9.1: Theory Overview
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Slew rate places an upper “speed limit” on the rate of change of output voltage. This tends to slow the rising and falling edges of pulse signals, turning them into a trapezoidal shape. In the case of sinusoidal signals, slew rate limiting tends to turn waves into a more triangular shape. The maximum non-slewed sine wave frequency for a given output amplitude is termed the power bandwidth, or \(f_{max}\). Any output signal that exceeds the power bandwidth at the stated output amplitude will exhibit slew rate induced distortion. Slew rate is determined by the internal characteristics of a given op amp. In most op amps, circuit gain or feedback resistor values do not affect the slew rate.