Square Wave Generator Using Op Amp - Waveforms
Square Wave Generator Using Op Amp - Waveforms
It looks like a comparator with hysteresis (schmitt trigger), except that the input voltage is
replaced by a capacitor. The circuit has a time dependent elements such as resistance and
capacitor to set the frequency of oscillation.
As shown in the Fig. 2.83 the comparator and positive feedback resistors R1 and R2 form an
inverting schmitt trigger.
https://www.eeeguide.com/square-wave-generator-using-op-amp/ 1/5
4/26/2020 Square Wave Generator Using Op amp | Waveforms
When Vo is at +Vsat, the feedback voltage is called the upper threshold voltage VUT and is
given as
When Vo is at -Vsat, the feedback voltage is called the lower-threshold voltage VLT and is given
as
https://www.eeeguide.com/square-wave-generator-using-op-amp/ 2/5
4/26/2020 Square Wave Generator Using Op amp | Waveforms
When power is turn ON, Vo automatically swings either to +Vsat or to -Vsat since these are the
only stable states allowed by the schmitt trigger. Assume it swings to +Vsat. With Vo = +Vsat we
have – Vp = VUT and capacitor starts charging towards +Vsat through the feedback path
provided by the resistor Rf to the inverting (-) input. This is illustrated in Fig. 2.84 (a). As long as
the capacitor voltage VC is less than VUT, the output voltage remains at +Vsat.
As soon as VC charges to a value slightly greater than VUT, the (-) input goes positive with
respect to the (+) input. This switches the output voltage from +Vsat to -Vsat and we have Vp =
https://www.eeeguide.com/square-wave-generator-using-op-amp/ 3/5
4/26/2020 Square Wave Generator Using Op amp | Waveforms
VLT , which is negative with respect to ground. As Vo switches to -Vsat, capacitor starts
discharging via Rf, as shown in the Fig. 2.84 (b).
Frequency of Oscillation:
The frequency of oscillation of Square Wave Generator Using Op amp is determined by the
time it takes the capacitor to charge from VUT to VLT and vice versa. The voltage across the
capacitor as a function of time is given as
where
https://www.eeeguide.com/square-wave-generator-using-op-amp/ 4/5
4/26/2020 Square Wave Generator Using Op amp | Waveforms
Let us consider the charging of capacitor from VLT to VUT, where VLT is the initial voltage, VUT
is the instantaneous voltage and +Vsat is the maximum voltage. At t = T1, voltage across
capacitor reaches VUT and therefore equation (3) becomes
The time taken by capacitor to charge from VUT to VLT is same as time required for charging
capacitor from VLT to VUT . Therefore, total time required for one oscillation is given as
The frequency of oscillation can be determined as fo = 1/T, where T represents the time
required for one oscillation.
https://www.eeeguide.com/square-wave-generator-using-op-amp/ 5/5