[sdiy] Is this a comparator?

[Roy J. Tellason]

On Wednesday 31 October 2007 09:44, Tom Bugs wrote:
> Hiya D
>
> Yeah, you want a comparator first and then use the output squarewave of
> the comparator to open/close an audio switch (4000 series or DG one for
> decent bipolar).

You appear to not be considering that the output of a typical comparator is an 
open-collector transistor that can shunt a signal to ground (excepting the 
311 which also has an open emitter as well).  Have a look here for some good 
basic info on these:

http://home.cogeco.ca/~rpaisley4/Comparators.html

> Depending on the app you may need some hysteresis or smoothing on the
> comparator -- are you treating audio or control signals?

What that would affect is the filtering done to whatever signal is fed into 
the comparator in the first place -- to get the "signal level".  Otherwise 
it's all the same.

-- 
Member of the toughest, meanest, deadliest, most unrelenting -- and
ablest -- form of life in this section of space,  a critter that can
be killed but can't be tamed.  --Robert A. Heinlein, "The Puppet Masters"
-
Information is more dangerous than cannon to a society ruled by lies. --James 
M Dakin