Traditionally used for transducer conditioning, instrumentation amplifiers are shown to solve unusual design problems in other analog applications. The document highlights that monolithic devices like the AD524 offer advantages over standard op amps due to their balanced inputs, high common-mode rejection ratios (CMRR), and programmable gains.
The text details three specific circuit implementations: an active-transformer microphone preamp using two AD524s for improved noise performance; a current-mode summer that linearly combines multiple audio signals with independent gain settings; and a buffer amplifier configuration utilizing dual CCD bucket-brigade registers to minimize clock feedthrough in analog delay lines.
The AD524 includes integral protection up to 36V.
When configured for a gain of 20, the preamp provides 40V Pp output swings.