Pulse Width Modulation(PWM) Circuit using IC 555

 Introduction
PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) is a important feature of today’s every
microcontroller due to its requirement for controlling many devices in every field of
Electronics almost. PWM is widely used for motor controlling, lighting controlling
etc. Sometime we do not use microcontroller in our applications and if we need
to generate PWM without microcontroller then we prefer some general purpose ICs
like op-amp, timers, pulse generators etc. Here we are using a 555 timer IC for
generating PWM. 555 Timer IC is a very useful and general purpose IC which can be
used in many applications.

Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) is a digital signal which is most commonly used
in control circuitry. This signal is set high (5v) and low (0v) in a predefined time and
speed. The time during which the signal stays high is called the “on time” and the
time during which the signal stays low is called the “off time”. There are two
important parameters for a PWM are as follow:

1. Duty cycle of the PWM

The percentage of time in which the PWM signal remains HIGH (on time) is
called as duty cycle. If the signal is always ON it is in 100% duty cycle and if it is
always off it is 0% duty cycle.

Duty Cycle =Turn ON time/ (Turn ON time + Turn OFF time)

2. Frequency of a PWM

Frequency of a PWM output is = 1/Period. Resolution of a PWM output is the

granularity with which the duty cycle can be modulated.
555 Timer PWM Generator Circuit Diagram: