What is a Subtractor? Types and Applications

A subtractor is a device or circuit that subtracts one signal from another. It is commonly used in electronic circuits to perform subtraction operations.

There are several types of subtractors, including:

1. Simple Subtractors: These are the most basic type of subtractors and consist of two input terminals and one output terminal. They simply subtract the voltage of one input from the other and produce the difference as an output.
2. Differential Subtractors: These are similar to simple subtractors but have two input terminals and two output terminals. They subtract the voltage of one input from the other and produce the difference as one output, while the other output is the difference between the two inputs.
3. Instrumentation Amplifier Subtractors: These are used in instrumentation amplifiers to measure small signals in the presence of large common-mode noise. They use a differential input stage to subtract the common-mode noise and produce an output that is proportional to the desired signal.
4. Digital Subtractors: These are used in digital circuits to perform subtraction operations on binary numbers. They use logic gates to perform the subtraction and produce an output that is the difference between the two inputs.

Subtractors are commonly used in a wide range of applications, including:

1. Audio processing: Subtractors can be used to remove unwanted noise or hum from audio signals.
2. Medical devices: Subtractors can be used in medical devices such as EEGs and ECGs to measure small signals in the presence of large common-mode noise.
3. Industrial control systems: Subtractors can be used in industrial control systems to measure small signals in the presence of large common-mode noise.
4. Digital circuits: Subtractors can be used in digital circuits to perform subtraction operations on binary numbers.

In summary, subtractors are devices or circuits that subtract one signal from another and are commonly used in a wide range of applications. There are several types of subtractors available, each with its own specific characteristics and uses.