Shop OBEX P1 Docs P2 Docs Learn Events
inverting signals — Parallax Forums

inverting signals

ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
edited 2001-10-09 13:54 in General Discussion
Hi there.

I have a circuit that sends out a digital signal, and I need to
invert it. I need to turn the "on" state into the "off" and vice
versa. Is there such a thing as a normally off transistor or mosfet?

Sorry if this is a cryptic or dumb question.

Any advice gratefully accepted.

Mark Allen

Comments

  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2001-10-08 18:02
    Mark,

    There exist "depletion mode" instead of the normal "enhancement mode"
    mosfets. You could also use a logic gate, and/or an op-amp connected in an
    inverting fashion. Also, a BJT NPN transistor would also do the trick as
    the collector is high when the base is low and vice-versa.

    David Fixemer
    Engineering Manager
    Production Technology, L.L.C.
    4701 Innovation Drive, Suite CB105
    Lincoln, NE 68521
    402-472-8239
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2001-10-08 18:12
    Quoting markallen <markallen@c...>:

    > Hi there.
    >
    > I have a circuit that sends out a digital signal, and
    I need to
    > invert it. I need to turn the "on" state into the
    "off" and vice
    > versa. Is there such a thing as a normally off
    transistor or mosfet?
    >
    > Sorry if this is a cryptic or dumb question.
    >
    > Any advice gratefully accepted.
    >
    > Mark Allen
    >
    Yes, there are such things. They are called inverters,
    and usually come six to a package. Thus they are called
    hex inverters.

    Some examples are 7404 in the TTL series, or the 4049
    in the CMOS series.

    Bob
    nienhuis@w...
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2001-10-09 01:09
    On the radio modules I used to send Stamp data to the PC I had to invert the
    signal because the MAX232 inverts it also. I had hooked up a 2N2222
    transistor and an LED to monitor the data from the output of the radio
    module, so I pulled moved my data line to the collector of the transistor
    rather than the radio module. Viola -- inverted signal. You could also do
    this with a gate, but since I already had this done, I used it.

    Original Message

    > I have a circuit that sends out a digital signal, and I need to
    > invert it. I need to turn the "on" state into the "off" and vice
    > versa. Is there such a thing as a normally off transistor or mosfet?
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2001-10-09 13:54
    --- In basicstamps@y..., markallen <markallen@c...> wrote:
    > Hi there.
    >
    > I have a circuit that sends out a digital signal, and I need to
    > invert it. I need to turn the "on" state into the "off" and vice
    > versa. Is there such a thing as a normally off transistor or mosfet?
    >
    > Sorry if this is a cryptic or dumb question.
    >
    > Any advice gratefully accepted.
    >
    > Mark Allen

    A simple NPN transistor (or mosfet) provides inversion very
    naturally. Hook the collector (or drain) to +V (5 volts or whatever)
    via a resistor (try 2K or so), connect the emitter (or source) to
    ground. Connect your signal to the base (or gate) via another
    resistor (larger, maybe 10K or more). Take the output from the
    collector (drain). When the input signal goes high, the output goes
    low, and vice versa. The ground of this circuit and the one providing
    the signal must be connected together. The specific values depend on
    the transistor chosen, so you have to experiment a little to see what
    works.

    This is a simple inverter that costs maybe 20 cents. No ICs required
    unless you want to do 8 of them at a time.

    If you have a computer in the middle of this somewhere (Stamp or
    otherwise), keep in mind that you can just do this in software - no
    hardware is needed at all.
Sign In or Register to comment.