Triangular Wave Generator Using Op amp:
We have seen that, the output of integrator is a Triangular Wave
Generator Using Op amp if its input is a square wave. This means
that a Triangular Wave Generator Using Op amp can be formed by
simply connecting an integrator to the square wave generator as
shown in the Fig. 2.85.
Basically, triangular wave is generated by alternatively charging and
discharging a capacitor with a constant current. This is achieved by
connecting integrator circuit at the output of square wave
generator. Assume that V’ is high at +V sat. This forces a constant
current (+Vsat/R3) through C (left to right) to drive Vo negative
linearly. When V’ is low at -V sat, it forces a constant current (-V sat/R3)
through C (right to left) to drive Vo positive, linearly. The frequency
of the triangular wave is same as that of square wave. This is
illustrated in Fig. 2.86. Although the amplitude of the square wave is
constant (± Vsat), the amplitude of the triangular wave decreases
with an increase in its frequency, and vice versa. This is because the
reactance of capacitor decreases at high frequencies and increases
at low frequencies.
In practical circuits, resistance R 4 is connected across C to avoid the
saturation problem at low frequencies as in the case of practical
integrator as shown in the Fig. 2.87.
To obtain stable triangular wave at the output, it is necessary to
have 5R3 C2 > T/2, where T is the period of the square wave input.
Another triangular wave generator, which requires fewer
components, is shown in the Fig. 2.88.
It consists of a comparator (A) and an integrator (B). The output of
comparator A is a square wave of amplitude ± V sat and is applied to
the inverting (-) input terminal of the integrator B. The output of
integrator is a triangular wave and it is feedback as input to the
comparator A through a voltage divider R2 R3.
To understand circuit operation, assume that the output of
comparator A is at + Vsat . This forces a constant current (+ V sat/R1)
through C to give a negative going ramp at the output of the
integrator, as shown in the Fig. 2.88. Therefore, one end of voltage
divider is at a voltage +Vsat and the other at the negative going
ramp. When the negative going ramp reaches a certain value -V ramp,
the effective voltage at point p becomes slightly below 0V.
As a result, the output of comparator A switches from positive
saturation to negative saturation (-V sat). This forces a reverse
constant current (right to left) through C to give a positive going
ramp at the output of the integrator, as shown in the Fig. 2.89.
When positive going ramp reaches + V ramp, the effective voltage at
point p becomes slightly above 0V. As a result, the output of
comparator A switches from negative saturation to positive
saturation (+Vsat). The sequence then repeats to give triangular wave
at the output of integrator B.
Amplitude and Frequency Calculations:
The frequency and amplitude of the Triangular Wave Generator
Using Op amp wave can be determined as follows :
When comparator output is at +V sat, the effective voltage at point P
is given by
When effective voltage at P becomes equal to zero, we can write
above equation as,
Similarly, when comparator output is at -V sat ,we can write,
The peak to peak amplitude of the triangular wave can be given as
If | +Vsat| = |-Vsat| then, we can write
The time taken by the output to swing from – V ramp to + Vramp (or from
+ Vramp to – Vramp) is equal to half the time period T/2. Refer Fig. 2.89.
This time can be calculated from the integrator output equation as
follows :
Substituting value of Vo(pp) we get,
Therefore, the frequency of oscillation can be given as,
