Practical use of a Schmitt trigger (hysteresis comparator) Select a typical, real-world application where a Schmitt trigger is commonly employed in digital or mixed-signal systems.

Introduction / Context:
A Schmitt trigger is a comparator with hysteresis: it uses two distinct threshold voltages to switch its output, providing noise immunity and clean transitions. It is a staple building block at the interface of analog and digital domains, often included at inputs that receive slowly varying or noisy signals.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Schmitt triggers have separate V_T+ (rising) and V_T− (falling) thresholds.
• They square up sluggish waveforms and reject small, fast disturbances.
• We are to choose a representative, mainstream use case.

Concept / Approach:
Because of hysteresis, the output changes state only after the input crosses a higher threshold on the way up and a lower threshold on the way down. This behavior removes chatter near a single threshold and is ideal for conditioning noisy or slow signals into crisp logic pulses—i.e., pulse shaping.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Datasheets for logic families (e.g., 74HC14) advertise Schmitt-trigger inputs specifically for shaping and noise rejection on slow edges.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

Common Pitfalls:
Assuming any inverter can clean a waveform; without hysteresis, small noise around the threshold causes chatter.

Final Answer:
pulse shaper