How hot is too hot? Does my circuit need a heat sink?

This series discusses the relationship between power dissipation and temperature in op amps and shows how to calculate an amplifier's junction temperature under a variety of operating conditions using its thermal model. Absolute maximum ratings and internal thermal protection schemes are also introduced.

True or False? A large and rapid voltage change in an op amp's output is always limited by the slew rate of the device.

If you think the answer is true, or you have seen output slew behavior you could not explain, this session is for you!  We will provide an explanation of large and small signal analysis, slew boost, slew rate over temperature, slew rate vs. full power bandwidth, and the relationship of Vos and slew rate.  In addition, an inside the op amp view of the cause of slew rate limit is presented.

Did the circuit you designed to create a precision DC output end up as an oscillator?

After viewing this series, you should have all of the tools and information to prevent this from happening again!  This session covers basic stability theory, applies it to SPICE  simulations, and then real-world lab experiments.  You will learn the common causes of op amp stability issues as well as common stability compensation techniques and their associated tradeoffs.