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ININTEGRATED CIRCUITS

Square Wave Generator using Op-Amp

How to make an Astable or Free running Multi
vibrator using 741 Op-Amp ?

op amp astable multi vibrator

The non-sinusoidal waveform generators are also called relaxation
oscillators. The op-amp relaxation oscillator shown in figure is a square
wave generator. In general, square waves are relatively easy to
produce. Like the UJT relaxation oscillator, the circuit’s frequency of
oscillation is dependent on the charge and discharge of a capacitor C
through feedback resistor R,. The “heart” of the oscillator is
an inverting op-amp comparator
The comparator uses positive feedback that increases the gain of the
amplifier. In a comparator circuit this offer two advantages. First, the
high gain causes the op-amp’s output to switch very quickly from one
state to another and vice-versa. Second, the use of positive feedback
gives the circuit hysteresis. In the op-amp square-wave generator
circuit given in figure, the output voltage v out is shunted to ground by
two Zener diodes Z1 and Z2 connected back-to-back and is limited to
either  VZ 2 or –VZ1. A fraction of the output is fedback to the non-
inverting (+) input terminal. Combination of IL and C acting as a low-
pass R-C circuit is used to integrate the output voltage v out and the
capacitor voltage vc is applied to the inverting input terminal in place of
external signal. The differential input voltage is given as vin = vc – β
vout
When vin is positive, vout = – Vz1 and when vin is negative vout = + Vz 2.
Consider an instant of time when v in < 0. At this instant vout = + Vz 2 ,
and the voltage at the non-inverting (+) input terminal is  β Vz 2 , the
capacitor C charges exponentially towards Vz 2, with a time constant
Rf C. The output voltage remains constant at Vz 2 until vc equal β Vz 2.
When it happens, comparator output reverses to – V z 1. Now vc changes
exponentially towards -Vz1 with  the  same  time  constant  and  again 
the  output  makes  a  transition  from -Vz1 to + Vz 2. when vc equals -βVz 1
Let    Vz1 = Vz 2
The time period, T, of the output square wave is determined using the
charging and discharging phenomena of the capacitor C. The voltage
across the capacitor, vc when it is charging from – B V z to + Vz is given
by
Vc = [1-(1+β)]e-T/2τ
Where τ = RfC
The waveforms of the capacitor voltage v c and output voltage vout (or vz)
are shown in figure.
When t = t/2

Vc = +β Vz or + β Vout

Therefore β Vz = Vz [1-(1+β)e-T/2τ]
Or e-T/2τ = 1- β/1+ β
Or T = 2τ loge 1+β/1- β = 2Rf C loge [1+ (2R3/R2)]

The frequency, f = 1/T , of the square-wave is independent of output

voltage Vout. This circuit is also known as free-running or astable
multivibrator because it has two quasi-stable states. The output
 remains in one state for time T1 and then makes an abrupt transition to
the second state and remains in that state for time T 2. The cycle
repeats itself after time T = (T1 + T2)where T is the time period of the
square-wave.
The op-amp square-wave generator is useful in the frequency range of
about 10 Hz -10 kHz. At higher frequencies, the op-amp’s slew rate
limits the slope of the output square wave. The symmetry of the output
waveform depends on the matching of two Zener diodes Z 1 and Z2. The
unsymmetrical square-wave (T1 not equal to t2) can be had by using
different constants for charging the capacitor C to +Vout and -Vout
INTEGRATED CIRCUITS

AUTHOR jojo
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10  COMMENTS

6 YEARS AGO
1. karl knudson

im needing a square wave generator that will produce a square wave of 1,604,000hz,
im on a tight budget ,can you assist?
2. Nirmalaa.B6 YEARS AGO

Hi its very useful for me but i need more information than this…
3. Indraja6 YEARS AGO

how to design the same for duty cycle of 25%..?

4. sudipta7 YEARS AGO

what are the values of capacitors and rasistances.

5. MROHM8 YEARS AGO
 Old Chips like the 741 never die they only get better!!! Nice Design,,,MR.OHM likes it!!!
6. Amit Chapagain8 YEARS AGO

What is the possible solution to generate a squarewave of frequency 1Hz with output
oscillating between +3v and -3v with refrence to ground (i need it to feed a 200mA
moter)
7. AMAR9 YEARS AGO

Pls Send me The Components list for this ckt in detail.

8. seetharaman10 YEARS AGO

Advantage very simple with very few component count.

disadvantage limitted to audio frequency range only, you have to use additional buffer
stage to avoid loading of the oscillator.
9. kiki10 YEARS AGO

IC741
10. Ashwini10 YEARS AGO

plz send me advantages.disadvantages,application

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