0% found this document useful (0 votes)
274 views11 pages

Multi Vibrators

The document discusses different types of multivibrators: - Astable multivibrators continuously oscillate between two states due to cross-coupled transistors and RC circuits. The oscillation frequency is determined by the RC time constants. - Monostable multivibrators have one stable state but are triggered externally to another non-stable state before returning to the stable one. They function as timers. - Bistable multivibrators have two stable states and can be triggered to change states by external set and reset signals, functioning as flip-flops.

Uploaded by

Pallavi Kr K R
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
0% found this document useful (0 votes)
274 views11 pages

Multi Vibrators

The document discusses different types of multivibrators: - Astable multivibrators continuously oscillate between two states due to cross-coupled transistors and RC circuits. The oscillation frequency is determined by the RC time constants. - Monostable multivibrators have one stable state but are triggered externally to another non-stable state before returning to the stable one. They function as timers. - Bistable multivibrators have two stable states and can be triggered to change states by external set and reset signals, functioning as flip-flops.

Uploaded by

Pallavi Kr K R
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 11

Analog & Digital Electronics

Course No: PH-218


Lec-18: Multivibrators
Course Instructor:

 Dr. A. P. VAJPEYI

Department of Physics,
Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, India

Multivibrators
A MULTIVIBRATOR is an electronic circuit that generates square, rectangular,
pulse waveforms, also called nonlinear oscillators or function generators.
Multivibrator is basically a two amplifier circuits arranged with regenerative
feedback.
There are three types of Multivibrator:
Astable Multivibrator: Circuit is not stable in either stateit continuously
oscillates from one state to the other. (Application in Oscillators)
Monostable Multivibrator: One of the state is stable but the other is not.
(Application in Timer)
Bistable Multivibrator: Circuit is stable in both the state and will remain in either
state indefinitely. The circuit can be flipped from one state to the other by an
external event or trigger. (Application in Flip flop)
Reference material: Chapter 18 Transistor Oscillators and Multivibrators, Electronic Devices and Circuits by Allen Mottershed

Astable Multivibrators
 The astable circuit has no stable state.
With no external signal applied, the
transistors alternately switch from cutoff to
saturation at a frequency determined by the
RC time constants of the coupling circuits.
 Astable multivibrator circuit consist of two
cross coupled RC amplifiers.

Consists of two amplifying devices cross-coupled by resistors and capacitors.


Typically, R2 = R3, R1 = R4, C1 = C2 and R2 >> R1.
The circuit has two states
 State 1: VC1 LOW, VC2 HIGH, Q1 ON (saturation) and Q2 OFF.
 State 2: VC1 HIGH, VC2 LOW, Q1 OFF and Q2 ON (saturation).
It continuously oscillates from one state to the other.
3

Astable Multivibrators
 When the circuit is first powered up, neither transistor is ON.
 Both VB1 and VB2 rise via base resistor R3 and R2 respectively. Any one of the
transistor will conduct faster than other due to some circuit imbalance. We can
not say which transistor will turn on first so for analysis purpose we assume Q1
conducts first and Q2 off (C1 is fully charged).
 Since Q1 conducts and Q2 off hence Vc1 = 0V and Vc2 = VCC. - state1

Astable Multivibrators
Charging C2(T2 = R4C2)

Discharging C1(T1 = R2C1)

 Since Q1 conducts and Q2 off hence Vc1 = 0V and Vc2 = VCC. Due to higher voltage at Vc2,
capacitor C2 will be charged via R4 (low resistance path because R4 <R2). C1 (which was
charged earlier, and can not hold the charge for indefinite period) starts discharging via R2
(high resistance path because R2>R1). Time taken to discharge C1(T1 = R2C1) > time taken to
charge C2 (T2 =R4C2)
 When C2 is fully charged then left plate of C2 will be at Vcc which switch off the Q1. When C1
is fully discharged then left plate of C1 will be at +Vcc which switch on the Q2. State 2
When VB2 reaches Von, the circuit enters in state 1 again, and the process repeats.

Switching time & Frequency for Astable Multivibrators


 Time period of wave depends only upon the discharge of capacitors C1 and C2.
 Consider VB2 during discharge of C2:

VB 2 = VCC iC1R2

 Since the capacitor C1 charged up to VCC, the initial discharge current will be

VCC + VCC
iC1 =
R2

Current decays exponentially with a time constant of R2C1

VB 2 = VCC 2VCC (e

t / R2C1

0 = VCC 2VCC (e t / R2C1 )

Transistor will switch when VB2 = 0V (actually


0.7V for Si which is small compare to VCC)

2e

t / R2C1

=1

t =T 2= R2C1 ln(2)

where T2 is the off time for transistor Q2

Switching time & Frequency for Astable Multivibrators


 Similarly off time for transistor Q1 can be obtained.

t = T1 = R3C2 ln(2)
 Total time period T:

T =T 1+T 2= [ R3C2 + R2C1 ] ln(2) = 0.694( R3C2 + R2C1 )


 If R2 = R3 = R, C1 = C2 = C then

T = 1.4 RC

 Frequency of oscillation is given by

1 0.7
f = =
T RC

Monostable Multivibrators
 One of the state is stable but the other is
not. For that capacitive path between VC2 and
VB1 removed.
 In stable state any one transistor conducts
and other is off.
 Application of external trigger change the
state.
 When the external signal goes high
 VB2 charges up to VCC through R2
 After a certain time T, VB2=VON, Q2 turns on
 VC2 pulled to 0V, Q1 turns off.
 Enters state 1 and remains there
 When VB2 is momentarily pulled to
ground by an external signal
 VC2 rises to VCC
 Q1 turns on
 VC1 pulled to 0V

Bistable Multivibrators
 Both capacitors removed
 Stable for either state 1 or 2
 Can be forced to either state by Set or
Reset signals
 If Set is low,
 Q1 turns off
 VC1 (Vout) and VB2 rises towards VCC
 Q2 turns on
 VC2 pulled to 0V
 VB1 is latched to 0V
 Circuit remains in state 2 until Reset is low
 If Reset is low
 Similar operation
 Circuit remains in state 1 until Set is low
 Behave as an RS flip-flop (memory element)

Some Important terms


Duty Cycle duty cycle is defined as the ratio of pulse duration to pulse period.

The pulse duration is ; this is how long the pulse remains high (amplitude=1
in the figure).The pulse period is T ; this is the duration of one complete
cycle, and is just the inverse of the frequency in Hz (f = 1/T).
D= / T

You might also like