Republic of Yemen
SANA’A UNIVERSITY
FACULTY OF ENGINEERING
MECHATRONICS ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
Electronics (2)
Experiment NO.6
(Op-Amp As Voltage Comparator)
Prepared by:
Eizaldeen Ameen Hassan Qasem
AC.NO. (202270129)
(Group NO.1)
System:(General)
Supervised by:
Eng. Amjed Al-Shagthah
2023
❖ Abstract:
In this experiment, the performance of a typical op amp will be examined in the open-
loop mode. This circuit is often referred to as a comparator. The investigation will
include the effect of both DC and AC input signals and to study the operation of an
op-amp as a voltage comparator.
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Contents:
❖Introduction:
❖Objectives:
❖Equipments:
❖Theory:
❖Methodology:
❖Procedures:
❖Results:
❖Discussion:
❖Conclusion:
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❖ Introduction:
The comparator is an electronic decision-making circuit that makes use of an
operational amplifiers very high gain in its open-loop state, that is, there is no feedback
resistor. The Op-amp comparator compares one analogue voltage level with another
analogue voltage level, or some preset reference voltage, V and produces an output
signal based on this voltage comparison. In other words, the op-amp voltage
comparator compares the magnitudes of two voltage inputs and determines which is
the largest of the two. We have seen in previous tutorials that the operational amplifier
can be used with negative feedback to control the magnitude of its output signal in the
linear region performing a variety of different functions. We have also seen that the
standard operational amplifier is characterized by its open-loop gain A and that its
output voltage is given by the expression: V = A (V+ – V-) where V+ and V- correspond
to the voltages at the non-inverting and the inverting terminals respectively. Voltage
comparators on the other hand, either use positive feedback or no feedback at all
(open loop mode) to switch its output between two saturated states, because in the
open-loop mode the amplifiers voltage gain is basically equal to A. Then due to this
high open loop gain, the output from the comparator swings either fully to its positive
supply rail, +Vcc or fully to its negative supply rail, -Vcc on the application of varying
input signal which passes some preset threshold value. The open-loop op-amp
comparator is an analogue circuit that operates in its non-linear region as changes in
the two analogue inputs, V+ and V- causes it to behave like a digital bistable device as
triggering causes it to have two possible output states, +Vcc or -Vcc. Then we can say
that the voltage comparator is essentially a 1-bit analogue to digital converter, as the
input signal is analogue but the output behaves digitally.
Figure 1 Comparator Op-Amp Circuit
❖ Objectives:
1. To introduce the concepts of using an operational amplifier as a voltage
comparator.
2. The theory of voltage comparator will be presented along with the design of
several comparator.
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❖ Equipments:
1. 741 op-amp.
2. DC power supply &DMM.
3. Oscilloscope.
4. Triangular Voltage AC.
5. Resistors, and set of wires.
❖ Theory:
0The open-loop voltage gain of the typical op amp is very high, approaching 100,000 at low
frequencies. With such a high gain, even minute differences between the inverting and non-
inverting input signals will be magnified to the point of causing saturation. Thus, if the non-
inverting input signal exceeds the inverting input signal, the output will be at positive
saturation. If the signals are reversed, then negative saturation results. If both inputs are
identical, then the output will go to either positive or negative saturation, depending on the
internal offsets of the op-amp.
Figure 2 Comparator Circuit
❖ Methodology:
• Comparator Reference Voltages:
In theory the comparators reference voltage can be set to be anywhere between 0v and the
supply voltage but there are practical limitations on the actual voltage range depending on the
op-amp comparator being device used.
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Figure 3 Comparator Reference Voltagse Circuit
• Positive Voltage Comparator:
The basic configuration for the positive voltage comparator, also known as a non-inverting
comparator circuit detects when the input signal, V is ABOVE or more positive than the
reference voltage, V producing an output at V which is HIGH as shown.
• Non-inverting Comparator Circuit:
n this non-inverting configuration, the reference voltage is connected to the inverting input of
the operational amplifier with the input signal connected to the non-inverting input. To keep
things simple, we have assumed that the two resistors forming the potential divider network
are equal and: R1 = R2 = R. This will produce a fixed reference voltage which is one half that
of the supply voltage, that is Vcc/2, while the input voltage is variable from zero to the supply
voltage. When V is greater than V , the op-amp comparators output will saturate towards the
positive supply rail, Vcc. When V is less than V the op-amp comparators output will change
state and saturate at the negative supply rail, 0v as shown.
Figure 4 Non-inverting Comparator Circuit
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• Negative Voltage Comparator:
The basic configuration for the negative voltage comparator, also known as an inverting
comparator circuit detects when the input signal, V is BELOW or more negative than the
reference voltage, V producing an output at V which is HIGH as shown:
• Non-inverting Comparator Circuit:
In the inverting configuration, which is the opposite of the positive configuration above, the
reference voltage is connected to the non-inverting input of the operational amplifier while the
input signal is connected to the inverting input. Then when V is less than V the op-amp IN
REF IN REF IN REF OUT IN REF 4/10/2020 Op-amp Comparator and the Op-amp
Comparator Circuit https://www.electronics-tutorials.ws/opamp/op-amp-comparator.html
5/12 comparators output will saturate towards the positive supply rail, Vcc. Likewise the
reverse is true, when V is greater than V , the op-amp comparators output will change state
and saturate towards the negative supply rail, 0v. Then depending upon which op-amp inputs
we use for the signal and the reference voltage; we can produce an inverting or non-inverting
output. We can take this idea of detecting either a negative or positive going signal one step
further by combining the two op-amp comparator circuits above to produce a window
comparator circuit.
Figure 5 Inverting Comparator Circuit
• Window Comparator:
A Window Comparator is basically the inverting and the non-inverting comparators above
combined into a single comparator stage. The window comparator detects input voltage levels
that are within a specific band or window of voltages, instead of indicating whether a voltage
is greater or less than some preset or fixed voltage reference point. This time, instead of having
just one reference voltage value, a window comparator will have two reference voltages
implemented by a pair of voltage comparators. One which triggers an op-amp comparator on
detection of some upper voltage threshold, V and one which triggers an op-amp comparator
on detection of a lower voltage threshold level, V . Then the voltage levels between these two
upper and lower reference voltages is called the “window”, hence its name. Using our idea
above of a voltage divider network, if we now use three equal value resistors so that R1 = R2
= R3 = R we can create a very simple window comparator circuit as shown. Also as the resistive
values are all equal, the voltage drops across each resistor will also be equal at one third the
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supply voltage, 1/3Vcc. Then in this simple example, we can set the upper reference voltage to
2/3Vcc and the lower reference voltage to 1/3Vcc. Consider the window comparator circuit
below.
• Window Comparator Circuit:
Figure 6 Window Compaarator Circuit
❖ Procedures:
1. Refer the Pin Diagram of op-amp IC741 & assemble the basic comparator
in non-inverting configuration circuit as per circuit diagram on the
breadboard.
2. Set the DC power supply to provide +VCC & -VEE by making necessary
adjustment & Apply VCC = +15V & VEE =0 at respective pins of op-amp
IC 741.
3. Use the Triangle Voltage to provide 10V (p-p) sine wave at 1kHZ & Apply
this AC input at pin 3(non-INV) of op-amp IC741.
4. Set the DC power supply to provide 5V reference voltage by making
necessary adjustment (Voltage divider or any other comparator reference
voltage method as discussed) & apply this reference voltage signal at pin 2
(INV-IN) of op-amp IC 741. Procedure
5. Observe the output of this circuit on CRO/DSO.
6. Measure the output voltage swing. Note the readings in the observation
table.
7. Plot the output voltage waveforms for Vin and Vout.
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Figure 7 Window Comparator Circuit
Figure 8 Window Comparator Circuit with 5v &1kHz
Figure 9 Window Comparator Circuit with 2v &1kHz
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❖ Results:
Input Voltage Input Voltage Supply Voltage V reference Output Voltage
Amplitude Frequency (Volt) (Volt) Amplitude
(Vp-p) (Hz) (Vp-p)
10 1k 5 5 20
4 1k 5 5 8
The Comparator circuits design output waveforms have been studied.
❖ Discussion:
The experimental results reveal the remarkable capabilities of comparator op-amp circuits in
accurately detecting and comparing input signal levels. The analysis of the comparator's
behavior demonstrated its ability to rapidly switch between two distinct output states based
on the relative magnitudes of the input voltages. This characteristic makes comparator op-
amps highly valuable in applications such as voltage level detection, waveform shaping, and
digital signal processing. The investigation of hysteresis effects showcased the importance of
incorporating feedback resistors to introduce positive feedback, enhancing the stability and
noise immunity of the comparator circuit. The experiment also highlighted the impact of input
voltage levels, with the comparator exhibiting reliable performance within its specified input
voltage range. However, beyond this range, the comparator's output became unpredictable,
emphasizing the need for careful consideration of input voltage limits.
❖ Conclusion:
In conclusion, the experiment underscores the versatility and practicality of comparator op-
amp circuits in numerous applications that require precise voltage level detection and signal
comparison. Understanding the behavior of these circuits, including hysteresis effects and
input voltage limitations, is crucial for optimal performance. Future research can explore
advanced techniques to further improve the speed and noise immunity of comparator op-amp
circuits, expanding their applications in areas such as digital communication systems and
instrumentation.
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