MICROPROJECT REPORT
Subject: Electronic Devices and Circuits (EDC)
Square + Triangle Wave Generator Using Op-Amp
(LM741)
Submitted By
[Student Name]
Roll No.: [Roll Number]
Branch: [Branch Name] Semester: [Semester]
Under the Guidance of
[Teacher / Guide Name]
Department of [Department Name]
[College Name]
Academic Year: 2025 - 2026
1. Project Title
Square + Triangle Wave Generator Using Op-Amp (LM741)
Application Area: Waveform generation, signal processing, function generators,
frequency synthesis, analog computing and testing & instrumentation systems.
2. Objective / Problem Statement
The objective of this microproject is to design and simulate a dual-output waveform
generator using two LM741 operational amplifiers. The circuit simultaneously produces
a square wave (from a Schmitt trigger oscillator) and a triangle wave (from an
integrator stage), without requiring any external input signal.
This project covers the following key concepts of Electronic Devices and Circuits:
• Op-amp operation in open-loop (comparator/Schmitt trigger) and closed-loop
(inverting integrator) configurations.
• Self-oscillation using positive feedback in a Schmitt trigger — generating a
square wave from DC supply alone.
• Mathematical integration by op-amp — converting a square wave into a triangle
wave using an RC feedback network.
• Role of RC time constants in controlling the oscillation frequency of the circuit.
• Practical verification of output waveforms using a dual-channel oscilloscope in
Tinkercad simulation.
The circuit was designed and verified using the Tinkercad online circuit simulator. Both
output waveforms were observed simultaneously on two oscilloscopes, confirming
correct operation.
3. List of Components and Equipment Used
Sr. Component / Specification Qty. Purpose / Role in Circuit
Equipment
1 Op-Amp IC (U1, U2) LM741 2 Schmitt trigger oscillator (U1) +
Integrator (U2)
2 Resistor R1 100 kΩ, 1/4W 1 Positive feedback — sets hysteresis
for Schmitt trigger
3 Resistor R2 47 kΩ, 1/4W 1 Sets upper and lower threshold
switching voltages
4 Resistor R3 47 kΩ, 1/4W 1 Timing resistor — controls oscillation
frequency
5 Resistor R4 10 kΩ, 1/4W 1 Input resistor for the integrator stage
6 Resistor R5 1 MΩ, 1/4W 1 Parallel to C2 — prevents DC
drift/output saturation
7 Capacitor C1 10 nF 1 Timing capacitor — sets frequency
with R3 (~1 kHz)
8 Capacitor C2 100 nF 1 Integrating capacitor — converts
square to triangle wave
9 Breadboard Full-size 1 Virtual platform for assembling the
Sr. Component / Specification Qty. Purpose / Role in Circuit
Equipment
circuit
10 DC Power Supply ±12V dual 1 Powers both LM741 ICs (V+ and V-)
11 Oscilloscope Dual channel 2 Displays square wave (CH1) and
triangle wave (CH2)
12 Connecting Wires Various colors — Interconnects all components on the
breadboard
4. Circuit Diagram
The circuit consists of two cascaded op-amp stages as described below:
Stage 1 — Schmitt Trigger Oscillator (U1 / LM741):
U1 is wired as a non-inverting Schmitt trigger with positive feedback through R1 (100
kΩ) from output (Pin 6) back to IN+ (Pin 3). Resistor R2 (47 kΩ) from Pin 3 to GND
sets the upper threshold (VUT) and lower threshold (VLT). The RC timing network (R3
= 47 kΩ, C1 = 10 nF) charges and discharges continuously between VUT and VLT,
causing U1 output to switch between +Vsat and -Vsat — producing a square wave at
approximately 1 kHz.
Stage 2 — Inverting Integrator (U2 / LM741):
U2 is configured as an inverting integrator. The square wave output of U1 is applied to
IN- (Pin 2) of U2 through input resistor R4 (10 kΩ). Capacitor C2 (100 nF) in the
feedback path (Pin 2 to Pin 6) integrates the constant voltage portions of the square
wave, generating a linearly rising and falling output — the triangle wave. R5 (1 MΩ) in
parallel with C2 provides a DC feedback path to prevent output saturation. IN+ (Pin 3)
is connected to GND as reference.
Frequency of oscillation: f = R2 / (4 x R1 x R3 x C1) = 47k / (4 x 100k x 47k x 10n)
= ~1 kHz
Fig. 1 — Tinkercad Circuit Simulation: Square + Triangle Wave Generator
5. Hardware Implementation
The circuit was fully assembled and tested using the Tinkercad online circuit simulation
platform ([Link] The following implementation steps were carried
out:
• Two LM741 op-amp ICs (U1 and U2) were placed on a virtual full-size
breadboard, each straddling the center gap.
• A dual ±12V DC power supply was connected: +12V to Pin 7 (V+) and -12V to
Pin 4 (V-) of both ICs.
• Stage 1 (Schmitt Trigger): R1 (100 kΩ) connected from Pin 6 to Pin 3; R2 (47
kΩ) from Pin 3 to GND; R3 (47 kΩ) + C1 (10 nF) from Pin 6 to Pin 2.
• Stage 2 (Integrator): R4 (10 kΩ) connected from U1 Pin 6 to U2 Pin 2; C2 (100
nF) and R5 (1 MΩ) in parallel between U2 Pin 2 and Pin 6; U2 Pin 3 to GND.
• Oscilloscope 1 probe connected to U1 Pin 6 to observe the square wave output.
• Oscilloscope 2 probe connected to U2 Pin 6 to observe the triangle wave output.
• Both oscilloscope GND terminals connected to the circuit GND rail.
Fig. 2 — Tinkercad breadboard implementation of the complete circuit
6. Results and Output Verification
Upon starting the simulation in Tinkercad, both oscilloscopes displayed stable and
clearly defined waveforms, confirming the correct operation of the circuit. The results
are presented below:
Fig. 3 — Oscilloscope Output: Left = Square Wave (U1), Right = Triangle Wave (U2)
Observations:
• Left oscilloscope (CH1) showed a clean, symmetric square wave switching
between approximately +10.4V and -10.4V at ~1 kHz.
• Right oscilloscope (CH2) showed a smooth, symmetric triangle wave at the
same frequency (~1 kHz), confirming correct integration.
• The triangle wave was 180 degrees phase shifted (inverted) compared to the
square wave — expected behavior of an inverting integrator.
• Time base was set to 5.00 ms/div on both oscilloscopes — approximately 5
complete cycles were visible per screen division.
• No clipping, noise, or distortion was observed, confirming stable and correct
circuit operation within supply limits.
Result Summary:
Parameter Square Wave Triangle Wave Remarks
Waveform Type Square Triangle Both generated
simultaneously
Frequency ~1 kHz ~1 kHz Same — integrator
preserves frequency
Peak Amplitude ~±10.4 V ~±6 V Triangle amp. = sq.
amp. × RC factor
Phase Shift Reference (0°) 180° (inverted) Due to inverting
integrator
Time Period ~1 ms ~1 ms T = 1/f
7. Conclusion
This microproject successfully demonstrated the design, simulation, and verification of
a dual-output square and triangle wave generator using two LM741 op-amp ICs on the
Tinkercad platform. The following conclusions are drawn:
• The Schmitt trigger oscillator (U1) reliably generated a stable square wave at
approximately 1 kHz without any external AC input — confirming the principle of
self-oscillation through positive feedback.
• The inverting integrator (U2) correctly converted the square wave into a smooth
triangle wave, validating the mathematical integration property of op-amps.
• Both waveforms were simultaneously observed on two oscilloscopes, verifying
the dual-output functionality of the design.
• The experimental frequency closely matched the theoretical value calculated
using the formula, confirming proper component selection.
• The project strengthened practical knowledge of op-amp configurations, RC
timing networks, feedback systems, and oscilloscope-based waveform analysis.
This circuit finds real-world use in function generators, audio synthesizers, PWM
circuits, analog signal processing, and electronic testing equipment. The use of
Tinkercad as a simulation tool proved highly effective for circuit design, testing, and
waveform visualization without requiring physical hardware.