Comparators

Comparators

What is a Comparator?

• A comparator is a circuit that compares two input voltages and determines

which one is larger.

NOTE: The two input voltages can be both DC or both AC or one DC & one AC.
 How to realise a comparator using op-amp?

• A comparator can be realised using an op-amp in the open-loop configuration (Op-

amp in the open-loop configuration can be used as a comparator).

• The output voltage of a comparator is either a positive saturation voltage

(near to positive supply voltage) or negative saturation voltage (near to
negative supply voltage). In other words, the comparator output voltage has two
voltage levels, either high or low. This is because the open-loop gain of the op-amp
is very large.

• The output of a comparator is not linearly proportional to the differential input

voltage.
 Comparators
• The figure shows the circuit diagram of a
comparator using op-amp.

• In this application, there is no feedback path

present in the circuit. i.e., op-amp is used in
the open-loop configuration.

• VN is the voltage at the inverting terminal and

VP is the voltage at the non-inverting terminal.

• The output voltage of the comparator is given

Figure: Op-Amp as comparator by

An op-amp configured as a voltage

comparator • The open-loop gain Avol of the op-amp is very large.
Let, Avol  200,000
Working of the circuit (operation of the circuit)

Consider VP > VN • The op amp cannot produce 20,000V.

Practically, the output voltage is limited by the
op-amps supply.

• The data sheet lists a maximum output swing

of only ±13.5 V when using ±15 V supplies.

• The output will be saturated at 13.5 V.

Example: VP = 0.1V, VN = 0V

• When the input voltage at the non-

inverting terminal VP is greater than the
voltage at the inverting input terminal VN,
V  200,000 (0.1V  0V) the output of the op- amp saturates at its
positive extreme.
Consider VP < VN
• The op amp cannot produce -20,000 V.
Practically, the output voltage is limited by the
op-amps supply .

• The data sheet lists a maximum output swing

of only ±13.5 V when using ±15 V supplies.

• The output will be truncated at -13.5 V.

Example: VP=-0.1V, VN=0V
• If the inverting voltage is greater than the
noninverting voltage, the output will be
negative saturation. (output voltage is close to
the -ve supply voltage)

Summary

• The output voltage will be at either +Vsat or –Vsat.

 Types of Comparators

• Normally, the input voltage is applied at one

input of the op-amp. A known reference
voltage is applied at the other input terminal.

• Depending upon to which terminal, the input

voltage is applied, there are two types of
comparators. These are

• Non-inverting comparator
• Inverting comparator
 Non-inverting comparator

• The figure shows the circuit diagram of a

noninverting comparator.

• In this comparator, the input voltage Vin is

applied to the non-inverting input terminal.

• A reference voltage Vref is applied to the

inverting input terminal. Here, the reference
voltage is zero. So, the inverting terminal is
grounded.

• The applied voltage is compared with the

Figure: Basic noninverting comparator vref.
Working of the circuit (operation of
the circuit)
Vin > Vref

• If Vin is greater than the reference voltage

Vref, then the op-amp output is saturated
+Vsat. i.e., the output is almost equal to +VCC.

• In this case, Vref = 0. When Vin is positive,

then the output is +Vsat . i.e., the output
is nearly equal to VCC.

Vin < Vref

• If Vin is less than Vref, then the op-amp
Figure: Basic noninverting comparator output is saturated –Vsat. i.e., the output
voltage is almost equal to –VEE.

• In this case, Vref = 0. When Vin is negative, then

Vo=Vsat . i.e., output is nearly equal to –VEE.
Transfer characteristic

Figure: Basic noninverting comparator

• The transfer characteristic of the non-inverting

comparator is shown in the figure.

• When the input Vin > 0, (i.e., when the input is

+ve), the output is saturated at +Vsat.

• When the input Vin < 0, (ie., when the input is –

ve), the output is saturated at –Vsat.
 Non-inverting comparator with VREF

Figure: Non-inverting comparator with VREF

VO

Vin Figure: Transfer characteristics of

noninverting comparator with VREF
 Zero crossing detector (Zero-Level Detection)

Vref = 0V
• Figure shows a non-inverting comparator.

• A sinusoidal input voltage is applied to the

non-inverting input terminal of the op-amp.

• A reference voltage of zero volts is applied

Sinusoidal to the inverting input terminal of the op-
input signal amp.

Figure: Non-inverting comparator

NOTE: As the name indicates, zero crossing detector detects when ever input signal crosses
zero level.
 Circuit Operation
• During the positive half-cycle of the
sinusoidal input signal, the voltage present
Vref = 0V
at the non-inverting terminal of the op-
amp is greater than zero volts. Hence, the
output value of a non-inverting
comparator will be equal to +Vsat.

• During the negative half-cycle of the

sinusoidal input signal, the voltage present
Sinusoidal at the non-inverting terminal of the op-
input signal amp is less than zero volts. Hence, the
output value of a non-inverting comparator
will be equal to Vsat.
Figure: Non-inverting comparator
 Input waveform • Figure shows the input and output
waveforms of a non-inverting comparator.

• From the figure shown on the left side, it

can be observed that the output transitions
from +Vsat to –Vsat (maximum to
minimum) or from –Vsat to +Vsat occurs
when the sinusoidal crosses zero volts.

• This means that the output changes its

value when the input is crossing zero volts.

• Hence, the above circuit is also called a

non- inverting zero crossing detector
Output waveform (zero-level detector).

Figure: Input and output waveforms of a • This zero-level detector circuit can be
non-inverting comparator used to obtain square waveform from a
sinusoidal waveform.
 Applications of Comparator

 The various applications of comparator are

1. Zero crossing detector

2. Level detector
3. Window detector
4. Comparator circuits are used in analog-to-digital converters (ADCs)
5. It is also used for generating waveforms (square & triangular).
 Problem with Comparator

• One problem with the basic op-amp comparator is that of noise.

• If there is a significant amount of noise on the input signal, then the op-
amp comparator may oscillate between its maximum and minimum voltage
levels. (between the two saturation states, +Vcc and -Vcc) when the input signal
hovers around (close to) the reference voltage, VREF level.

• This problem can be overcome by using a modified circuit. And, this circuit
is known as Schmitt Trigger.

The simple comparator suffers from poor Nosie immunity.

 Effect of Input noise on Comparator Operations

• In practical situations, noise appears on the input signal. This noise voltage
disturbs the input voltage as shown.

• Noise can cause a comparator to erratically switch output states.

Effect of Input noise on Comparator Operations

• Consider a zero-level detector

and a sinusoidal voltage input at
the noninverting input of the
comparator.

• The input sinewave and the

resulting output voltage are
shown

• When the input voltage reaches

zero, the disturbance due to
noise may cause the input to
fluctuate about the zero voltage
value many times and thus
producing an output that is not
the desired one.