Course Title – Analog Electronics
Topic Title – SCHMITT TRIGGER
Presenter’s Name – P Ganga Bhavani
Presenter’s ID – IARE 10913
Department Name - ECE
Lecture Number –60
Presentation Date - 03/06/2025
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SCHMITT TRIGGER (Emitter Coupled Binary)
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SCHMITT TRIGGER
•In the Schmitt trigger circuit shown in Fig. 9.12(a), it is seen that the output of the first
transistor is connected to the input of the second transistor through a potential divider
network comprising R1 and R2.
•Normally R1 and R2 are reasonably large resistors so as to avoid loading the collector of
Q1. Further, the emitter resistance RE stabilizes the currents and voltages.
•Note that the second collector and the first emitter are not involved in the regenerative
loop (there is no cross-coupling from the second collector to the first base).
•As long as the battery voltage vi is small, Q1 is OFF. The voltage at this collector is
approximately VCC. This voltage is coupled to the second base through R1 and R2.
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SCHMITT TRIGGER
•Let the input to the transistor Q1 be a sinusoidal voltage
vi = Vm Sin wt
•When vi =0,obviously Q1 is OFF. However Q2 gets adequate base drive from the supply
voltage Vcc and hence it conducts, but it would be conducting in the active region or it may
be driven into saturation.
•Let it be assumed that Q2 is in the active region. The base current IB2 and collector current
IC2 ( = IE2 ) flows through RE.
•Therefore, a voltage VE = IC2* RE is developed in RE.
•Q1 begins to conduct when vi is rises to the voltage VE + Vγ where Vγ is the cut in voltage
of Q1.
•As long as vi < VE + Vγ , Q1 cannot conduct, and Q1 starts conducting when vi =VE + Vγ =
IC2*RE + Vγ .
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SCHMITT TRIGGER
•As Q1 conducts , the potential of its collector terminal C progressively decreases ( due
to increasing IC1* RC1 drop) .and the potential of point B progressively diminishes, with
the result that Q2 becomes OFF.
•This value of the input voltage vi which makes Q1 conduct is termed as Upper trigger
point .It is denoted by V1 .
•where V1 =VE + Vγ = IC2*RE + Vγ
•Now Q2 is OFF and Q1 is ON, for vi >UTP.
•As vi decreases more and more VA decreases, the potential at point C progressively
increases ( i.e as vi decreases , IC1 decreases, volt drop IC1*Rc1 decreases and hence
potential of point C, and hence that of B would increases),eventually
•when Vi=VBE(act) + VE, Q2 starts conducting , and Q1 goes OFF.
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SCHMITT TRIGGER
•The value of the input voltage which makes Q2 conduct again is termed
as Lower trigger point or LTP. It is denoted as V2.
•We have V2= VBE(act) + VE
• = VBE(act)+ IC1*RE
•UTP V1 =IC2RE + Vγ
•LTP V2=VBE(act)+ IC1*RE
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SCHMITT TRIGGER
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SCHMITT TRIGGER
The output of a schmitt trigger is square wave for any form of input.
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Applications of SCHMITT TRIGGER
The main practical application of Schmitt trigger is its use as a
squaring circuit.
Any arbitrary waveform can be converted into an unsymmetrical
square wave, provided the positive amplitude (or positive peak) of
the signal is greater than UTP. Schmitt trigger is used as sine to
square converter.
Schmitt trigger is also used as an amplitude comparator to mark
the instant at which the arbitrary waveform attains a particular
reference level.
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Applications of SCHMITT TRIGGER
Schmitt trigger is used as flip-flop ,with alternative positive and
negative pulses applied to one of the inputs. For this purpose ,
the Schmitt circuit is triggered between its two stable states by
alternate positive and negative pulses.
If the input to Q1 is a voltage V whose value lies between V1 and
V2,and a positive pulse of amplitude exceeding (V1-V) is coupled
to it, Q1 conducts and Q2 is driven into cutoff.
If now a negative pulse of amplitude greater than (V-V2) is
coupled to the input, the circuit reverts to its original state i.e.
Q2 becomes ON and Q1 becomes OFF.
Thus schmitt trigger exhibits the property of a flip-flop .
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