DEPARTMENT OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION

ANDHRA PRADESH
Name : K.Ramprasad.
Designation : Lecturer.
Branch : A.E.I.E
Institute : QQ.G.P.T, Hyderabad.
Semester : V semester
Subject : LIC Applications.
Sub code : AEI-505
Topic : Wave form generators.
Duration : 100 mts
Sub topic : square wave generator.
Teaching Aids : PPT, diagrams.

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 Recap

In the previous class we have learned about

• Filters

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 Objectives

Upon the completion of this topic you will be able

to know about

• Introduction of square wave generation

• circuit diagram and its operation

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 Interaction / discussion

• What is op-amp.?

• What are the terminals of op-amp?

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 Square wave generator introduction

The square wave outputs are generated

• When the op-amp is forced to operate in saturation

region

• The output of the op-amp is forced to swing

repetitively between positive saturation + Vsat (+Vcc) &
negative saturation – Vsat (-Vcc)

• This square wave generator is also called a free

running or astable multi vibrator.

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Operation

fig1 Square wave generator circuit diagram

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to 47 6
 Operation Contd…

Assume that

• The voltage across capacitor “c” is zero volts

At this instant

• The dc supply voltages + Vcc and –VEE are applied.

This means the voltage at the inverting terminal is zero

initially.

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 Operation Contd…

• The voltage v1 at the non-inverting terminal is a very

small finite value ; it is a function of VooT & values of

resistors R1 & R2

• Thus the differential input voltage Vid = v1 at the non-

inviting terminal

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 Operation Contd…

• Voltage v1 will start to drive the op-am into

saturation
• For example,

• Suppose that the output off-set voltage Voot is

positive

• Therefore Voltage v1 is also positive

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 Operation Contd…

• Initially the capacitor C acts as a short

circuit

• The gain of the op-amp is very large (A)

• Hence

• v1 drives the output of the op-amp to its

positive saturation + Vsat

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 Operation Contd…

• With the output voltage of the op-amp at + Vsat ,

• The capacitor C starts Charging toward + Vsat through

resistor R.

• However, As soon as the voltage V2 across capacitor C

is slightly more positive than V1,

• The output of the op-amp is forced to switch to a

negative saturation - Vsat

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 Operation Contd…

• With the op-amps output voltage at negative saturation

– Vsat ,The voltage V1 across R1 is also negative

• Since
R1
v1  (Vsat )
R1  R2

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 Operation Contd…

• Thus the net differential voltage Vid = V1-V2 is negative,

• Which holds the output of the op-amp In negative

saturation
• The output remains in negative saturation until the
capacitor C discharges and
• Then recharges to a negative voltages slightly higher
than –V1 (see figure 1)

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 Operation Contd…

• Now, as soon as the capacitor’s voltage v2 becomes

more negative than –v1,

• The net differential voltage vid becomes positive

• And hence drives the output of the op – amp back to its

positive saturation +Vsat

• This completes one cycle.

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 Operation Contd…

• With output at +Vsat, voltage v1 at the non-

inverting input is
R1
v1  ( Vsat )
R1  R2

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 Operation Contd…

• The time period T of the output wave

form is given by

2 R1  R2
T  2 RC ln( )
R2
Or

1
f0 
2 RC ln[(2 R1  R2 ) / R2 ]

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 Operation Contd…

• This equation indicates that the frequency of the output f0 is

not only a function of the RC time constant,

• But also of the relationship between R1 and R2

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 Operation Contd…

• for example
• If R2 = 1.16 R1
• The above equation becomes,

1
f0 
2 RC

• This equation indicates that the smaller the

RC time constant, the higher the output
frequency f0 and vice versa

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 Summary

We have discussed about

• Introduction to square wave generator

• Circuit diagram and its operation.

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 Quiz

1. Square wave outputs are generated when the

op-amp is forced to operate in

a) active region

b) cutoff region

c) saturation region

d) none of the above

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 Assignment

• Design a square wave generator

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 Frequently asked questions

1. Explain the circuit operation of square wave

generator?

4. Draw the circuit diagram of square wave

generator?

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