BMSINSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT

(An Autonomous Institute under Visvesvaraya Technological University, Belagavi)

Yelahanka, Bangalore – 560 064

DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRONICS AND COMMUNICATION

ENGINEERING

OPEN ENDED EXPERIMENT

PEAK VALUE DETECTOR

Analog Electronics
21ECL38A

Submitted By:

Swaroop N (1BY21EC158)

COURSE CO – ORDINATOR

DR. Dankan Gowda V

2022-2023
Abstract

Peak Detector is a circuit which is used to detect the peaks of the applied input signal. It
basically follows the input voltage and stores the peak voltage. It employs a diode
and capacitor to implement this function. The application of multisim to construct and
simulate a working model further will help us to understand the working of peak value
detector
Table of Contents
Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 5
Application of Precision Rectifier .......................................................................................... 8
Peak Detector ............................................................................................................................. 9
Working Principle .................................................................................................................. 9
Improvement in peak detector circuit................................................................................... 12
Application of Peak detector ................................................................................................ 12
Multisim Simulation ................................................................................................................ 13
Conclusion ............................................................................................................................... 14
Reference ................................................................................................................................. 15
List of Figures
Figure 1 : Precision Rectifier ..................................................................................................... 5
Figure 2 : Waveform .................................................................................................................. 5
Figure 3 : Transfer characteristic ............................................................................................... 6
Figure 4: Distorted waveform .................................................................................................... 7
Figure 5 : Precision rectifier with gain ...................................................................................... 7
Figure 6: Peak value detector ..................................................................................................... 9
Figure 7: Output waveform ...................................................................................................... 10
Figure 8 : Peak detector with Waveforms................................................................................ 11
Figure 9 : Improved peak detector ........................................................................................... 12
Figure 10 : Peak detector in Multisim...................................................................................... 13
Figure 11 : Waveforms Multisim ............................................................................................. 14
Introduction
The op-amp circuits used as rectifiers are called precision rectifiers. Usually the AC voltages
below the forward voltage drop of 0.7V of a diode cannot be rectified. To overcome such
problems we use precision rectifiers. The precision rectifier has the capability of rectifying
voltages which are of smaller magnitude than the forward voltage drop. The application of
these diodes is in AM detectors where only information is required in the signal with negligible
power.

Figure 1 : Precision Rectifier

The above figure shows a non-inverting precision rectifier. The diode present here is a precision
diode. When the voltage VI is positive the voltage VOA is also positive. When Vi<0the voltage
VOA becomes negative and hence reverse biasing the diode and making Vo =0.

When the value of input voltage Vi< (cut-in voltage). The diode again becomes reverse biased
as VOA becomes negative. The op-amp then comes to negative saturation. There is no current
through RL and V0= 0.

When the value of input voltage Vi> (cut-in voltage) the circuit acts as voltage follower and
the output voltage follows the input voltage during this positive half cycle of input.

Figure 2 : Waveform
This rectifier works on the same principle i.e conversion of AC to DC but with an op-amp.
This op-amp provides an additional advantage of rectifying the smaller values of the input
voltage which are below 0.7V.

As we take the feedback from the output of the diode and the op-amp compensates for any
voltage drop across the diode the input and output waveforms of the precision rectifier circuits
are equal to the input. The diode behaves as an ideal diode.

Figure 3 : Transfer characteristic

To a first approximation, when the input is positive, the diode is forward-biased. In essence,
the circuit reduces to a simple voltage follower with a high input impedance and a voltage gain
of one, so the output looks just like the input. On the other hand, when the input is negative,
the diode is reverse-biased, opening up the feedback loop. No signal current is allowed to the
load, so the output voltage is zero. Thanks to the op amp, though, the driving source still sees
a high impedance. The output waveform consists of just the positive portions of the input
signal. Due to the effect of negative feedback, even small signals may be properly rectified.
The resulting transfer characteristic is presented. A perfect one-to-one input/output curve is
seen for positive input signals, whereas negative input signals produce an output potential of
zero.

One item to note about Figure 7.2.57.2.5 is the amount of time it takes for the op amp to swing
in and out of negative saturation. This time is determined by the device's slew rate. Along with
the decrease of loop gain at higher frequencies, slew rate determines how accurate the
rectification will be. Suppose that the op amp is in negative saturation and that a quick positive
input pulse occurs. In order to track this, the op amp must climb out of negative saturation first.
Using a 741 op amp with ±15 V supplies, it will take about 26 μs to go from negative saturation
(-13 V) to zero. If the aforementioned pulse is only 20 μs wide, the circuit doesn't have enough
time to produce the pulse. The input pulse will have gone negative again, before the op amp
has a chance to “climb out of its hole”. If the positive pulse were a bit longer, say 50 μs, the op
amp would be able to track a portion of it. The result would be a distorted signal as shown.

Figure 4:Distorted waveform

In order to accurately rectify fast moving signals, op amps with high funity and slew rate are
required. If only slow signals are to be rectified, it is possible to configure the circuit with
moderate gain if needed, as a cost-saving measure. Finally, for negative half-wave output, the
only modification required is the reversal of the diode.

Figure 5 : Precision rectifier with gain

Application of Precision Rectifier

Half wave rectifier

Full wave rectifier

Peak value detector

Clipper and Clamper

Peak Detector

One variation on the basic half-wave rectifier is the peak detector. This circuit will produce an
output that is equal to the peak value of the input signal. This can be configured for either
positive or negative peaks. The output of a peak detector can be used for instrumentation or
measurement applications. It can also be thought of as an analog pulse stretcher.

Peak detector circuits are used to determine the peak (maximum) value of an input signal. It
stores the peak value of input voltages for infinite time duration until it comes to reset
condition. The peak detector circuit utilizes its property of following the highest value of an
input signal and storing it. Rectifier circuits usually provide an output in proportion to the
average value of the input. However, some application requires measurement of the peak value
of the signal. Thus, peak detectors are used.

Figure 6: Peak value detector

Working Principle
The working principle of the circuit is such that, the peak of the input waveform is followed
and stored in terms of voltage in the capacitor.

By the time on moving further, if the circuit detects a higher peak, the new peak value is stored
in the capacitor until it is discharged.

The capacitor employed in the circuit is charged through the diode by the applied input signal.
The small voltage drop across the diode is ignored and the capacitor is charged up to the highest
peak of the applied input signal.

Let us consider initially the capacitor is charged to voltage Vc. The diode employed in the
circuit gets forward biased when the applied input voltage Vin exceeds the capacitor voltage Vc.
Thereby allowing the circuit to behave as a voltage follower. The output voltage follows the
applied input voltage until Vin is more than Vc.

As the input voltage Vin reduces below the value of capacitive voltage Vc, it causes the diode
to get reverse biased. In such condition, the capacitor retains the value until the input again
exceeds the value stored in the capacitor.

Figure 7: Output waveform

As we can see in the waveform shown above, at time t1, the circuit misses the peak of the input
signal as it is less than the previous peak of the input signal. Thereby allowing the capacitor to
hold the value of the previously occurred peak.

As it is a positive peak detector, one can also construct a negative peak detector circuit, that
will hold the lowest or most negative signal voltage. This is basically done
by reversing the polarities of the diode in the circuit

Square, Triangular, Saw tooth and pulse waves are typical examples of non-sinusoidal
waveforms. A conventional AC voltmeter cannot be used to measure these sinusoidal
waveforms because it is designed to measure the RMS value of the pure sine wave. One
possible solution to this problem is to measure the peak values of the non-sinusoidal
waveforms. Peak detector measures the +ve peak value of the square wave input.
 Figure 8 : Peak detector with Waveforms
i) During the positive half cycle of Vin: the o/p of the op-amp drives D1 on. (Forward
biased) Charging capacitor C to the positive peak value Vp of the input volt Vin.

ii) ii) During the negative half cycle of Vin:D1 is reverse biased and voltage across C
is retained.

The only discharge path for C is through RL since the input bias IB is negligible. For proper
operation of the circuit, the charging time constant (CRd ) and discharging time constant (CRL)
must satisfy the following condition.

CRd <= T/10 -eqn 1

Where Rd = Resistance of the forward-biased diode.

T = time period of the input waveform.

CRL >= 10T -eqn 2

Where RL = load resistor.

If RL is very small so that eqn. (2) cannot be satisfied.

• Use a (buffer) voltage follower circuit between capacitor C and RL load resistor.

• R is used to protect the op-amp against the excessive discharge currents.

• Rcomp = minimizes the offset problems caused by input current

 • D2 conducts during the –ve half cycle of Vin and prevents the op-amp from going
into negative saturation.

Improvement in peak detector circuit

Figure 9 : Improved peak detector

As we can see the circuit is comprised of 2 Op-amps. However, the basic circuit of the peak
detector contains only one Op-amp. A high impedance load is offered by the op-amp A1 to the
source. While op-amp A2 performs buffering action in between the load and capacitor. The
same basic principle is applied in this circuit also. The voltage at the output side is the similar
as the peak of the input signal stored in the capacitor. Its working is such that, as the input
voltage becomes higher than the charge stored on the capacitor, it charges itself with the new
higher value of input signal.

However, for a smaller value of the input, the capacitor sticks to the previous higher value. The
diode D2 employed here restricts the output of op-amp A1 from reaching negative saturation.
This basically provides an improvement in the recovery time of op-amp A1 at the condition of
attaining a higher peak than the previous. The two resistances serve as the path for the bias
current of input to A1.To prevent the effect of the offset voltage, the value of the two resistances
R1 and R2 are kept equal.

Application of Peak detector

i) It is used in the analysis of spectral and mass spectrometer.

ii) Peak detector finds its application in destructive testing.
iii) It is used for instrumentation measurement, mostly in amplitude modulated wave
communication.
iv) It widely finds applications in sound measuring instruments.
Multisim Simulation
Aim : To design and simulate peak value detector using precision rectifier.

Objectives

To design and simulate peak value detector and to verify output waveform

Circuit diagram

Figure 10 : Peak detector in Multisim

Output
 Figure 11 : Waveforms Multisim

Conclusion
The working and principle of peak value detector was explained and a multisim simulation of
peak value detector was simulated which further helped us to understand about precision
rectifier and peak value detector. From the above discussion, we can conclude that peak
detectors are used to overcome the disadvantage of ac voltmeter. As the peak of a square,
sawtooth or any random waveform is not measured using ac voltmeter.
Reference
[1] “Peak Detector – Working and Applications” [Online]

https://electricalvoice.com/peak-detector-working-applications/

[2] “Precision rectifier” [Online]

https://www.rcet.org.in/uploads/academics/rohini_82029902861.pdf

[3] James M. Fiore “Precision rectifier” [Online]

https://eng.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Electrical_Engineering/Electronics/Operational
_Amplifiers_and_Linear_Integrated_Circuits_-
_Theory_and_Application_(Fiore)/07%3A_Nonlinear_Circuits/7.02%3A_Precision_
Rectifiers

[4] “Peak Detector”

https://electronicscoach.com/peak-detector.html