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 : Astable multi vibrator
using 555 timer IC.
Teaching Aids : PPT, diagrams
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 Recap

In last class we have studied about

• Introduction of basic square wave generator using

555 timer IC

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 Objectives:

Upon the completion of this topic the student

will be able to learn about

• Astable multivibrator using 555 timer IC .

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 Interaction and discussion

• what is a square wave generator

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 Introduction

• AN astable multi vibrator is also free running

multivibrator

• It is a rectangular wave generating circuit

• This circuit does not require any external trigger to

change the state of the output

• The time during which the output is either high or

low is determined by two resistors and a capacitors
which are externally connected to the 555 timer

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AEI505.60 to 61 6
 Operation

• Initially when the output is high the capacitor ‘C’ starts

charging towards Vcc through RA and RB

• As soon as the voltage across the capacitor equals Vcc

comparator triggers the flipflop ,and the output
switchers low

• Now capacitors C starts discharging through RB and

transistor Q1
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• When the voltage across C equals 1/3 Vcc
comparators 2’s output triggers the flip flop
and the output goes high

• Then the above cycle repeats

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 Equation

The capacitor is periodically charged & discharged

between 2/3 Vcc & 1/3 Vcc respectively

The time during which the capacitor charges from

1/3 Vcc to 2/3Vcc is equal to the time the output
is high & is given by
tc = 0.69 (RA + RB) C
Where RA & R B are in Ωs

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• The time during which the Capacitor discharges
from 2/4Vcc to 1/3 Vcc is equal to the time the
output is low &is given by

td = 0.69(RB)C

Where RB are in Ωs & ‘C’ in farads

The total period of the output waveform is given by

T = tc + td = 0.69 (RA + 2RB)C

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The frequency of oscillator is given by :
1 1.45
f0 = = C
T (R +2R )
A B

It shows the ‘f0’ is independent of supply voltage

• Duty cycle : It is the ratio of the time ‘tc’ during which the
output is high to the total time period ‘T’
• It is expressed generally in percentage

t
In equation = x 100
c

% duty cycle T
R +R
= x 100
A B

R +2R A B

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AEI505.60 to 61 12
 Summary

In this class we have discussed about :

• Astable multivibrator using 555 timer

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 Quiz

1. Astable multivibrator is also called as

a) free running multivibrator

b) Post running multivibrator

c) Paid running multivibrator

d) Half running multivibrator

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 Assignment

1. Design astable multivibrator using 555 timer IC

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 Frequently asked questions

1. Explain the operation of astable multivibrator using

555 timer IC

3. Draw the circuit diagram of astable multivibrator

using 555 timer IC

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