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LM2903: Is it a good idea to keep large resistors in feedback path of a comparator circuit?

Part Number: LM2903
Other Parts Discussed in Thread: LM111

Dear Team,

I was seeing a comparator circuit designed with LM2903. The circuit diagram is given below. It is working as expected in simulation.

In the feedback path you can see a 1 MΩ resistor.

My questions are:

  1. Is it a good idea to put large resistors in feedback path?

  2. Will this increase the noise pick up, because a large resistor in feedback path creates a high impedance node.

Everything works perfectly on a LTspice, but I wanted to check a few things before finalizing the board layout, and came across a TI application note which says in paragraph 6:

It is a standard procedure to use hysteresis (positive feedback) around a comparator, to prevent oscillation, and to avoid excessive noise on the output because the comparator is a good amplifier for its own noise. In the circuit of Figure 2, the feedback from the output to the positive input will cause about 3 mV of hysteresis. However, if the value of Rs is larger than 100Ω, such as 50 kΩ, it would not be reasonable to simply increase the value of the positive feedback resistor above 510 kΩ.

However, it doesn't say why a high value feedback resistor is "not reasonable".


I can definitely see good hysteresis behavior's with the 1M resistor in simulation

So, what is the drawback of High value resistor?

  • Hello Hari,

    The application note was written for the LM111, which has very high input bias currents. Because of these currents, the "Rs" needed to be fairly small values. If you are using a 100 ohm Rs, after 510k, the ratio is so large that it may not even make a difference.

    For "modern" CMOS inputs, the value of Rs is typically in the 1k to 100k range, so feedback resistors in the 100k to 5M range are NOT uncommon.

    So your 1M is fine. As with any high-impedance circuit, keep the feedback resistor as close to the comparator and keep the output traces away from the inputs.

    Your circuit looks fine. Just remember to keep the input voltage below VCC-2V, or 3V on your 5V supply.