Chapter Six
Applied Electronics II
Multivibrators
Introduction
Multivibrator is an electronic circuit that generates
square, rectangular, pulse waveforms, also called non-
linear oscillators or function generators.
It is an electronic circuit that switches rapidly by means
of positive feedback between two or more states.
A multivibrator is used to implement two state systems
like oscillators, timers and flip-flops.
It is characterized by two amplifying devices (transistors
or other devices) cross-coupled by resistors or
capacitors.
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Introduction
Henri Abraham and
Eugene Bloch described
the first multivibrator
circuit in 1920, also called
a plate-coupled
multivibrator.
It was made from vacuum
tubes and its harmonics are
A vacuum tube Abraham-Bloch
being used to calibrate a multivibrator oscillator, France, 1920.
wavemeter.
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Types of Multivibrators
There are three types of Multivibrator:
Astable Multivibrator: Circuit is not stable in either
state. It continuously oscillates from one state to the
other. (Application in Oscillators)
Monostable Multivibrator: One of the state is stable
but the other is not. (Application in Timer)
Bistable Multivibrator: Circuit is stable in both the
state and will remain in either state indefinitely. The
circuit can be flipped from one state to the other by
an external event or trigger. (Application in Flip flop)
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Types of Multivibrators
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Astable Multivibrator
The astable circuit has no stable state.
A Multivibrator that generates square waveform
without using external triggering pulse is known
as Astable multivibrator.
It also known as Free-running Multivibrator.
Astable multivibrator circuit consist of two cross
coupled RC amplifiers.
With no external signal applied, the transistors
alternately switch from cutoff to saturation at a
frequency determined by the RC time constants of
the coupling circuits.
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Astable Multivibrator
Consists of two amplifying
devices cross-coupled by resistors
and capacitors.
Typically, R2 = R3, R1 = R4, C1 =
C2 and R2 >> R1.
The circuit has two states
State 1: VC1 LOW, VC2 HIGH, Q1
ON (saturation) and Q2 OFF.
State 2: VC1 HIGH, VC2 LOW, Q1
OFF and Q2 ON (saturation).
It continuously oscillates from
one state to the other.
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Astable Multivibrator
When the circuit is first powered up, neither
transistor is ON.
Both VB1 and VB2 rise via base resistor R3 and
R2 respectively.
Any one of the transistor will conduct faster
than other due to some circuit imbalance.
We can not say which transistor will turn on
first so for analysis purpose we assume Q1 is
ON first and Q2 OFF (C1 is fully charged).
Since Q1 is ON and Q2 OFF hence Vc1 = 0V
and Vc2 = VCC. – state 1
Since Q1 is ON and Q2 OFF, hence Vc1 = 0V
and Vc2= VCC.
Due to higher voltage at Vc2, capacitor C2 will
be charged via R4 (low resistance path
because R4<R2).
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Astable Multivibrator
C1 (which was charged earlier, and can not hold the charge for indefinite period) starts
discharging via R2 (high resistance path because R2 > R1).
Time taken to discharge C1(T1= R2C1) > time taken to charge C2(T2=R4C2)
When C2 is fully charged then left plate of C2 will be at –Vcc which switch OFF the
Q1.
When C1 is fully discharged then left plate of C1 will be at +Vcc which switch ON the
Q2. – State 2
When VB2 reaches VON, the circuit enters in state 1 again, and the process repeats.
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Astable Multivibrator
Switching Time & Frequency
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Astable Multivibrator
Switching Time & Frequency
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Astable Multivibrator
Applications
Used in applications where low clock frequency clock pulse
train is required.
Relaxation oscillators, which are parts of vehicle indicator lights,
early oscilloscopes and television receivers.
Timing signals.
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Monostable Multivibrator
A Multivibrator which has one stable state and one temporary
quasi-stable state and level transition depends on external
triggering pulse is known as Monostable Multivibrator.
Monostable is also called one shot multivibrator.
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Monostable Multivibrator
One of the state is stable but the other is
not. For that capacitive path between VC2
and VB1 removed.
In stable state any one transistor
conducts (ON) and other is OFF.
Application of external trigger change
the state.
When the external signal goes HIGH,
VB2 charges up to VCC through R2
After a certain time T, VB2=VON, Q2
turns on VC2 pulled to 0V, Q1 turns OFF.
Enters state 1 and remains there
When VB2 is momentarily pulled to ground by an external signal VC2 rises to VCC
Q1 turns on
VC1 pulled to 0V
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Monostable Multivibrator
Applications
Monostable Multivibrator are used in analog systems to control
an output signal frequency.
To synchronize the line and frame rate of television broadcasts.
To hold output voltages in its unstable state for a certain period
of time.
To moderate the tunes of different octaves with electronic
organs.
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Bistable Multivibrator
A multivibrator that has two absolute stable state and can stay in
one of two states indefinitely is known as Bi-stable
multivibrator.
Also called flip-flop, both states are stable.
The circuit can be forces to go from one state to another by
applying an appropriate signal to the trigger input.
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Bistable Multivibrator
Can be forced to either state by Set or Reset signals:
If Set is low,
Q1 turns OFF
VC1 (Vout) and VB2 rises towards VCC
Q2 turns ON
VC2 pulled to 0V
VB1 is latched to 0V
Circuit remains in state 2 until
Reset is low
If Reset is low
Similar operation
Circuit remains in state 1 until Set is low
Behave as an RS flip-flop (memory element)
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Bistable Multivibrator
Applications
It is used for the performance of many digital operations
such as counting and storing binary information.
It is also used in the generation and processing of pulse-
type waveforms.
It is widely used in digital logic and computer memory
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555 Timer Circuit
The 555 Timer is an example of a versatile Timer IC.
Pprovided that the CONTROL pin is not
used (high impedance)
if TRIG < VTL then
S is high
flip-flop is set
Q (=output) is high
is low
DISCH pin has a high impedance
if THRESH > VTH then
R is high
flip-flop is reset
Q (=output) is low
is high
555-timer-based astable
multivibrator
Assume that at t = 0, the capacitor is discharged, i.e. VC = 0 = TRIG
=>TRIG < VTL
Flip-flop is set => Q = OUT = VO is HIGH
C charges towards VCC through RA+RB
At t = t0, VC = VTH + => THRESH > VTH
Flip-flop is reset => Q = OUT = VO is LOW
555-timer-based astable
multivibrator
At t = t1, VC = VTL – => flip-flop is set => Q = OUT = VO is HIGH
C charges towards VCC through RA+RB
At t = t2, VC = VTH + => flip-flop is reset => Q = OUT = VO is LOW
C discharges towards 0V through RB and so on …
The output is a periodic square wave signal with fundamental frequency
f0=1/(TL+TH)
555-timer-based astable
multivibrator
1/f0
It can be shown that1 f0= 1 555
ln 2 ARA 2RB C output :
Remark that as TH > TL, an asymmetric T-flip-flop vO
2/f0
square wave is obtained. By adding a T- output :
t
flip-flop at the output of the scheme a
symmetric output signal is obtained with
fundamental frequency f0/2.
555-timer-based monostable
multivibrator
The timer output is a one shot
pulse. When an input is
received it triggers a one shot
pulse.
The time for which the output
remains high can be
calculated as:
= 1.1
Schmitt trigger circuit
A Schmitt trigger is a comparator circuit with hysteresis, implemented by
applying positive feedback to the noninverting input of a comparator or
differential amplifier.
It is an active circuit which converts an analog input signal to a digital output
signal.
The circuit is named a "trigger" because the output retains its value until the
input changes sufficiently to trigger a change.
Schmitt trigger devices are typically used in signal conditioning applications
to remove noise from signals used in digital circuits, particularly mechanical
switch bounce.
They are also used in closed loop negative feedback configurations to
implement relaxation oscillators, used in function generators and switching
power supplies.
Schmitt trigger circuit
Classic emitter-coupled circuit
The original Schmitt trigger is based on
the dynamic threshold idea that is
implemented by a voltage divider with a
switchable upper leg (the collector
resistors RC1 and RC2) and a steady
lower leg (RE).
Q1 acts as a comparator with a
differential input (Q1 base-emitter
junction) consisting of an inverting (Q1
base) and a non-inverting (Q1 emitter)
inputs.
Schmitt trigger circuit
The input voltage is applied to the
inverting input; the output voltage of the
voltage divider is applied to the non-
inverting input thus determining its
threshold.
The comparator output drives the second
common collector stage Q2 (an emitter
follower) through the voltage follower
R1-R2.
The emitter-coupled transistors Q1 and
Q2 actually compose an electronic
double throw switch that switches over
the upper legs of the voltage divider and
changes the threshold in a different (to
the input voltage) direction
Schmitt trigger circuit
Initial state
For NPN transistors as shown, imagine the input voltage is below the shared
emitter voltage (high threshold for concreteness) so that Q1 base-emitter
junction is backward-biased and Q1 does not conduct.
Q2 base voltage is determined by the mentioned divider so that Q2 is
conducting and the trigger output is in the low state.
The two resistors RC2 and RE form another voltage divider that determines
the high threshold.
Neglecting VBE, the high threshold value is approximately:
Crossing up the high threshold
When the input voltage (Q1 base voltage) rises slightly above the voltage
across the emitter resistor RE (the high threshold), Q1 begins conducting.
Schmitt trigger circuit
Its collector voltage goes down and Q2 begins going cut-off, because the
voltage divider now provides lower Q2 base voltage
The common emitter voltage follows this change and goes down thus making
Q1 conduct more.
The current begins steering from the right leg of the circuit to the left one.
Although Q1 is more conducting, it passes less current through RE (since RC1
> RC2); the emitter voltage continues dropping and the effective Q1 base-
emitter voltage continuously increases.
This avalanche-like process continues until Q1 becomes completely turned on
(saturated) and Q2 turned off.
The trigger is transitioned to the high state and the output (Q2 collector)
voltage is close to V+.
Schmitt trigger circuit
Now, the two resistors RC1 and RE form a voltage divider that determines the
low threshold. Its value is approximately:
Crossing down the low threshold
With the trigger now in the high state, if the input voltage lowers enough
(below the low threshold), Q1 begins cutting-off.
Its collector current reduces; as a result, the shared emitter voltage lowers
slightly and Q1 collector voltage rises significantly.
R1-R2 voltage divider conveys this change to Q2 base voltage and it begins
conducting.
The voltage across RE rises, further reducing the Q1 base-emitter potential in
the same avalanche-like manner, and Q1 ceases to conduct.
Q2 becomes completely turned-on (saturated) and the output voltage becomes
low again.
Schmitt trigger circuit
Applications
Schmitt triggers are typically used in open loop configurations for noise
immunity and closed loop configurations to implement function generators.
Noise immunity: One application of a Schmitt trigger is to increase the noise
immunity in a circuit with only a single input threshold.
With only one input threshold, a noisy input signal near that threshold could
cause the output to switch rapidly back and forth from noise alone.
A noisy Schmitt Trigger input signal near one threshold can cause only one
switch in output value, after which it would have to move beyond the other
threshold in order to cause another switch.
Use as an oscillator: A Schmitt trigger is a bistable multivibrator, and it can
be used to implement another type of multivibrator, the relaxation oscillator .
Reading Assignment
Analogue comparator circuits
OpAmp realization/implementation of multivibrators