East West University

Project Report
Semester: Spring-2025

Course Title: Electronic Circuits Course Code: CSE251

Sec: 04

Project Report: Design of a Triangular wave generator using an

Operational Amplifier for a specified input.

Group No: 01

Group Members:

Student Name Student Id

Tonmoy Kumar Shil 2023-1-60-069
Purnendu Bhowmik Shuvro 2023-1-60-085
Anisha Anjum 2023-1-60-103
Shahed Ahmed Faysal 2023-1-60-107

Submitted to-
Dr. Sarwar Jahan
Associate Professor
Department of Computer Science & Engineering
East West University
 Design of a Triangular wave generator using an Operational
Amplifier for a specified input.

Fig - 1

Fig.1 shows a design process of a Triangular wave generator circuit. The design
process includes two design segments (a square wave generator & a triangular wave
generator) to get the final output Vo (V). Use a 10Vpp sinusoid as input and
operational amplifiers to the design. Design the circuit components, implement, and
finally test the circuit. [Note that, for design purposes, the values of the resistors
should not exceed more than 10kΩ.]

………………………………………………………………………………………

Objective:
The objective of this project is to design and analyze a triangular wave generator
circuit using op-amps that takes a 10V peak-to-peak sinusoidal input and outputs a
triangular waveform, by utilizing a two-stage process: first generating a square wave,
then integrating it to form a triangular waveform.
Theory:

A triangular wave generator typically consists of two interconnected op-amp stages:

a comparator (for generating a square wave) and an integrator (for converting the
square wave into a triangular waveform).

➢ Square Wave Generator (Comparator with Hysteresis): In this stage, an op-

amp is configured as a comparator. It compares the input sinusoidal voltage
with a reference voltage. When the sinusoidal input crosses the reference
voltage, the output of the op-amp switches states, resulting in a square
waveform. To enhance stability and noise immunity, positive feedback is added
to create a Schmitt trigger configuration, which introduces hysteresis. This
ensures clean transitions and prevents unwanted oscillations due to noise.

➢ Triangular Wave Generator (Integrator): The square wave output from the
comparator is then fed into an op-amp configured as an integrator. This circuit
includes a resistor at the input and a capacitor in the feedback loop. The
integrator mathematically integrates the square wave, producing a linearly
increasing and decreasing voltage over time, which forms a triangular
waveform.

➢ Biasing: Proper biasing ensures that the transistor operates in the active
region, where it can amplify signals effectively. The voltage divider formed
by the base resistors (R1 and R2) sets the initial bias voltage for the transistor.

➢ Coupling Capacitors: Capacitors are used at the input and output to block
DC components while allowing AC signals to pass through. This prevents
interference with the biasing of the transistor and ensures only the desired
signal is amplified.

➢ Frequency Response: The frequency response of the amplifier depends on

the coupling and bypass capacitors as well as the resistances in the circuit.At
lower frequencies, capacitive reactance increases, reducing gain, while at
higher frequencies, parasitic effects may come into play.
Circuit Description:

Input: 10V peak-to-peak sinusoidal signal

Block 1: Square Wave Generator

● Op-amp: 741
● R1 =1k, R2 = 10kΩ
● Configuration: Comparator with feedback (Schmitt Trigger)

Block 2: Triangular Wave Generator

● Op-amp: 741
● R3 = 100kΩ
● C1 = 0.1 µF
● Configuration: Integrator

Design Considerations:
To design the circuit, the following steps were followed:

1. The op-amps must be powered with a dual supply (±10V) to handle bipolar
output.

2. The feedback resistors R2 and R3 determine the hysteresis (threshold

voltages) of the comparator, which affects the frequency and amplitude.

3. The RC time constant of the integrator (R1C1) determines the slope of the
triangular wave.

4. Component tolerances (especially capacitors) can influence frequency

stability.

5. To maintain waveform symmetry, careful resistor matching and proper

biasing are essential.
PSpice Diagram :

Output:
Equipment and Components Used:

● Operational Amplifiers (LM741)

● Resistors (10,1,100kΩ)
● Capacitor (0.1 µF)
● Function Generator (for 10Vpp sinusoidal input)
● Oscilloscope (to verify waveform)
● Breadboard and Connecting Wires
● Dual Power Supply (±10V for op-amps)

Calculations:

1. Threshold Voltages of Schmitt Trigger:

Given: R2 = 1kΩ, R3 = 100kΩ, Vout swings ±10V

Using voltage divider:

𝑅2 1𝑘
𝑉𝑇𝐻+ = × 𝑉𝑂𝑢𝑡 = × 10𝑉 ≈ 0.098𝑉
𝑅2 + 𝑅3 1𝑘 + 100𝑘

𝑅2 1𝑘
𝑉𝑇𝐻− = × 𝑉𝑂𝑢𝑡 = × −10𝑉 ≈ − 0.098𝑉
𝑅2 + 𝑅3 1𝑘 + 100𝑘

So the square wave toggles at ±0.098V.

2. RC Time Constant of Integrator:

Given: R1 = 10kΩ, C1 = 0.1 µF

𝜏 = 𝑅 × 𝐶 = 10𝑘 × 0.1𝜇𝐹 = 1𝑚𝑠

This defines the slope of the triangle wave:

∆𝑉 𝑉𝑠𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑟𝑒 10
𝑆𝑙𝑜𝑝𝑒 = = = = 10,000𝑉/𝑠
∆𝑡 𝑅𝐶 1𝑚𝑠
3. Frequency of Oscillation (Approx.):

For a triangle wave generator:

1 1
𝑓= = = 250 𝐻
4𝑅𝐶 4 × 10𝑘 × 0.1𝜇𝑓
Observations and Adjustments:

● The square wave output was observed to be sharp and symmetric when tested
with an oscilloscope.
● The triangular wave output followed the expected linear rise and fall.
● Slight variations in waveform symmetry were observed due to component
tolerances.

Adjustments Made:

● Replaced resistors with tighter tolerance versions (1%)

● Adjusted feedback to ensure symmetric output in both stages

Conclusion:

The triangular wave generator circuit was successfully designed, implemented, and
tested. By using a two-stage op-amp configuration, we converted a 10Vpp sine wave
into a triangular waveform. This project demonstrated the practical application
operational amplifiers in waveform generation and reinforced concepts of comparator
and integrator circuits.

The final circuit met all design constraints and functioned as expected.