The CA3080 and CA3080A are similar in generic form to conventional operational amplifiers, but differ sufficiently to justify an explanation of their unique characteristics. This new class of operational amplifier not only includes the usual differential input terminals, but also contains an additional control terminal which enhances the device's flexibility for use in a broad spectrum of applications. The amplifier incorporated in these devices is referred to as an Operational Transconductance Amplifier (OTA), because its output signal is best described in terms of the output-current that it can supply: