A multivibrator is an electronic circuit used to implement a variety of simple two-state

systems such as oscillators, timers and flip-flops. It is characterized by two amplifying

devices (transistors, electron tubes or other devices) cross-coupled by resistors and
capacitors.

There are three types of multivibrator circuit:

1. Astable, in which the circuit is not stable in either state—it continuously oscillates
from one state to the other.

This circuit diagram shows how a 555 timer IC is configured to function as an astable
multivibrator. An astable multivibrator is a timing circuit whose 'low' and 'high' states are
both unstable. As such, the output of an astable multivibrator toggles between 'low' and
'high' continuously, in effect generating a train of pulses. This circuit is therefore also
known as a 'pulse generator' circuit.

In this circuit, capacitor C1 charges through R1 and R2, eventually building up enough
voltage to trigger an internal comparator to toggle the output flip-flop. Once toggled, the
flip-flop discharges C1 through R2 into pin 7, which is the discharge pin. When C1's
voltage becomes low enough, another internal comparator is triggered to toggle the
output flip-flop. This once again allows C1 to charge up through R1 and R2 and the cycle
starts all over again.

C1's charge-up time t1 is given by: t1 = 0.693(R1+R2)C1. C1's discharge time t2 is given
by: t2 = 0.693(R2)C1. Thus, the total period of one cycle is t1+t2 = 0.693 C1(R1+2R2).
The frequency f of the output wave is the reciprocal of this period, and is therefore given
by:

f = 1.44/(C1(R1+2R2)), wherein f is in Hz if R1 and R2 are in megaohms and C1 is in

microfarads.

2. Monostable, in which one of the states is stable, but the other is not—the circuit will
flip into the unstable state for a determined period, but will eventually return to the stable
state. Such a circuit is useful for creating a timing period of fixed duration in response to
some external event. This circuit is also known as a one shot. A common application is in
eliminating switch bounce.

The waveforms in figure 1 illustrate the operation of a monostable. A monostable circuit

produces one pulse of a set length (time period T) 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". This type of circuit is ideal for
use in a "push to operate" system for a model displayed at exhibitions. A visitor can push
a button to start a model's mechanism moving, and the mechanism will automatically
switch off after a set time. Another use for the circuit is to 'de-bounce' a push button input
to a digital IC

The 555 Monostable Circuit

The circuit diagram of the 555 monostable circuit is given in figure 2. Notice that the
resistor value R and the capacitor value C are unspecified. The values of these
components determine the length of time that the monostable output is in the high state,
and they may be calculated using the equation below...

T=1.1RC

...where T is the time period in seconds, and R and C are the component values in Ohms
(Ω) and Farads (F).

Doing the Calculations

Here is a step-by-step guide to calculating the value of resistor R - an example is given in

curly braces {}.

1. Firstly, decide the time period T that you require. This can be very small
(milliseconds) or large (minutes), but it must be expressed in seconds. {I choose T
= 10 seconds}
2. Next, guess a value for the capacitor C, expressed in Farads. For starters, try
100μF. {I choose C = 100μF}
3. Put the values of T and C into the equation below and calculator resistor R...

If the resistor value you calculated is smaller than 1kΩ or larger than 1MΩ, you should
re-do the calculation with a different value for capacitor C until
you get a resistor value within the acceptable range.
Varying the Time Period

If you will need to adjust the time period of the monostable circuit in use, you can use a
linear variable resistor for R, as shown in figure 3.

Because the resistance of a variable resistor goes down to around 0Ω at one end of its
range, a 1kΩ resistor is placed in series with it so that the value of R will never fall below
1kΩ. As the shaft of the
variable resistor is turned from its lowest setting to its highest, T
will become longer.
If your chosen variable resistor has three connections, it is a potentiometer, and you
should connect to the centre connection and either of the end connections.

The Trigger Input

As you can see from figure 1, the 555's Trigger input must be taken low to trigger the
monostable. This is achieved in figure 2 by placing a button in series with a resistor
across the power supply. Normally, the 10kΩ
resistor keeps the Trigger input high, at the voltage Vs, and the monostable is
in its steady state. When the button is pushed, the Trigger input is
directly connected to 0V and the time period T starts.
The Reset Input

If you want to make the monostable output go low before the time period has elapsed,
simply take the 555's Reset input briefly low. This can be achieved with a push button in
exactly the same way as with the Trigger input.
De-bouncing

When a push button is pressed or released, the contacts will bounce between the on and
off states for a fraction of a second. If the button is connected to the input of a digital IC,
then the IC will think the button is being pressed several times rather than once. While
this may not matter in some circuits like the monostable, to others it will produce erratic
behaviour.

For example, if the button is connected to the Clock input of a digital counter IC, the
counter output should increment once every time the button is pressed. Instead it will
count perhaps 5 times due to the contact bounce in the button.

To solve the problem, the push button must be 'de-bounced' by placing a small delay
between it and the digital input - an ideal application for a monostable. Figure 4 shows a
block diagram of this arrangement. Obviously, there is a need to get the length of the
delay (the time period) correct - too short and some of the bounce will get through, too
long and you will prevent quick successions of button presses having an effect on the
digital input. A suitable time period for most applications would be around 100ms. To
make a 555 monostable with this time period you would need to make R = 91kΩ and C =
1μF.