Republic of Yemen
Sana’a University
Faculty of Engineering
Mechatronics Engineering Department
Lecture.6
Lab 6: Op-Amp Voltage Comparator
2022-2023
Eng. Amjed Al-Shagthah
Objectives:
• To introduce the concepts of using an operational amplifier as
a voltage comparator.
• The theory of voltage comparator will be presented along with
the design of several comparator
Overview:
• The Op-amp comparator compares one analogue voltage level
with another analogue voltage level, or some preset reference
voltage, VREF and produces an output signal based on this
voltage comparison.
Op-amp Comparator Circuit:
• As the non-inverting (positive) input of the comparator is less
than the inverting (negative) input, the output will be LOW and
at the negative supply voltage, -Vcc resulting in a negative
saturation of the output.
Comparator Reference Voltages:
• In theory the comparators
reference voltage can be set to
be anywhere between 0v and
the supply voltage but there
are practical limitations on the
actual voltage range
depending on the op-amp
comparator being device used.
Positive Voltage Comparator:
• detects when the input signal, VIN is ABOVE or more positive
than the reference voltage, VREF producing an output at VOUT
which is HIGH as shown.
Positive Voltage Comparator..
• When VIN is greater than VREF, the op-amp comparators
output will saturate towards the positive supply rail, Vcc. When
VIN is less than VREF the op-amp comparators output will
change state and saturate at the negative supply rail, 0v as
shown above.
Negative Voltage Comparator:
• detects when the input signal, VIN is BELOW or more negative
than the reference voltage, VREF producing an output at VOUT
which is HIGH as shown.
Negative Voltage Comparator..
• Then when VIN is less than VREF the op-amp comparators
output will saturate towards the positive supply rail, Vcc.
• Likewise the reverse is true, when VIN is greater than VREF, the
op-amp comparators output will change state and saturate
towards the negative supply rail, 0v.
Window Comparator:
• A Window Comparator is basically the inverting and the non-
inverting comparators above combined into a single
comparator stage.
• The window comparator detects input voltage levels that are
within a specific band or window of voltages.
• a window comparator will have two reference voltages
implemented by a pair of voltage comparators.
Window Comparator Circuit:
Equipment:
• 741 op-amp.
• DC power supply.
• Oscilloscope.
• Functional generator.
• DMM.
• Resistors.
• Capacitors.
• Connecting wires
Procedure
1. Refer the Pin Diagram of op-amp IC741 & assemble the basic
comparator in non-inverting configuration circuit as per circuit
diagram on the breadboard.
2. Set the DC power supply to provide +VCC & -VEE by making
necessary adjustment & Apply VCC = +15V & VEE =0 at respective
pins of op-amp IC 741.
3. Set the function generator to provide 2V (p-p) sine wave at 500HZ
& Apply this AC input at pin 3(Non-INV) of op-amp IC741.
4. Set the DC power supply to provide 0.5V reference voltage by
making necessary adjustment (Voltage divider or any other
comparator reference voltage method as discussed )& Apply this
reference voltage signal at pin 2 (INV-IN) of op-amp IC 741.
Procedure
5. Observe the output of this circuit on CRO/DSO.
6. Measure the output voltage swing .Note the readings in the
observation table.
7. Plot the output voltage waveforms for Vin and Vout.
8. Repeat the following steps only change step number (2) by
making VCC& VEE = ±15V and step number (4) to provide 1V
reference voltage.
Results:
Design Problem:
Design a window comparator to meet the following
requirements.
The design requirements are as follows:
Supply Voltage: 5 V
Input Range: 0 V – 5 V
Window Range: 1.66 V – 3.33 V
Output: 0 V to 10 V
Any Question ^-^
Eng. Amjed Al-Shagthah.
