Trigger in Flip-Flop with Circuit Diagram in Digital Electronics

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Triggers

A flip-flop state can be changed via a momentary change in its input signal and this momentary change is called trigger. In other words, providing clock pulse on a logical circuit is called trigger. Such flip-flops or devices which change its output state by means of clock pulses or momentary variations, are called triggers. Triggers have following 2 types;

(1). Edge-triggered (this type of trigger is discussed in the previous article).

(2). Schmitt Trigger-its details are as under:

Schmitt Trigger

A device which irrespective of the shape of an input’s waveform, receives input waveform and converts it into a rectangular wave form, is called Schmitt trigger. Schmitt is the name of its inventor. In other words, Schmitt trigger generates rectangular type of vertical output by means of application of a non-rectangular input (i.e. Schmitt trigger generates nearly typical digital signals from noisy and substandard signals). A bistable circuit which is being used to produce rectangular output waveform, is called Schmitt trigger (i.e. it is a switching circuit which consists of an input threshold voltage level. It presents hysteresis and is very useful for rectifying noisy signals)

These types of waveforms are considered ideal in digital circuits, because they tend to rise sharply and also fall back quickly, i.e. the rise and fall time of which is fast. For example, when a computer is logged on, outputs of its gate built inside, keeps changing very quickly from one state to another or it keeps switching from one state to the other. If these signals are viewed via an oscilloscope, it resembles an ideal rectangular shaped waveform as shown in figure 5.29 (a). When these digital signals transmit and subsequently received, it happens to be in quite a decaying condition due to noise, attenuation and other factors. This has been shown in figure (b). Remember that any sort of unpleasant disruption is called noise. And a decline in intensity of any signal or switching of a signal from its actual state, is called attenuation). If these non-rectangular signals are transmitted on a gate or other digital device, an unreliable and indeterminate operation results. Therefore, in such a scenario, a Schmitt trigger is needed which receives these non-rectangular shaped pulses and generates vertical transitions on their low to high state and high to low state, as has been illustrated vide figure (c). In figure 5.30, a Schmitt trigger (mid-point) has been shown wave shaping (i.e. converting non-rectangular wave to a rectangular waveform). On the right side of this figure, a typical digital signal is also visible, the low to high and high to low edges of which are exactly vertical. It means that rise and fall times of this particular signal are very fast i.e. this waveform rises and falls in a very fast manner. The rise and fall time of waveform on the left side of this Schmitt-triggered inverter’s symbol, is quite slow (that’s this waveform rises very slowly and also falls very slowly). If this waveform is provided directly on different types of counters, gates or other digital circuits without using a Schmitt trigger, it will lead to an undependable and unpredictable sort of operation. A Schmitt trigger can restore an input signal to its original state (i.e. digital signal) and thus can render this signal more effective. This process of restoring a signal to its actual form or reshaping of the signal is known as signal conditioning. Therefore, Schmitt trigger has vastly been used in digital circuits for signal conditioning.

Figure 5.29-Schmitt trigger produces rectangular output

Figure 5.30-Schmitt trigger used for wave shaping

We have come to know from the above-mentioned explanation that Schmitt trigger is an electronic circuit, which consists of just two stable states i.e. it has two input threshold voltage levels and its application as a signal conditioning device is extremely beneficial. When Schmitt trigger is applied a sinusoidal (which resembles a sine wave) waveform or a triangular waveform or any other periodic waveform, it produces a rectangular form output, the leading and trailing edges of which are really sharp. As the rise and fall time of this sharply rising or falling waveform is very fast, therefore such waveform is considered very suitable for all types of digital circuits.

In figure 5.31, transfer function (i.e. V₀ vs. V_i) of a Schmitt trigger has been demonstrated. The value of input voltage as a result of which output jumps from low to high, is called positive going threshold voltage V_T+ whereas as result output switches from high to low, is known as a negative going threshold voltage V_T-

5.31-Schmitt trigger transfer characteristic

We know that output can either be high or low. When output is low, in order to produce a switching action, input has to be increased a bit as compared to V_T+.In this way, increasing input voltage V_i as compared to V_T- output switches from low to high (i.e. it moves from low to high) and it retains on this position until V_iinput voltage value is reduced as compared to V_T-. As such, when V_i value is lowered a little as compared to V_T-, output switches back on low state. The arrow marks and dashed lines shown in the figure reflect this switching action.

In figure 5.32, voltage profile of Schmitt trigger inverter TTL 7414 has been represented. In this figure, switching threshold of positive going voltage and negative going voltage have separately been revealed. It is clear from the figure that when input voltage rises above 1.7 volts, output switches towards low state (i.e. output turns low from high) and when input voltage decline below 0.9-volt, output switches from low state to high state (i.e. output turns from low to high). The difference found between these switching voltages (1.7V and 0.9V) is called hysteresis. This hysteresis offers an outstanding noise immunity (i.e. abolishes unpleasant or unwanted interruption in signals) and ensures fast switching. Remember that TTL- 7414 is a hex Schmitt trigger. Hex means a circuit in DIP consisting of six Schmitt triggers as has been illustrated vide figure 5.33. In the figure, hysteresis sign inside each inverter represents trigger’s function.

Figure 5.32-voltage profiles for 7414 TTL Schmitt trigger IC showing switching thresholds

Figure 5.33-Hex Schmitt trigger inverters

In figure 5.34, standard logic symbol of a Schmitt trigger inverter has been demonstrated along with its transfer characteristics. As a result of inversion, this characteristic curve is reverse to the characteristic curve shown in figure 5.32. in this figure too, switching action has been denoted by arrow signs and dashed lines.

Figure 5.34-7414 Schmitt trigger inverters

Apart from TTL- 7414, two other TTL Schmitt triggers 7413 and 74132 are also available. Besides TTL, Schmitt triggers can also be found in CMOS-IC. These include 40106, 4093, 74HC14 and 74AC14 number ICs.

Explanation of Noisy Signals

The hysteresis characteristic of a Schmitt trigger is quite effective for conversion of noisy signals or slow rise time signals to digital signals. In figure 5.35 (a), a noisy signal has been exhibited. If this signal is applied on to a common TTL-7414 inverter, multiple pulses will be produced on its output as can be seen via figure (b). Every time an input signal crosses 7404 threshold voltage, it tends to operate, as a result numerous output transitions are produced. When it is exerted alongside an edge-triggered circuit, it will produce several positive transitions (PTs) and multiple negative transitions (NTs). Schmitt trigger will do away with these redundant multiple transitions. This has been denoted in figure (c). When input rises above V_T+, output turns out to be low. However, this output does not change its condition again until input falls below V_T-. As such, when inputs slashes below V_T-, output turns high once again and it remains high until input exceeds V_T+. As a result of such a continuous operation, output is received in nearly digital signals by means of a Schmitt trigger, as has been illustrated vide figure (c). Remember that another advantage of Schmitt trigger is that its output changes so fast (i.e. switches from low to high or high to low) that it never penetrates into indeterminate or undefined region.