When integrating analog drivers, designers are often faced with unwanted oscillation caused by instability. This white paper describes simple techniques for managing gain and phase relationships to maintain a stable circuit.

In this white paper, we discuss Loop Stability and examine the following issues: Why capacitive loads create stability problems in standard op amp circuits; Closed loop gain (1/ß) and open loop gain and their relationships to stability; How capacitors impact the open loop gain curve; Three ways to adjust the closed loop gain and the open loop gain responses to regain phase margin and stability, along with the advantages and disadvantages of each technique.