Electronic Design

So…The First Stage of the K2-W Op Amp is Neither Balanced Nor Differential (Part 2)

Design analysis of the K2-W Vacuum Tube Op Amp’s design and operation reveals the mad science that created a commercial revolution in 1950s and 1960s analog computing. Op amps played a critical role ...
Electronic Design

So…The K2-W Analog Computer Op Amp Has Mad Scientists’ Fingerprints on It (Part 1)

In the first of three parts, Andy hypothesizes that the K2-W Analog Computer Op Amp’s design has some unrevealed mad science in its input-stage design. 1. K2-W Op Amp schematic from Bob Pease’s ...
Hackaday

Op Amp Challenge: An Op-Amp Buck Regulator

Switching regulators have delivered such convenience and efficiency compared to their linear siblings, that it’s now becoming rare to see an old-style three-terminal regulator. Modern designs have ...
EDN

The basics of testing op amps, part 1:

A version of Part 1 appeared in the Dec. 2011/Jan. 2012 issue of Test & Measurement World. See the PDF. In January 1979, Electronic Test published an article claiming that a single test circuit that ...
EDN

What killed the op amps?

Locating the source of electrical overstress (EOS) events that have damaged semiconductor devices proves challenging, and the challenge becomes even greater when the EOS events don't occur regularly.