What types of op-amps are available?

1. Classification based on the manufacturing process used
Op-amps can be divided into two types according to the manufacturing process used: CMOS and bipolar. Since CMOS op-amps are voltage-controlled devices, they operate with low DC input bias current (I_I) and therefore their power consumption is low. However, because of low withstand voltage of typical CMOS processes, CMOS op-amps are commonly used for 5-V or lower-voltage applications. In contrast, bipolar processes withstand higher voltage than CMOS processes. Toshiba’s single- and dual-supply bipolar op-amps can be used with a supply voltage of 12 V and ±18 V, respectively.
In addition, bipolar op-amps compare favorably with CMOS op-amps in terms of 1/f noise. The main cause of this noise is the crystalline disorder of silicon, which exists in abundance on the wafer surface. Therefore, bipolar transistors with a junction interface deep inside a device produce less 1/f noise than MOS transistors with a junction interface close to the surface of a device. In recent years, however, low-noise CMOS op-amps have been appearing because of the ongoing improvement of CMOS processes. Therefore, CMOS op-amps are used for most applications nowadays.

• CMOS op-amps
• Bipolar op-amps

2. Classification based on the power supply type
There are two types of op-amps: single power supply type and dual power supply type. In the case of a single-supply op-amp, V_CC is positive with respect to GND. In the case of a dual-supply op-amp, V_CC is positive and V_EE is negative with respect to GND. Even single-supply op-amps can be used with dual power supplies as long as the difference between the minimum and maximum supply voltages does not exceed the differential input voltage range shown in the Absolute Maximum Ratings table. (In this case, care should be exercised as to power supply noise since each power supply in the op-amp is not referenced to GND.)
However, the supply voltage range of typical op-amps is generally shifted toward the GND (negative) side, reducing the range of allowable positive supply voltage. As an example, the following shows some of the electrical characteristics of the TC75S51FU. Its common-mode input voltage (CMV_IN) is specified as 0 to 2.5 V. CMV_IN is the input voltage range that is allowed when the TC75S51FU operates with a single power supply. For example, suppose that this op-amp is powered from dual supplies of ±1.5 V. Then, the common-mode input voltage can be restated as -1.5 V to +1.0 V. In this case, when the input voltage is from V_CC to 0.5 V, the TC75S51FU might not provide a normal output, for example, because of a reduced gain.

• Dual power supplies
• Single / Dual power supplies

3. Classification based on the input circuit
The following shows different types of input circuits of op-amps. The differential inputs of typical op-amps are composed of a pair of P-channel MOSFETs or a pair of N-channel MOSFETs whereas those of rail-to-rail op-amps are composed of a pair of P-channel MOSFETs and a pair of N-channel MOSFETs. (In practice, however, there are few op-amps with differential inputs composed of N-channel MOSFETs.) An op-amp with P-channel input MOSFETs does not provide a normal output when the input voltage is within a fraction of a volt below V_DD. Likewise, an op-amp with N-channel input MOSFETs does not provide a normal output when the input voltage is within a fraction of a volt above GND. A rail-to-rail op-amp combines the benefits of both these op-amps to provide a normal output over the full input range from V_DD to GND.

• Rail-to-rail I/O op amps