RC Switch

Paul Goossens

It is sometimes necessary for an RC

(remote control) model to contain some
kind of switching functionality. Some
things that come to mind are lights on a
model boat, or the folding away of the
undercarriage of an aeroplane, etc. A
standard solution employs a servo, which
then actually operates the switch. Sepa-
rate modules are also available, which
may or may not contain a relay.
A device with such functionality is emi-
nently suitable for building yourself. The
schematic shows that it can be easily
realised with a few standard compo-
nents.
The servo signal, which consists of pulses
from 1 to 2 ms duration, depending on
the desired position, enters the circuit via
pin 1 of connector K1. Two buffers from
IC2 provide the necessary buffering after
which the signal is differentiated by C2.
This has the effect that at each rising
edge a negative start signal is presented The aforementioned 555 is configured as this a little later on.
to pin 2 of IC1. D1 and R4 make sure a one-shot. The pulse-duration depends on Via IC2.C, the fixed-length pulse is, pre-
that at the falling edge the voltage at the combination of R2/C1. Lowering the sented to the clock input of a D-flip-flop.
pin 2 of IC2 does not become too high. voltage on pin 5 also affects the time. This As a consequence, the flip-flip will
IC1 (TLC555) is an old faithful in a results in reducing the length of the pulse. remember the state of the input (servo
CMOS version. A standard version (such In this circuit the pulse at the output of IC signal). The result is that when the servo-
as the NE555) works just as well, but this will last just over 1.5 ms when T1 does pulse is longer than the pulse form the
IC draws an unnecessarily high current, not conduct. When T1 does conduct, the 555, output Q will be high, otherwise
while we strive to keep the current con- duration will be a little shorter than the output will be low.
sumption as low as possible in the model. 1.5 ms. We will explain the purpose of It is possible, in practice, that the servo

+U B

+U B = max. +15V

R4 R2 K2
D1
100k

150k

D2
IC2.D
9 10
1
8 4
IC2.A BAT85
R JP1 1N4148
3 2 7 5 1 IC2.E max. 100mA
1 DIS D
IC1 IC2.C IC3.A 11 12
K1 C2 1
2 3 7 6 3 C 2
TR OUT 1
IC2.B
1n TLC555 R S IC2.F
5 4 6
0V 1 THR 4 6 14 15
1
CV
+U B
1 5
IC2 = 4049 R5
470k

R1 IC1 = 4013
4k7

9 13
D
1 14 T1 IC3.B T2
C3 C4 C1 R3
IC2 IC3 11 C 12
47k
8 7
100n 100n 10n R S
BC547 10 8 BC547

044030 - 11

elektor electronics - 7-8/2006

 that is, the output could be high at one
C4
time and low the next. To prevent this
K1 JP1 chatter there is feedback in the form of

R3
+ R1, R3 and T1. This circuit makes sure
0V
that when the flip-flip has decided that

1-030440IC3

IC2

R5
the servo-pulse is longer than the 555’s

044030-1
pulse (and signals this by making output
T1
R2
Q high), the pulse duration from the 555
C3

C1
T2 is made a little shorter. The length of the
R4
R1

IC1

C2 servo-signal will now have to be reduced

D1 + K2
D2 by a reasonable amount before the
044030-1
servo-pulse becomes shorter than the
555’s pulse. The moment this happens,
T1 will stop conducting and the mono-sta-
ble time will become a little longer. The
COMPONENTS LIST Semiconductors:
D1 = BAT85 or similar Schottky diode servo-pulse will now have to be longer
D2 = 1N4148 by a reasonable amount before the flip-
Resistors: IC1 = CMOS 555 (e.g., TLC555 or flip changes back again. This principle
R1 = 470kΩ ICM7555)
is called hysteresis.
R2 = 150kΩ IC2 = 4049
R3 = 47kΩ IC3 = 4013 Jumper JP1 lets you choose between the
R4 = 100kΩ T1,T2 = BC547B normal or inverted output signals. Buffers
R5 = 4kΩ7 IC2.D through to IC2.F together with R5
Miscellaneous: drive output transistor T2, which in turn
Capacitors: JP1 = jumper with 3-way pinheader
drives the output. Note that the load may
C1 = 10nF K1 = servo cable
C2 = 1nF K2 = 2-way pinheader or 2 solder pins draw a maximum current of 100 mA.
C3,C4 = 100nF PCB, available from The PCBShop Diode D2 has been added so that induc-
tive loads can be switched as well (for
example, electrically operated pneu-
signal is nearly the same length as the variation in the servo signal could there- matic valves).
output from the 555. A small amount of fore easily cause the output to ‘chatter’, (044030-1)

7-8/2006 - elektor electronics 3