Schmitt Trigger
A Schmitt trigger is an important electronic device known for two fundamental properties:
Fast Signal Response: It transforms a slowly changing input waveform into a digital output signal with rapid transitions.
Hysteresis: Its voltage-transfer characteristic exhibits different switching thresholds for positive and negative input signals. This hysteresis effect enhances noise immunity and signal stability.
How does Schmitt Trigger work in digital circuit applications
The key components of a Schmitt trigger are the switching thresholds VM+ (for low-to-high transitions) and VM- (for high-to-low transitions), with the hysteresis voltage defined as the difference between these thresholds.
Schmitt triggers find extensive use in converting noisy or slowly varying input signals into clean and reliable digital outputs. They are particularly effective in suppressing signal ringing and achieving sharp output transitions, which can help reduce power consumption by minimizing direct-path currents.
The underlying principle of the Schmitt trigger’s operation is positive feedback. A common CMOS implementation is illustrated in Figure 1. Here’s how it works:
Initial State: Assume that the input voltage Vin is initially at 0, causing the output Vout to be 0 as well. In this state, the feedback loop biases the PMOS transistor M4 to conduct while keeping the NMOS transistor M3 off. The input signal effectively connects to an inverter formed by two PMOS transistors in parallel (M2 and M4) in the pull-up network and a single NMOS transistor (M1) in the pull-down network. This modified transistor ratio in the inverter shifts the switching threshold upwards, making it harder for the input signal to trigger a transition.
Transition: When the input voltage crosses the threshold and the inverter switches, the feedback loop turns off M4, and the NMOS device M3 becomes active. This additional pull-down device accelerates the transition process, resulting in a clean output signal with steep rising and falling edges.
Reverse Transition: The same principles apply when transitioning in the opposite direction (high-to-low). The pull-down network initially consists of M1 and M3 in parallel, while the pull-up network is formed by M2. This arrangement shifts the switching threshold downward to VM-.
Adjustment: To modify the transition thresholds, the sizes of M3 and M4 can be adjusted. For example, to change the low-to-high transition, the width of the PMOS device M4 is varied while keeping the NMOS device M3 constant. The graph in Figure 1 illustrates how the switching threshold increases with different values of k.
In summary, a Schmitt trigger is a valuable component in electronics that utilizes positive feedback to provide noise immunity and rapid transitions, making it ideal for converting varying analog signals into clean digital outputs.
What is hysteresis in the context of a Schmitt trigger?
Hysteresis in a Schmitt trigger is the difference between the switching thresholds for the low-to-high (VM+) and high-to-low (VM-) transitions. It ensures that the Schmitt trigger responds differently to rising and falling input signals, which can help eliminate noise and provide cleaner digital output.
How does a Schmitt trigger help convert a noisy or slowly varying input signal into a clean digital output?
A Schmitt trigger uses its hysteresis property to suppress noise and provide a clean digital output. It responds to slowly changing input signals with fast transitions, and the hysteresis ensures that the output remains stable even in the presence of noise.
What is the “secret” behind the Schmitt trigger concept?
The “secret” behind the Schmitt trigger concept is the use of positive feedback. Positive feedback is utilized to adapt the transistor ratio in a CMOS inverter depending on the direction of the input signal transition. This adaptation results in a shift in the switching threshold and the hysteresis effect.
How is positive feedback achieved in a CMOS Schmitt trigger circuit?
Positive feedback in a CMOS Schmitt trigger circuit is achieved through the use of feedback loops that control the conductive states of PMOS and NMOS transistors. Depending on the initial state of the input signal, the feedback loop biases specific transistors to modify the effective transistor ratio in the inverter, which, in turn, shifts the switching threshold and creates hysteresis.