
Application Information
(Continued)
Note that very heavy loading of the comparator output, such
as LED drive or bipolar logic gates, will change the output
voltage and shift the voltage thresholds.
TL/H/12337–9
R
F
n
R
1
and
R
F
n
R
2
FIGURE 4. Positive Feedback for Hysteresis
Without Positive Feedback
(No Hysteresis)
TL/H/12337–10
FIGURE 5
With Positive Feedback
(Hysteresis or Memory)
TL/H/12337–11
FIGURE 6
6.0 Input Protection
If input signals are like to exceed the common mode range
of the LMC7211, or it is likely that signals may be present
when power is off, damage to the LMC7211 may occur.
Large value (100 k
X
to M
X
) input resistors may reduce the
likelihood of damage by limiting the input currents. Since the
LMC7211 has very low input leakage currents, the effect on
accuracy will be small. Additional protection may require the
use of diodes, as shown in Figure 7. Note that diode leak-
age current may affect accuracy during normal operation.
The R-C time constant of R
IN
and the diode capacitance
may also slow response time.
TL/H/12337–12
FIGURE 7
7.0 Layout Considerations
The LMC7211 is not an especially fast comparator, so high
speed design practices are not required. The LMC7211 is
capable of operating with very high impedance inputs, so
precautions should be taken to reduce noise pickup with
high impedance (
E
100 k
X
and greater) designs and in
electrically noisy environments.
Keeping high value resistors close to the LMC7211 and min-
imizing the size of the input nodes is a good practice. With
multilayer designs, try to avoid long loops which could act
as inductors (coils). Sensors which are not close to the
comparator may need twisted pair or shielded connections
to reduce noise.
8.0 Open Drain Output, Dual
Versions
The LMC7221 is a comparator similar to the LMC7211, but
with an open drain output which allows the output voltage to
be different (higher or lower) than the supply voltage. The
open drain output is like the open collector output of a logic
gate. This makes the LMC7221 very useful for mixed volt-
age systems. Many systems will have different voltages for
the analog and microprocessor sections. Please see the
LMC7221 datasheet for details.
The performance of the LMC7211 is available in dual devic-
es. Please see the LMC6762 datasheet for details on a dual
push-pull output device. For a dual device with open drain
outputs, please see the LMC6772 datasheet.
9