555 TIMERS

• A multivibrator is a one type of electronic circuit, that is used to implement a two

state system like flip-flops, timers and oscillators.

• Multivibrators are classified into three types based on the circuit operation,
namely Astable multivibrators, Bistable multivibrators and Monostable
multivibrators.

• The astable multivibrator is not stable and it repeatedly switches from one state to
the other.

• In monostable multivibrator, one state is stable and remaining state is unstable.

• A trigger pulse is the root to the circuit to enter the unstable state. When the
circuit enters into the unstable state, then it will return to the normal state after a
fixed time.
555 TIMER BLOCK DIAGRAM
 IC 555 Timer as 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 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 (oscillator).
 Working principle
• Initially, on power-up, the flip-flop is RESET (and hence the output of the timer is
low). As a result, the discharge transistor is driven to saturation (as it is connected
to Q’).
• The capacitor C of the timing circuit is connected at Pin 7 of the IC 555 and will
discharge through the transistor. The output of the timer at this point is low. The
voltage across the capacitor is nothing but the trigger voltage.
• So, while discharging, if the capacitor voltage becomes less than 1/3 V CC, which is
the reference voltage to trigger comparator (comparator 2), the output of the
comparator 2 will become high.
• This will SET the flip-flop and hence the output of the timer at pin 3 goes to HIGH.
• This high output will turn OFF the transistor.
• As a result, the capacitor C starts charging through the resistors R 1 and R2. Now,
the capacitor voltage is same as the threshold voltage (as pin 6 is connected to the
capacitor resistor junction).
• While charging, the capacitor voltage increases exponentially towards V CC and the
moment it crosses 2/3 VCC, which is the reference voltage to threshold comparator
(comparator 1), its output becomes high.
• As a result, the flip-flop is RESET. The output of the timer falls
to LOW.
• This low output will once again turn on the transistor which
provides a discharge path to the capacitor.
• Hence the capacitor C will discharge through the resistor R 2. And
hence the cycle continues.
• Thus, when the capacitor is charging, the voltage across the
capacitor rises exponentially and the output voltage at pin 3 is
high.
• Similarly, when the capacitor is discharging, the voltage across
the capacitor falls exponentially and the output voltage at pin 3 is
low.
• The shape of the output waveform is a train of rectangular pulses
Working principle
Duty Cycle
• The charging and discharging time constants depends on the
values of the resistors R1 and R2. Generally, the charging time
constant is more than the discharging time constant.
• Duty cycle is the mathematical parameter that forms a
relation between the high output and the low output.
• Duty Cycle is defined as the ratio of time of HIGH output i.e.,
the ON time to the total time of a cycle.
• If TON is the time for high output and T is the time period of
one cycle, then the duty cycle D is given by:
D = TON/ T
• Time High (Seconds) T1 = 0.693 * (R1+R2) * C1
Time Low (Seconds) T2 = 0.693 * R2 * C1
Time Period T = Time High + Time Low = 0.693 *
(R1+2*R2) * C1
Freqeuncy f = 1/Time Period = 1/ 0.693 *
(R1+2*R2) * C1 = 1.44 / (R1+2*R2) * C1
Duty Cycle: Duty cycle is the ratio of time for which
the output is HIGH to the total time.
• Duty cycle %: (Time HIGH/ Total time) * 100 =
(T1/T) * 100 = (R1+R2)/ (R1+2*R2) *100
• Advantages of Astable Multivibrator
• No external triggering required.
• Circuit design is simple.
• Inexpensive.
• Can function continuously.
• Disadvantages of Astable Multivibrator
• Energy absorption is more within the circuit.
• Output signal is of low energy.
• Duty cycle less than or equal to 50% can’t be achieved.
• Applications of Astable Multivibrator
• Astable Multivibrators are used in many applications such as amateur
radio equipment, Morse code generators, timer circuits, analog circuits,
and TV systems.
IC 555 Timer as Monostable Multivibrator
• Monostable Multivibrator: Monostable is also called one shot
multivibrator. In monostable multivibrator there is one stable state and
one astable state.
• This multivibrator need a trigger (external signal) to enter into the
astable state and get back to the stable state after some time period.
The time period will be set by the user, the monostable multivibrator is
mainly used as timer.
• This trigger pulse starts a timing cycle, which causes the o/p to change
its state at the time of start of timing cycle and continues in the second
state which is decided by the time constant of the capacitor C and
resistor R until it returns to its original state.
• It will continue in this state until another i/p signal is received.
Monostable multivibrators can produce a much longer rectangular
waveform.
Circuit Operation:
• When there is no external trigger to the circuit the one transistor will
be in saturation state and other will be in cutoff state. Q1 is in cutoff
mode and put at negative potential until the external trigger to operate,
Q2 is in saturation mode.
• Once the external trigger is given to the input Q1 will get turn on and
when the Q1 reaches the saturation the capacitor which is connected
to the collector of Q1 and base of Q2 will make transistor Q2 to turn off.
This is state of turn off Q2 transistor is called astable stable or quasi
state.
• When capacitor charges to VCC the Q2 will turn on again and
automatically Q1 is turn off. So the time period for charging of capacitor
through the resistor is directly proportional to the quasi or astable state
of multivibrator when a external trigger occurred (t=0.69RC).
Advantages of Monostable Multivibrator
It needs only one single pulse to start its operation there is no
need of extra pulse for its operation.
Its construction is very simple and can be constructed easily.
Due to simple construction its price is also less.
Disadvantages of Monostable Multivibrator
The major drawback of using a monostable multivibrator is
that the time between the applications of trigger pulse T has to
be greater than the RC time constant of the circuit.
Applications of Monostable Multivibrator
Due to time delay capability, it is mostly used in different timer
circuits.
It also used in different storage circuits.
It also used to provide input to other pluse generator circuits.
It also has ability to reproduce damage pulses again.