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I have the following schematic. This is a NE555 connected to have a frequency around 10k at a 90% duty cycle.

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This is my simulated output:

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This is my real output at 555_out.

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My understanding is that the diode D3 should stop the voltage reversal here. I am unsure what model of diode I am currently using, only that it is 15V and I have it facing the proper direction.

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What else can I do to reduce this "voltage reversal"? Please let me know what other information I can provide. My main concern is that I do not know the model name of the diode and hence have no access to the datasheet.

HFOrangefish
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2 Answers2

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To me, this looks like ringing due to inductive loading from the oscilloscope probe.

Generally, oscilloscope probes act like an RC low-pass filter:

enter image description here

Source: https://www.allaboutcircuits.com/technical-articles/an-introduction-to-oscilloscope-probes/

However, using a long lead for the ground connection (i.e., an alligator clip lead) introduces an inductance between the ground of the scope and the DUT:

enter image description here

(Excuse my paint skills)

The alligator lead in question :

enter image description here

This unwanted inductance alongside the capacitance of the scope and the compensating capacitance of the probe will act as an LC filter that has a resonant frequency of:

\$ f_{osc} = \frac{1}{2\pi\sqrt{LC}} \$

If your signal's rise time is faster than \$ f_{osc} \$ or rather its equivalent period, you will see oscillations after each transition. You can see that the amplitude of the ringing (in your case) is much greater on a falling edge than on a rising edge. Since the latter is much slower than the former. (I'm basing this remark on the line breaks on the falling edges is 1 break while on the rising edge it's 4 breaks).

Solution

To compensate this problem, you can use the compensation capacitor of the probe to decrease \$ C_{Comp} \$ and thus increase \$ f_{osc} \$. To do that, refer to your oscilloscope manual. But generally, it's a common procedure across all vendors. For example : Compensating the Probes

Or use a better ground connection: this answer discusses that

Te next part is not part of the answer to your question, but I thought it's nice to know.

On a different note: Using the inductive loading to your advantage

You can use this inductance introduced by the ground lead to make an antenna for picking up interferences from other devices/boards.

Rahmany
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As pointed out by @Rahmany ...
For example, here are simulations that "explain" somewhat the behavior of the scope probes, and the "problem" of "long" ground clip (L1 10nH (/cm?) -> 160 nH).

Transient Analysis

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AC Analysis

enter image description here

Antonio51
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