Input Voltage Range (VIN, VD, VCM)
| VIN | Input Voltage Range | The range of acceptable voltages APPLIED to EITHER of the input pins |
| VD | Difference Voltage Range | The range of maximum voltage DIFFERENCE BETWEEN the two inputs |
| VCM | Common Mode Voltage Range | The range of acceptable common voltages APPLIED to BOTH inputs simultaneously |
The inputs of the op-amp must stay within a certain voltage range for proper operation. Each of the two input pins of the op-amp has voltage swing restrictions, beyond which the op-amp will not work correctly or will behave non-linearly. Non-linearity means that aside from a change in the signal's amplitude, the information contained in the signal is changed and new information is introduced.
Below is an example from the MCP602 datasheet.
