Differential Line Receivers Function As Analog

Zero-Crossing Detectors
Electronic Design
Contributing Author
Contributing Author
Mon, 2000-10-02 (All day)
The RS-422 specification requires certain differential line receivers to be able to detect small
differential voltages over a broad common-mode range. Within the recommended common-mode
operating range of 7 to +7 V, these devices are guaranteed to detect input voltage differentials of less
than 200 mV.
Yet the data sheets for such receivers show that their input stages can tolerate differential input
voltages up to 25 V and common-mode input voltages up to 15 V without damage. This allows
these devices to find an alternative usage in a simple analog zero-crossing detector circuit.
This circuit illustrates the simplest configuration (Fig. 1).

In this design, two receivers in the quad-receiver package are connected to detect the zero crossings
of a 10-V analog input signal. Both receivers compare the input signal with ground. One detector
senses when the input signal is more positive than ground. The other detects when the input signal is
more negative than ground.
Features of this circuit include simplicity, speed, and the fact that it eliminates any requirement for
analog power supplies. It has sufficient deadband for noise rejection as well as adequate precision and
repeatability for detection applications (i.e., detecting the sign of an analog speed-control signal for
motors).
Testing shows, however, that the two differential receiver channels do not switch at exactly 0.00 V.
With a typical DS3486 device, the positive detector switches at about 0.015 V. The negative detector
switches at approximately -0.010 V. This results in a deadband of 25 mV around 0 V.
The RS-422 specs require only that switching occurs somewhere within a 200-mV region around 0
V. For this reason, chip designers have considerable latitude in implementing their circuit. Therefore,
be aware that RS-422 receiver ICs from different manufacturers will have individual thresholds and
hysteresis behavior. While too little hysteresis allows oscillation to occur, too much hysteresis

requires more elaborate zero-detection logic. Using this circuit for comparison testing, we found that
the detection thresholds varied a few millivolts from one DS3486 channel to the next.
Through the use of additional resistors, the detection thresholds can be adjusted to balance the
detection region around 0 V (Fig. 2).

With the resistor from pin 1 to ground, the positive detector threshold is made more positive. The
resistor from the input to pin 7 forces the negative detector threshold to become more negative.
Typical values are shown for 25-mV detection using National's DS3486 parts. Trimpots can also be
used to provide in-circuit adjustment.