Analog Engineering Interview Questions and Answers
1. What is an operational amplifier (op-amp)?
Answer: An operational amplifier is a high-gain electronic voltage amplifier with differential inputs
and, usually, a single-ended output. It is used for signal conditioning, filtering, or performing
mathematical operations.
2. Explain the difference between voltage gain and current gain.
Answer: Voltage gain refers to the ratio of output voltage to input voltage, whereas current gain
refers to the ratio of output current to input current.
3. What is the purpose of a filter in analog circuits?
Answer: Filters are used to remove unwanted frequencies from a signal. Common types include
low-pass, high-pass, band-pass, and band-stop filters.
4. What is slew rate in an op-amp?
Answer: Slew rate is the maximum rate of change of the output voltage of an op-amp per unit of
time. It is expressed in volts per microsecond (V/us).
5. What is the difference between active and passive components?
Answer: Active components (e.g., transistors, op-amps) require a power source to operate and can
amplify signals, whereas passive components (e.g., resistors, capacitors) do not require power and
cannot amplify signals.
6. Define CMRR (Common Mode Rejection Ratio).
Answer: CMRR is the ratio of the differential gain to the common-mode gain of an op-amp. A high
CMRR indicates better performance in rejecting noise or interference.
7. What is a DAC and ADC?
Answer: A DAC (Digital-to-Analog Converter) converts digital signals to analog form, while an ADC
(Analog-to-Digital Converter) converts analog signals to digital form.
8. What is the function of a voltage regulator?
Answer: A voltage regulator maintains a constant output voltage regardless of variations in input
voltage or load conditions.
9. Explain the concept of feedback in analog circuits.
Answer: Feedback is the process of routing a portion of the output signal back to the input to control
the gain or improve stability and accuracy.
10. What are the advantages of using a current mirror?
Answer: A current mirror is used to copy current from one branch of a circuit to another. It offers
advantages like precise current replication, temperature stability, and simple design.
11. What is the importance of impedance matching in analog circuits?
Answer: Impedance matching ensures maximum power transfer between source and load. It
minimizes signal reflection and losses, improving circuit efficiency.
12. What is the difference between a BJT and a MOSFET?
Answer: BJTs (Bipolar Junction Transistors) are current-controlled devices, while MOSFETs (Metal
Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistors) are voltage-controlled devices. MOSFETs are
preferred in high-speed and low-power applications.
13. Explain the function of a phase-locked loop (PLL).
Answer: A PLL is a feedback control system that locks the phase of its output signal to the phase of
an input signal. It is used in frequency synthesis, demodulation, and clock generation.
14. What is thermal noise in analog circuits?
Answer: Thermal noise, also known as Johnson-Nyquist noise, is a random noise generated by the
thermal agitation of charge carriers in resistive components. It increases with temperature.
15. Define gain bandwidth product (GBP).
Answer: GBP is the product of an amplifier's gain and bandwidth. It is a constant value for a given
amplifier and helps in determining the maximum achievable bandwidth for a given gain.
16. What is the purpose of a Schmitt trigger?
Answer: A Schmitt trigger converts an analog input signal into a digital output. It provides hysteresis,
reducing sensitivity to noise and preventing false triggering.
17. How do you measure the frequency response of an analog filter?
Answer: The frequency response of an analog filter is measured using a network analyzer or by
applying sinusoidal signals at different frequencies and recording the amplitude and phase of the
output.
18. What is the difference between a first-order and a second-order filter?
Answer: A first-order filter has a roll-off rate of 20 dB/decade, while a second-order filter has a roll-off
rate of 40 dB/decade. Second-order filters provide better frequency selectivity.
19. What is the role of decoupling capacitors in a circuit?
Answer: Decoupling capacitors are used to filter noise and stabilize the voltage supply by bypassing
high-frequency noise to the ground.
20. Explain the concept of negative feedback in amplifiers.
Answer: Negative feedback involves feeding a portion of the output signal back to the input in the
opposite phase. It improves stability, reduces distortion, and increases the bandwidth of amplifiers.
