Jännitekomparaattori

Jännitekomparaattori, or voltage comparator in English, is an electronic circuit that compares two input voltages and produces an output signal indicating which voltage is greater. It essentially acts as a simple digital switch, outputting a high or low voltage depending on the comparison result. The circuit typically consists of operational amplifiers or dedicated comparator integrated circuits. When the voltage at one input, often designated the non-inverting input, exceeds the voltage at the other input, the inverting input, the output swings to a high voltage level. Conversely, if the voltage at the inverting input is higher than at the non-inverting input, the output swings to a low voltage level. This basic function makes jännitekomparaattori a fundamental building block in many electronic systems. Applications include threshold detection, signal conditioning, analog-to-digital conversion, and oscillation generation. They are crucial for tasks where a digital decision needs to be made based on analog voltage levels. The speed of operation is a key characteristic, with some comparators designed for very fast switching.