Hysteresis in electronic circuits: A circuit theorist's perspective

Abstract In this exposition we hope to dispel some common misconceptions about the nature of hysteresis elements are associated with parasitic dynamics in the circuit and therefore should not be considered part of the static characteristics. We examine the Schmitt trigger ciruit, which exhibits hysteresis in its transfer characteristic, and study a neuraltype pulse oscillator, one of a class of oscillators which relies for its operation on diriving point hysteresis. We illustrate the concepts of DC characteristics, the dynamic route, the jump phenomenon and parasitic dynamics. We show how a clear understanding of these ciruit theoretic principles leads to better analysis and synthesis methods for hysteretic cirucits.