Sample and Hold Circuit

Definition: The Sample and Hold circuit is an electronic circuit which

creates the samples of voltage given to it as input, and after that, it holds

these samples for the definite time. The time during which sample and

hold circuit generates the sample of the input signal is called sampling

time. Similarly, the time duration of the circuit during which it holds the

sampled value is called holding time.

Sampling time is generally between 1µs to 14 µs while the holding time

can assume any value as required in the application. It will not be wrong

to say that capacitor is the heart of sample and hold circuit. This is

because the capacitor present in it charges to its peak value when the

switch is opened, i.e. during sampling and holds the sampled voltage

when the switch is closed. The diagram below shows the circuit of the

sample and hold circuit

Circuit Diagram of Sample and Hold Circuit

The diagram below shows the circuit of the sample and hold circuit with

the help of an Operational Amplifier. It is evident from the circuit

diagram that two OP-AMPS are connected via a switch. When the switch

is closed sampling process will come into the picture and when the switch

is opened holding effect will be there.

The capacitor connected to the second operational amplifier is nothing

but a holding capacitor.

Significance

Now, you all are aware that what is the sample and hold circuit. But what

are the driving forces which have turned us in the direction to use the

sample and hold circuit? To understand this, we need to enter into

communication realm. We all know digital communication is better than

analogue communication, but why? What is wrong with analogue

communication?

The noise interference is the real culprit. It makes analogue

communication less efficient and less reliable. Thus, in digital

communication, we need digital signals. But naturally, all the signals are
analogue. This is the turning point where we need a sample and hold

circuit.

With the help of sample and hold circuit we can take samples of the

analogue signal, followed by a capacitor. It holds these sample for a

particular period. As a consequence of this, a constant signal is generated

this can be converted into the digital signal with the help of analogue to

digital converters.

Working of Sample and Hold Circuit

The working of sample and hold circuit can be easily understood with the

help of working of its components. The main components which a sample

and hold circuit involves is an N-channel Enhancement type MOSFET,

a capacitor to store and hold the electric charge and a high precision

operational amplifier.
 The N-channel Enhancement MOSFET will be used a switching

element. The input voltage is applied through its drain terminal and

control voltage will be applied through its gate terminal. When the

positive pulse of the control voltage is applied, the MOSFET will be

switched to ON state. And it acts as a closed switch. On the contrary,

when the control voltage is zero then the MOSFET will be switched to

OFF state and acts as the open switch.

When the MOSFET acts as a closed switch, then the analogue signal

applied to it through the drain terminal will be fed to the capacitor. The

capacitor will then charge to its peak value. When the MOSFET switch is

opened, then the capacitor stops charging. Due to the high impedance

operational amplifier connected at the end of the circuit, the capacitor will

experience high impedance due to this it cannot get discharged.

This leads to the holding of the charge by the capacitor for the definite

amount of time. This time can be referred as holding period. And the

time in which samples of the input voltage is generated is called

sampling period.

The output processed by operational amplifier during the holding period.

Therefore, holding period holds significance for OP-AMPS.

Input and Output Waveforms

The waveforms as described in the diagram clearly depicts the picture. It

is evident from the waveform of the sample and hold circuit, that during

the ON duration what will be the voltage at the output. During the OFF

duration the voltage that exists at the output of OP-AMP.

Connections

The connection diagram helps us to build a better understanding about the

input voltage and control voltage and how they are applied to the

OP-AMP. The capacitor used should be versatile so that it does possess

any leakage. The capacitor made of Teflon and polyethylene will be

appropriate to achieve our desired purpose.

In the connection diagram, you can see that LF 398 is written, that is

nothing but the special architecture IC for sample and hold circuit.

The crucial point to be noted here is the frequency of analog input signal

and control signal. To maintain the efficiency of the sample and hold

circuit it is very important to observe the frequency. The frequency of

the control voltage should be greater than the frequency of input

voltage so that the analog signal can be sampled twice in a complete

cycle.
Functional diagram

With the help of this diagram, we can easily interpret that how a sample

and hold circuit functions.

Performance Parameters

 Acquisition Time (TAC): The time required by the capacitor to get

the charge of the input voltage applied to the sample and hold

circuit. It is referred as acquisition time.

1. Aperture Time (TAP): The aperture time can be defined as the

time required by the capacitor to change its state from sampling to

holding. Due to the propagation delay of switches, even after the

hold command is given the capacitor still keeps on charging for the

short duration of time. This is nothing but aperture time.

2. Voltage Droop: The voltage droop is the voltage drop down in the

capacitor due to leakage of charge by a capacitor. Ideally, we

require capacitors which do not possess any leakage, but it is not

possible practically. No matter how good quality material we use

there will be some voltage drop.

3. Hold Mode Settling Time: After the generation of hold commands,

the analogue input voltage which is used by the capacitor for

 charging takes some time to settle completely. This is called Hold

Mode settling time.

Application of Sample and Hold Circuit

1. Data Distribution System

2. Sampling Oscilloscopes

3. Data Conversion System

4. Digital Voltmeters

5. Analog Signal Processing

6. Signal Constructional Filters

This completes the detailed description of the sample and hold circuit.

Thus, in simple terms sample and hold circuit generates the samples of

the analogue input signal and holds the latest sampled values for definite

time and reflects it at the output.

Function Generators

A function generator is a signal source that has the capability of

producing different types of waveforms as its output signal. The most

common output waveforms are sine-waves, triangular waves, square

waves, and sawtooth waves. The frequencies of such waveforms may be

adjusted from a fraction of a hertz to several hundred kHz.

Actually, the function generators are very versatile instruments as they

are capable of producing a wide variety of waveforms and frequencies. In

fact, each of the waveforms they generate is particularly suitable for a

different group of applications. The uses of sinusoidal outputs and

square-wave outputs have already been described in the earlier Arts. The

triangular-wave and sawtooth wave outputs of function generators are

commonly used for those applications which need a signal that increases

(or reduces) at a specific linear rate. They are also used in driving sweep

oscillators in oscilloscopes and the X-axis of X-Y recorders.

Many function generators are also capable of generating two different

waveforms simultaneously (from different output terminals, of course).

This can be a useful feature when two generated signals are required for a

particular application. For instance, by providing a square wave for

linearity measurements in an audio-system, a simultaneous sawtooth

output may be used to drive the horizontal deflection amplifier of an

oscilloscope, providing a visual display of the measurement result. For

another example, a triangular-wave and a sine-wave of equal frequencies

can be produced simultaneously. If the zero crossings of both the waves are

made to occur at the same time, a linearly varying waveform is available

which can be started at the point of zero phase of a sine-wave.

Another important feature of some function generators is their capability

of phase-locking to an external signal source. One function generator may

be used to phase lock a second function generator, and the two output

signals can be displaced in phase by an adjustable amount. In addition,

one function generator may be phase locked to a harmonic of the

sine-wave of another function generator. By adjustment of the phase and

the amplitude of the harmonics, almost any waveform may be produced

by the summation of the fundamental frequency generated by one

function generator and the harmonic generated by the other function

generator. The function generator can also be phase locked to an accurate

frequency standard, and all its output waveforms will have the same

frequency, stability, and accuracy as the standard.

The block diagram of a function generator is given in the figure. In this

instrument, the frequency is controlled by varying the magnitude of the

current that drives the integrator. This instrument provides different types
of waveforms (such as sinusoidal, triangular and square waves) as its

output signal with a frequency range of 0.01 Hz to 100 kHz.

The frequency controlled voltage regulates two current supply sources.

Current supply source 1 supplies a constant current to the integrator

whose output voltage rises linearly with time. An increase or decrease in

the current increases or reduces the slope of the output voltage and thus

controls the frequency.

The voltage comparator multivibrator changes state at a predetermined

maximum level, of the integrator output voltage. This change cuts-off the

current supply from supply source 1 and switches to the supply source 2.

The current supply source 2 supplies a reverse current to the integrator so

that its output drops linearly with time. When the output attains a pre-

determined level, the voltage comparator again changes state and

switches on to the current supply source. The output of the integrator is a

triangular wave whose frequency depends on the current supplied by the

constant current supply sources. The comparator output provides a square

wave of the same frequency as output. The resistance diode network

changes the slope of the triangular wave as its amplitude changes and

produces a sinusoidal wave with less than 1% distortion.

7-Segment Display

Segment Displays contain LEDs arranged in a specific fashion such that,

various characters or shapes can be displayed, by turning ON selective

segments in different combinations. Shape of the LED is rectangular (to

appear as a segment).Generally, these are used to display numbers. As of

now, alpha-numeric characters can also be displayed using 16-Segment

display.

The seven segments displays are the oldest yet one of the efficient types

of display used in embedded applications. This display has nothing more

than 8 LED inside it. These 8 LEDs are separated into each segments

which can be named as a,b,c,d,e,f,g,DP as shown in the picture above.

These entire 8 segment LEDs have one end of their pins pulled out of the

module as shown above and the other ends are connected together and

pulled out as the Common pin. So to make an LED of a particular

segment glow we just have to power common pin along with the segment

pin. This way we can power more than one segment at a time to represent

the numeric number 0-9 and also few Alphabets as shown on the graphic

image below. We also have an option to show a decimal point using the

DP pin.

As discussed in the Features there are many options to choose for a

7-segment display. There many different types of size and colours to

select from. The default and most commonly used / available one is the

14.20mm with Red colour display as show in the above animation. If you

are planning to make your project look out of the box, then other colour

display can also be used. Also note that as size and colour differs the

amount of current consumed by the display will also differ. The Red

colour one is universally used since it consumes less current than other

colours.

Now, there is another important parameter which you have to concentrate

before buying this module. That is either a Common Anode display or a

Common Cathode display. We cannot use a circuit/program designed for

Common Anode display for Common Cathode or vice versa.

Common Cathode (CC) 7 Segment Display

The common cathode display is commonly called CC display. In this type

the common pin on the 7-segment display is connected to all the eight

Cathode pins of the LEDs. So In order to make this type of seven

segment display to work we should connect he Com pin to the Ground

pin and power the other pins with Vcc (+5V typically).

Common Anode (CA) 7 Segment Display

The common anode display is commonly called CA display. In this type

the common pin on the 7-segment display is connected to all the eight

Anode pins of the LEDs. So In order to make this type of seven segment

display to work we should connect he Com pin to the Vcc (+5V typically)

and ground the required segment pin to turn it on.