In this article, we will discuss what CMRR is. How has CMRR affected the output voltage of the Op-amp? We will also learn the function of CMRR with the frequency and ideal and practical application of CMRR in an Op-amp.
🧠 CMRR in Simple Words
Imagine you have two wires carrying signals from a temperature sensor. On the way, both wires pick up some electromagnetic noise from nearby machines.
Your amplifier now gets two inputs:
- A small temperature signal (what you want),
- And a large common noise signal (what you don’t want).
💡 CMRR is how well the amplifier can cancel out that common noise and only amplify the difference — your actual signal.
A higher CMRR means better noise rejection.
What is CMRR?
The full form of CMRR is a Common Mode Rejection Ratio.
The CMRR (Common Mode Rejection Ratio) is the most important specification, indicating how much of the common-mode signals will be measured. The value of the CMMR often depends on the signal frequency, and the function should be specified accordingly. The function of the CMMR is specifically used to reduce the noise on the transmission lines.
The detailed discussion and equation of CMRR will be discussed in this section later.
When the same input voltage is applied to both input terminals of an op-amp, the op-amp is said to be operating in a common mode configuration.
Since the input voltage applied is common to both the inputs, it is referred to as a common-mode voltage v_{cm}, as shown in Figure 1.
A common-mode voltage v_{cm} can be ac, dc, or a combination of ac and dc.
Ideally, an op-amp amplifies only differential input voltages; no common-mode output voltage v_{ocm} should appear at the output. However, due to imperfections within an actual op-amp, some common-mode voltage v_{ocm} will appear at the output.
The amplitude of this v_{ocm} is very small and often insignificant compared to v_{cm}.
Therefore, in practice, the ratio of the output common-mode voltage v_{ocm} to the input common-mode voltage v_{cm}, which is called the common-mode voltage gain A_{cm}, is generally much smaller than 1.
In equation form,
\boxed {A_{cm}= \frac{v_{ocm}}{v_{cm}}}…..eq.1
Ideal value of the common mode voltage gain A_{cm} is Zero.
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Although A_{cm} is usually not specified on op-amp data sheets, A_{cm} can be calculated for a given op-amp by applying a known value of common-mode input voltage v_{cm} and measuring the resultant output common-mode voltage v_{ocm}.
Generally, CMRR can be defined as the ratio of the differential gain A_D to the common-mode gain A_{cm}, that is,
\boxed{CMRR = \frac{A_D}{A_{cm}}} …..eq.2
Note that, in Figure 1 A_D is equal to the internal gain A of the op-amp.
The CMRR can also be expressed as the ratio of the change in the input offset voltage to the total change in common-mode voltage. Thus,
\boxed{CMRR = \frac{V_{io}}{v_{cm}}} …..eq.3
From eq.1 and eq.2, we can then establish the relationship between the v_{ocm} and CMRR:
CMRR = \frac{A_D}{A_{cm}} = \frac{A_D}{ v_{ocm} / v_{cm}}
= \frac{A_D.v_{cm}}{ v_{ocm}} …..eq.4
\boxed{v_{ocm}= \frac{A_D. v_{cm}}{CMRR}}…..eq.5
Equation 5 indicates that the higher the value of CMRR, the smaller the amplitude of the output common-mode voltage v_{ocm}.
Generally, the value of CMRR is very large and is therefore usually specified in decibels (dB), where
CMRR (dB)= 20\log\left(\frac{A_D}{A_{cm}}\right)…..eq.6
or from eq.3,
CMRR (dB)= 20\log\left(\frac{V_{io}}{v_{cm}}\right)…..eq.7
Whether the CMRR is defined as in eq.2 or eq.3, it is a measure of the degree of matching between the two input terminals; that is, the larger the value of CMRR(dB), the better the matching between the two input terminals and the smaller is the output common-mode voltage v_{ocm}.
On the other hand, a large voltage v_{ocm} for a given common-mode input voltage v_{cm} is an indication of a large degree of imbalance between the two input terminals or of poor common-mode rejection.
Thus, in practice, it is advantageous to use op-amps with higher CMRRs since these op-amps have a better ability to reject common-mode voltage.
Also Read : Miller’s Theorem | Miller’s theorem for capacitive Reactance
Relation between CMRR and Frequency
The CMRR is a function of frequency and decreases as the frequency is increased, as shown in the figure below:
Measuring Common Mode Rejection Ratio
There are various ways to calculate the common-mode rejection ratio. A signal is applied to both inputs using the method in Figure 3 below, where four precision resistors are used to configure the op-amp as a differential amplifier. The output change is then measured; an amplifier with infinite CMRR would have no output change.
The ratio match of the resistors is as critical to this circuit’s drawback as the CMRR of the op-amp. No matter how good the op-amp is, a mismatch of 0.1% between resistor pairs will only produce a CMR of 66 dB! It is obvious that this circuit is only marginally useful for measuring CMRR (although it does an excellent job measuring the matching of the resistors! ), given that the majority of op amps have a low-frequency CMR of between 80 dB and 120 dB.
CMRR without Using Precision Resistors
Figure 4 below illustrates a slightly more complicated circuit that measures CMRR without the need for precisely matched resistors. By switching the power supply voltages in this circuit, the common-mode voltage is altered. The same circuit can be used to measure the power supply rejection ratio with various supply voltage connections (this is simple to implement in a test facility). The circuit’s power supply values are for a DUT op amp with a common-mode voltage range of 10 V and an operating voltage of 15 V. Altering voltages as necessary can also accommodate other supplies and common-mode ranges. The integrating amplifier A1 should be an OP97 family device with high gain, low VOS, and low IB.
Also Read: Power Amplifier | Types of Power Amplifiers
🧪 Real-Life Example: 741 vs Instrumentation Amplifiers
Here’s a comparison of common op-amps and their CMRR values:
| Op-Amp / Amplifier | Typical CMRR (dB) | Application Example |
|---|---|---|
| LM741 | 85–95 dB | General analog circuits |
| TL081 | ~110 dB | Audio signal processing |
| INA128 | 120–125 dB | ECG/EEG biomedical circuits |
| AD620 | >100 dB | Industrial instrumentation |
➡️ Conclusion: Use precision amplifiers when noise rejection is critical.
⚙️ How to Improve CMRR Practically
Here are simple but powerful ways to maximize CMRR in your circuits:
- ✅ Use Matched Resistors
Even a 0.1% mismatch can drop your CMRR drastically. - ✅ Choose Instrumentation Amplifiers
They’re built specifically for high CMRR. - ✅ Minimize Loop Area
Route signal and ground traces close together on your PCB. - ✅ Shield Your Cables
Especially important in low-level signal environments. - ✅ Use Twisted Pair Wires
Twisting helps cancel out electromagnetic noise.
🎓 CMRR vs PSRR – What’s the Difference?
| Parameter | Full Form | Rejects… |
|---|---|---|
| CMRR | Common Mode Rejection Ratio | External common-mode noise |
| PSRR | Power Supply Rejection Ratio | Noise from Vcc/Vdd lines |
So, while CMRR protects your input, PSRR protects your power line./
❓FAQs – Students Always Ask
What is CMRR?
Common-mode rejection ratio (CMRR) is a measure of the ability of an operational amplifier (op-amp) to reject common-mode signals, which are signals that have the same amplitude and phase on both input terminals. A higher CMRR indicates better performance in rejecting common-mode signals and is usually measured in decibels (dB). The CMRR of an op-amp is an important consideration in applications where a differential input signal is to be amplified while rejecting any common-mode noise present on the input.
Is a higher or lower CMRR better?
The CMRR is given in decibels (dB) and the higher the CMRR value is, the better.
How can we improve CMRR?
In a differential amplifier, CMRR can be improved by using an…
Emitter resistance.
Collector resistance.
Power supply voltages.
Gate resistance.
What is the CMRR ratio?
The op-amp common-mode rejection ratio (CMRR) is the ratio of the common-mode gain to the differential-mode gain.
What is CMRR and its importance?
it indicates the presence of common-mode signals at the op-amp inputs, which eventually determines the op-amp’s ability to minimize the noise in audio, video, and communication designs.
What is the CMRR of 741?
The Common Mode Rejection Ratio (CMRR) should be 85 to 105 dB.
