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Application Brief
Understanding Schmitt Triggers

Most CMOS, BiCMOS and TTL devices require fast

edges on the high and low transitions of their inputs. Hysteresis
If the edges are too slow, they can cause excessive
current, oscillation, or may damage the device. The solution to these problems is to use a Schmitt
trigger device to translate the slow or noisy edges into
something faster that will meet the input rise and fall
Slow or Noisy Edges
specifications of the following device. A true Schmitt
Slow edges are sometimes hard to avoid at power- trigger does not have rise and fall time limitations.
up or when using push-button or manual switches
Parts with Schmitt trigger action have a small amount
with the large capacitors needed for filtering. Heavily
of hysteresis that helps with noise rejection but
loaded outputs can also cause input rise and fall time
still have an input rise and fall time-limit. These
to be out of specification for the next part down the
parts usually do not have VT specifications in the
line. On a normal (non-Schmitt trigger) input, the part
data sheet and have rise and fall time limitations
will switch at the same point on the rising edge and
specified for the inputs in the recommended operating
falling edge. With a slow rising edge the part will
conditions.
switch at the threshold. When the switch occurs, it will
require current from Vcc. The true Schmitt trigger input has the switching
threshold adjusted where the part will switch at a
When current is forced from VCC, the VCC level
higher point (Vt+) on the rising edge and at a lower
can drop and cause the threshold to shift. When the
point (Vt–) on the falling edge. The difference in these
threshold shifts it will cross the input again causing
switching points is called Hysteresis (^Vt). Here is an
the part to switch again. This pattern can continue
example of Schmitt trigger specs:
causing oscillation, which can cause excessive
current. This pattern can also happen if noise is on
the input. The noise can cross the threshold multiple
times and cause oscillation or multiple clocking.
Table 1. Example of Schmitt Trigger Specs
PARAMETER Vcc MIN MAX UNIT

1.65 V 0.76 1.13

2.3 V 1.08 1.56

VT+ (Positive-going input threshold voltage) 3V 1.48 1.92 V

4.5 V 2.19 2.74

5.5 V 2.65 3.33

1.65 V 0.35 0.59

2.3 V 0.56 0.88

VT– (Negative-going input threshold voltage) 3V 0.89 1.2 V

4.5 V 1.51 1.97

4.5 V 1.88 2.4

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Table 1. Example of Schmitt Trigger Specs (continued)

PARAMETER Vcc MIN MAX UNIT

1.65 V 0.36 0.64

2.3 V 0.45 0.78

ΔVT Hysteresis (VT+ – VT–) 3V 0.51 0.83 V

4.5 V 0.58 0.93

5.5 V 0.69 1.04

It is important to remember (Vt+ max) = Vih and (VT– transistors are partially on. The plot below shows Icc
min) = Vil. In the specs, multiple limits are related across the input voltage sweep.
to the Schmitt trigger inputs. All of the limits are
important for different reasons. On the input rising
edge, the part will switch between (Vt+ min) and (Vt+
max). On the falling edge, the part will switch between
(Vt– max) and (Vt– min). The part will not switch
between (Vt– max) and (Vt+ min). This is important
for noise rejection.
The hysteresis is the delta between where the part
switches on the rising edge and where it switches on
the falling edge. The hysteresis will be at least the min
and no more than the max (^Vt) spec.

Figure 1. Figure 2. Supply Current as a Function of Input

Voltage
In the figure above, the input levels Vih and Vil must
be greater than (VT+ max) and less than (VT– min) Sine Waves
to ensure the part will switch. The switching points on
the above plot are separated to give a clearer visual Use Schmitt triggers to translate a sine wave into a
picture. In reality, the (VT+ min) and (VT– max) may square wave as shown in this oscillator application.
overlap. Also, use Schmitt triggers to speed up a slow or
noisy input, or clean up an input, as in the switch
de-bouncer circuit.
Input Voltage
One common misconception is that the current
consumption will be less when switching a slow signal
into a Schmitt trigger. This misconception is partly true
because the Schmitt trigger prevents oscillation which
can draw a lot of current; however, the Icc current
may still be higher due to the amount of time the input
is not at the rail. This is Delta Icc. Delta Icc is where
the inputs are not at the rails and upper or lower drive

2 Understanding Schmitt Triggers SCEA046A – SEPTEMBER 2011 – REVISED NOVEMBER 2022

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Figure 6. Clean Noisy Signals

Figure 7. Convert Slow Edges

Figure 3. Oscillator Application Using Schmitt
Trigger Inverter We specify the part will switch on the rising edge
between (VT+ min) and (VT+ max). We specify the
part will switch on the falling edge between (VT– max)
and (VT– min).
Between (VT+ min) and (VT– max), we specify the
part will not switch. This specification can be used for
noise rejection. These 2 limits can overlap.
We specify a minimum amount of hysteresis as delta
VT min.
• Vih = (VT+ max)
• Vil = (VT– min)
Texas Instrument Schmitt trigger functions are
available in most all technology families from the 30
year old 74XX family to the latest AUP1T family.
Figure 4. Switch De-bouncer Using Schmitt These two Schmitt-trigger functions are available in
Trigger Inverter most families:
• 14 for inverting Schmitt trigger
Conclusion • 17 for non-inverting Schmitt trigger

Schmitt triggers can be used to change a sine wave Texas Instrument also has a complete line of little
into a square wave, clean up noisy signals, and logic products with Schmitt trigger inputs.
convert slow edges to fast edges. Configurations
SN74LVC1G57, SN74LVC1G58, SN74LVC1G97,
SN74LVC1G98, SN74LVC1G99 SN74AUP1G57,
SN74AUP1G58, SN74AUP1G97, SN74AUP1G98,
SN74AUP1G99
Low to High Translators
SN74AUP1T02, SN74AUP1T04, SN74AUP1T08,
SN74AUP1T14, SN74AUP1T157, SN74AUP1T158,
Figure 5. Sine Wave to Square Wave
SN74AUP1T17, SN74AUP1T32, SN74AUP1T86

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