DEPARTMENT OF TECHNICAL

EDUCATION
ANDHRA PRADESH
Name of the participant : K.Ramprasad
Designation : Lecturer
Branch : A.E.I.E
Institute : QQ.G.P.T, old city, Hyderabad
semester : v semester
subject : LIC applications
sub code : AEI-505
Topic : wave form generators
Duration : 100Mts
Sub -Topic : Basic square wave generator
using 555 timer IC.
Teaching Aids : PPT, Animations

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 Recap

In last class we have studied about

• Block diagram of 555 timer IC

• Operation of 555 timer IC

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 Objectives:

Upon the completion of this topic the student will

be able to learn about

• 555 timer IC

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SQUARE WAVE GENERATOR
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 Limitations
R R
% duty cycle of Astable multivibrator = A
100
B

R  2R
A B

The duty cycle of square wave generator is 50%

As per above equation
RA = 0 , by shorting , ‘RA ‘ % duty = 50 %
But when RA=0, terminal 7 is connected directly to vCC

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• Capacitor discharges through RB & Q1 (pin 7)

• An extra current is supplied to Q1 by Vcc

through a short between terminal 7 & +Vcc

It will damage Q1 & hence the timer

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 Solution

Without reducing RA=0

The Astable multivibrator can be used to produce a

square wave output

By simply connecting a diode ‘D’ across resistor ‘RB’

as shown in figure

The capacitor ‘c’ charges through ‘RA’ & Diode to 2/3

Vcc

It discharges thorugh RB & terminal 7 (Q1

transistor)
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• Discharges until the capacitor voltage stands
approximately 1/3 Vcc

• Then the cycle repeats

• RA must be a combination of fixed resistor and

potentiometer

• By adjusting the potentiometer we can obtain exact

square wave

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 Summary

In this class we have discussed about square

wave generator using 555 timer IC

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 Quiz

1. Square wave generator duty cycle must be

a) 25%
b) 10%
c) 50%
d) 90%

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 Assignment

1. Design a square wave generator using 555 timer IC

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 Frequently asked question

1. Draw the circuit diagram of a square wave

generator using 555 timer IC

3. Explain the operation of square wave generator

using 555 IC timer

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