ASTABLE

MULTIVIBRATORS
AGENDA
• What is an Astable Multivibrator
• Working Principles
• Components
• Astable Multivibrator Circuit design
• Application of Astable Multivibrators.

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WHAT IS AN
ASTABLE
MULTIVIBRATOR
WHAT IS AN ASTABLE
MULTIVIBRATOR
An astable multivibrator is a core component within
the realm of electronic circuit design. It’s a type of
oscillator that oscillates between two voltage levels
without any external triggering, hence its name:
‘Astable,’ which means ‘not stable’ in the absence
of external input.

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WORKING
PRINCIPLE OF
ASTABLE
MULTIVIBRATORS
WORKING PRINCIPLE OF
ASTABLE MULTIVIBRATORS
The basic principle behind astable multivibrators
involves the charging and discharging of capacitors
through resistors, which create a feedback
mechanism. This process generates a periodic
waveform, commonly a square wave or a pulse, that
oscillates indefinitely until the power is cut off.

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COMPONENTS OF AN
ASTABLE
MULTIVIBRATOR
COMPONENTS OF AN
ASTABLE MULTIVIBRATOR
1. Resistors: These are key to controlling the charging and
discharging time of the capacitor, which in turn
determines the output frequency of the oscillation.
2. Capacitors: These store and release electrical energy,
creating the charging and discharging cycles that drive the
multivibrator’s oscillations.
3. Transistors: Act as electronic switches to control the
direction of current flow, thus enabling the switching
between two states of the multivibrator.
These components work together, leveraging the properties of
RC (Resistor-Capacitor) networks and transistor switching, to
create a stable, predictable oscillation without the need for any
external input signal.

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ASTABLE
MULTIVIBRATOR
CIRCUIT DESIGN
ASTABLE MULTIVIBRATOR
CIRCUIT DESIGN
In a typical astable multivibrator design, two
transistors are cross-coupled in such a way that the
output from one feeds into the other. This
arrangement ensures that the transistors are
alternately switched on and off, driving the cyclical
behavior. The combination of resistors and
capacitors forms a timing network, which
determines the period of oscillation.
The output frequency of an astable multivibrator
can be calculated using the formula:
f = 1 / T = 1.44 / ((R1 + 2R2) * C1)
Here, R1, R2 are the resistors and C1 is the
capacitor. The ‘1.44’ is a constant derived from the
natural logarithm base (e), showing the integral role
of exponential growth in the circuit’s function. 10
BASIC ASTABLE MULTIVIBRATOR
CIRCUIT

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APPLICATIONS OF
ASTABLE
MULTIVIBRATORS
APPLICATIONS OF ASTABLE
MULTIVIBRATORS
1. Communication Systems: Astable multivibrators are
often used in frequency generation and modulation, key
aspects of radio and telecommunication systems.
2. Timing Circuits: The predictable oscillations of an
astable multivibrator make it ideal for use in timing and
control circuits.
3. Testing Equipment: In electronic testing equipment,
these circuits can serve as signal generators to provide
inputs for device testing.
4. Alarm Systems: The multivibrators are also used in
alarm systems, where a continuous signal is needed.
5. Power Supplies: They are commonly found in switching
power supplies, where they act as oscillators.
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