EC1256 Electronics Circuits II & Simulation Lab

Designing an Astable Multivibrator

Aim: -

To design and simulate an Astable Multivibrator circuit.

Components: -

Name Components Description Number of

Used components
required

BC107 BC107A Transistor 2

RES RC05 Resistor 4

CAP CASE-A600 Capacitor 2

VDC SMB_VDC Dc voltage source 1

GND SMB_SPL0 Ground 1

Theory: -

Astable Multivibrator is a two stage switching circuit in which the output of the first stage is fed
to the input of the second stage and vice versa. The outputs of both the stages are
complementary. This free running multivibrator generates square wave without any external
triggering pulse. The circuit has two stable states and switches back and forth from one state to
another, remaining in each state for a time depending upon the discharging of the capacitive
circuit.

The multivibrator is one form of relaxation oscillator, the frequency of which may be controlled
by external synchronizing pulses.

In our experiment we are using transistor, as the amplifying device and also it is a collector
coupled multivibrator.
Figure shows the basic symmetrical astable multivibrator in which components in one half of a
cycle of the circuit are identical to their counterpart in the other half. Square wave output can be
obtained from the collector point of Q1 or Q2.

Operation

When supply voltage, VCC is applied, one transistor will conduct more than the other due to some
circuit imbalance. Initially let us assume that Q1 is conducting and Q2 is cut-off. Then VC1, the
output of Q1 is equal to VCESAT which is approximately zero and VC2 is equal to VCC. At this
instant C1 charges exponentially with the time constant R1C1 towards the supply voltage through
R1 and correspondingly VB2also increases exponentially towards VCC. When VB2 crosses the
coupling voltage Q2 starts conducting and VC2 falls to VCESAT. Also VB1 falls due to capacitive
coupling between collector of Q2 and base of Q1, thereby driving Q1 into OFF state. The rise in
voltage VC1 is coupled through C1 to the base of Q2 causing a small overshoot in voltage VB2.
Thus Q1 is OFF and Q2 is ON. At this instant the voltage levels are:

VB1 is negative, VC1=VCC, VB2=VBESAT and VC2=VCESAT.

When Q1 is OFF and Q2 is ON the voltage VB1 increases exponentially with a time constant
R2C2 towards VCC. Therefore Q1 is driven to saturation and Q2 to cut-off. Now the voltage levels
are:

VB1=VBESAT, VC1=VCESAT, VB2 is negative and VC2=VCC.

From the above it is clear that when Q2 is ON the falling voltage VC2 permits the discharging of
capacitor C2 which inturn drives Q1 into cut-off. The rising voltage of VC1 is fed back to the base
of Q2 tending to turn it ON. This process is regenerative.

Derivation of time period

The charging equation for a capacitor is given by

Capacitor voltage,

Hence

where VC - the capacitor voltage,

VINIT – the initial capacitor voltage,

VFIN – the final capacitor voltage

t – the time period of charging.

R and C – the resistor and capacitor through which charging occurs.

The capacitor discharges from –VCC to VCC.

Therefore VIN=(-VCC), VFIN=VCC, VC≅ 0V.

Substituting this in equation (2)

Taking natural logarithm

For a symmetrical astable multivibrator

Charging and discharging time periods are given by

From equation (5)

where T is the total time period.

Since the multivibrator is symmetrical

Design: -

Design Specifications

Manufacturer’s specifications

Applying KVL for the collector side of Q2.

 since it is a symmetrical astable multivibrator

Applying KVL for the base loop of the circuit

since it is a symmetrical astable multivibrator.

Design of C

The total time period T is given by

since it is a symmetrical astable multivibrator.

From equations (1) and (2)

The free running frequency is given by

Assume the frequency as 100Hz.

Procedure:-

EDWin 2000 -> Schematic Editor: The circuit diagram is drawn by loading components from the
library. Wiring and proper net assignment has been made. The values are assigned for relevant
components.

EDWin 2000 -> Mixed Mode Simulator: The circuit is preprocessed. The desired test points and
waveform markers are placed. The Transient Analysis parameters have been set. The Transient
Analysis is executed and output observed in Waveform Viewer.
Result:-

The output waveform may be observed in the waveform viewer

[Prepared by Jeyaganesh.N :: ECE IInd year]

[IMPORTANT NOTE: For reference purpose only]