DEPARTMENT OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION

ANDHRA PRADESH
Name of the faculty : D Saritha
Designation : Lecturer
Branch : D.A.E.I.E
Institute : Govt Polytechnic, Kothagudem
Year/Semester : V Semester
Subject : Linear IC Applications
Sub-Code : AEI-505
Topic : Other Applications of OP-Amp
Duration : 50 min
Sub-Topic : Schmitt Trigger
Teaching Aids : Diagrams

AEI-505.68 1
 Objectives

Upon the completion of this topic the student will

be familiar with

• Schmitt trigger circuit using op-amp

• Operation of Schmitt trigger

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 Schmitt trigger

• A Schmitt Trigger circuit converts an irregular

shaped waveform to a square wave or pulse

• The Schmitt Trigger is an inverting comparator with

positive feedback. It is also called as squaring
circuit.

AEI-505.68 3
Circuit diagram of schmitt trigger

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 Working
• The input voltage Vin triggers (changes the state of)
the output voltage V0 every time it exceeds certain
voltage levels called the upper threshold voltage Vut
and lower threshold voltage Vlt

• The threshold voltages are obtained by using the

voltage divider R1-R2, where the voltage across R1 is
fed back to the (+) input. The voltage across R1 is a
variable reference threshold voltage that depends on
the value and polarity of the output voltage V0
AEI-505.68 5
Input and output waveforms of schmitt
trigger

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Vo versus vin plot of the hysterisis voltage

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• When Vo = + Vsat, the voltage across R1 is called
the upper threshold voltage, Vut. The input voltage
Vin must be slightly more positive than Vut in order
to cause the output Vo to switch from + Vsat to –
Vsat. As long as Vin < Vut, Vo is at + Vsat. Using the
voltage-divider rule
Vut = R1 / R1 +R2 (+ Vsat )

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• When Vo = - Vsat, the voltage across R1 is called the
lower threshold voltage, Vlt. The input voltage Vin must
be slightly more negative than Vlt in order to cause the
output Vo to switch from - Vsat to +Vsat. As long as Vin >
Vlt, Vo is at - Vsat. Using the voltage-divider rule

Vlt = R1 / R1 +R2 (- Vsat )

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• If the threshold voltages Vut and Vlt are made larger
than the input noise voltages, the positive feedback
will eliminate the false output transition. Because of
regenerative action the positive feedback will make
Vo switch faster between +Vsat and – Vsat . The
resistance Rom(R1 // R2 )is used to minimize the
offset problems

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• The output of the schmitt trigger is a square wave when
the input is a sine wave

• The comparator with positive feedback is said to exhibit

hysteresis, a dead band condition. That is, when the
input of the comparator exceeds Vut, its output switches
from +Vsat to –Vsat and reverts back to its original state,
+Vsat ,when the input goes below Vlt

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 Summary

We have discussed about

• Schmitt Trigger circuit and its operation

• Input-Output waveforms of Schmitt Trigger

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 QUIZ

1. A Schmitt Trigger circuit is also known as

a) Comparator
b) Op-amplifier
c) Comparator with positive feedback
d) None of the above

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1) The Schmitt Trigger converts an
irregular waveform to a

c) Square waveform
d) Triangular waveform
e) Saw-tooth waveform
f) All the above

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1) In the Schmitt Trigger the input voltage
triggers the output voltage every time it

c) Falls below certain voltage levels

d) Equal to certain voltage levels
e) Exceeds certain voltage levels
f) None of the above

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• The upper threshold voltage Vut is the voltage
when Vo is

a) Less than +Vsat

b) Greater than +Vsat
c) Equal to +Vsat
d) None of the above

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• The lower threshold voltage Vlt is the voltage
when Vo is

• Less than -Vsat

• Greater than -Vsat

• Equal to -Vsat
• None of the above

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 Frequently asked questions

2. Draw the circuit of a Schmitt Trigger and explain with

waveforms

4. What is the difference between basic comparator and

Schmitt Trigger

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