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In the above diagram we can find two transistors which is wired as a switch. Please do read
the article Transistor as A Switch. When a transistor is ON, its collector and emitter act as a
short circuit. But when it is OFF they acts as open circuit. So in the above circuit when a
transistor is in OFF state its collector will have the voltage Vcc and when it is ON its
collector will be grounded. When one transistor is ON the other will be OFF. The OFF time
of transistor is determined by RC time constant.
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 Cut-off.
Working
When the circuit is switched on one transistor will driven to saturation (ON) and other
will driven to cut-off (OFF). Consider Q1 is ON and Q2 is OFF.
During this time Capacitor C2 is charging to Vcc through resistor R.
Q2 is OFF due to the -ive voltage from the discharging capacitor C1 which is charged
during the previous cycle. So the OFF time of Q2 is determined by R1C1 time
constant.
After a time period determined by R1C1 time constant the capacitor C1 discharges
completely and starts charging in reverse direction through R1.
When the Capacitor C1 charges to a voltage sufficient provide base emitter voltage of
0.7V to the transistor Q2, it turns ON and capacitor C2 starts discharging.
The negative voltage from the capacitor C2 turns off the transistor Q1 and the
capacitor C1 starts charging from Vcc through resistor R and base emitter of transistor
Q2. Thus the transistor Q2 remains in ON state.
As in the previous state, when the capacitor C2 discharges completely it starts
charging towards opposite direction through R2.
When the voltage across the capacitor C2 is sufficient to turn ON transistor Q1, Q1
will turn ON and capacitor C1 starts discharging.
This process continuous and produces rectangular waves at the collector of each
transistors.
Note : Charging time is very less compared to discharging time.
Design
R – Collector Resistor
The resistance R should be designed to limit the collector current Ic with in a safe limit.
In normal cases, V = (Vcc – Vce) = (Vce – 0.3) but when an emitter load like LED is
connected,
V = (Vcc – Vce – Vled) , where Vled is the voltage drop across LED.
Usually the maximum collector current Ic will be much higher than than the current required
for emitter load such as LED. In these cases Ic should be chosen in such a way that it should
not exceed the max current limit of emitter load.
So,
R1 & R2 should be chosen such that it should give the required collector current during
saturation state.
Duty Cycle
Duty Cycle
It is the ratio of time Tc during which the output is high to total time period T of the cycle.
Thus here, Duty Cycle = Toff/(Toff + Ton) when the output is taken from the collector of
the transistor T.
Well explained and easily comprehensible. Especially the graphical illustration of the
working should be appreciated. Thanks a lot!
Can Anyone.. Design Astable multivibrator using OP-AMP to generate a square wave of 5
KHz with 70% duty cycle ?
Hello,
Sorry, the above article is about transistors. If you want more support please use our forums,
http://electrosome.com/forums
There is no chance for both sides to be in proper balance. Each resistors will have slight
difference in their values and each transistors will have changes in beta, base resistance etc.
dear sir ,
how design the astable multivibrator with round off noise remover
it works!!!!!
sir,
these two capacitor are charging through resistor R but its frequency depend upon resistor R1
, R2 why and how it happen? I have a Buzzer circuit using Astable multivibrator…pls
explain.
hello….. please provide me the value of R and C for 500KHz and 1MHz frequency.
Good Question.
It is the discharging time matters.. not charging time.
March 19, 2016 at 10:52 am
Ligo George
Just calculate it using the equations or use the above calculator for that.
ya i done …. i have one problem , i have designed a proper PCB for this circuit and soldered
and it is a circuit for RF…. but i have a problem … initially i connected multi-meter to power
supply and fixed it to 4 volt then i connected this 4 volt to my circuit then suddenly multi-
meter is showing 1.2 volt… i m not getting why it is happening ….. is it the problem with
impedance mismatch ??… if you have any idea then please help me
Can you please elaborate the reason why we are not getting a sharp edge in the first case ??
LOW to HIGH transition means, it is an impulse (or ac with very high frequency). For this
capacitor acts like a short circuit or it consumes good current during that transition. So that
loading effect will come on output voltage.
Great Explanation!!
But i’ve seen other videos saying that the capacitor C1 will charge through resistance R1
when Q1 is ON and i’m so confused about this ,Can you explain ?
Value of R1, R2 is high compared the collector resistor R”. So it will charge through
collector resistor R only.
It depends on the transistor you are using. Check the datasheet of transistor for me details.
the OFF time of Q2 is determined by R1C1 time constant.( how it is true then)
For ON transistor base also connected to -ve plate of capacitor then how it is on
decent. Though you should also explain why the initial conditions have been set as thus.a
switch turning on because of differences is ok.However how one of the caps is pre-charged to
Vcc is important to understand.
March 27, 2017 at 4:00 am
Irshad Shaik
joseph rob
Discharging is done via R1 and R2. Keep in mind to use electron and not hole flow.
Module 4.1
BJT Astable Multivibrators
What you´ll learn in Module 4.1
The basic bipolar transistor (BJT) version of an astable multivibrator as shown in Fig. 4.1.1
has two outputs that repeatedly change state at a rate determined by the time constants of its
feedback network. Although largely superseded by its equivalent op amp or timer IC versions
in many applications, it is still a useful and flexible design for square wave and pulse
generation. The circuits shown on this page will operate from a DC supply between 3.3V and
9V. Whilst the voltages and waveforms in the operational descriptions refer to the circuit
working from a 9V supply, this supply voltage may be a little high as the base/emitter
voltages on the transistors produces negative going spikes on each cycle of about -8.4V (see
Fig. 4.1.3) and the data sheet for the 2N3904 specifies a maximum base/emitter voltage of
6V. Therefore a 5V supply can be recommended for greater reliablity.
This is the first article in a series that I call ‘Learning Electronics’. The goal is to learn and
experiment with basic electronic circuits. The first circuit I will discuss here is the astable
multivibrator. This is a very simple oscillator circuit that can be used to generate square
waves. Here is the schematic of a standard astable multivibrator:
It consists of only two NPN transistors (T1 and T2), two capacitors (C1 and C2), and four
resistors (R1-R4), organized in a symmetric fashion. The collectors of T1 and T2 are outputs,
which provide complement square wave signals. The values of the capacitors and resistors
can vary depend on the desired frequency, and their values do not have to be symmetric.
Update: as some readers pointed out, for square wave output, the resistor values should
satisfy: R2 / R1 < h_fe, where h_fe is the transistor's current gain (same for R3 and R4). As
h_fe is usually around 80 to 250 for 2N3904, the specific values above (R1=1K, R2=100K)
are close to the margin. To improve this, consider increasing R1 or decreasing R2.
Alternatively, you can replace 2N3904 with BC547, or even a Darlington transistor (e.g.
MPSA14), which have higher h_fe values.
Principles
So how does the circuit work? To begin, when power is applied, theoretically both T1 and T2
should turn on, since their base pins are connected through resistors (R2 and R3) to Vcc.
However, due to small differences in the electric properties, one of the them will turn on
slightly earlier than the other. Without loss of generality, let’s assume T2 turns on first.
Therefore, T2’s collector begins to conduct and can be thought of as ‘shorted’ to ground.
Note that C2’s right lead is connected to T2’s collector, and since C2 is not charged yet, its
left lead also has a voltage close to ground. This immediately shuts off T1, i.e. T1 becomes
an open circuit. Therefore C1’s left lead is in floating status, and its right lead is connected to
T2’s base, which is about 0.7V due to the forward voltage drop of transistors. This forward
voltage drop is the same as a diode. So at this moment, the circuit is equivalent to the
following:
Stage 1
During this period, T2’s collector (output O2) remains low, and C2 begins to charge through
R3. Thus the voltage on C2’s left lead will rise, and the rising time depends on R3 x C2. At
the same time, C1 also charges, through R1, which is typically a small resistor (e.g. 100-1000
ohm). So C1’s left lead (output O1) will quickly rise up to Vcc and remains high.
As C2 continues to charge, a critical moment will happen when its left lead rise up to 0.7V, at
which moment transistor T1 will turn on, and its collector will conduct to ground. Note that
since C1’s left lead is connected to T1’s collector, it will also drop to ground voltage. As C1
is fully charged, it’s right lead will suddenly drop to a negative voltage (-Vcc). This will shuts
off T2 firmly. Therefore the circuit will suddenly transition to the following equivalent:
Stage 2
During this period, output O1 will remain low, and output O2 will quickly rise to Vcc (due to
the charging of C2 through a small resistor R4). At the same time, C1 charges through R2
and the voltage on its right lead will rise over time determined by R2 x C1. Now you can
predict what’s going to happen: as C1 continues to charge, the next critical moment happens
when C1’s right lead rises above 0.7V. At that point, T2 will conduct again while T1 shuts
off. The same cycle will repeat. There you go, oscillators!
Monostable Multivibrator Circuit
Operation
August 23, 2015 By Administrator 5 Comments
Multivibrator is an electronic circuit which will work as two stage amplifier operating in both
stable and astable mode.In the multivibrator the output of first stage is given to the second stage
and the second stage output is again feed back to the first stage by this the cutoff state will
become saturate and saturate state will become to cutoff. Because of the transition of states
the multivibrator can be used as oscillators, timers and flip-flops.
Table of Contents
Types of Multivibrator:
Monostable Multivibrator:
Monostable Multivibrator Circuit Operation:
o Circuit Diagram:
o Circuit Operation:
o Uses of Monostable Multivibrator:
Types of Multivibrator:
The multivibrators are divided into three types according to the stability in states.
1. Astable Multivibrator: This multivibrator will not be stable in both the states; it will
rapidly get switches from one state to another state. This type of multivibrator is mainly
used as oscillators. Astable multivibrator is also called as free running multi vibrators
there is no limit or time for switching the states.
2. 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.
3. Bi-Stable Multivibrator: This circuit has both the stable states. Valid trigger will
change state; it will be in that state only up to the next trigger. This circuit is mainly
used as flip-flops.
Monostable Multivibrator:
Monostable multivibrator has one stable state and one quasi stable state (astable state). When
an external trigger applied to the circuit, the multivibrator will jump to quasi stable state from
stable state.
After the period of time it will automatically set back to the stable state, for returning to the
stable state multivibrator does not require any external trigger. The time period to returning to
stable state circuit is always depends on the passive elements in the circuit (resistor and
capacitor values
Monostable Multivibrator Circuit Operation:
Circuit Diagram:
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).
The monostable multivibrators are used as timers, delay circuits, gated circuits etc.
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Astable Operation
Suppose that at switch on, TR1 is conducting heavily and TR2 is turned off. The collector of
TR1 will be almost at zero volts as will the left hand plate of C1. Beause TR2 is turned off at
this time, its collector will be at supply voltage and its base will be at almost zero potential,
the same as TR1 collector, because C1 is still un-charged and its two plates are at the same
potential.
C1 now begins to charge via R2 and its right hand plate becomes increasingly positive until it
reaches a voltage of about +0.6V. As this plate of the capacitor is also connected to the base
of TR2, this transistor will begin to conduct heavily. The rapidly increasing collector current
through TR2 now causes a voltage drop across R4, and TR2 collector voltage falls, causing
the right hand plate of C2 to fall rapidly in potential.
It is the nature of a capacitor that when the voltage on one plate changes rapidly, the other
plate also undergoes a similar rapid change, therefore as the right hand plate of C2 falls
rapidly from supply voltage to almost zero, the left hand plate must fall in voltage by a
similar amount.
With TR1 conducting, its base would have been about 0.6V, so as TR2 conducts TR1 base
falls to 0.6 −9V = −8.4V, a negative voltage almost equal and opposite to that of the +9V
supply voltage.
This rapidly turns off TR1 causing a rapid rise in its collector voltage. Because a sudden
voltage change on one plate of a capacitor causes the other plate to change by a similar
amount, this sudden rise at TR1 collector is transmitted via C1 to TR2 base causing TR2 to
rapidly turn on as TR1 turns off. A change of state has occurred at both outputs.
This new state does not last however. C2 now begins to charge via R3, and once the voltage
on the left hand plate (TR1 base) reaches about +0.6V another rapid change of state takes
place. This switching action produces the collector and base waveforms shown in Fig. 4.1.3.
Frequency Calculations
The circuit keeps on changing state in this manner producing a square wave at each collector.
The frequency of oscillation can be calculated, as the time for the relevant capacitor to charge
sufficiently for a change of state to take place, will be approximately 0.7CR and, as two
changes of state occur in each cycle the periodic time T will be:
If C1 = C2 and R2 = R3 the mark to space ratio will be 1:1and in this case the frequency of
oscillation will be:
Example
What is the frequency of an astable multivibrator of mark/space ratio 1:1 using timing
components of C=100nF and R=33K?
Each time TR2 collector voltage goes high as the transistor turns off, D2 becomes reverse
biased, isolating TR2 from the effect of C2 charging. The charging current for C2 is now
supplied by R5 instead of R6. The action of TR1 during its ‘off’ period is similar.
The output waveforms at the collectors of TR1 and TR2 shown in Fig. 4.1.5 demonstrate the
improved rise times achieved by the modified circuit of Fig. 4.1.4, compared with those for
the basic BJT astable circuit shown in Fig. 4.1.2.
It is useful to be able to vary the frequency of operation, and this may be done as shown in
Fig.4.1.6.
By varying VR1 the voltage at the top of both R3 and R4 is varied so that whatever mark to
space ratio is used, only the frequency alters, whilst the mark to space ratio is maintained.
Multivibrator is an electronic circuit which will work as two stage amplifier operating in both
stable and astable mode.In the multivibrator the output of first stage is given to the second stage
and the second stage output is again feed back to the first stage by this the cutoff state will
become saturate and saturate state will become to cutoff. Because of the transition of states
the multivibrator can be used as oscillators, timers and flip-flops.
Table of Contents
Types of Multivibrator:
Monostable Multivibrator:
Monostable Multivibrator Circuit Operation:
o Circuit Diagram:
o Circuit Operation:
o Uses of Monostable Multivibrator:
Types of Multivibrator:
The multivibrators are divided into three types according to the stability in states.
1. Astable Multivibrator: This multivibrator will not be stable in both the states; it will
rapidly get switches from one state to another state. This type of multivibrator is mainly
used as oscillators. Astable multivibrator is also called as free running multi vibrators
there is no limit or time for switching the states.
2. 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.
3. Bi-Stable Multivibrator: This circuit has both the stable states. Valid trigger will
change state; it will be in that state only up to the next trigger. This circuit is mainly
used as flip-flops.
Monostable Multivibrator:
Monostable multivibrator has one stable state and one quasi stable state (astable state). When
an external trigger applied to the circuit, the multivibrator will jump to quasi stable state from
stable state.
After the period of time it will automatically set back to the stable state, for returning to the
stable state multivibrator does not require any external trigger. The time period to returning to
stable state circuit is always depends on the passive elements in the circuit (resistor and
capacitor values
Circuit Diagram:
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).
The monostable multivibrators are used as timers, delay circuits, gated circuits etc.
Other Posts:
Comments
1. Dian says
September 21, 2013 at 7:19 pm
Reply
2. fikir says
it id good 4 me.
Reply
Reply
4. srinivas says
Reply
5. Godfrey says
Thanks
Reply
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