POSITIVE FEEDBACK

This is accomplished by taking a fraction of the output voltage Vo and applying it

to the (+) input. In figure (a), output voltage Vo divides between R1 and R2. A fraction of
Vo is fed back to the (+) input and creates a reference voltage that depends on Vo.

(a). Upper Threshold Voltage

(b). Lower Threshold Voltage

UPPER THRESHOLD VOLTAGE
In figure (a) above, output voltage Vo divides between R1 and R2. A fraction of is
fed back to the (+) input. When Vo = +Vsat , the fed back voltage is called the upper
threshold voltage expressed from the voltage divider as
VUT = [ R2 / (R1 + R2)] x (+Vsat)

For Ei values below VUT, the voltage at the (+) input is above the voltage at the (-) input.
Therefore, Vo is locked at +Vsat.
If Ei is made slightly more positive than VUT , the polarity of Ed as shown, reverses
and Vo begins to drop in value. Now the fraction of Vo fed back to the positive input is
smaller, so Ed becomes larger. Vo then drops even faster and is driven quickly to Vsat.
The circuit is then stable at the condition shown in figure (b) above.
LOWER THREHOLD VOLTAGE
When VLT is at VLT , the voltage fed back to the (+) input is called lower threshold
voltage VLT and is given by
VLT = [ R2 / (R1 + R2)] x (-Vsat)
Note that VLT is negative with respect to ground. Therefore, Vo will stay at Vsat as long
as Ei is above, or positive with respect to, VLT. Vo will switch back to + Vsat if Ei goes more
negative than, or below VLT.
NON-INVERTING VOLTAGE LEVEL DETECTOR WITH HYSTERESIS
The positive feedback resistor from output to (+) input indicates the presence of
hysteresis in the circuit. Ei is applied via R to the (+) input, so the circuit is noninverting.
(Note that must be a low impedance source or the output of either a voltage follower
or an op amp). The reference voltage is applied to the op amps (-) input.
The upper and lower threshold voltages can be found from the following
equations:
VUT = Vref ( 1 + 1/n) (-Vsat /n)
VLT = Vref ( 1 + 1/n) (+Vsat /n)
Hysteresis voltage is expressed by
VH =VUT -VLT = [ ( + Vsat ) (-Vsat)] / n
In zero crossing detectors, VH is centered on the zero volts reference. For the
circuit given, VH is not centered on but is symmetrical about the average value of VUT and
VLT. This avereage value is called center voltage Vctrand is found from
Vctr = (VUT + VLT)/2 = Vref+(1+ 1/n)

(a). The ratio of nR to R or n and Vref, determines VUT, VLT , VH , and Vctr
+Vo and Ei
VUT = 12 V+Vsat
VLT =V8H V
=4V0

Vctr = 10 V
Vref = 8.82 V
t

-Vsat
- Vo
+ Vo
+Vsat
0
-Vsat

b). Vo and Ei versus time

Vo vs. Ei
Vref 8.82 V
Vctr = 10 V
VLT 8
VUT = 12 V
V

- Vo

VH = 4 V

(c). Vo versus Ei

INVERTING VOLTAGE LEVEL DETECTOR WITH HYSTERESIS

If Vref and Ei are interchanged, the result is the inverting voltage level detector
with hysteresis. The expression for VUT and VLT are
VUT = [n / (n+1)]( Vref) + + Vsat /(n+1)
VLT = [n / (n+1)]( Vref) + - Vsat /(n+1)
Vctr and VH are then found to be
Vctr = (VUT +VLT)/2 = [ n /(n+1)] Vref
VH = VUT VLT = {(+ Vsat) (-Vsat)} / (n+1)
Note that Vctr and VH both depend on n and therefore are not independently
adjustable.
+

(a). The ratio of nR to R or n and VUT determines VUT , VLT , VH , and Vctr
VUT = 12 V+Vsat
VLT =V8H V
=4V0

Vctr = 10 V
Vref = 8.82 V
t

-Vsat
- Vo
(b). Vo and Ei versus time

+ Vo
+Vsat
0
-Vsat

Vo vs. Ei
Vref 8.82 V
Vctr = 10 V
VLT 8
VUT = 12 V
V

- Vo

VH = 4 V

(c). Vo versus Ei

VOLTAGE LEVEL DETECTOR WITH INDEPENDENT ADJUSTMENT OF

HYSTERESIS AND CENTER VOLTAGE
The circuit in the figure below is a noninverting voltage level detector with
independent adjustment of hysteresis and center voltage. In this circuit, the center
voltage Vctr is determined by both resistor mR and the reference voltage Vref. Voref can be
either supply voltage +V or V. Remember that the op amps supply voltage is being
used for a lower parts count. Hysteresis voltage VH is determined by resistor nR. If
resistor nR is adjustable, then VH can be adjusted independently of Vctr. Adjusting
resistor mR adjusts Vctr without affecting VH. Note that the signal source, Ei , must be a

low impedance source. The key voltages are shown in the figure and are designed or
evaluated from the following equations:
VUT = -(- Vsat)/n - Vref /n
VLT = - Vref /m - + Vsat /n
VH = VUT VLT = [(+Vsat) (-Vsat)]/n
Vctr = (VUT+ VLT)/2 = - Vref /m - [(+Vsat) + (-Vsat)]/2n

(a). Comparator with independent adjustments for hysteresis and reference voltage
Vo and Ei
+Vsat
VUT
0
VLT

VH

VCTR

Vo

-Vsat

+Vo
+Vsat
VH
-Ei

VUT

+Ei

VLT
VCTR

Vsat (Vsat)
n
Vref
m

-Vsat
-Vo

(b). Waveshapes for Vo and Ei