EEE-131
Op-Amp Comparators
By;
Shamima Yasmin Sejuti
Lecturer (Provisional), Dept. of EEE
Varendra University, Rajshahi
Contains
• Introduction
• Basic Comparator
• Zero- Crossing Detector
• Schmitt Trigger
• Comparator Characteristics
• Limitations
• Voltage Limiters
Introduction
A comparator as its name implies , compares
a signal voltage on one input of an op-amp
with a known voltage called the reference
voltage on the other input. The output may
be (+) or (-) saturation voltage , depending
on which input is the larger.
Use: Schmitt trigger, discriminators, Voltage
level detectors, oscillators etc.
Basic Comparator
Non-Inverting Comparator
In this circuit input is applied to the non-
inverting terminal of op-amp. Inverting
terminal is kept at reference potential. In
this case the reference voltage is zero. i.e.
Vref = 0V. Figure below shows the Non-
Inverting Comparator.
1. If Vin>Vref, Vo
= +Vsat
2. If Vin<Vref, Vo
= -Vsat
Inverting Comparator
The following figure shows the inverting
configuration of comparator. The input
signal is applied at inverting terminal of op-
amp. The reference voltage Vref = 0V..
1. If Vin>Vref then Vo= – Vsat
2. If Vin<Vref then Vo= +V_sat
Zero-Crossing Detector
Zero crossing detector is a voltage
comparator that changes the o/p between
+Vsat & –Vsat when the i/p crosses zero
reference voltage.
Schmitt Trigger
Inverting Schmitt Trigger Circuit
As the name suggests, in an Inverting Schmitt Trigger,
the input is applied to the inverting terminal of the Op-
Amp. In this mode, the output produced is of opposite
polarity. This output is applied to non-inverting terminal
to ensure positive feedback.
When VIN is slightly greater than VREF, the output
becomes -VSAT and if VIN is slightly less that -
VREF (more negative than -VREF), then output becomes
VSAT. Hence, the output voltage VO is either at VSAT or -
VSAT and the input voltage at which these state
changes occur can be controlled using R1 and R2.
The values of VREF and -VREF can be formulated
as follows:
VREF = (VO x R2) / (R1 + R2), VO = VSAT.
Hence, VREF = (VSAT x R2) / (R1 + R2)
-VREF = (VO x R2) / (R1 + R2), VO = -VSAT.
Hence, -VREF = (-VSAT x R2) / (R1 + R2)
The reference voltage VREF and -VREF are called
Upper Threshold Voltage VUT and Lower
Threshold Voltage VLT. The following image
shows the output voltage versus input voltage
graph also known as the Transfer Characteristic
of Schmitt Trigger.
Inverting Schmitt Trigger
Schmitt Trigger
Non-inverting Schmitt Trigger Circuit
Coming to Non-Inverting Schmitt Trigger, the input in
this case is applied to the non-inverting terminal of the
Op-Amp. The output voltage is fed back to the non-
inverting terminal through the resistor R1.
Let us assume that initially, the output voltage is at
VSAT. Until VIN becomes less than VLT, the output stays
at this saturation level. Once the input voltage crosses
the lower threshold voltage level, the output changes
state to -VSAT.
The output remains at this state until the input rises
beyond the upper threshold voltage.
Transfer Characteristics
Non-inverting Schmitt Trigger
Gayakward
Example: 8.1
Characteristics of Comparator
1. Speed of operation
The output of comparator must switch rapidly between the saturation level (+vsat or -Vsat) and also
respond instantly to any change of condition at its input .it says that bandwidth of op-amp should be
very high because wider bandwidth ,higher is the speed of operation .
2. Accuracy
It is smallest amount of difference voltage required at the inputs of comparator to make the output
change its state .It is measured in mv. The accuracy depends on voltage gain ,common -mode
rejection ratio (CMRR), input offset voltage and thermal drifts .
3. Compatibility of output
The comparator is a form of analog to digital converter ,its output must swing between two logic
levels suitable for a certain logic family such as transistors -transistor logic (TTL).
Limitation of op-amp as
comparator
An op-amp is usually used as a comparator in cases where its speed and
accuracy are not critical. The switching speed of the op-amp comparator
can be improved and noise can also be eliminated. The offset problems can
also be reduced by adding a voltage compensating network and a offset
reducing resistor. Since the op-amp is originally designed to act as an
amplifier, its output will not act linearly with logic families like TTL. A TTL
requires input voltages which range between (0-5) volts. Thus, to keep the
op-amp’s output voltage swing between these ranges, other components
like zener diodes are added onto the circuit. Such circuits with specified
output swing are called voltage limiters.
Voltage Limiters
Positive and Negative Output Voltage Limiting
There are two Zener diodes that are connected in the feedback path of the op-
amp circuit. This design helps in keeping the voltage limit between the positive
and negative values of the output voltage, V0. As shown in the waveform, as the
voltage Vin increases from 0 to positive voltage, the value of V0 increases in the
opposite direction (negative). This goes on until the diode D1 becomes forward
biased and D2 goes into avalanche breakdown.
At this condition, V0 = VZ + VD1
• VZ – Zener Voltage
• VD1 – Voltage drop across D1 = 0.7V
If Vo increases from 0 to negative voltage, Vo
increases positively until diode D2 is forward
biased and D1 goes into avalanche condition.
A t this condition,
V0 = VZ + VD2
• VZ – Zener Voltage
• VD1 – Voltage drop across D2 = 0.7V
Thus the limit of output voltage swing is
between +(VZ + 0.7) and –(VZ + 0.7).
In the figure, ROM is used to reduce the offset
problems. Vin will appear across resistor R, since
the v1=v2=0V (virtual ground).
Positive Output Voltage Limiters
The figure below shows a combination of zener
diode and rectifier diodes. This circuit is used to
bring the level of swing of V0 to a positive
direction.
When Vin ranges from 0 to positive voltage, D2 is
reverse biased and thus V0 = -Vsat.
When Vin ranges from 0 to negative voltage, D2 is
forward biased and D1 goes into avalanche
condition. Thus V0 = VZ + VD2.
Negative
Output Voltage Limiters
The figure below shows the use of a single zener
diode in the feedback path of an op-amp. This
enables the output to be limited between +VZ and
–VD.
VZ – Zener Voltage
VD – Voltage drop across the forward biased zener.
Ex:8.2
Thank You
