps have same closed loop gain of 2.

Now, if I assume unity gain frequency = 10 MHz,
is the bandwidth for both 5 MHz?

My attempt at the problem

If I am correct, then
why is the GBWP of the closed loop inverting op-amp less than that of the non-inverting counterpart?

Best Answer

There is a simple answer: The bandwidth for the closed-loop gain is determined by the frequency where the LOOP GAIN is 0 dB. In your example circuits the loop gain is not the same - hence, the bandwidth will not be the same. The circuit with the largest loop gain (non-inverter) has the largest bandwidth.

Explanation why the Loop Gain (LG) determines bandwidth:

The denominator of the closed-loop gain formula is

\$ D(s) = 1 - LG \$

From this, we can derive that "something" happens when \$LG=1\$ (0 dB). At the corresponding frequency \$ \omega_{o} \$ we have a real pole (think of the behaviour of a first-order lowpass). And this pole gives the frequency where the 3dB-bandwidth is defined.

I should add that this is a simplified explanation; a detailed explanation involves the open-loop gain Aol and its frequency response:

\$ A_{CL} = \dfrac{H_{FW} \cdot A_{OL}}{1 - Hr \cdot A_{OL}} \$

with \$LG=Hr * A_{OL}\$ and forward factor \$H_{FW}\$.

We can see that for low frequencies (large \$LG\$) and negative feedback factor (\$Hr\$ negative) the "1" can be neglected and the gain is

\$A_{CL}= \dfrac{H_{FW}}{Hr} \$ = constant.

However, for large frequencies (\$A_{OL}\$ and \$LG\$ smaller) we cannot neglect the "1". When we reach the frequency \$ \omega_{o} \$ where \$ |LG|=1\$ the "1" starts to dominate for larger frequencies and we can neglect the loop gain LG.

In this case the numerator \$H_{FW} \cdot A_{OL}\$ determines mostly the frequency response (\$ A_{CL}= H_{FW} \cdot A_{OL}\$, approximately a first order lowpass).

Hence, the transition from the first region to the second region is at the cut-off frequency wo.

For inverter: \$H_{FW}=\dfrac{-R2}{R1+R2}\$

For non-inverter: \$H_{FW}=1\$.