Digital Circuits III: CIRD 3131

The 74LS14 Schmitt Trigger

David Poulin and Reid Maclean
Objectives
1. To understand the operation of the 74LS14 Schmitt Trigger
2. To build and test circuits using the 74LS14 Schmitt Trigger
Information
Read sections 14.2, and 14.3 from textbook
Lecture notes (fourth chapter)
Be careful in connecting power supply. Connect all the grounds to one point on the broad.
Components
1. Function generator
2. Dual trace oscilloscope
3. DMM
4. 74LS14
5. Suitable resistors and capacitors
Pre Lab Tasks
1. Study the Schmitt trigger hysteresis and its output response by simulating with as shown
below:

2. Write a short about the function of a Schmitt trigger.

3. Explain the meaning of Vt+ and Vt-.

Lab Tasks
PART 1: THE 74LS14 SCHMITT TRIGGER OPERATION

1. With power off, connect a 74LS14 Schmitt Trigger input to a variable 0 to +5V DC
power supply. Look at the schematic diagram for details. Set the supply initially to
0V.

2. Connect the Vcc and gnd pins of the 74LS14 Schmitt Trigger to a fixed +5V DC
supply for normal operation.
3. From the spec sheets, record nominal values of the positive and negative threshold
voltages Vt+ and VtVT+ = ____________

VT- = _____________

4. With power on, measure Vout with Vin = 0V.

VIN = 0V __________

VOUT = ____________

5. Slowly raise the input voltage and record the input voltage and the out put voltage
when the output voltage goes through a sharp change (= Vt+ )
VIN = VT+ __________

VOUT = _____________

6. Next, raise the input to +5V, and then slowly reduce the input voltage and record the
input voltage and the output voltage when the output voltage goes through a sharp
change (= Vt- )
VIN = VT- __________

VOUT = _____________

7. Calculate the hysteresis voltage Vt ________________

8. Based on your results, accurately draw the transfer function graph for the 74LS14
Schmitt Trigger.
Let Vin = +x axis, Vout = +y axis. Note: Refer to the Kleitz text book for details.

9. Explain in detail the operation of the Schmitt trigger in Part 1.

There are two triggers using the 7414.
When the voltage increases at the input from 0 to 5 volts, the output changes from HIGH (5
volts) to LOW (0 volts) when the input voltage reaches approximately 1.7 volts.
When the voltage decreases at the input from 5 to 0 volts, the output changes from LOW to
HIGH when the input voltage is *******************?

PART 2: THE 74LS14 SCHMITT TRIGGER 60 Hz CLOCK PULSE GENERATION

10. With power off, connect the 74LS14 Schmitt Trigger to the secondary side of a
transformer with a 1N749 zener diode, Vz = 4.3V. The Fig below shows circuit details.

11. With power on, measure Vin and Vout of the Schmitt trigger using an oscilloscope.
12. Record the positive and negative peak voltages of Vin and Vout, as well as the on and off
times at the output of the of the Schmitt trigger circuit.
13. Draw accurate graphs of Vin and Vout, one below the other. Label them completely with
peak values, as well as on/off times. Show a minimum of two cycles. Calculate the
period T from the measured times. Calculate the frequency of the output from the period

XSC1
Tektronix
P
G

V1
12.6Vrms
60Hz
0
R2

U1A

R1
1k

1 2 3 4

D1
1N749A

7414N

1k

14. Explain the operation of the 60 Hz clock pulse generator circuit in detail.
When AC input reaches its HIGH threshold level, the output of the Schmitt trigger is high.
When the input voltage reaches its LOW threshold, the output of the Schmitt trigger is high.

PART 3: THE 74LS14 SCHMITT TRIGGER ASTABLE MULTIVIBRATOR CIRCUIT

15. Calculate the frequency of the free running square wave pulse circuit as shown
below. Use the formulae as f = 0.8 / (RC) , where R <= 2 k for the 74LS14.
f = _____________

T = _____________

16. Connect the 74LS14 Schmitt trigger astable multivibrator circuit of fig. 3, and measure
Vc, Vout, ton and toff from the scope.
Vc lower = ____________
ton = ____________

Vc upper = ____________

toff = ____________

Vout = ____________

T = ____________ f =___________

17. Draw accurate graph of the measured of Vc and Vout one below the other. Label them
completely including ton, toff, Vc lower, Vc upper. Show minimum of two cycles.

XSC1
R1
1k

Tektronix
P
G

U1A
C1
1F

1 2 3 4

7414N

Questions
1. From the Kleitz book, do Q. 11-9, 11-10, 11-11, and 11-12.
Questions
11-9

3.6V

Vout

0.2V
Vin

11-10

1.9V

0.7V

11-11