Simulation 4

Multivibrators

Aim: To design astable multivibrator and monostable multivibrator circuits and

verify using PSPICE simulation tool

Circuit Diagram:

a. Duty cycle > 50% b. Duty cycle ≤ 50%

Figure 1: Astable Multivibrator

Figure 2: Monostable Multivibrator

1
Theory: The internal structure of 555 timer IC is shown below.

The IC is made of a combination of comparators and flip-flop. A series

connection of three resistors sets the reference voltage levels to the two
2𝑉 𝑉
comparators at 3𝐶𝐶 and 3𝐶𝐶 , the output of these comparators set or reset the flip-flop
unit. The output of the flip-flop circuit is then brought out through an output amplifier
stage. The flip-flop circuit also operates a transistor inside the IC, which inturn
discharges a timing capacitor.

Astable Operation

One popular application of the 555 timer IC is as an astable multivibrator or

clock circuit. Figure 1a shows an astable multivibrator circuit built using external
resistors and capacitors to set the timing interval of the output signal.

Capacitor C charges toward VCC through external resistors RA and RB. The
capacitor voltage rises until it goes above 2VCC/3. This voltage is the threshold
voltage at pin 6, which drives comparator 1 to trigger the flip-flop so that the output at
pin 3 goes low. In addition, the discharge transistor is driven on, causing the pin 7 to
discharge the capacitor through resistor RB. The capacitor voltage then decreases
until it drops below the trigger level VCC/3. The flipflop is triggered so that the output
goes back high and the discharge transistor is turned off, so that the capacitor can
again charge through resistors RA and RB toward VCC.

The time taken by capacitor to charge to 2VCC/3 is given by

𝑇𝐻𝑖𝑔ℎ = 0.7(𝑅𝐴 + 𝑅𝐵 )𝐶
The time taken by capacitor to discharge from 2VCC/3 to VCC/3 is given by
𝑇𝐿𝑜𝑤 = 0.7𝑅𝐵 𝐶
The frequency of oscillations is given by
1 1.44
𝑓= =
𝑇𝐻𝑖𝑔ℎ + 𝑇𝐿𝑜𝑤 (𝑅𝐴 + 2𝑅𝐵 )𝐶
The duty cycle is given by

2
 𝑇𝐻𝑖𝑔ℎ 𝑅𝐴 + 𝑅𝐵
𝑑= =
𝑇𝐻𝑖𝑔ℎ + 𝑇𝐿𝑜𝑤 𝑅𝐴 + 2𝑅𝐵

If duty cycle less than or equal to 50% is desired then circuit shown in Figure
1b can be used. The diode causes the capacitor to charge through resistor R A
discharge via resistor RB. Thus by making RA < RB, duty cycle less than 50% can be
achieved. The expression for frequency and duty cycle with diode reduces to
1.44
𝑓=
(𝑅𝐴 + 𝑅𝐵 )𝐶
𝑅𝐴
𝑑=
𝑅𝐴 + 𝑅𝐵

Monostable Operation

The 555 timer can also be used as a one-shot or monostable multivibrator

circuit, the circuit diagram is shown in Figure 2. When the trigger input signal goes
negative, it triggers the oneshot, with output at pin 3 then going high for a time period
𝑇𝐻𝑖𝑔ℎ = 1.1𝑅𝐶
The negative edge of the trigger input causes comparator 2 to trigger the flip-
flop, with the output at pin 3 going high. Capacitor C charges toward VCC through
resistor R. During the charge interval, the output remains high. When the voltage
across the capacitor reaches the threshold level of 2VCC/3, comparator 1 triggers the
flip-flop, with output going low. The discharge transistor also goes low, causing the
capacitor to remain at near 0 V until triggered again.
Time periods for this circuit can range from microseconds to many seconds,
making this IC useful for a range of applications such as vending machines.

Design Steps:

1. Astable Multivibrator
Sl.No. Steps Working
1. Frequency of square wave required f=
2. Duty cycle of square wave required d=
Time period T = THigh + TLow
3. 1 T=
𝑇=
𝑓
Calculate THigh and TLow THigh =
4. 𝑇𝐻𝑖𝑔ℎ = 𝑑. 𝑇
𝑇𝐿𝑜𝑤 = (1 − 𝑑). 𝑇 = 𝑇 − 𝑇𝐻𝑖𝑔ℎ TLow =
5. Assume the value of capacitor C C=
Calculate RA and RB
𝑇𝐿𝑜𝑤
𝑅𝐵 =
0.7𝐶 RA =
6.
If duty cycle is less than or equal to 50% (d ≤ 0.5) then
𝑇𝐻𝑖𝑔ℎ RB =
𝑅𝐴 =
0.7𝐶
If duty cycle is greater than 50% (d > 0.5) then

3
 𝑇𝐻𝑖𝑔ℎ
𝑅𝐴 = − 𝑅𝐵
0.7𝐶
RLoad = 10 kΩ
7. Assume RLoad and Cf
Cf = 10 nF

2. Monostable Multivibrator
Sl.No. Steps Working
Duration for which the monostable multivibrator should
1. THigh =
remain high THigh
2. Assume the value of capacitor C C=
Calculate R
3. 𝑇𝐻𝑖𝑔ℎ R=
𝑅=
1.1𝐶
RLoad = 10 kΩ
4. Assume RLoad and Cf
Cf = 10 nF
Choose the input pulse period PER such that
5. 𝑃𝐸𝑅 > 𝑇𝐻𝑖𝑔ℎ PER =

Simulation
1. Build the circuit as per the circuit diagram. Use TLC555/TI timer IC.
 In case of monostable multivibrator, use Place PSpice Component
SourceVoltage Sources Pulse as trigger input.
 Configure Pulse source with following values
V1 = 5
V2 = 0
TD = 0
TR = 10ns
TF = 10ns
PW = 10ms
PER = As calculated

4
2. Configure the power supply for 555 timer IC.
3. Create a new simulation profile with following details
4. Analysis Type : Time Domain (Transient)
Run to Time: (10 / frequency of astable multivibrator) or (10 / frequency of
pulse in case of monostable multivibrator)
Maximum Step Size: blank
Check Skip initial transient bias point calculation (SKIPBP)

5. Measure frequency and duty cycle in case of astable multivibrator or Thigh for
monostable multivibrator using cursors.

Sample Output

1. Astable Multivibrator

5
2. Monostable Multivibrator