Schmitt Triggers Circuits

Lecture 12
 Effects of Positive Feedback
• From this circuit: vo = Avi and vi = vf – vin =
βvo – vin
vin vi vout
• Because of the positive feedback vi is no Σ A
longer equal to zero (not a virtual ground) +
+
• So as vi increases in the positive (negative)
direction, increases in the positive β
(negative) direction. β vo
• Because of the positive feedback, this will
increase vi in the positive direction • If we had infinite power, then never.
(negative) which will further increase vo • However, we have limited power which is
which further increase vi and so on. given by the amplifier’s DC voltage
• When will this stop? supplies: +A, -A.
• If vi goes positive, then vo
“instantaneously” grows to +A volts
• And if vi goes negative, then vo
“instantaneously” grows to -A volts

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 Hysteresis
• Assume that β=R2 /(R1+R2) = 0.1 and vo _ _
+
levels are +10 (for vi > 0) and –10 V (for vi vi + +
< 0). vin +
vo
• First, note that vi = vf - vin. Now, let’s _

assume vo = +10 V and therefore vf = 1 V + _

R1
then as long as vin is less than 1 V, then vo vf R2
= +10 V (it’s high state) since vi, the input _ vo
to the comparator, will be > 0. Once vin
surpasses 1, vi < 0, and the output will vin + vi = v f 10

switch to –10 V. vi = v f − vin

• At this point, vf = -1 V and as long as the v f = β vo -1 1 vin
vin > -1 V , the output will stay in its low vi = 0.1vo − vin -10
state, -10 V. For vi > 0; vo = 10
• Note that has the characteristic of being a vi = 0.1×10 − vin > 0 ⇒ 1 − vin > 0 ⇒ 1 > vin
This is characteristic
flip-flop. If one pulses it with high (>1), vin < 1
is called hysteresis
then the output switches to a low and visa For vi < 0; vo = −10
versa. vi = 0.1vo − vin < 0 ⇒ −0.1×10 − vin < 0 ⇒ −1 < vin
vin > −1

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 Inverter
_
vin + vi = v f
_
+
vi + +
vi = v f − vin vin +
vo
v f = β vo _
+ _
vi = β vo − vin R1
vf R2
For vi > 0; vo = A
_
vi = β vo − vin > 0 ⇒ β A − vin > 0 ⇒ β A > vin
vin < β A
For vi < 0; vo = − A vo
vi = β vo − vin < 0 ⇒ − β A − vin < 0 ⇒ − β A < vin
A
vin > − β A
-βA βA
vin
Note that ± β A volts are the thresholds for
-A
when the circuit switches states.

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 Other Forms of Schmitt Triggers
R2

• Non-inverting types R1

vi +
-
vo
vin

VSS
• Specified Thresholds R1
R2

i2 _ _
+
vi + +
R1
vin +
vi + vo
- _
vo _
+ R3
R3 Vss R2
R4
vt
_

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 Specific Thresholds
vi = vt − vin
VSS
vi > 0; vo = + A
R1
vi < 0; vo = − A

_ _
+ From node at noninvering input:
vi
+ vt vt − vo vt − VSS
+
vin + + + =0
_
vo R2 R3 R1
_ vo VSS vo VSS
+ R3 + +
R2 R3 R1 R3 R1 v V
vt vt = = = o + SS
1 1 1 GT GT R3 GT R1
+ +
vout
_ R2 R3 R1
A vo V
vi = + SS − vin
GT R3 GT R1
A V A V
vi = + SS − vin > 0; vin < Vt1 = + SS
GT R3 GT R1 GT R3 GT R1
vin −A V −A V
vi = + SS − vin < 0; vin > Vt 2 = + SS
GT R3 GT R1 GT R3 GT R1

-A

Vt2 Vt1 30
 An Example
• Choose the 3 resistors to provide thresholds of 5±0.1 V for output levels of ±14.6 V.

VSS At the non - inverting mode, we have :

R1 Vt Vt − VSS Vt − vo
+ + =0
R2 R1 R3

_ _ Using 15 V for VSS and Vt = 5.1 for vo = + 14.6, we have

+ 5.1 + 5.1 − 15 + 5.1 − 14.6 = 5.1 + 9.9 + 9.5 = 0
vi
R2 R1 R3 R2 R1 R3
+
vin +
_ Using Vt = 4.9 for vo = - 14.6, we have
+ 4.9 + 4.9 − 15 + 4.9 + 14.6 = 4.9 + 10.1 + 19.5 = 0
R2 R3 R2 R1 R3 R2 R1 R3
vt
_
• We need to chose one of the 3 resistors. If we choose R3= 1 M, then R1=20.55 k and
R2 = 10.38 k. If we chose resistors too small then may draw excessive amounts of
current from our 15 V supply and create a large power drain on the circuit.

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 Example contintued
vi = vt − vin
when vi > 0; vo = +14.6v vout

therefore, +14.6

vi = vt − vin > 0
vt > vin ; or vin < 5.1

vin
vi = vt − vin
when vi < 0; vo = −14.6v -14.6
therefore,
+4.9 +5.1
vi = vt − vin < 0
vt < vin ; or vin > 4.9

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 Another Example
R2

• What are the transfer characteristics for

this circuit if R1=1k and R2= 2k and the i
thresholds levels are ±10 V. R1

vi +

Vin = i ( R1 + R2 ) + vo -
vo
vin
Vin − vo
Vt = iR1 = R1
R1 + R2
Vin − vo
vi = Vin − Vt = Vin − R1
R1 + R2
Vin − vo 2 v
vi = Vin − = Vin + o +10
3 3 3
For vo = + 10 V, vi > 0
2 v 2 v
vi = Vin + o > 0; Vin > − o ; Vin > −5
3 3 3 3
For vo = − 10 V, vi < 0
2 v 2 v -10
vi = Vin + o < 0; Vin < − o ; Vin < 5
3 3 3 3 -5 +5

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 Astable Multivibrators
• A switching oscillator or Astable Multivibrator can be
formed from a Schmitt trigger as follows:
• Assume that output levels are ±A and the thresholds are
±A/2 since the feedback voltage = ½ vo.
vi = vt − vin R
when vi > 0; vo = A; therefore, vo
vi = vt − vin > 0 A _ _

A vi + +
vt > vin ; or vin < C +
2 -A/2 A/2 vo
vin _

Rf Rf
vi = vt − vin
when vi < 0; vo = − A; therefore,
-A
vi = vt − vin < 0
A
vt < vin ; or vin > −
2
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 Astable Multivibrators R

• Assume that the output starts off at +A.

_ _
• The capacitor starts to charge to +A
vi + +
• However, when it reaches +A/2, vi = 0 and the C +
vo
output switches to –A. _
• The capacitor then charges to –A. Rf Rf

• However, when it reaches –A/2, vi =0 and the

output switches to +A
• And the capacitor charges to +A +A
• This process continues. +A/2
A
vo

-A/2
-A/2 A/2
vin -A

-A
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 Timing Calculation
vc (t ) = K1 + K 2 e −t RC
Initial Condition :

+A vc (0) = − A = K1 + K 2 e −0 RC = K1 + K 2 (eqn.1)
T 2
Final Condition :
+A/2
vc (∞) = + A = K1 + K 2 e −∞ RC = K1 (eqn. 2)

-A/2 From eqns (1) and (2)

K1 = A
-A
K 2 = − A − K1 = - 3 A
2 2

Start the timing calculation here vc (t ) = A(1 - 3 e −t RC )

2
But
vc ( T ) = A = A(1 - 3 e −T 2 RC )
2 2 2
∴ e −T 2 RC = 1
3
T = 2 RC ln(3)

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 Homework
• Comparators and Schmitt Trigger Circuits
– Problems: 12.8-9
• Astable Multivibrators
– Problems: 12.14

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