Timing Circuits: Multivibrators 

Multivibrators, like the familiar sinusoidal oscillators, are circuits with regenerative feedback, with the
difference that they produce pulsed output. These are is used to implement a two state system like
flip-flops, timers and oscillators.
Types of Multivibrators:-
1. Monostable Multivibrator (or one-shot/monoshot),
2. Astable Multivibrator (or free-running) and
3. Bisatble Multivibrator (or flip-flops)
1. Monostable Multivibrator (or one-shot):-

2. Astable Multivibrator (or free-running):-

Both output states are quasi stable. The output switches from one state to the other and the circuit
functions like a free-running square-wave oscillator.
3. Bistable Multivibrator (or flip-flops):-

In other words,
A bistable multivibrator circuit is one in which both LOW and HIGH output states are stable.
Irrespective of the logic status of the output, LOW or HIGH, it stays in that state unless a change is
induced by applying an appropriate trigger pulse.
555 Timer:-
 IC timer 555 is one of the most commonly used general-purpose linear integrated circuits.
 The simplicity with which monostable and astable multivibrator circuits can be configured
around this IC is one of the main reasons for its wide use.
 Figure 9.33 shows the internal schematic of timer IC 555.
 It comprises two opamp comparators, a flip-flop, a discharge transistor, three identical
resistors and an output stage.
 The resistors set the reference voltage levels at the noninverting input of the lower comparator and
the inverting input of the upper comparator at (+VCC/3) and (+2VCC/3), respectively.
 The outputs of the two comparators feed the SET and RESET inputs of the flip-flop and thus
decide the logic status of its output and subsequently the final output.
 The flip-flop complementary outputs (𝑸 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑸 ̅ ) feed the output stage and the base of the
discharge transistor T1. This ensures that when the output is HIGH the discharge transistor T1
is OFF, and when the output is LOW the discharge transistor T1 is ON.
 Different terminals of timer 555 are designated as: ground (terminal 1), trigger (terminal 2),
output (terminal 3), reset (terminal 4), control (terminal 5), threshold (terminal 6), discharge
(terminal 7) and +VCC (terminal 8).
Working Principle:-



Monostable multivibrator:-

T1  ON

to logic 1.

<---Pulse Width (W)---->

 A

Applications of Astable Multivibrator:-

(i) Frequency divider,
(ii) Pulse width modulation,
(iii) Linear ramp generator,
(iv) Missing pulse detector,
(v) Pulse position modulation
Astable multivibrator:-
Figure 9.37 shows the basic 555 timer based astable multivibrator circuit.
Initially, capacitor C is fully discharged, which forces the output to go to the HIGH state. An open
discharge transistor (T1) allows the capacitor C to charge from +VCC through RA and RB (time constant
𝜏1 = (𝑅𝐴 + 𝑅𝐵 )𝐶).
 Applications of Astable Multivibrator:-
(i) Square wave generator,
(ii) Source of clock pulses in sequential circuits,
(iii) Radio gears to transmit and receive radio signals and
(iv) Morse code generators,
(v) Frequency modulation

References:
 M. Morris Mano: Digital Design, Third Edition, Prentice Hall
 R. P. Jain: Modern Digital Electronics, Third Edition, TMH
 Anil K. Maini: Digital Electronics. Principles, Devices and Applications, Wiley (2007)
 Taub and Schilling: Digital Integrated Electronics, McGRAW HILL