SUBJECT:

ANALOG ELECTRONICS

TITLE:
TO DESIGN/BUILD ASTABLE MULTIVIBRATORS USING
555 IC AND VERIFY THEIR OPERATION USING
MEASUREMENTS BY OBSERVING WAVEFORMS.
DOC. CODE
DATE :

REV. NO. : 1.00/JUNE-2015

AIM:
To design/build astable multivibrators using 555 IC and verify their operation using measurements by
observing waveforms.
APPARATUS:

Analog board of AB28.

DC power supplies + 5V, from external source or ST2612 Analog Lab.
2 mm patch cords.
Ohm meter.
Function generator

THEORY:
Basically, 555 timers is a highly stable circuit capable of functioning as an accurate time-delay generator
and as a free running multivibrator. The 555 timer is highly stable device for generating accurate time
delay or oscillation. The device consists of two comparators that drive the set (S) and reset (R) terminals
of a flip-flop, which in turn controls the 'on' and 'off cycles of the discharge transistor Q1. The
comparator reference voltages are fixed at 2/3 Vcc for comparator C1 and Vcc/3 for comparator C2 by
means of the voltage divider made up of three series resistors (R). These reference voltages are required
to control the timing. The timing can be controlled externally by applying voltage to the control voltage
terminal.
Pin configuration:

Figure.1: IC 555 Pin Out

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Figure. 2: Functional Diagram

When used as an oscillator the frequency and duty cycle are accurately controlled by only two external
components, a resistor (R) and a capacitor (C). The circuit may be triggered and reset on falling wave
forms.
IC 555 as Astable Multivibrator :
A 555 timer connected to operate in the astable mode as a free-running relaxation oscillator (astable
multivibrator) is shown in Figure 3. Notice that the threshold input (THRESH) is now connected to the
trigger input (TRIG). The external components RA, RB and C form the timing circuit that sets the
frequency of oscillation. The capacitor connected to the control input is strictly for decoupling and has
no effect on the operation. Circuit does not have an input from any other circuit.

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Figure. 3: IC 555 as Astable multivibrator Functional Diagram

Figure. 4: IC 555 as Astable multivibrator with internal structure diagram.

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In this mode of operation, the timing capacitor charges up toward Vcc (assuming VO is high initially)
through (RA + RB) until the voltage across the capacitor reaches the threshold level of 2 Vcc/3. At this
point comparator C1 switches state causing the flipflop output Q to go high i.e., Q = V(1). This turns on
the discharge transistor Q1 and the timing capacitor C then discharges through RB and Q1 (pin 7). The
discharging continues until the capacitance voltage drops to Vcc/3, at which point comparator C2
switches states causing the flip-flop output Q to go low, i.e., Q=V(0), turning off the discharge transistor
Q1. At this point the capacitor starts to charge again, thus completing the cycle.
The output voltage and capacitor voltage waveforms are shown in Figure 5. As shown here, the
capacitor is periodically charged and discharged between 2 Vcc/3 and Vcc/3, respectively..

Figure. 5: Astable multivibrator waveform at various points

The time T1 for which the output is high is given by ;

T1 = 0.694 (R1 + R2) C
The time T2 for which the output is low is given by;
T2 = 0.694 R2C
Total period T for the oscillation is;
T = T1 + T2
T = 0.694 (R1 + 2 R2) C
The frequency f of the astable multivibrator is given by ;

Note that f will be in Hz if resistance is in ohms and capacitance in farads.

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OBSERVATION TABLE:
Sr.
No.

R1

R2

T1

T2

CALCULATION:

CONCLUSION:

LAB-INCHARGE

H.O.D
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