An Overview of this Category
Amplifier: the electronic part to magnifies the signals and changes their amplitude level with a minor distortion of the original signal.
Comparator: the main purpose of comparing two signals show their difference in strength and output at either one of the two states.
(Little History: The American inventor Lee De Forest (1873–1961) is one of several pioneers of radio development. De Forest experimented with receiving long-distance radio signals and in 1907 patented an electronic device named the audion, which was the first amplifier. De Forest’s new three electrode (triode) vacuum tube boosted radio waves as they were received and made possible what was then called “wireless telephony,” which allowed the human voice, music, or any broadcast signal to be heard.)
The Types of Comparators
1. Standard Comparators: Simple devices that compare two input voltages and output a signal indicating which is higher.
2. Voltage Comparators: Specifically designed to compare voltage levels, often used in threshold detection and signal conditioning.
3. Window Comparators: Output a signal when an input voltage falls within a specified range, used in various monitoring applications.
4. Hysteresis Comparators: Incorporate hysteresis to prevent rapid switching in noisy environments, enhancing stability in applications like zero-crossing detection.
5. Digital Comparators: Compare binary values and output a digital signal indicating the relationship (greater than, less than, or equal).
What are the Common Applications?
Amplifiers commonly can be found in our daily used electronic products, such as wireless communication, headphone drivers, and Microphone Preamplifiers
Comparators are commonly applied in electronic products like Analog-to-Digital Converters (ADCs), Voltage Level Monitoring, Frequency Detection, etc.