A programmable-gain amplifier (PGA) is an electronic amplifier (typically based on an

operational amplifier An operational amplifier (often op amp or opamp) is a DC-coupled high-gain electronic voltage amplifier with a differential input and, usually, a single-ended output. In this configuration, an op amp produces an output potential (relative to c ...

) whose gain can be controlled by external digital or

analog Analog or analogue may refer to: Computing and electronics * Analog signal, in which information is encoded in a continuous variable ** Analog device, an apparatus that operates on analog signals *** Analog electronics, circuits which use analog ...

signals. The gain can be set from less than 1 V/V to over 100 V/V. Examples for the external digital signals can be SPI,

I²C I2C (Inter-Integrated Circuit, ), alternatively known as I2C or IIC, is a synchronous, multi-controller/multi-target (master/slave), packet switched, single-ended, serial communication bus invented in 1982 by Philips Semiconductors. It is wi ...

while the latest PGAs can also be programmed for offset voltage trimming, as well as active output filters.PGA103
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Texas Instruments Texas Instruments Incorporated (TI) is an American technology company headquartered in Dallas, Texas, that designs and manufactures semiconductors and various integrated circuits, which it sells to electronics designers and manufacturers globa ...

, an
MAX9939
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Maxim Integrated Products Maxim Integrated, a subsidiary of Analog Devices, designs, manufactures, and sells analog and mixed-signal integrated circuits for the automotive, industrial, communications, consumer, and computing markets. Maxim's product portfolio includes p ...

Popular applications for these products are motor control, signal and sensor conditioning.

References

{{Electron-stub Electronic amplifiers