Experiment No: 4

Title : Transfer characteristics of Zero Crossing Detector, comparator with hysteresis using
op-amp.

Objective : Verify the operation of a zero crossing detector and comparator with hysteresis
using op amp 741.

Theory:

Comparator

The basic comparator circuit is an op-amp arranged in the open-

loop configuration as shown on the circuit of Figure. The op-amp
is characterized by an open-loop gain A and let us assume that the
output voltage Vo can go all the way to +Vsat and -Vsat. The
output voltage is given by

Vo = A (Vref −Vin )

Corresponding voltage transfer characteristic is shown in

adjacent figure for +Vref.

Inverting Schmitt Trigger

The input signal is applied to the inverting terminal
and consequently, the circuit is called Inverting
Schmitt Trigger.

The voltage V+ is related to the output voltage V0 by the equation

However, the output voltage V0 is dependent on the difference between V+ and V-

The key to analyze the positive feedback circuits is to assume an initial condition. Let the
possible values that V0 can take be VH and VL where VH > VL
Let the initial state of V0 be VH
The output voltage is given by

Therefore, as long as > the output will remain at

The transition from VH to VL will happen when < . This part of the operation is

shown in figure where the voltage VTU =

So when Vin > VTU , V0 = VL and V+ =

When Vin starts decreasing, another transition occurs again when the term ( )

changes sign i.e. ( ) > 0 as shown in figure where VTL =

The complete voltage transfer characteristic is obtained by combining 2 Figures and it is shown
on Figure. The voltage at which the state of the output changes depends on whether the input
voltage increases or decreases. When Vinis between VTUand VTL the state of V can be either VH or
VL , two possible states. The voltage transfer characteristic shows that there is Hysteresis Effect.
Zero Crossing Detector
Zero crossing comparator (ZCD) is an application of voltage comparator. It converts any time
varying signal to square of same time period with amplitude ±Vsat. The reference voltage is set
as zero volts. When the polarity of the input signal changes, output square wave changes polarity.

Circuit Diagram :
i) Zero Crossing Detector Circuit

ii) Comparator Circuit

 iii) Inverting Schmitt Trigger Circuit

Procedure:
1) Connect the circuit according to the circuit diagram.
2) Apply different waveforms to the input terminal of both the circuits.
3) Check and verify the output results.

Data Table :

i) Zero crossing detector Circuit

Sl No Type of Input Vin (peak-to-peak Nature of Output Vout (peak-to- Remarks,

Voltage Vin value) in mV Voltage Vo peak value) in if any
mV
1 Square wave
2 Triangular
wave
3 Sine wave

ii) Comparator Circuit (Vref = 5V)

Sl No Type of Input Vin (peak-to-peak Nature of Output Vout (peak-to-peak
Voltage Vin value) in mV Voltage Vo value) in mV

1 Square wave
2 Triangular wave
3 Sine wave
4 Variable DC

Report :

1) Make the apparatus table.

2) Draw the input and output waveforms on the graph paper.
3) Obtain the transfer characteristics for the Schmitt trigger circuit and draw it on a graph
paper.
4) Justify the transfer characteristics for a square wave as input.
5) If the value of R1 = 1.5k is replaced by 10k resistor, how the transfer characteristics will
change ? Draw the characteristics under the changed condition for a triangle wave as
input.