Electronics Circuit Design Lab Report on

ASTABLE MULTIVIBRATOR USING

555 TIMER
Submitted in partially fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of

Bachelor of Technology
in
Electronics and Communication Engineering
By

Pankaj Singh Prince(1709731069)

Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering

(B.Tech ECE - Accredited by NBA),
Galgotias College of Engineering and Technology, Greater Noida.
(Affiliated to Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Technical University, Lucknow)

January 2021
 ABSTRACT

The 555 timer is widely used as IC timer circuit and it is the most commonly used
general purpose linear integrated circuit. It can run in either one of the two modes:
Monostable (one stable state) or Astable (no stable state). In the Monostable mode it
can produce accurate time delays from microseconds to hours. In the Astable mode it
can produce rectangular waveforms with a variable Duty cycle. The simplicity and
ease with which both the multivibrator circuits can be configured around this IC is
one of the main reasons for its wide use. The state of the art presented in the paper is
the design and implementation of an Astable multivibrator using 555 timer IC,
generating non-sinusoidal waveform in the form of Rectangular waveform as well as
capacitor voltage waveform in the form of ramp waveform.

The 555 Timer IC can be connected either in its Monostable mode thereby producing
a precision timer of a fixed time duration, or in its Bistable mode to produce a flip-
flop type switching action. But we can also connect the 555 timer IC in an Astable
mode to produce a very stable 555 Oscillator circuit for generating highly accurate
free running waveforms whose output frequency can be adjusted by means of an
externally connected RC tank circuit consisting of just two resistors and a capacitor.

The 555 timer can be connected to run as an Astable multivibrator. When used in this
way, the 555 timer has no stable states, which implies that it cannot remain
indefinitely in either state. Stated in another way, it oscillates when operated in the
Astable mode and produces a Square or Rectangular output signal.

Astable multivibrator is built of two amplifying stages that are connected in a

positive feedback loop using two resistive-capacitive coupling networks. The
elements used for amplification may be junction field effect transistors, bipolar
junction transistors, vacuum tubes, operational amplifiers or any other type of
amplifier.

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 LIST OF FIGURES
Fig. No. Title Page No.

1 Timer I.C pin diagram 7

2 Timer I.C 555 pin diagram 7

Internal schematic of 555 timer
3 8

4 Basic Astable 555 Oscillator Circuit 9

5 Improved 555 oscillator duty cycle 13

6 Simulation circuit schematic 15

7 Simulation output 16

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 LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

RMS Root Mean Square

BJT Bi-Polar Junction Transistor
ADC Analog-Digital convertor
OP AMP Operational Amplifier

3
 LOG AND ANTI-LOG AMPLIFIER
USING OP-AMP

1. INTRODUCTION
Oscillators are broadly classified into two categories namely sinusoidal and non-
sinusoidal oscillators. Sinusoidal oscillators produce a sine wave output and the non-
sinusoidal oscillators produce a square or pulsed output. A multivibrator circuit is
basically a non-sinusoidal oscillator with a regenerative feedback. A multivibrator
circuit is a two state circuit that has zero, one or two stable output states. Depending on
the number of stable output states there are three basic types of multivibrator circuits
namely Bistable multivibrator having two stable states, Monostable multivibrator
having one stable state and Astable multivibrator having zero stable states. [1] In the
case of Monostable and Bistable multivibrator an external trigger pulse is required for
their operation whereas in the case of Astable multivibrator it has automatic built in
triggering which switches it continuously between its two unstable states both SET and
RESET. There are two main components in every multivibrator namely the bistable
circuit and the two passive networks that are connected in a basic feedback loop. The
networks in the circuit can be Monostable (resistive), Astable (resistive-capacitive) or
bistable. Astable multivibrator is built of two amplifying stages that are connected in a
positive feedback loop using two resistive-capacitive coupling networks. The elements
used for amplification may be junction field effect transistors, bipolar junction
transistors, vacuum tubes, operational amplifiers or any other type of amplifier.

The 555 timer can be connected to run as an Astable multivibrator. When used in this
way, the 555 timer has no stable states, which implies that it cannot remain indefinitely
in either state. Stated in another way, it oscillates when operated in the Astable mode
and produces a Square or Rectangular output signal.

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 2. ASTABLE MULTIVIBRATOR USING TIMER IC 555

The basic 555 timer based Astable multivibrator circuit is depicted in fig 1. Initially,
capacitor C is fully discharged, which forces the output to go to the HIGH state. An open
discharge transistor allows capacitor C to charge from +Vcc through resistors R1 and R2.
When the voltage across C exceeds +2Vcc /3, the output enters the LOW state and the
discharge transistor is switched ON at the same time. Capacitor C starts to discharge through
R2 and the discharge transistor inside the IC. When the voltage across C falls below + Vcc /
3, the output enters the HIGH state. The charge and discharge cycles repeat and the circuit
behaves as a free running multivibrator. Terminal-4 of the IC is the RESET terminal.
Usually, it is connected to +Vcc. If the voltage at this terminal is driven below 0.4, the
output is forced to the LOW state overriding command pulses at terminal-2 of the IC. HIGH
state and LOW state time periods are governed by the charge (+ Vcc /3 to +2Vcc /3) and
discharge (+2Vcc /3 to +Vcc /3) timings.

3. TIMER I.C 555 OVERVIEW

The 555 monolithic timing IC is a highly stable controller capable of generating accurate
time delays, or oscillation. In the time delay mode of operation, the time is precisely
controlled by one external resistor and capacitor. For a stable operation as an oscillator, the
free running frequency and the duty cycle are both accurately controlled with two external
resistors and one capacitor. The circuit may be triggered and reset on falling waveforms,
and the output structure can source or sink upto 200mA. A 555 timer has two comparators
(which are basically Two op-amps), an R-S flip-flop, two transistors and a resistive
network. The Resistive network consists of three equal resistors (5K Ohms each R) and
acts as a voltage divider. Notice that the resistor network is designed in such a way that the
voltage at the Inverting terminal of Comparator 1 (Upper comparator) will be 2/3Vcc and
the voltage at the Non Inverting terminal of Comparator 2 (Lower comparator) will be
1/3Vcc. Comparator 1 – compares the threshold voltage (at pin 6) with the reference
voltage + 2/3 VCC volts. Comparator 2 – compares the trigger voltage (at pin 2) with the
reference voltage + 1/3 VCC volts. In most applications, the control input is not used, so
that the control voltage equals +(2/3) VCC. Upper comparator has a threshold input (pin 6)

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and a control input (pin 5). Output of the upper comparator is applied to set (S) input of the
flip-flop. Whenever the threshold voltage exceeds the control voltage, the upper
comparator will set the flip-flop and its output is high. A high output from the flip-flop
when given to the base of the discharge transistor saturates it and thus discharges the
transistor that is connected externally to the discharge pin 7. The complementary signal out
of the flip-flop goes to pin 3, the output. The output available at pin 3 is low. These
conditions will prevail until lower comparator triggers the flip-flop. Even if the voltage at
the threshold input falls below (2/3) VCC that is upper comparator cannot cause the flip-
flop to change again. It means that the upper comparator can only force the flip-flop’s
output high. To change the output of flip-flop to low, the voltage at the trigger input must
fall below + (1/3) Vcc. When this occurs, lower comparator triggers the flip-flop, forcing
its output low. The low output from the flip-flop turns the discharge transistor off and
forces the power amplifier to output a high. These conditions will continue independent of
the voltage on the trigger input. Lower comparator can only cause the flip-flop to output
low.

The sailent features of this IC are

(1) Can be operated in both Astable and Monostable modes.

(2) Maximum operating frequency greater than 500 KHz.

(3) Has Turn-OFF time less than 2μs.

(4) High output current

3.1 CIRCUIT DIAGRAM 555 TIMER

It is an 8 pin IC packed in dual in line package. Different pins of the 555 timer are
designated as Ground (pin no.1), Trigger (pin no.2), Output (pin no.3), Reset (pin no.4),
Control (pin no.5), Threshold (pin no.6), Discharge (pin no.7) and +VCC (pin no.8).

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Fig. 1 Timer I.C pin diagram

Fig. 2 Timer I.C 555 pin diagram

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3.2 INTERNAL SCHEMATIC OF TIMER IC 555
It comprises of two opamp comparators, a SR flip flop, a discharge transistor, a reset
transistor, three identical resistors and an output stage. The resistors set the reference
voltage levels at the non inverting input of the lower comparator and inverting inputs
of the upper comparator at +Vcc /3 and +2Vcc /3, respectively. Outputs of the two
comparators feed SET and RESET inputs of the SR flip flop and thus decide the logic
status of its output and subsequently the final output. The flip flops complementary
outputs feed the base of the discharge transistor and the output stage. This ensures that
when the output is HIGH, the discharge transistor is OFF and when the output is
LOW, the discharge transistor is ON.

Fig. 3 Internal schematic of 555 timer

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4. BASIC ASTABLE 555 OSCILLATOR CIRCUIT

Fig. 4 Basic Astable 555 Oscillator Circuit

In the 555 Astable Oscillator circuit above, pin 2 and pin 6 are connected together allowing
the circuit to re-trigger itself on each and every cycle allowing it to operate as a free running
oscillator. During each cycle capacitor, C charges up through both timing
resistors, R1 and R2 but discharges itself only through resistor, R2 as the other side of R2 is
connected to the discharge terminal, pin 7.
Then the capacitor charges up to 2/3Vcc (the upper comparator limit) which is determined
by the 0.693(R1+R2)C combination and discharges itself down to 1/3Vcc (the lower
comparator limit) determined by the 0.693(R2*C) combination. This results in an output
waveform whose voltage level is approximately equal to Vcc – 1.5V and whose output
“ON” and “OFF” time periods are determined by the capacitor and resistors combinations.
The individual times required to complete one charge and discharge cycle of the output is
therefore given as:

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 4.1 ASTABLE 555 OSCILLATOR CHARGE AND DISCHARGE TIMES

When connected as an astable multivibrator, the output from the 555 Oscillator will

continue indefinitely charging and discharging between 2/3Vcc and 1/3Vcc until the power
supply is removed. As with the monostable multivibrator these charge and discharge times
and therefore the frequency are independent on the supply voltage.

The duration of one full timing cycle is therefore equal to the sum of the two individual
times that the capacitor charges and discharges added together and is given as:

T=t1+t2=0.693(R1+2R2) x C

The individual times required to complete one charge and discharge cycle of the output is
therefore given as:

T1= 0.69 x (R1+R2) x C

T2= 0.69 x R2 x C

5. OSCILLATOR EXAMPLE

An Astable 555 Oscillator is constructed using the following components, R1 = 1kΩ, R2 =

2kΩ and capacitor C = 10uF. Calculate the output frequency from the 555 oscillator and
the duty cycle of the output waveform.

t1 – capacitor charge “ON” time is calculated as:

t2 – capacitor discharge “OFF” time is calculated as:

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Total periodic time ( T ) is therefore calculated as:

The output frequency, ƒ is therefore given as:

Giving a duty cycle value of:

As the timing capacitor, C charges through resistors R1 and R2 but only discharges

through resistor R2 the output duty cycle can be varied between 50 and 100% by changing
the value of resistor R2. By decreasing the value of R2 the duty cycle increases towards
100% and by increasing R2 the duty cycle reduces towards 50%. If resistor, R2 is very
large relative to resistor R1 the output frequency of the 555 astable circuit will determined
by R2 x C only.

The problem with this basic astable 555 oscillator configuration is that the duty cycle, the
“mark to-space” ratio will never go below 50% as the presence of resistor R2 prevents this.
In other words we cannot make the outputs “ON” time shorter than the “OFF” time, as (R1
+ R2)C will always be greater than the value of R1 x C.

6. WORKING/PRINCIPLE

 When the circuit is switched ON, the capacitor (C) voltage will be less than 1/3 Vcc.
So the output of the lower comparator will be HIGH and of the higher comparator
will be LOW. This SETs the output of the SR Flip-flop.
 Thus the discharging transistor will be OFF and the capacitor C starts charging from
Vcc through resistor Ra & Rb.
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  When the capacitor voltage will become greater than 1/3 Vcc ( less than 2/3 Vcc ),
the output of both comparators will be LOW and the output of SR Flip-flop will be
same as the previous condition. Thus the capacitor continuous to charge.
 When the capacitor voltage will becomes slightly greater than 2/3 Vcc the output of
the higher comparator will be HIGH and of lower comparator will be LOW. This
resets the SR Flip-flop.
 Thus the discharging transistor turns ON and the capacitor starts discharging through
resistor Rb.
 Soon the capacitor voltage will be less than 2/3 Vcc and output of both comparators
will be LOW. So the output of the SR Flip-flop will be the previous state.
 So the discharging of capacitor continuous.
 When the capacitor voltage will become less than 1/3 Vcc, the output SETs since the
output of lower comparator is HIGH and of higher comparator is LOW and the
capacitor starts charging again.
 This process continuous and a rectangular wave will be obtained at the output.

7. IMPROVED 555 OSCILLATOR DUTY CYCLE

By connecting this diode, D1 between the trigger input and the discharge input, the timing

capacitor will now charge up directly through resistor R1 only, as resistor R2 is effectively
shorted out by the diode. The capacitor discharges as normal through resistor, R2.

An additional diode, D2 can be connected in series with the discharge resistor, R2 if

required to ensure that the timing capacitor will only charge up through D1 and not
through the parallel path of R2. This is because during the charging process diode D2 is
connected in reverse bias blocking the flow of current through itself.

Now the previous charging time of t1 = 0.693(R1 + R2)C is modified to take account of
this new charging circuit and is given as: 0.693(R1 x C). The duty cycle is therefore given
as D = R1/(R1 + R2). Then to generate a duty cycle of less than 50%, resistor R1 needs to
be less than resistor R2.

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Although the previous circuit improves the duty cycle of the output waveform by charging
the timing capacitor, C1 through the R1 + D1 combination and then discharging it through
the D2 + R2 combination, the problem with this circuit arrangement is that the 555
oscillator circuit uses additional components, i.e. two diodes.

Fig. 5 Improved 555 oscillator duty cycle

8. CALCULATION

The amplitude level, of the output waveform was noted down. The total time period (T) was
also calculated. It is given by the sum of Turn ON time (TON) and Turn OFF time (TOFF).
After calculating the total time period (T), the frequency (F) of the output waveform was
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determined. Finally the Duty cycle (D) was calculated.
Amplitude = (No of boxes covered by the wave along Y-axis) X (Multiplying factor of
channel 2)
= 2.2 x 1
= 2.2 V.
Turn ON time TON = (No of boxes covered by the wave along X-axis) X (Time/Division)
= 2.2 x 0.2 m sec
= 0.44 m sec
Turn OFF time TOFF = (No of boxes covered by the wave along X-axis) X (Time/Division)
= 0.8 x 0.2 m sec
= 0.16 m sec
Total Time Period = Turn ON time + Turn OFF time
T= TON + TOFF
= 0.44 m sec + 0.16 m sec
= 0.6 m sec
Frequency F = 1/T
= 1/ (0.6 x 10-3)
= 1.6 KHz
% Duty cycle = [Turn ON time/ (Turn ON time + Turn OFF time)] x 100
% D= [TON / (TON + TOFF)] x 100
= [0.44 ms / (0.44 ms + 0.16 ms)] x 100
=73%

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9. SIMULATION CIRCUIT DIAGRAM

Fig. 6 Simulation circuit schematic

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10. SIMULATION CIRCUIT RESULT

Fig .7 Simulation output

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10.APPLICATION

 .Radio gears to transmit and receive radio signals

 Morse code generators

 .Systems which require a square wave like analog integrated circuit

 TV broadcasts. Square wave generation

 FSK generator

 Voltage controlled oscillator (VCO)

11.ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES

These multivibrators are changes between one stable state to another continuously. This
permits multivibrators to power themselves & achieve work at a constant rate without
impact from any external forces or actions. Also, these multivibrators are low cost to
produce, and simple to design

These multivibrators do not transfer the whole o/p signal to the i/p. This is due to resistance
in the circuit, nonexistence of a totally closed loop at the o/p terminals, and the leaning of
one transistor/capacitor to absorb energy at a somewhat different rate than the other.
Although the amplifier restores the lost energy when it amplifies the signal, the signal will
finally be too small to be of any use.

These multivibrators are changes between one stable state to another continuously. This
permits multivibrators to power themselves & achieve work at a constant rate without
impact from any external forces or actions. Also, these multivibrators are low cost to
produce, and simple to design These multivibrators do not transfer the whole o/p signal to
the i/p. This is due to resistance in the circuit, nonexistence of a totally closed loop at the o/p

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terminals, and the leaning of one transistor/capacitor to absorb energy at a somewhat
different rate than the other. Although the amplifier restores the lost energy when it
amplifies the signal, the signal will finally be too small to be of any use.

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 CONCLUSION

Astable multivibrator using 555 timer was designed and implemented. Precise results were
obtained through the designed system in the form of continuous production of Rectangular
waveform without the aid of any external triggering. From the Rectangular output waveform
the Turn ON time, Turn OFF time, the Total time period, the frequency and Duty cycle were
calculated. Astable multivibrator circuit is very simple and easy to design requiring few
components. As the 555 timer is used the system has low power consumption. The 555 timer
will work with any supply voltage between +5 V to +18 V. Furthermore, with the use of 555
timer, the system is very stable, easy to use and requires low cost. In addition another
important boon is that, the system can be used for timing from microseconds to hours.
Generating time delays from microseconds to hours is useful in many applications. Due to
the use of 555 timer it has various advantages and hence it is used in a wide range of
applications such as Voltage controlled Oscillator (VCO), Start and Reset operations, Sirens
and Alarms, Pulse width modulator, Pulse position modulation, Ramp generation, Music
synthesizers, cell phones, pagers and G.P.S wireless transmitters and receivers.

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 REFERENCES
1] Anil K. Maini, Varsha Agarwal, Electronic Devices and Circuits (New Delhi: Wiley
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[6] Rao Prakash, Pulse and Digital Circuits,(Tata Mc Graw Hill Education, 2006), 267-
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[7] Timer I.C 555 Data sheet, Philips Semiconductors Linear Products, 31st August
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[8] Albert Lozano, Introduction to Electronic Integrated circuits, (Electrical systems
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