INTRODUCTION

Light Chasers take a flasher to the next step. Many cases they are done with microcontrollers, small computers, but that isn't really necessary unless some kind of computation for the display is really needed. Two nifty ICs, the CD4017 and CD4022 are perfect for this kind of application. They will sequence almost any number of outputs. The data sheet shows how to cascade even more 4017s for more than 10 outputs, and one 4017 can do 2-10 outputs. For CMOS this chip has incredible drive, rated up to 6.8ma best case! I have designed it using 10ma for direct drive of LEDs, though this is definitely not recommended by the manufacturer, and may not work in everyones build.The thing to note about this design is it makes absolutely no difference how many LEDs are in each chain, as long as you are under the Vcc/Vf limit (and don't forget the LM317 3V drop). Why is this important? uses a capacitor voltage multiplication to boost the 3V from the battery to almost double that, enough to drive the 3.5V Vf of the blue LED. The Schottky diode drops a fraction of what a conventional diode does, or a Germanium diode could be used for much the same reason. Capacitor C2 was added after experimentation showed that it was necessary for maximum life. Without it the circuit basically dimmed and died after two weeks, using AAA alkaline batteries. Adding the capacitor extends the flash life, my test circuit has worked more than 3 months using AAA batteries. This is because the circuit is only on 3% of the time, the remaining 97% the capacitor takes on a charge. I suspect this is a unique case, but it is interesting.

CIRCUIT DIAGRAM

COMPONETS
RI______________100k R2______________10K R3______________51 C1______________4.7 micro farad C2______________100 micro farad T1_____________BC547 D1_____________1N4148

IC1____________555 timer IC2____________4017 decoder

Printed circuit board LED 9V DC battery

CHAPTER 1 IC NE 555 TIMER

1. Pin configuration

Fig 1.1 pin config.

The NE555 IC is a highly stable controller capable of producing accurate timing pulses. With a monostable operation, the time delay is controlled by one external resistor and one capacitor. With an astable operation, the frequency and duty cycle are accurately controlled by two external resistors and one capacitor. 1.1 Details of pin 1. Ground, is the input pin of the source of the negative DC voltage 2. trigger, negative input from the lower comparators (comparator B) that maintain oscillation capacitor voltage in the lowest 1 / 3 Vcc and set RS flip- flop 3. output, the output pin of the IC 555.

4. reset, the pin that serves to reset the latch inside the IC to be influential to reset the IC work. This pin is connected to a PNP-type transistor gate, so the transistor will be active if given a logic low. Normally this pin is connected directly to Vcc to prevent reset 5. control voltage, this pin serves to regulate the stability of the reference voltage negative input (comparator A). This pin can be left hanging, but to ensure the stability of the reference comparator A, usually associated with a capacitor of about 10nF to berorde pin ground 6. threshold, this pin is connected to the positive input (comparator A) which will reset the RS flip-flop when the voltage on the capacitor from exceeding 2 / 3 Vc 7. discharge, this pin is connected to an open collector transistor Q1 is connected to ground emitternya. Switching transistor serves to clamp the corresponding node to ground on the timing of certain 8. vcc, pin it to receive a DC voltage supply. Usually will work optimally if given a 5-15V.

the current supply can be seen in the datasheet, which is about 10-15mA.

1.2 Features
High Current Drive Capability (200mA) Adjustable Duty Cycle Temperature Stability of 0.005%/? C Timing From ? Sec to Hours Turn off Time Less Than 2? Sec

1.3 Applications
Precision Timing

CHAPTER 2 4017 DECODE COUNTER

The 4017 decade counter has ten outputs which go HIGH in sequence when a source of pulses is connected to the CLOCK input and when suitable logic levels are applied to the RESET and ENABLE inputs. The 4017 is an extremely useful device for project work and is used in the Games Timer and in various DOCTRONICS construction kits including the Light Chaser and the Matrix Die. When you are familiar with the 4017, you will be able to think of lots of useful applications. Internally, the 4017 contains five bistable subunits. These are interconnected in a pattern known as a Johnson counter. The outputs of the bistables are decoded to give the ten individvual outputs.

RESET and ENABLE inputs

the RESET and ENABLE inputs are each connected to 0 V through a 10 k pull down resistor. Initially, the behaviour of the circuit will be unchanged

INSIDE THE 4017

A Johnson counter is one type of walking ring counter using a shift register circuit in which the NOT-Q, or inverse output of the final stage is connected to the serial input of the first stage. You need a diagram to help you to understand this: 3-stage Johnson counter The behaviour of D-type flip- flops is described in the 4013 entry in the Beastie Zone. Essentially, the logic state at the D, or data input is transferred to the Q output on the rising edge of the clock signal. For a shift register, the clock inputs of all the D-type stages are joined toge ther so that all the flip- flops are clocked simultaneously. This results in logic states being passed along from one flip- flop to the next in sequence. Suppose the flip-flops have all been RESET, so that the A, B, C outputs are all logic 0. The D input to the first input will be at logic 1, as indicated in the first line of the table: clock pulses 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 D input 1 1 1 0 0 0 1 output A 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 output B 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 output C 0 0 0 1 1 1 0

sequence repeats.. Now follow the sequence of changes which will result as clock pulses are delivered to the counter. The rising edge of the first clock pulse transfers the '1' from D to A, while B and C remain '0'. The D input is the inverse of output C, that is, D remains at '1'. Work through the rest of the table thinking about what happens at the inputs and outputs of each of the flip-flops. As you can see, the counter has 6 distinct output states. When the sequence has been completed, counting starts again from the beginning. Johnson counters have 2n output states, where n is the number of flip-flops in the chain. Here n=3, giving 6 different output states. How many flip- flops will be needed inside the 4017