Vol 56, No 3—July 2022

StudentZone—
ADALM2000 Activity:
BJT Multivibrators
Doug Mercer, Consulting Fellow, and
Antoniu Miclaus, System Applications Engineer

Background X Jumper wires

This article explains the three main types of multivibrator circuits and how to build X Two 470 Ω resistors
each one. A multivibrator circuit generally consists of two inverting amplifier stages. X Two 20 kΩ resistors
The two amplifiers are connected in series or cascade, and a feedback path connects X Two small signal NPN transistors (2N3904)
from the output of the second amplifier back to the input of the first. Because each
stage inverts the signal, the overall feedback around the loop is positive.
X One red LED
X One green LED
There are three main types of multivibrators: astable, monostable, and bistable. In the
astable multivibrator, capacitors are used to couple the two amplifier stages and pro-
X Two 47 μF capacitors
vide the feedback path. Since the capacitors block any DC signals from passing from Directions
one stage to the next, the astable multivibrator has no stable DC operating point and is
Construct the circuit as shown in Figure 1 on your solderless breadboard. Note
thus a free-running oscillator. In the monostable multivibrator, the coupling from one
that there is no input from the ADALM2000 board, just the power supply. The first
of the stages to the other uses one capacitor while the second connection is through
inverting amplifier stage consists of Q1 with R1 and the red LED serving as the
a DC path. Thus, the monostable multivibrator has one stable DC stage. Hence, the
output load. The second inverting amplifier stage consists of Q2 with R2 and the
monostable multivibrator is sometimes referred to as a one-shot. The circuit main-
green LED serving as the load. C1 couples the output of the first stage at the col-
tains this single stable state except when a triggering pulse is applied. Then, the
lector of Q1 to the input of the second stage at the base of Q2. Similarly, C2 couples
state changes for a predetermined length of time set by the RC time constant of the
the output of the second stage at the collector of Q2 back to the input of the first
AC-coupled part of the signal path. In the bistable multivibrator, both coupling paths are
stage at the base of Q1.
DC-coupled and thus the circuit has two different stable states and uses no capacitors.
The bistable multivibrator is also called a flip-flop, with either of two DC stable states.
Red Green VP
The Astable Multivibrator LED
R1 R3 R4
LED
R2
+5 V

Objectives 470 Ω 20 kΩ 20 kΩ 470 Ω

The objective of this first experiment is to build an astable multivibrator. Two C1 C2

Q Q
identical resistance-capacitance networks determine the frequency at which
47 μF 47 μF
oscillation will occur. The amplifying devices (transistors) are connected in a
common-emitter configuration, as shown in Figure 1.
Q1 Q2
2N3904 2N3904
Materials
X ADALM2000 Active Learning Module
Figure 1. An astable multivibrator.
X Solderless breadboard

         

VISIT ANALOG.COM
 GND VP 1+ 1- 2+ 2-

Red LED 47 μF 47 μF Green

LED
470 Ω 2N3904 20 kΩ 2N3904 20 kΩ

470 Ω

Figure 2. An astable multivibrator breadboard circuit.

Hardware Setup
Breadboard connections are presented in Figure 2.

Procedure
Turn on the VP power supply only after you have completely built and checked
the circuit. The red and green LEDs should alternately blink on and off at about
a 1 second interval. You can also use the scope channels to monitor the output
waveforms (Q and Q-bar).
The frequency of oscillation is very slow due to the large values of capacitors
C1 and C2. Replace C1 and C2 with 0.1 μF capacitors. The circuit should oscil-
late much faster now such that both LEDs are on at the same time. Using the
scope channels, you should now measure the frequency and period of the
output waveforms. Figure 4. Astable multivibrator interval at 0.1 μF capacitor.

The Monostable Multivibrator

Objectives
The objective of this second experiment is to build a monostable multivibrator.
One resistance-capacitance network determines the duration of the one-shot
output. The amplifying devices (transistors) are connected in a common-emitter
configuration, as shown in Figure 2.

Materials
X ADALM2000 Active Learning Module
X Solderless breadboard
X Jumper wires
X Two 470 Ω resistors
Figure 3. Astable multivibrator interval at 47 μF capacitor. X One 1 kΩ resistor

2  StudentZone—ADALM2000 Activity: BJT Multivibrators

X One 20 kΩ resistor
Red Green VP
X One 47 kΩ resistor LED LED +5 V
X One small signal diode (1N914) R1 R4 R2
470 Ω 20 kΩ 470 Ω
X Two small signal NPN transistors (2N3904) R3
47 kΩ C2
X One red LED Q Q
47 μF
X One green LED
X One 47 μF capacitor
Q1 Q2
2N3904 2N3904
Directions D1

Construct the circuit shown in Figure 5 on your solderless breadboard. Starting R5

1 kΩ
with the circuit from Experiment 1, remove one of the 20 kΩ resistors (old R3) and
replace capacitor C1 with a 47 kΩ resistor (new R3). Add diode D1 and resistor R5 Trigger
as shown to the base of Q2. Be sure to replace C2 with the original 47 μF capacitor.
Figure 5. A monostable multivibrator.

GND VP

Red LED 2N3904 2N3904 47 μF Green

470 Ω 47 kΩ 20 kΩ LED

1N914 470 Ω

1 kΩ

Trigger

Figure 6. Monostable multivibrator breadboard circuit.

VISIT ANALOG.COM  3
Hardware Setup X Jumper wires
Breadboard connections are presented in Figure 6. X Two 470 Ω resistors
Procedure X Two 1 kΩ resistors
X Two 47 kΩ resistors
Turn on the VP power supply only after you have completely built and checked the
circuit. The red LED should be lit, and the green LED should be dark. With a length X Two small signal NPN transistors (2N3904)
of wire, momentarily touch the trigger input (end of R5) to VP and immediately let X Two small signal diodes (1N914)
go. The red LED should go out and the green LED come on for about a second and X One red LED
then go back to the stable state with the red on and green off. Try this a few times.
X One green LED
Q2 [LED Turned Off]
Directions
Construct the circuit as shown in Figure 8 on your solderless breadboard.

Red Green VP
LED LED +5 V
Q1 [LED Turned On] Trigger Point
R1 R2
470 Ω 470 Ω
R3 R4
47 kΩ 47 kΩ
Q Q

Figure 7. Monostable multivibrator behavior on trigger.

Q1 Q2
2N3904 2N3904
The Bistable Multivibrator (or Flip-Flop) 1N914 1N914

Objectives R6
1 kΩ
R5
1 kΩ
The objective of this third experiment is to build a bistable multivibrator. The
Set Reset
amplifying devices (transistors) are connected in a common-emitter configura-
tion, as shown in Figure 8. Figure 8. Bistable multivibrator.

Materials Hardware Setup

X ADALM2000 Active Learning Module Breadboard connections are presented in Figure 9.
X Solderless breadboard

GND VP

Red LED 2N3904 2N3904 Green

47 kΩ 47 kΩ LED

470 Ω
470 Ω

1N914 1N914

1 kΩ
1 kΩ

SET RESET

Figure 9. Bistable multivibrator breadboard circuit.

4  StudentZone—ADALM2000 Activity: BJT Multivibrators

Procedure X Two small signal diodes (1N914)
Turn on the VP power supply only after you have completely built and checked the X Two 39 pF capacitors
circuit. Either the red LED should be lit and the green LED dark, or the green LED X Two 100 pF capacitors
should be lit and the red LED dark. With a length of wire, momentarily touch either
the SET or RESET input (end of R5 or R6) to VP and immediately let go. The LEDs Directions
should change state or toggle back and forth depending which input is touched Construct the D-type flip-flop circuit as shown in Figure 12 on your solderless
to VP. Try this a few times. breadboard. Note that the polarity of the two diodes is reversed compared to
Figure 8. Because this experiment will be done at much higher frequencies, the
LEDs have been removed and simple 1 kΩ load resistors are used.

Q1 [LED Turned Off] Switching between the two flip-flop states is achieved by applying the D (data)
signal and a single clock pulse that, depending on the state of the D input with
respect to the current state, will cause the ON transistor to turn off and the OFF
transistor to turn on on the negative or falling edge of the clock pulse. The true D
signal and complementary DB signal (output of Q3, R7 inverting stage) are used to
Q2 [LED Turned On] SET Pin Triggered
bias diodes D1 and D2 to steer the clock pulse to the correct base, the equivalent
of the SET and RESET inputs in Figure 8.
To illustrate how the circuit operates, we will assume that the circuit is in one of
Figure 10. Bistable multivibrator behavior triggering the SET pin. its two stable states with the QB output low (collector voltage of Q1 at 0 V), and the
Q output high (collector voltage of Q2 high at 5 V). With the D input low (DB high),
D1 has a low voltage on its cathode via R6 and a high voltage (VBE of on transistor
Q1) on its anode via R4, making it forward biased. D2 has a high voltage (from DB)
Q2 [LED Turned Off]
on its cathode via R5 and a low voltage on its anode via R3 (VBE of off transistor
Q2), making it reverse biased.
A negative going pulse on the clock input, coupled through C1 and C2, is steered
to the base of Q1 since D1 is forward biased, but blocked from the base of Q2 by
Q1 [LED Turned On] RESET Pin Triggered reverse biased D2. Q1 is turned off and Q2 is turned on by the cross-coupled con-
nection through the parallel combination of C3 and R3. This happens very quickly
because of the positive feedback effect we saw earlier in the simple bistable mul-
tivibrator. The circuit is now in the other stable state with the Q output high and
the QB output low. The circuit will remain in that state until the D input becomes
Figure 11. Bistable multivibrator behavior triggering the RESET pin.
high and after another negative going clock pulse arrives.
D-Type Flip-Flop
Objectives R7 R1 R2 VP
1 kΩ 1 kΩ 1 kΩ +5 V
The objective of this fourth experiment is to use the bistable or SET-RESET
flip-flop from Experiment 3 to build what is known as a D-type flip-flop. D
Q C3 39 pF C4 39 pF Q
R8
R3 47 kΩ R4 47 kΩ
Materials D 100 kΩ
Q3 Q1 Q2
2N3904 2N3904 D1 D2 2N3904
X ADALM2000 Active Learning Module R6 1N914 1N914
200 kΩ
X Solderless breadboard C1 100 pF
C2
Clock 100 pF R5
X Jumper wires 200 kΩ
X Three 1 kΩ resistors
Figure 12. D-type flip-flop.
X One 100 kΩ resistor
X Two 200 kΩ resistors Hardware Setup
X Two 47 kΩ resistors Breadboard connections are presented in Figure 13.
X Three small signal NPN transistors (2N3904)

VISIT ANALOG.COM  5
 VP 1+ 1- AWG1 AWG2 GND 2+ 2-

2N3904 2N3904 2N3904

39 pF 39 pF
1 kΩ
47 kΩ 1 kΩ 47 kΩ 1 kΩ
100 kΩ
100 pF 100 pF

1N914 200 kΩ
200 kΩ 1N914

Figure 13. D-type flip-flop breadboard circuit.

Procedure
The AWG1 output should be connected to the input marked clock in Figure 12. The
AWG2 output should be connected to the D input. The first Scope Channel 1 input Clock D Signal

should also be connected to the clock input. The second input Scope Channel 2
should be connected to the Q output of the flip-flop in Figure 12. Both the AWG1 and
AWG2 should be configured as a square wave with a 5 V amplitude peak-to-peak
and 2.5 V offset (0 V to 5 V swing). Set the frequency of AWG1 to 10 kHz and set
the frequency of AWG2 to 5 kHz. Set the phase of AWG2 to 45 degrees. Be sure to
configure the two AWG outputs to operate synchronously.
Turn on the VP power supply and enable the AWG outputs only after you have com-
pletely built and checked the circuit. You should observe a square wave on the Q Figure 15. Plot of Q and D signal.
output that is aligned with the falling edge of the clock input signal. Change the
phase of AWG2 (D input signal) while observing this alignment. Does this change Divide-by-2 Flip-Flop
as the phase of the D input change? Move the Channel 1 scope input to the D input.
Objectives
You should see a similar square wave signal but ahead in time with respect to
the Q output. In other words, the Q output is delayed until the falling edge of the The objective of this fifth experiment is to modify the D-type flip-flop from
clock signal. Experiment 4 to build a circuit that divides the frequency of an input signal by 2.

Materials
Q Signal X ADALM2000 Active Learning Module
X Solderless breadboard
X Jumper wires
X Two 1 kΩ resistors
X Two 200 kΩ resistors
Clock X Two 47 kΩ resistors
X Two small signal NPN transistors (2N3904)
X Two small signal diodes (1N914)
Figure 14. Plot of Q and clock signal.
X Two 39 pF capacitors
X Two 100 pF capacitors

6  StudentZone—ADALM2000 Activity: BJT Multivibrators

Directions The circuit is now in its second stable state and waits for another negative going
Modify the D-type flip-flop from Experiment 4 to construct the divide-by-2 circuit clock pulse.
as shown in Figure 16 on your solderless breadboard. Since the collector voltage of Q2, the Q output node, changes state for every clock
Switching between the two states is achieved by applying a single clock pulse pulse, there is one pulse appearing at the output for every two clock input pulses.
that, in turn, will cause the ON transistor to turn off and the OFF transistor to It can therefore be used as a divide-by-two circuit.
turn on on the negative or falling edge of the clock pulse. The circuit will switch
sequentially by applying a pulse to each base in turn and this is achieved from a R1 R2 VP
single input clock pulse used to bias the two diodes to steer the pulse to the cor- 1 kΩ 1 kΩ +5 V
rect base based on the current state of the flip-flop.
Q C3 39 pF C4 39 pF Q
To illustrate how the circuit operates, we will assume that the circuit is in one of R3 47 kΩ R4 47 kΩ
its two stable states with the collector voltage of Q1 low (0 V), and that of Q2 high R6
Q1 Q2
R5
2N3904 D1 D2 2N3904
(5 V). D1 has a low voltage on its cathode via R6 and a high voltage (VBE of on 200 kΩ 1N914 1N914 200 kΩ

transistor Q1) on its anode via R4, making it forward biased. D2 has a high voltage
C1 100 pF C2
Clock
on its cathode via R5 and a low voltage on its anode via R3 (VBE of off transistor 100 pF
Q2), making it reverse biased.
Figure 16. Divide-by-2 circuit.
An external negative going pulse, coupled through C1 and C2, is steered to the
base of Q1 since D1 is forward biased but blocked from the base of Q2 by reverse Hardware Setup
biased D2. Q1 is turned off and Q2 is turned on by the cross-coupled connection
Breadboard connections are presented in Figure 17.
through the parallel combination of C3 and R3. This happens very quickly because
of the positive feedback effect we saw earlier in the simple bistable multivibrator.

VP AWG1 1+ 1- GND 2+ 2-

2N3904 2N3904

39 pF 39 pF
1 kΩ
47 kΩ 47 kΩ 1 kΩ

100 pF 200 kΩ
1N914 100 pF

200 kΩ
1N914

Figure 17. Divide-by-2 flip-flop breadboard circuit.

VISIT ANALOG.COM  7
Procedure
QB Output
The AWG1 output and Scope Channel 1 input should both be connected to the input
marked clock in Figure 16. The second input Scope Channel 2 should be connected Clock

to the Q output of the flip-flop in Figure 16. The AWG1 should be configured as a
square wave with a 5 V amplitude peak-to-peak and 2.5 V offset (0 V to 5 V swing).
Set the frequency to 10 kHz.
Turn on the VP power supply and enable the AWG1 output only after you have com-
pletely built and checked the circuit. You should observe a square wave on the Q
output that is one half the frequency of the AWG1 signal. Move the Channel 2 scope
input to the QB output. You should see a similar square wave signal but inverted
with respect to the Q output. Figure 19. Plot of clock and QB output.

Q Output
Question
Clock For the circuit in Figure 1, what would be the effect of increasing or decreasing
the value of both capacitors?
You can find the answer at the StudentZone blog.

Figure 18. Plot of clock and Q output.

About the Author

Doug Mercer received his B.S.E.E. degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in 1977. Since joining Analog Devices in 1977,
he has contributed directly or indirectly to more than 30 data converter products and holds 13 patents. He was appointed to the
position of ADI Fellow in 1995. In 2009, he transitioned from full-time work and has continued consulting at ADI as a fellow emeritus
contributing to the Active Learning Program. In 2016, he was named engineer in residence within the ECSE department at RPI.

About the Author

Antoniu Miclaus is a system applications engineer at Analog Devices, where he works on ADI academic programs, as well as embed-
ded software for Circuits from the Lab®, QA automation, and process management. He started working at ADI in February 2017 in
Cluj-Napoca, Romania. He is currently an M.Sc. student in the software engineering master’s program at Babes-Bolyai University and
he has a B.Eng. in electronics and telecommunications from Technical University of Cluj-Napoca.

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