What is the totem-pole?

LU_CS · May 24, 2013

Hi, could anyone explain me what is a totem pole, and how does it works? Please, i need it in a simple and clear explanation.
Thanks:wink:

Audioguru · May 25, 2013

Why don't you look up Totem Pole Output Stage in Google?????
It pulls up and/or it pulls down.

BradtheRad · May 25, 2013

Although a half-bridge is commonly thought of as a totem-pole...

I saw one definition, which said a totem-pole is more properly distinguished, as having two or more components which can permit current to flow through all of them in the same direction.

Example: triple-input 'AND' gate made from transistors:

jamespond · May 25, 2013

Schematics of 3 input NOR gate with totem-pole output:

LU_CS · May 27, 2013

BradtheRad said:
Although a half-bridge is commonly thought of as a totem-pole...

I saw one definition, which said a totem-pole is more properly distinguished, as having two or more components which can permit current to flow through all of them in the same direction.

Example: triple-input 'AND' gate made from transistors:

Hi, would we say that i have a circuit with SG3524, like the datasheet test circuit, for example and i want to feed some LEDs with the pwm from the outputs. What would be the advantage using the totem pole circuit?
thanks :razz:

Tahmid · May 27, 2013

The totem pole can both sink and source current, whereas the SG3524 output can do only one - sink or source. So, you have to rely on a resistor to do the other. If you configure the SG3524 output to sink current, you rely on a pull-up resistor to source current. If you configure the SG3524 output to source current, you rely on a pull-down resistor to sink current. If you use the totem-pole, you don't need to rely on the pull-up/pull-down resistor and that gives you advantage in better current handling, better driving of capacitive loads, MOSFETs, etc.

Hope this helps.
Tahmid.

LU_CS · May 28, 2013

Tahmid said:
The totem pole can both sink and source current, whereas the SG3524 output can do only one - sink or source. So, you have to rely on a resistor to do the other. If you configure the SG3524 output to sink current, you rely on a pull-up resistor to source current. If you configure the SG3524 output to source current, you rely on a pull-down resistor to sink current. If you use the totem-pole, you don't need to rely on the pull-up/pull-down resistor and that gives you advantage in better current handling, better driving of capacitive loads, MOSFETs, etc.

Hope this helps.
Tahmid.

Could you post a schematic of a circuit with the SG3524 and the totem pole, in a manner that could be possible to reproduce in a breadboard?Because i am a beginner on eletronics. Would be very helpful.

What is the totem-pole?

LU_CS

Newbie level 3

Audioguru

Advanced Member level 7

BradtheRad

Super Moderator

LU_CS

jamespond

Member level 5

LU_CS

Newbie level 3

Tahmid

Advanced Member level 6

LU_CS

LU_CS

Newbie level 3

Similar threads

What is the totem-pole?

Newbie level 3

Advanced Member level 7

Super Moderator

Member level 5

Newbie level 3

Advanced Member level 6

Newbie level 3

Similar threads

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency