University Of Hargeisa

Faculty Of Engineering
Digital Signal Processing
LABORATORY 1
Sample-and-Hold Circuit

OBJECTIVES

1. To study the ac characteristics of the Sample-and-Hold Circuit.

2. To simulate Sample-and-Hold Circuit using Protues software..

INFORMATION
A sample-and-hold circuit (S/H), or sample-and-hold amplifier (SHA), is the critical part
of most data acquisition systems. It captures an analog signal and holds it during some
operation. When the SHA is in a hold mode, the output is closed. When the SHA is in a
sample mode, also known as a track mode, the output follows the input with a small
offset equal to the hold period. Regardless of the circuit details or type of SHA, all of
such devices have four major components input amplifier, energy storage device, output
buffer, and switching circuit. The input amplifier buffers the input signal by presenting
high impedance to the signal source and providing current gain to charge the hold
capacitor. The energy storage capacitor is the heart of the SHA. The switching circuit and
its driver form the mechanism by which the SHA is alternately switched between track
and hold. In the track mode, the voltage on the hold capacitor follows (tracks) the input
signal through the closed transistor switch. In the hold mode, the switch is opened, and
the capacitor retains the voltage present before it is disconnected from the input buffer.
The output buffer offers high impedance to the hold capacitor to keep the held voltage
from discharging prematurely.

Figure 1.1 The μA741 op-amp package

 Figure 1.2 Sample and Hold circuit
During your pre-lab you must prepare several Protues simulations and plot the input and output
waveforms.
Please refer to the following remarks for Protues circuit set up and simulation:
• For a sine wave signal source (used for simulating the circuits in Figures 1.3 , use a 10Hz
Sine Source from the Protues library. The Sine Source can be found under the
Component menu by selecting Generator mode then Sine Source. Set the required
frequency to F=10(Hz) and the AC Amplitude to A= 2(V) in the model description area
of the signal source.
 For a square wave signal source (for simulating Figure 1.3), use the Pulse Source with the
square setting from the Protues library. The Pulse Source can be found under the
Component menu by selecting Generator mode then Pulse Source.
From the dialog box for the Pulse Source, select SQUARE from the box on the right-
hand side. Set the required amplitude and frequency of the square wave signal by
changing the amplitude, duration and repetition period of the pulse sequence in the model
description area of the square wave signal source. For a 80Hz square signal, set the pulse
parameters as follows: pulse high voltage 5v, pulse width 5msec, period 12.5msec.

 To obtain input and output waveforms for certain circuits, you must run the simulation.

The following Protues simulations and plots of the input and output waveforms must be
prepared for your lab:
1. [1 MARKS] Simulate the Sample-and-Hold Circuit shown in Figure 1.3. Plot both the output
and input waveforms for a sine waveform input signal with Vinp-p=2V at 10Hz.
Figure 1.3 Measurement circuit for sample-and-hold
LAB MEASUREMENTS SHEET – LAB 1
Class _________________________
Group No_____________________
1. Input and Output Waveforms