To save potential confusion let me start by saying I just started learning opamp theory about a week ago. I'm currently familiar with inverting, non-inverting, summer, and difference opamps.
My (fairly new) understanding of zero crossing detectors is that when the input signal crosses from positive to negative or vice versa the polarity of output of the opamp will change as well. Essentially it's useful for converting something like a sine wave to a square signal.
If my understanding is correct then what happens if noise is introduced on the input line? I understand better with examples and numbers so let's say I know my noise oscillates over 0v at 100mv peak to peak. How would you account for that?
EDIT: If possible a schematic drawing of a before and after case for handling the noise would be extremely helpful!
Best Answer
Low signal to noise ratio may cause glitches if the device can support sufficient frequency transitions. Also additive noise causes phase noise on zero crossing limiters.
Hysteresis is generally added when the noise cannot be controlled using positive feedback R ratio. This doesn't eliminate the phase noise but will move the crossing threshold in the opposite away from "zero" each time the output hits the peak. Often 1% is considered reasonable for some analog signals 10% for others and 33% for noisy logic interfaces.
For single supply amps, the "zero" crossing is set to Vcc/2 by some method.
One can even use CMOS inverter logic as a limiter (aka slicer, aka zero crossing detector) if the signal is AC coupled and use a self-biasing high R value (1M) as negative feedback.
The other thing about Op Amps is since they have so much gain and high order delay effects they must put in a cap inside to make the Op Amp essentially a 1st order filter for open loop to make it stable with unity gain.
Comparators on the other hand do not have this compensation cap so they work much faster as zero crossing detectors and ECL comparators work over 1GHz as well as current mode logic but using differential current with zero crossing current and differential load resistors.