1
Design Problem 1: Switch-Mode Light Dimmer
Using Multivibrators
Mendoza, Mark Lenczner G.
Electrical and Electronics Engineering Institute
University of the Philippines Diliman
mark_lenczner_mendoza@eee.upd.edu.ph
Abstract The design problem is to construct a light bulb
dimmer using basic knowledge in multivibrators. For this project,
a cascaded astable and monostable multivibrator will be
implemented with the following specifications, a) frequency of
operation of 6.5kHz b) minimum duty cycle of 30% c) maximum
duty cycle of 90% d) be able to vary the intensity of the light bulb,
and e) be able to saturate the power transistor used. The design
problem involves four parts starting from simulating the design,
constructing the circuit, fine tuning the circuit to comply with the
specifications, and lastly, submit a documentation of the project.
I. INTRODUCTION
U sing multivibrators, we can implement a light bulb dimmer
by connecting a bulb in series with the multivibrator that would
act as a switch. When the switch is on, the voltage across the
bulb will be equal to the voltage source. The light intensity will
then be proportional to the average voltage across the bulb
which is proportional to the average on time of the switch. As
such, the light intensity is then proportional to the duty cycle of
the switch.
An Astable Multivibrator or a Free Running Multivibrator is the
multivibrator which has no stable states. Its output oscillates
continuously between its two unstable states without the aid of
external triggering. The time period of each states are
determined by Resistor Capacitor ( RC ) time constant. [2] We
would use this circuit to generate an output with a frequency of
operation that will comply with the specifications.
Monostable Multivibrator or One-Shot Multivibrator has only
one stable state. By default monostable multivibrator will be in
its stable state, but when triggered it will switch to unstable state
(quasi-stable state) for a time period. [3] Using the astable
output as a trigger, we can make a free running multivibrator
with a varying duty cycle as the output of the monostable
multivibrator.
II. OBJECTIVES
The objective of the project is to understand astable and
monostable circuits and to design and implement a light bulb
dimmer using the multivibrators
III. DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION
A. Specifications
The following are the specifications for the design problem:
The specifications for the design is as follows:
1) Implement an astable multivibrator cascaded to a variable
duty cycle monostable multivibrator
2) Frequency: 6.5kHz
3) Minimum Duty Cycle: 30%
4) Maximum Duty Cycle: 90%
B. Calculation and Design
For Milestone 1, present a working simulation of the astable and
monostable output. Included are the calculations and design
equations used for the simulation.
Astable Multivibrator
Design the astable multivibrator such that the frequency of the
output is within specifications (6.5kHz). The output of the
astable multivibrator is then cascaded to the monostable
multivibrator and will be used as a triggering pulse.
The basic idea is that the transistors will perform as switches.
The two transistors will alternate between their on and off
states. When the circuit is switched on, one of the transistor
will be more conducting than the other due imbalance in the
circuit or difference in the parameters of the transistor.
Gradually the more conducting transistor will be driven to
Saturation and the less conducting transistor will be driven to
cutoff.
T' = 0.69RC
Equation 1. Period of oscillation
 2

Where T is the period of the output.
Given that f = 1/T, and f = 6.5kHz, and let the mark:space ratio
be equal, let C = 2.2nF, we compute for the value of R using the
equation above, and we get the following values for our astable
multivibrator.
R = 52.2k
C = 2.2nF
Rb = 180k
And further improve the waveform, we use a speed up capacitor
in parallel with the base resistance. The speed up capacitor is to
be sized to remove the charge stored at the base of the transistor
during saturation period. For this project, we assign the speed
up capacitor to be equal to 10pF.
Triggering Circuit

Rc = (Vcc - Vce,sat) / Ic In order to cascade the astable and monostable circuit, a

Equation 2. Collector Resistance
Given that the Vcc = 12V, Vce,sat = 0.2V, and assuming Ic =
2mA, we solve for the value of the resistance at the collector
and get
triggering circuit is used in between the multivibrators. For this
project, the type of triggering used is an RC differentiator in
series with a diode. The output of the astable multivibrator
passes the triggering circuit and is coupled to the base of the
input side of the monostable multivibrator.

Rc = 5.9k To design, we choose the values of the RC at the triggering

circuit to be less than 10 times of the period or T >> 0.1RC so
Monostable Multivibrator that the RC circuit will function as a differentiator.

For us to understand how the monostable works, we can

compare it to a momentary contact with a push button. The
C. Design Schematic and Simulations
trigger will set the multivibrator momentarily at its unstable
state, and will then return to its stable state. For this project,
we will use the astable output as the trigger for the monostable
multivibrator.
Design the monostable multivibrator with a varying duty cycle
that is within specifications (Min: 30%, Max: 90%)

Duty Cycle

Given that the period of oscillation is equal to Equation 1, we

define the on and off time of the waveform as
T = Ton + Toff

To comply with the given specifications, we want Ton to be at

the range of [30, 90] in percentage of the total period. Thus, at
30% duty cycle, Ton = 0.3T and at 90% duty cycle, Ton = 0.9T.
Solving for the resistance values using Equation 1, and
assuming C = 2.2nF, we get:

Resistance @ 30% duty cycle: R = 30.4k

Resistance @ 90% duty cycle: R = 92.5k

Collector Resistance
To solve for the collector resistance at our monostable
multivibrator, we use equation 2 and arrive at the same value.

Base Resistance
To solve for the base resistance, we choose is such that it should
provide enough current for the transistor at the output.
Rb = (Vcc Vbe ) / Ib
Equation 3. Base Resistance.
Using equation 3, we solve for the base resistance given that Ib
is at least 3 times Ic or Ib = 60uA.
Figure 1. Design Schematic for Design Problem 1: Switch-
Mode Light Dimmer using Multivibrators
The figure above shows the two multivibrators, astable and
monostable, the triggering circuit, and the load which is a 5 ohm
resistor. For Milestone 1, the objective is to properly simulate
an astable and monostable multivibrator.
 3

Notice, however, that the waveform for the maximum duty

cycle is not the ideal waveform we want. This simulation is
done after attaching the load to the monostable output, and
therefore is not able to take into account the effect of the load.
Failure to notice this during the actual implementation may
have lead to not satisfying the maximum duty cycle
specifications.
D. Actual Circuit and Components Used

For Milestone 2 and 3, present an actual working circuit and

check the output of the monostable circuit. In order to get full
credits for Milestone 3, the output of the circuit must be within
specifications even after the load has been connected to the
multivibrator. The intensity of the bulb must also vary and the
power transistor must be saturated.

Table 1.
Components Value Used
Qty Circuit Theoretical Standard Circuit Element
Element Value Value in Diagram
(Calculated ) (Circuit
Element
Used)

Astable Multivibrator

2 Transistor - 2N3904 Q3,Q4

Figure 2. Simulation for minimum duty cycle.
2 Diode - 1N4148 D3,D4

2 Capacitor 2.2nF 2.2nF C4,C5

4 Resistors 5.9k 5.6k R6,R9,R11,R13

2 Resistors 52.2k 53k R7,R8

Monostable Multivibrator

2 Transistors - 2N3904 Q1,Q2

1 Diode - 1N4148 D1

1 Capacitor 10pF 10pF C3

1 Capacitor 2.2nF 2.2nF C1

1 Resistor 200k 200k R4

2 Resistor 5.9k 5.6k R2,R3

1 Resistor 30.4k 30k R5

1 Variable 100k 100k VR1

Resistor

1 Resistor 320k 300k R1

Triggering Circuit

Figure 3. Simulation for maximum duty cycle. 1 Diode 1N4148 D2

 4

1 Capacitor 2.2nF 2.2nF C2

During the final checking, to comply with the specification,
the power transistor must be saturated. The following image is
1 Resistor 650k 680k R14 the voltage at the collector of the power transistor.

Buffer Circuit

1 Transistor - 2N3904 Q6

1 Resistor 220 220 R15

1 Resistor 330 330 R16

1 Resistor 1k 1k R12

The following are the theoretical and actual components used

for the circuit. In solving for the resistance to achieve a
maximum duty cycle of 90%, a parallel combination was made
between R1 and the series resistance of VR1 and R5.

E. Circuit Implementation Figure 5. Voltage at the collector of the power transistor.

This serves as a verification that indeed, the power transistor is

saturated. The plot shows us that the since the transistor is
saturated, the voltage across it is its saturation voltage (at the
level of 200mV).

IV. CONCLUSION
While the author have failed to properly document the actual
waveforms during the checking, it is with delight that the
project was done and implemented. Using our basic knowledge
about multivibrators, we were able to properly implement a
light bulb dimmer circuit. Throughout the design problem
implementation, constructing the actual circuit was the most
difficult because a lot of non-idealities has been encountered.
Although most of the times the simulation has been true with
the actual waveform, there has been instances were difference
between the simulated and actual waveform has been noticed.
This, however, gave an insight of how the theoretical
knowledge can be applied to an actual circuit. This design
problem has been able to properly satisfy the objective by
making the students understand how to apply their knowledge
in multivibrators.

REFERENCES

Retrieved from:
Figure 4. Circuit Implementation of the Design Problem 1
[1]Bell, David A. Solid State Pulse Circuits. Caloocan City:
Philippine Graphic Arts, 1985. Print.
The following is the circuit implementation of the Design
[2]https://electrosome.com/astable-multivibrator-transistors/
Problem 1. The implementation has been true to the circuit
[3]https://electrosome.com/monostable-multivibrator-
schematic design with variations only in the parallel
transistors/
combination of the potentiometer and R1 used. Changes has
been made in order to satisfy the specifications.