Experiment 9

Schmitt Trigger
Aim: To study the Schmitt trigger characteristics by using IC741 and compare
theoretical and practical values of the Upper Threshold voltage, VUT and the
Lower Threshold voltage, VLT.
Apparatus: (on LT Spice)
• 741 Op-Amp Resistors
• Resistance
• Power supplies

Theory:
Circuit shows an inverting comparator with positive feedback. This circuit
converts an irregular shaped waveform to square wave or pulse. This circuit is
known as Schmitt trigger or Regenerative comparator or Squaring circuit. The
input voltage Vin triggers (changes the state of ) the output Vo every time it
exceeds certain voltage levels called Upper threshold voltage, VUT and Lower
threshold voltage, VLT. The hysteresis width is the difference between these two
threshold voltages i.e. VUT – VLT. These threshold voltages are calculated as
follows.
VUT = (R1/R1+R2) Vsat when Vo= Vsat
VLT = (R1/R1+R2) (-Vsat) when Vo=-Vsat
The output of Schmitt trigger is a square wave when the input is sine wave or
triangular wave, where as if the input is a saw tooth wave then the output is a
pulse wave.
Circuit Diagram:

Output waveform:
Observation Table:
R1 R2 VUT= R1 / (R1+ R2)*(+Vsat) VLT= R1 / (R1+ R2)*(-Vsat)

1K 1K VUT=1/(1+1)*(+4)=+2 VLT= 1/(1+1)*(-4)=-2

Results:
The Upper Threshold Voltage(VUT) and the Lower Threshold Voltage(VLT) are
+2 and –2 volts.

Questionnaire:
1. Which is type of comparator called Schmitt trigger using IC741?
A Schmitt trigger circuit is also called a regenerative comparator circuit.
The circuit is designed with positive feedback and hence will have a
regenerative action which will make the output switch levels.
2. What is the output wave of Schmitt trigger if the input is sine wave?
The output of a Schmitt Trigger is a square wave when input is a sine
wave.
3. What type of waveform is obtained when triangular or ramp waveforms are
applied to Schmitt trigger circuit?
The output of a Schmitt Trigger is a rectangular wave when input is a sine
wave.
4. Explain how a square wave is obtained at the output of timer when sine
wave input is given?
When a sine wave of amplitude greater than VCC / 6 is applied at the input,
the flip-flop is set and reset alternately for the positive cycle and the
negative cycle and the output is a square wave.
5. What is the Threshold voltage?
The threshold voltage refers to the particular voltage above which a certain
phenomenon occurs depending on the device.
6. How do you calculate the theoretical values of VUT and VLT in the case of
IC741?
These threshold voltages are calculated as follows:
VUT = (R1/R1+R2) (Vsat) when Vo= Vsat
VLT = (R1/R1+R2) (-Vsat) when Vo=-Vsat
7. What is the Hysteresis width?
The width of variation in the reference voltage is the hysteresis width.
8. What is the minimum amplitude of the input sine wave in the case of
Schmitt trigger using IC741?
The minimum amplitude of the input sine wave is 1 volt.