Introduction

The 8-pin 555 timer must be one of the most useful ICs ever made and it is used in many projects.
With just a few external components it can be used to build many circuits, not all of them involve
timing.

A popular version is the NE555 and this is suitable in most cases where a '555 timer' is specified. Low
power versions, such as the ICM7555, are available with the same pin arrangement but their maximum
output current is much lower and they should only be used when specified.

The 555 can be used in several circuits

 The Astable Circuit produces a continuous train of pulses at any frequency you require.  The
name "astable" means "never stable" - the output of the circuit never stays stable in any of the
two states.
 The Monostable Circuit produces one pulse of a set length in response to a trigger input
such as a push button.  The output of the circuit stays in the low state until there is a trigger
input, hence the name "monostable" meaning "one stable state".
 The Bistable Circuit toggles between the states.  Triggering one input sets the output to the
low state, while triggering another input sets the output to the high state. The name "bistable"
means "two stable states".

555 Astable

The 555 timer IC can be used with a few simple components to build an astable circuit which
produces a 'square wave'. This is a digital waveform with sharp transitions between low (0V) and
high (+Vs), the durations of the low and high states may be different. The circuit is called
an astable because it is not stable in any state: the output is continually changing between 'low' and
'high'.