Linear Integrated Circuits SGMCOE, Mahagaon, SY E&TC

EXPERIMENT NO:8

Title: To study Op-amp based Comparator as Zero crossing detector & Schmitt trigger

Objectives:

1. To study the performance of op-amp as comparator.

2. To measure output swing.
3. To study & compare input & output waves and find out the relation between them.
Apparatus:

Op-amp, Resistors, Pots, Dual Power Supply (+ 14V And -14V), CRO, Bread
Board, Function Generators etc.

Circuit Diagram:
A) Zero Crossing Detector:

-Vcc
4

2 -
6
3 +

5.1K
Vout
+Vcc
7

10k 10k

Vin

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 Linear Integrated Circuits SGMCOE, Mahagaon, SY E&TC

B) Schmitt Trigger:
+Vcc

4
2 -
6
3 +
10k Vout

7
-Vcc 10k

Vin

7.8K

Theory:

An immediate application of the comparators is the zero crossing detector as sine

to square wave converter. The basic comparator is used as the zero crossing detector with
Vref is set to zero as Vref = 0 V.

The input & output voltage waveforms show that when & how the input
waveform i.e. the input signal crosses zero level. That is the output is driven into –ve
saturation when the input signal Vin passes through zero in the +ve direction. Then when
Vin passes through zero in the –ve direction, the output Vo switches & saturates +vely.

In some applications, the Vin may be a slowly changing waveforms, that is, a
low frequency signal. So that, it will take more time to cross 0V. Therefore, Vout will not
switch quickly from one saturation level to the other. On the other hand, because of the
noise at op-amp’s input terminals, the output voltage may fluctuate bet. +ve & -ve saturation
levels, detecting zero reference crossing for noise voltages as well as Vin. Both of these
problems can be eliminated by use of reference +ve & -ve feedback that causes the output to
change faster & eliminate any false output transitions due to noise signals at the input.

Schmitt Trigger:

It is the comparator with positive feedback. Such circuit converts irregular shaped
waveforms to square wave or pulse. So the Schmitt trigger is known as squaring circuit. The
input voltage Vin triggers (changes the state) the O/P every time, it exceeds certain voltage
levels as VUTP & VLTP.

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Linear Integrated Circuits SGMCOE, Mahagaon, SY E&TC

These threshold voltages are obtained by voltage divider R1-R2, where the voltage
across R1 is feedback to the non-inverting terminal of op-amp

This voltage is variable reference threshold voltage that depends on the value &
polarity of the output. When Vo= +Vsat, the voltage across R1 is called the upper threshold
voltage, VUTP. The input voltage Vin must be slightly more +ve than V UTP in order to cause
Vout to switch from +Vsat to –Vsat. As long as Vin < V UTP, Vout is at + Vsat. Using the
voltage divider rule,

VUTP = [R1/R1+R2] x Vsat

On other hand, when Vo= -Vsat, the voltage across R1 is referred to as lower threshold
voltage, VLTP. Vin must slightly more than VLTP in order to cause Vo to switch from –Vsat to
+Vsat. In other words, for Vin values greater than VLTP, Vout is at –Vsat.

VLTP = [R1/ R1+R2] x (-Vsat)

Thus if the threshold voltages are made larger than the input noise voltages, the +ve
feedback will eliminate the false output transitions. Also the +ve feedback, because of its
regenerative action, will make Vo, switch faster bet. +Vsat & -Vsat. The Rom= R1\\R2 is
used to minimize the offset problems.

Here the output of Schmitt Trigger is square wave when the input is sine wave.
A slightly version of such circuit is used in triangular & saw tooth wave generator. In this
generator, non-inverting comparator is used as a Schmitt trigger. When the input is
triangular wave, the output is square wave for Schmitt trigger, where as the input is saw
tooth then O/P is pulse wave.

The comparator with +ve feedback is said to be exhibit hysteresis as the dead
band condition. That is when the I/P of comparator exceeds the V UTP, its O/P switches from
+Vsat to –Vsat & reverts back to its original state, +Vsat, when the input goes below VLTP.
The hysteresis voltage is, of course, equal to the difference VUTP & VLTP

Vhy= VUTP- VLTP = [R1/ R1+R2] x[+Vsat-(-Vsat)]

Procedure:

1) Assemble the various comparators circuits on bread board as per circuit diagram, one
by one.

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Linear Integrated Circuits SGMCOE, Mahagaon, SY E&TC

2) Apply AC signals at one terminal. Keeping other terminal as reference DC voltage,

compare input & output waves. See the difference in the output waves by
interchanging input signals, these may you study zero crossing detector (0V as
reference) +ve & -ve level comparators (Reference signal will be the +ve or –ve DC).
3) Finally assemble Schmitt trigger circuit & by applying only power supply check how
much is +Vsat & -Vsat, you are getting, note down the values & then using V LTP &
VUTP formulas, calculate UTP & LTP voltages. You need +Vsat , -Vsat values & R1,
R2 values for this calculation.
4) Then by applying AC signal at inverting terminal, comparing input & output waves.
5) Compare theoretical & practical values of UTP & LTP.
Observations & Results:

For Schmitt Trigger:

Sr. No. Parameter Practical Value Theoretical Value

1 VUTP

2 VLTP

3 VH

Conclusion:

Continuous Cognitive Psychomotor Affective Total out of

Assessment of (04) Skills (04) Domain (02) (10)
Lab Work
Signature of Subject Expert

Study Question:

1. Explain Comparator using Op-amp.

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