Low-component-count zero-crossing detector is Low-Power - 03/14/13 EDN Design Idea A simple opto-coupled circuit produces a logic level output
signal synchronized to the power line. There are many circuits published showing zero-crossing detectors for
use with 50- and 60-Hz power lines. Though the circuit variations are plentiful, many have shortcomings. This
Design Idea shows a circuit that uses only a few commonly available parts and provides good performance with
low power consumption. In the circuit shown in Figure 1, a waveform is produced at VO with rising edges that
are synchronized with the zero crossings of the line voltage, VAC. The circuit can be easily modified so that
it produces a falling-edge waveform that is synchronized with VAC. [by Carlos Castro-Miguens]
Mains Synchronization Has Two Separate Outputs for Each Half-Period
- 03/22/13 EDN Design Idea Generate independent short pulses at positive- and
negative-going AC mains zero crossings. Often a measurement of weak signals has to be performed in the
presence of strong interference from the ac power mains. If the interfering signal cannot be filtered out,
then you can still obtain a clean result by making two consecutive measurements separated in time by an odd
number of half-periods of the mains and calculating the average of the two measurements. The interfering
signals have opposite polarities in consecutive measurements, and averaging cancels them out. If you average
several consecutive pairs of measurements, the results will improve still further. [by Dusan Ponikvar]
Mains-Driven Zero-Crossing Detector Uses Only A FeW High-Voltage Parts
- 12/01/11 EDN Design Idea You can get isolation with low power consumption using this
simple circuit. The circuit in this Design Idea generates a zero-crossing pulse off the ac mains and provides
galvanic isolation. The falling edge of the output pulse happens at approximately 200 μsec before the zero
crossing. You can use the circuit to safely stop the triggering of a thyristor gate, giving it time to
properly turn off. The circuit generates short pulses only when the mains voltage is approximately 0V,
thereby dissipating only 200 mW at 230V and a 50-Hz input. [by Luca Matteini, Agliana, Italy]
Paralleling decreases autozero-amplifier noise by a factor of two - 06/07/07 EDN Design Idea By simply paralleling four Amplifiers of a quad auto-zero
amplifier, you can decrease output noise by a factor of two [by Marián Štofka, Slovak University of
Technology, Bratislava, Slovakia]
Sample-And-Hold Amplifier Holds the Difference of Two Inputs - 07/24/08EDN Design Idea You can fulfill a requirement for sampling the difference of two
signals in two classic ways. You can subtract the two input signals with an instrumentation Amplifier whose
output connects to an input of a classic sample-and-hold [by Marián Štofka, Slovak University of
Technology, Bratislava, Slovakia]
Self Powered Sine to Square Wave Converter
- Converts sine to square waves without a power-source Useful as a test instrument for audio
purposes [Flavio Dellepiane's web site]
Synchronization Has Two Separate Outputs for Each Half-Period
- 03/22/13 EDN Design Idea Generate independent short pulses at positive- and
negative-going AC mains zero crossings. Often a measurement of weak signals has to be performed in the
presence of strong interference from the ac power mains. If the interfering signal cannot be filtered out,
then you can still obtain a clean result by making two consecutive measurements separated in time by an odd
number of half-periods of the mains and calculating the average of the two measurements. The interfering
signals have opposite polarities in consecutive measurements, and averaging cancels them out. If you average
several consecutive pairs of measurements, the results will improve still further. [by Dusan Ponikvar]
Time-tag impulses with zero-crossing circuit - 01/24/02 EDN Design Idea A "constant-fraction discriminator" usually performs the
time-tagging of impulsive events, which have a peaking time of the signal Amplitude. The implementation of
this technique requires a delay in the input signal of approximatel [by Elio Rossi, Itesre-CNR,
Bologna, Italy]
Wide Band Zero Cross
Detector
- This circuit was designed to convert a
low Amplitude 40KHz signal into a clean square wave signal. It will work with inputs as small as 5mv
peak-to-peak or as large as 3 volts peak to peak. The input frequency can range from a few kilohertz to about
150[. . . Circuit by David Johnson P.E., 02/18/06]
Yield
Accurate Absolute Values
- 07/05/01 EDN Design Idea
The circuit in Figure 1 delivers the absolute value of the input signal with an accuracy better than 10 ppm
of the full-scale range. The circuit has low zero-crossing error. You can use it as an asynchronous
demodulator, as a source [by Marco Pisani, Istituto di Metrologia G Colonnetti, Turin, Italy]
Zero-Cross Detector-Wide Band - This circuit was designed to convert a low Amplitude 40KHz signal into a clean square wave
signal. It will work with inputs as small as 5mv peak-to-peak or as large as 3 volts peak to peak. The input
frequency can range from a few kilohertz to about 152[ . . . Hobby Circuit designed by Dave Johnson P.E.,
02/18/06]
Zero-Crossing Circuit Avoids
AC Noise
- To properly control AC sources using
solid-state devices, you need a pulse to signal the start of the AC’s rising edge. Most of the time, however,
tremendous noise levels plague power lines. There needs to [Nick Ierfino, Concordia University-Circuit
Designer]
Zero-Crossing Detector - [Advanced Linear Devices, Inc]
Zero-Crossing Detector Uses Only A FeW High-Voltage Parts - 12/01/11 EDN Design Idea You can get isolation with low power consumption using this
simple circuit. The circuit in this Design Idea generates a zero-crossing pulse off the ac mains and provides
galvanic isolation. The falling edge of the output pulse happens at approximately 200 μsec before the zero
crossing. You can use the circuit to safely stop the triggering of a thyristor gate, giving it time to
properly turn off. The circuit generates short pulses only when the mains voltage is approximately 0V,
thereby dissipating only 200 mW at 230V and a 50-Hz input. [by Luca Matteini, Agliana, Italy]