CIRCUIT060028

The differentiator circuit outputs the derivative of the input signal over a frequency range based on the circuit time constant and the bandwidth of the amplifier. The input signal is applied to the inverting input so the output is inverted relative to the polarity of the input signal. The ideal differentiator circuit is fundamentally unstable and requires the addition of an input resistor, a feedback capacitor, or both, to be stable. The components required for stability limit the bandwidth over which the differentiator function is performed.