Switch bounce in digital systems — Evaluate the claim: “There is no way to eliminate the effects of switch bounce.” Provide the best engineering perspective.

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: Incorrect

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
Mechanical switches do not close once and stay closed; their contacts physically bounce, producing multiple rapid transitions within a few milliseconds. If these transitions are not handled, digital circuits may interpret several presses or releases instead of one. The question asks whether bounce effects can be eliminated from the perspective of a system designer.

Given Data / Assumptions:

  • Bounce time typically spans 1–20 milliseconds depending on switch type.
  • Digital inputs have finite threshold and may trigger on spurious edges.
  • Designers can add hardware or firmware conditioning stages.


Concept / Approach:
While you cannot stop the physics of contacts bouncing, you can eliminate its effects on the digital domain using debouncing. Hardware methods include RC low-pass filters, Schmitt trigger buffers, dedicated debouncer ICs, or synchronous sampling with a flip-flop chain. Software methods sample at intervals and accept a change only if it remains stable for a set debounce interval (e.g., 10–30 ms). The result is a single clean transition recognized by the logic, effectively eliminating bounce effects at the system level.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Apply RC + Schmitt trigger to convert bounces into a monotonic edge.Alternatively, sample the switch in firmware; require stability for N consecutive samples before state change.Synchronize the signal into the system clock domain to avoid metastability.Verify with a scope or logic analyzer that only one clean edge reaches the downstream logic.


Verification / Alternative check:

Experimentally, adding a 10 kΩ/100 nF network and a Schmitt buffer reliably yields a single transition for most pushbuttons.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:

Correct: Suggests inevitability; ignores standard hardware/software debouncing solutions.Only true for toggle switches: All mechanical switches bounce; mitigation applies broadly.True unless Schmitt triggers are used: Schmitt triggers help but often are paired with RC or firmware logic for best results.


Common Pitfalls:

Feeding raw switch signals straight into edge-triggered inputs (counters, clocks).Insufficient debounce interval causing occasional double-detects.


Final Answer:

Incorrect

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