Experiment Number: 10

Study of Timers
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Aim:
1. To study the working of 555 timer as astable multivibrator.
2. To study the working of 555 timer as monostable multivibrator.
3. To study the working of 555 timer as bistable multivibrator.
Apparatus:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Bread Board.
D.C. regulated power supply.
D.S.O.
Digital multimeter.
IC 555.
Resistors.
Capacitors(Electrolytic & ceramic)

Prelab:
1. Why multivibrators are called astable, monostable & bistable? Compare all three
multivibators.
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2. Distinguish between source and sink current?

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3. For all three main circuits of multivibrator when timer is in stable region?
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4. Give the specifications of any IC 555 from datasheet?

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Theory:

Ground

Trigger

Output

Reset

Vcc

Discharge

5
5
5

Threshold

Control voltage

Pin configuration of IC 555

IC 555 as Monostable Multivibrator:
Initially, the output of low transistor Q1 is ON and the capacitor is shorted to
ground. However upon application of negative trigger pulse to pin 2, transistor Q2 is
turned OFF which releases the short circuit across the capacitor C and drives the output
voltage high. The capacitor C now starts charging up towards Vcc till a voltage across
capacitor becomes equal to 2/3Vcc; the output voltage becomes high. The trigger pulse
duration should be less than the duration of output waveform. The duration at which the
output remains high is TON =1.1R1C seconds even when the second trigger is applied
during TON the output doesnt changes its state. However the circuit can be reset during
the timing cycle by applying the negative pulse to the reset terminal. The output will then
remain in the low state until a trigger is again applied.

Details of IC 555 timer

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Astable Multivibrator:
The output is a rectangular wave generating circuit. This doesnt require an
external trigger. Initially when the output is high capacitor C starts charging towards Vcc
through R1 and R2 and the output voltage switches low, capacitor C starts discharging
through R2 and transistor Q1.when the voltage across C equals 1/3Vcc, the output goes
high.
Astable multivibrator
Without Diode

With Diode (considering ideal diode)

T ON = 0.693(R1+R2)C seconds

T ON = 0.693(R1)C seconds

T OFF = 0.693R2C seconds

T OFF = 0.693(R2)C seconds

= 0.693(R1+2R2)C seconds

= 0.693(R1+R2)C seconds

=1

=1

/ T Hertz

/ T Hertz

Duty Cycle = T ON / ( T ON + T OFF) in %

Vcc = +5V

R1=

Vcc = +5V

R1=

I
R2=

5
5
5

2
5

I
Vo
3

RL=

5
5
5

Vo
3
RL=
1

+
0.01uF
ceramic disc

Astable Multivibrator
without diode

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R2=

+
C=

C=

0.01uF
ceramic disc

Astable Multivibrator
with diode

Monostable multivibrator & Bistable multivibrator:

Vcc = +5V

R1=

Vcc = +5V

R2=10K

R1=10K

I
7
+

5
5
5

_
C=

5
5
5

1
RL=

Vo

2
5

Vo

3
RL=
1

0.01uF
ceramic disc

Switch

Monostable
Multivibrator

Bistable
Multivibrator

For monostable multivibrator

T ON = 1.1(R1)C seconds
Procedure:
1) Connect the circuits as shown.
2) Select resistor value in between 1K to 1000K such that the difference between
R1 & R2 should not be too large. Select proper high value output (load) resistor.
3) Select electrolytic capacitor value from 1 to 100uF.
4) Write down the selected values on the circuit diagram.
5) Obtain the theoretical & practical values for astable multivibrator (both cases) by
using formulae given above.
6) Obtain the theoretical & practical values for monostable multivibrator by using
formulae given above. Observe the output by pressing the switch 1 for very short
instant of time(which provides high to low trigger pulse)
7) For bistable multivibrator observe the output by pressing the switch 1 (which
provides high to low trigger pulse)for very short instant of time then press the
switch 2(which provides high to low trigger pulse) for very short instant of time &
observe the output.

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Calculations: Calculate theoretical & practical values from formulae given above.
Astable multivibrator ( both cases) :
1)Astable multivibrator without diode

2)Astable multivibrator with diode

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Monostable multivibrator:

Observations & Result: Only give theoretical & practical values calculated above.
1) Astable multivibrator without diode:

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2) Astable multivibrator with diode:

3) Monostable multivibrator:

Graph: Plot the graphs for the waveforms observed.

1) Astable multivibrator without diode 2) Astable multivibrator with (practicle)diode
3)Monostable multivibrator (refer to switch 1 to indicate low to high transition of output
of designed timing )
4)Bistable multivibrator(refer to switch 1,2 to indicate low to high & high to low
transitions of output of any timing )
Note:- For monostable write 1& for bistable write 1 & 2 to indicate output change for
switch operation.
Also indicate output voltage level, on time, off time etc.
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Post lab:
1. What is duty cycle? What can be the range of duty cycle in percentage for astable
multivibrator without diode & with diode.
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2. Design an astable multivibrator for a frequency of o/p wave equal to 2 KHz. Take C =
0.01F without using diode. Calculate duty cycle.
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3. Design a monostable multivibrator for TON = 8 msec
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4. Give the applications of astable ,monostable & bistable multivibrator.

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