# Schmitt trigger resistance

I was thrown off by a certain website while learning about a op amp Schmitt trigger design. The layout was the same inverting config as the above schematic but gave a confusing answer to calculating high threshold.

Vout=5v high Vout=0v low Vref=5v

For the Vout low hysteresis the calc was:

(R2||R3)/(R1+R2||R3)*Vref

For Vout high hysteresis was

(R3)/(R3+R1||R2)*Vref

Vout low made sense, but if Vout high was 5v I would have thought it would be (R2)/(R2+R3||R1)*Vref.

When I checked online calculator apparently I was correct. Can anyone set the record straight? Thanks.

Low threshold value is indeed

$V_{low} = (R2||R3)/(R1+R2||R3)*V_{ref}$

If the comparator is active high then the hysteresis offset is

$V_{hys} =(R1||R2)/(R3+R1||R2)*V_{OutHigh}$

So

$V_{high} = V_{low} + V_{hys}$

Assuming $V_{ref}$ is low resistance and $V_{OutLow} = 0V$

If the comparator is open collector then

$V_{high} = V_{ref} * R2/(R1+R2)$

• Try multiplying the final formula by Vref (or just see my answer LOL). – Andy aka May 30 '17 at 17:56
• @Andyaka yup, I know, but you didn't add the formula for active high which where I was originally headed.... – Trevor_G May 30 '17 at 17:59
• Thank you both. I suppose what I had in mind which was neglected on the schematic I found (my fault) is a pull up resistor at output to 5v rail. Does that bring R3 into the equation like I had? – Archaeus May 30 '17 at 18:21
• @Archaeus with a pullup R4 add it to R3 in the Vhys equation – Trevor_G May 30 '17 at 18:29
• @Trevor Assuming the active high comparator, the calculator I checked and my formula matches your Vlow+Vhys for Vhigh. Works for me. I'll give you the bump for the different configs in your answer. Cheers. – Archaeus May 30 '17 at 19:16

You are correct in that the formula given is wrong.

For a proper comparator (with open collector output), the upper limit is: -

$\dfrac{V_{REF} \cdot R2}{R1+R2}$

If the device is in fact an op-amp then the upper limit will involve the positive supply rail.

I disagree with the other answers.

• use Vref, R1,R2 to get Veq & Req equivalent series source.

• if Veq is set to output midpoint = input midpoint

• e.g. 2.5V=Veq and Req=1/2*R1
• then Vin(+)= Req/(Req+R3)* |(Vout-Veq)|

• entering your output state for Vout then defines your upper and lower limits, such as 1% and 33%, two common thresholds for different applications.

• also CMOS schmitt gates are high input impedance with 1/3 to 2/3 Vdd thresholds, nom.

• but here with a rail to rail comparator to use 1/3 and 2/3 Vdd for thresholds.(nominal) you set R3=R1=R
• then Vin(+)will have a Vpp hysteresis of 1/3 Vdd centered at Vdd/2

but I could be wrong .. I"m having coffee and carrot cake at an outdoor cafe. But Vin+ is a result of R1,2,3 and Vout and Vref=Vout max

• Lol thanks Tony. The last part made made me chuckle. Enjoy the cake – Archaeus May 30 '17 at 19:17