EX.

NO:09
MULTIVIBRATOR USING IC 555
DATE:

Aim
To Design and Construct the Monostable & Astable multivibrator using IC555 and to study
the performance characteristics

Equipment Required
S.No Particulars Specifications Range Quantity
1 CRO - (0-30)MHz 1
2 Dual Power Supply fixed ±15v 1
3 Function generator - (0-3)MHz 1

Apparatus Required
S.No Particulars Specifications Range Quantity
1 Timer IC IC-555 - 1

2 Resistors

3 Capacitor
4 Connecting wires and Probe - - Required
5 Bread Board - - 1

Formula used
Pin Diagram of IC 555

Circuit Diagram, Design, Model Graph and tabulation of Astable Multivibrator

Circuit Diagram

Design
Theory

Astable Multivibrator:

Astable multivibrator is also called as Free Running Multivibrator. It has no stable states and
continuously switches between the two states without application of any external trigger. The
IC 555 can be made to work as an astable multivibrator with the addition of three external
components: two resistors (R1 and R2) and a capacitor (C). The schematic of the IC 555 as an
astable multivibrator along with the three external components is shown below. The pins 2 and
6 are connected and hence there is no need for an external trigger pulse. It will self-trigger and
act as a free running multivibrator.

The rest of the connections are as follows: pin 8 is connected to supply voltage (VCC). Pin 3
is the output terminal and hence the output is available at this pin. Pin 4 is the external reset
pin. A momentary low on this pin will reset the timer. Hence when not in use, pin 4 is usually
tied to VCC. The control voltage applied at pin 5 will change the threshold voltage level. But
for normal use, pin 5 is connected to ground via a capacitor (usually 0.01μF), so the external
noise from the terminal is filtered out. Pin 1 is ground terminal. The timing circuit that
determines the width of the output pulse is made up of R1, R2 and C.

When the power supply VCC connected, the external timing capacitor C charges towards VCC
at time constant (RA + RB) C. During this time, output (pin 3) is high (equals VCC) as Reset
R = 0, Set S =1 and this combination makes Q = 0 which has unclamped the timing capacitor
C. When the capacitor voltage equals and is just greater than (2/3)VCC the upper comparator
triggers the flip-flop with the input condition R=1 and S=0, so the output of FF is Q=0 and Q
=1. This Q = 1, is given to the input of transistor and make the transistor Q1 on and capacitor
C starts discharging towards ground through RB and transistor Ql with a time constant RBC
(neglecting the forward resistance of Q1). Current also flows into transistor Ql through RA.
Resistors RA and RB must is large enough to limit this current and prevent damage to the
discharge transistor Ql.

During the discharge of the timing capacitor C, as it reaches (to be precise, is just less than)
VCC /3, the lower comparator is triggered. Now the lower comparator makes S = 1, R = 0,
which turns Q = 0. Now Q = 0 unclamps the external timing capacitor C, The capacitor C is
thus periodically charged and discharged between (2/3)VCC and (1/3)VCC respectively
amplifiers input resistance times its gain (Rin x AO). Also, its output impedance is very low
since an ideal op-amp condition is assumed
 Model Graph

Tabulation

Signal Amplitude (V) Time Period (ms)

Circuit Diagram, Design, Model Graph and tabulation of Monostable Multivibrator

Monostable Multivibrator is also known as One Short Multivibrator. As its name indicates it has
one stable state and it switches to unstable state for a time period T when it is triggered. The time
period T is determined by the RC time constant in the circuit. Monostable mode of 555 Timer is
commonly used for generating Pulse Width Modulated wave.

The pin connections are as follows. 8th pin and 1st pin of the 555 timer are used to give power
Vcc and Ground respectively. 4th pin is the Reset pin of 555 Timer, which is active low so it is
connected to Vcc to avoid accidental resets. 5th pin is the Control Voltage pin, used to provide
external reference voltage to internal comparators and it is grounded via capacitor C’ (0.01μF) to
avoid high frequency noises. When a negative trigger is applied on the Trigger input of 555,
output goes high and capacitor starts charging through resistor R. When the capacitor voltage
becomes greater than 2/3 Vcc, ouput goes low and capacitor starts discharging through the
Discharge pin of 555 Timer. Time period of the unstable state is given by the expression, T =
1.1RC.

The Monostable Multivibrator will be in its stable state (Output LOW) until it is triggered.
When a negative trigger is applied to the Trigger pin of 555 Timer, output of lower comparator
will become HIGH and output of upper comparator will be LOW, since the capacitor voltage is
zero. This makes the output HIGH. The Discharge transistor turns OFF and the capacitor starts
charges through resistor R to Vcc. After the negative trigger, output of lower comparator
becomes LOW and that of upper comparator remains LOW. Since both inputs of the SR Flip
Flop are LOW, output will not change, so the output is HIGH. When the capacitor voltage will
become greater than 2/3 Vcc, output of upper comparator becomes HIGH and that of lower
comparator remains LOW, so the output becomes LOW. This turns ON the discharge transistor
and the capacitor discharges. The circuit remains in its stable state (Output LOW) until next
trigger occurs
 Model graph

Tabulation

Signal Amplitude Time Period

Procedure:
Monostable Multivibrator:
1. Connect the circuit as per the circuit diagram.
2. Apply negative triggering pulses of frequency 1 KHz at pin 2.
3. Observe the output waveform at pin 3 and measure capacitor voltage across it at pin 6.
4. Calculate the pulse duration as T = 1.1R1C1, theoretically.
5. Compare it with experimental values.
6. Plot the graph for the input and output waveforms.

Astable Multivibrator:
1. Connect the circuit as per the circuit diagram.
2. Observe the output waveform at pin 3 and measure capacitor voltage across it at pin 6.
3. Theoretically calculate the Time period as T = 0.69 RBC + 0.69 (RA + RB)C.
4. Compare it with experimental values.
5. Plot the graph for the input and output waveforms
Result
Thus the Astable and Monostable multivibrators using IC555 are designed and constructed
and the corresponding waveforms are observed and drawn..

Inference from the Result:

Practice Questions
1. In R1=10kΩ, Rf=100kΩ, V1=1V. A load of 25kΩ is connected to the output terminal.
Calculate input current and output voltage in an inverting amplifier