Experiment 3

Schmitt Trigger, Monostable and Astable

Circuits
Priya Singh
180070044
January 31, 2020

1 Overview of the experiment

1.1 Aim
In this experiment we study the characteristics of an op-amp with positive
feedback through three circuit implementations:
1. A Schmitt Trigger adds hysteresis to the input-output transition
threshold with the help of positive feedback. Hysteresis here means
it provides two different threshold voltage levels for rising and falling
edge. We attempt to find the values of threshold voltages VT H and VT L
and observe the shift in threshold voltages when an external voltage Va
is provided in the circuit.
2. Astable Multivibrators give a continuously oscillating output be-
tween the two permissible stable states. As a result, the output is a
square wave. We attempt to find the time period of oscillation of the
output square wave, and observe the effect of changing time constant of
the coupled RC circuit on the time period of the implemented astable
multivrator circuit.
3. Monostable Multivibrators have only one stable state and produce
a single output pulse when triggered externally. We attempt to measure
the pulse width of the generated output pulse.

1
1.2 Methods
The Schmitt Trigger was wired up according to the given circuit diagram
and VT H and VT L were obtained from Vo vs Vin through XY mode of the
oscilloscope. The same process was repeated for Va =3V and the shift in VT H
and VT L was observed by keeping the exact same DSO settings as before.

The Astable Multivibrator circuit was wired up according to the given circuit
diagram and VC and Vo were observed on the oscilloscope. The potentiometer
resistance was varied and the corresponding change in time period of oscil-
lation was clearly visible on DSO.

The Monostable Multivibrator circuit was wired up according to the given

circuit. The push button was pressed triggering the circuit and the output
pulse width was easily observed on the DSO output.

In this experiment we have implemented all the above mentioned circuits

using the OpAmp IC741. The connections were realized on a breadboard,
input was given through an AFG and input-output waveforms were observed
on a DSO.

2 Schmitt Trigger

Figure 1: Schmitt Trigger

2
 Schmitt trigger is an electronic circuit with positive feedback which holds
the output level till the input signal to comparator is higher than the thresh-
old. It converts a sinusoidal or any analog signal to digital signal. It exhibits
hysteresis by which the output transition from high to low and low to high
will occur at different thresholds.

Consider Figure 1, writing equation at V+

 
R1
V+ = (Vo − Va ) + Va (1)
R1 + R2
Since circuit has positive feedback, Vo1 can only be either +Vsat or −Vsat .
Due to the two zener diodes, Vo will be limited to ±(5.6+0.7) = 6.3V . Hence
   
R1 R2
V+ = ± Vo + Va (2)
R1 + R2 R1 + R2
Now, let us assume Vin in increasing from a large negative value. As long as
V+ > Vin , Vo =+Vsat . Thus we get
   
R1 R2
VT H = Vo + Va (3)
R1 + R2 R1 + R2
Now if Vin in decreasing from a large positive value. As long as V+ < Vin ,
Vo =−Vsat . Thus we get
   
R1 R2
VT L = − Vo + Va (4)
R1 + R2 R1 + R2

2.1 Va = 0V
Input Values: Vin = 12Vpp , 1kHz (From AFG), VCC = 15V
=⇒ Vsat = 15V

Theoritical:
Substituting values in (3) and (4), we get VT H = 3.15V and VT L = −3.15V

Experimental:
We observe that output voltage is limited to 12.8Vpp , which gives |Vo | limited
to 6.4V . Substituting this in (3) and (4) we get
VT H = 3.2V and VT L = −3.2V

3
 (a) Input and Output Waveform

(b) Vo vs Vin

Figure 2: Waveforms for Va = 0V

2.2 Va = 3V
Input Values: Vin = 12Vpp , 1kHz (From AFG), VCC = 15V
=⇒ Vsat = 15V

Theoritical:
Substituting values in (3) and (4), we get VT H = 4.65V and VT L = −1.65V

Experimental:
From Vo vs Vin of the two cases for Va = 0V and Va = 3V , we see the graph

4
shifting right by approximately 1.5V in Figure3. from
 equations (3) and (4)
R2
we observe that this shift is due to the term R1 +R2 Va . Hence the values
of VT H and VT L get increased by 1.5V each from the Va = 0V case. Thus
VT H = 4.7V and VT L = −1.7V

(a) Vo vs Vin for Va = 0V

(b) Vo vs Vin for Va = 3V

Figure 3: Vo vs Vin waveforms

5
3 Astable Multivibrator
Astable Multivibrators are non-sinusoidal oscillators that have no stable state
and the output continuously oscillates between two permissible states. As a
result, the output is a square wave. These multivibrators do not require any
kind of external triggering, except the DC supply.

Figure 4: Astable Multivibrator

3.1 Theoritical Time Period

 
Vm + VT
Period of oscillation =2τ ln (5)
Vm − VT
where τ = RC
C = 0.1µF
Vm = 5.6 + 0.7V = 6.3V
VT = 3.15V

For maximum time period, potentiometer at 10kΩ resistance and R = 11kΩ.

On substituting values in (5), maximum time period = 2.24ms

For minimum time period, potentiometer at 0Ω resistance and R = 1kΩ.

On substituting values in (5), minimum time period = 224.6µs

6
3.2 Observations

Figure 5: Output when the potentiometer is at maximum resistance

Figure 6: Output when the potentiometer is at minimum resistance

7
3.3 Observation Table

Potentiometer Value(kΩ) Theoretical Period Experimental Period

10 202.4µs 224.6µs
0 2.24ms 2.012ms

Table 1: Observation table for Astable Multivibrator

3.4 Explanation
When the potentiometer is set to its minimum, i.e the value of resistance
offered by the potentiometer is close to 0Ω and the time constant of the
coupled RC circuit is greater causing the width of each pulse to reduce as
the capacitor does not have sufficient time to charge. As potentiometer
resistance increases, the time period increases.

4 Monostable Multivibrator

Figure 7: Monostable Multivibrator

8
4.1 Theoritical Pulse Width
2V 0
 
Pulse Width = τ ln (6)
V 0 − VT H
where τ = RC
R = 100kΩ
C = 100µF
V 0 = 15V
VT H = 3.15V
On substituting values in (6), pulse width = 9.29ms

4.2 Observations

Figure 8: Pulse generated by monostable multivibrator

The Oscilloscope was adjusted so that VC and Vo have the same Volts/div
scale and the same ground traces.

9
 Figure 9: Measurement of pulse width

The duration of the pulse was measured using cursors on the DSO. The
experimental value of pulse was found to be 9.6s.

4.3 Explanation
The circuit is in its stable state in the beginning, the push button is the
released state, the capacitor is charged to +2V 0 and the input voltage V− for
the Schmitt trigger is Vo = Vm where Vm = VZ + Von
Now, the push button is pressed and released. Closing the button almost
instantaneously discharges the capacitor, Vc becomes 0V and V changes to
V as a result of which the output Vo goes to +Vm . We consider the time of
pressing of the push button to be negligible.
When the push button is released, the capacitor starts charging. When V
crosses VT H , the output changes to +Vm . The capacitor continues to charge,
and in about five time constants, we have once again the original stable state
that we originally started with.

10
5 Conclusion
1. For the Schmitt Trigger: At Va = 0V , VT H = 3.2V and VT L = −3.2V .
At Va = 3V , VT H = 4.7V and VT L = −1.7V .

2. For the Astable Multivibrator: minimum time period = 224.6µs and

maximum time period = 2.24ms.

3. For Monostable Multivibrator: Pulse Width = 9.6s.

6 Observations and Inferences

• In the Schmitt Trigger, increase in Va from 0 to 3V shifts the hysteresis
curve rightward.

• The output voltage of the Schmitt Trigger is limited by using a Zener

diode pair to reduce the output current to a reasonable value.

• The faint lines in the Schmitt Trigger hysteresis curve intensify with
increase in frequency.

• In the astable multivibrator circuit, at low values of potentiometer

resistance, the Vo graph is curvilinear and distorted. The switch in
value doesn’t take place instantaneously.

11