LM339 Quad Differential Comparator IC

LM339 is a quad differential comparator IC in which four independent voltage comparators reside inside a single 14- lead package. As it is a comparator IC, therefore it compares the two input values and generates the output depending on the comparison. All the comparators behave independently and hence they can perform different tasks at the same time. LM339 IC is compatible with all logic forms TTL, MOS, and CMOS.

LM339 Pinout

This quad differential comparator IC has fourteen pins. Out of these, three pins are assigned to each comparator. To make a difference, we give different colors to the pins of each comparator. But a common power supply pins use for all comparators.

Pin Description

All the four comparators consist of two input pins and one output pin and a shared positive supply rail and ground.

• Pins4, 6, 8, 10 are the negative inputs
• Pins5, 7, 9, 11 are the positive inputs
• Pins1, 2, 13, 14 are the output pins.
• Pin3 and 12 are power supply pins.

LM339 Working Principle

The working of this differential comparator IC is similar to other comparators. Each COM has three pins. Input pins are inverting (-IN) and non-inverting (+IN). We connect positive input voltage to the non-inverting terminal and a negative input signal to the inverting pin.

• If the voltage at the -IN pin is greater than the +IN and offset voltage pins, the output will be logic zero.
• Similarly, if the voltage at the +IN pin is higher than -IN and offset terminals, the logic high signal will appear at the output pin.

Features

Some of the major features of the LM339 IC are:

• Four comparators have very low noise interference among them.
• Operate from the single power supply as well as dual power supply over a wide voltage range.
• For single-supply operation, the voltage supply value should lie in between +3.0 V to +36 V. In case of dual supply, the range is +18V and -18V.
• It has low input biasing current, offset current and offset voltage.
• This device is compatible with TTL, MOS, and CMOS logic forms.
• It provides a low supply current drain of typically 0.8mA. Its value is independent of voltage supply.
• The common-mode input voltage range within which the IC performs its operation normally includes ground even if regulated from a single power supply voltage.
• The output saturation voltage is typically 130mV at 4mA.

Where to use LM339? 

LM339 IC is a high precision comparator designed to perform its operation using only a single power supply, but you can also use dual power supply if the two requirements are satisfied. Firstly, two power supplies have a difference of 2 V to 36 V between them. And the second one is pin3 should be at least 1.5 V more positive than the input common-mode voltage.

Basically, it gives the digital signal at the output terminal by comparing the two input signals. The output signal determines which input is greater. In the same way, this IC can function as a level detector. This device has a distinct feature of low power drain which makes it well suited for battery operation. In addition to the above-mentioned features, it is handy to use, less expensive and provides good performance.

How to use LM339?

The working principle of this IC is simple. If the inverting pin voltage is greater than the input voltage signal applied at the non-inverting pin, the output will generate a high signal otherwise a low signal.

Zero Crossed Detector Circuit Example

The figure below shows a simple zero cross detector circuit to demonstrate the operation of the LM339 chip. Apply AC signal at the input. Apply zero voltage or connect non-inverting terminal to ground. LM339 IC compares the values of two inputs against each other.

When the AC signal crosses the zero-reference voltage, the output of comparator changes. The diode protects the chip from damage when the input voltage goes below the range specified for common-mode input voltage. The LM339 chip possesses an open collector of a transistor at output pin therefore, we have connected a resistor of 5.1 kΩ as a pull-up resistor.

Equivalent Voltage Comparators

LM139, LM239, LM2901, LM311

Applications

It includes:

• Square wave pulse generation and time delay generation
• Analog to digital conversion of signals
• Voltage Controlled Oscillators
• Peak detectors and in level detection applications
• Measuring instruments
• Transducer Amplifiers

2D Diagram

The dimensions for the 14 pin PDIP package are given in the diagram below.

Datasheet

LM339 Datasheet