STUDY OF MULTIVIBRATORS MV-01

INTRODUCTION

Multivibrator is an oscillator which produces voltages pulses and extended voltage

waveforms, usually occurring periodically. It uses two active devices with positive feedback in
such a way that the two devices tend towards opposite states i.e. one ON &other OFF. In
principle, it is a two stage R.C. Coupled Amplifier:. The output voltage of one, stage is feedback
to another stage which sustains the oscillations. R.C. constant of the circuit determines the
frequency of the multivibrator.
Multivibrators are switching circuits, which form basic blocks of all counting and shaping
circuits used in nuclear devices. Moreover, they are basis of all digital logical devices such as
high speed computers. Some of the other applications are as follows:
6) Generation of pulses occurring periodically,
(ii) Generation of extended waveforms occurring periodically,
(ii) Synchronized generation of pulses and extended waveforms,
(iv) Frequency multiplication, and
() Introduction of time delay.
Multivibrators may be classified in the following three categories
(a) Astable or Free Running Multivibrator
This generates voltage pulses, and voltage extended waveforms occuring at regular
intervals, independently ie. without any driving or external synchronizing voltage pulse.
(b) Univibrator or Monostable Multivibrator
This generates voltage pulses and extended waveforms but require one driving pulse for
ge aeration of each cycle of waveform.
(c) Bistable Multivibrator
This also generates voltage puises and extended waveforms but requires two drivirg
pulses, one for each half of the output voltage waveform.
An experinnentai set-up of these multivibrators have been laid down on a phenolic board
with all the componerts and connections visible and accessible convenicntly. Points on which
measurements to be carried out are marked thereon. Three different experiments can be carricd
out with this set-up.

PACKING LIST

1. Study of Multivibrators, Model MV-0l :One

2. Lead: Six
3. Dust Cover: One

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 EXPERIMENT -I
OBJECT
() Study of Free Running Multivibrator, i.e. the voltage waveforms at different electrodes and
the effect of R.C. time constant on wave form and frequency.
(i) Measurement of frequency of oscillation.
THEORY

The basic circuit diagram of Free Running Multivibrator is shown in Fig. 1. The circuit
consists of two p-n-p switching transistors which are forward biased. However, if one transistor
say TË begins to conduct, the collector voltage drops and this drop appears on the base of T; due
to C;. Thus T; is being turned OFF and regeneration through C; drives TËto ON, while T; is
completely turned OFF. At this point Chad been charged through Rg and T2 to almost -9V,
presents a voltage of -9V at base of T2. Its discharge path is through the conducting transistor T;
until T; begins to conduct again. The regeneration now occurs through C2 and the circuit
instantaneously reverses its mode of operation. It remain in ON position until the capacitor Cz
discharges through T2.
It the time constant RC and R,C, are equal, symmetric waves will be obrained. The
frequency of free running multivibrator can be obtained from the following formula.
f= (1)
0.69(R,C +R,C2)
APPARATUS REQUIRED
) Multivibrator Set-up
Gi) A measuring oscilloscope or an ordinary oscilloscope
(iii) A pulse generator

PROCEDURE
a) Connect the set-up to a.c. mains.
b) Connect -9V power supply to the terminals marked on the circuit.

c) Connect the oscilloscope between the terminals output I and ground. Observe the waveform.
) Connect the oscilloscope between the terminals output II and ground. Observe the waveform.
e) Change the values of capacitance's C, and C, through the ratary switch Sand repeat the steps
3 and 4.

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 OBSERVATIONS
values of C and C.
) Draw the waveforms at output I and output II for different
oscilloscope or in case of an
(ü) Read the frequency of oscillation at outputIon a measuring pulse signal from the
ordinary oscilloscope, count the number of pulses and now apply the number of pulses on
the same
pulse generator to the input of oscilloscope and try to obtain frequency of the free running
the oscilloscope. The reading of the pulse generator will be the
multivibrator.

CALCULATIONS
values of
Obtain the theoretical frequency of multivibrator from Equation I for different
Cj and C.

RESULTS 22X l o 6xloty

Set No. 1 2 2 * t o - 2

When RI =, Ci= o22)

R2 = C=
Theoretical value of the frequency = Khz (from calculation)

Measured value of the frequency Khz X

Set No.2
When R= C=
R2= C2
Theoretical value of the frequency = Khz Re
Measured value of the frequency = Khz

Set No. 3
When R= C=
47lotAto
Rz= C=
Theoretical value of the frequency = Khz Bo

Measured value of the frequency Khz

PRECAUTIONS
(i) Before connecting the power supply see that the output of power supply is -9V.
i) The ground terminals of power supply must be connected to the ground terminals of the free
running multivibrator circuit.

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 QUESTIONS AND EXERCISES
Draw the equivalent circuit when transistor T is ON and T> OFF.
G) What will happen to the frequency when the values of capacitors CË and C: are changed?
G) Can we use ordinary transistor in place of switching transistor? If no, why?
EXPERIMENT- I|

OBJECT

Study of an unvibrator or monostable multivibrator.

THEORY
This model uses two p-n-p switching transistor (2N2905) T, and T,. The basic circuit
diagram is shown in Fig. 2. The output of the circuit is the pulse of fixed width and amplitude for
every input pulse greater than some threshold. As fig. 2, TË is biased through R4, Rs divider. The
base of T; is isolated from -9V line by C; and is initially at ground potential. Hence T; is OFF.
When a positive pulse of sufficient amplitude is applied at the input, Ti goes to cut off and the
potential at the collector of TË will rise. The charging of C; will increase the base voltage of T
which makes T; to conduct and the output voltage drops. Regeneration occurs through common
emitter connection and TË is held OFF as long as T; is ON. However, Cdischarges through Ri.
the base-emitter impedance of T; and R2. The base voltage of T; slowly drops until T; reaches
cut off and at the same time TË starts conducting. Thus, unless the input pulse is too long, the
output pulse width and amplitude are independent of the input.
APPARATUS REQUIRED
i) Multivibrator set-up,
(ü) Oscilloscope.
PROCEDURE
) Connect the set-up to the a.c. mains.
(i) Connect the power supply terminals to the univibrator and free running multivibrator circuits
with proper polarities.
(i) Connect the output I of free running multivibrator to the input of univibrator. (Ground
terminal of free running to the ground terminal of univibrator).
(uv) At the output of the univibrator connect an oscilloscope and observe the wave form.
OBSERVATIONS
Draw the wave shape of the output of univibrator.
DISCUSSIONS
II rectangular waveform is not observed discuss the reasons of not geting the rectangular
waveform.
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 QUESTIONS AND EXERCISES
) Draw the equivalent circuit when transistor TË is ON and T, OFF.
() What will happen to the frequency when the values of capacitors C1 and Cz are changed?
(i) Can we use ordinary transistor in place of switching transistor? If no, why?

EXPERIMENT - II

OBJECT

Study of an unvibrator or monostable multivibrator.

THEORY

This model uses two p-n-p switching transistor (2N2905) TË and T2. The basic circuit
diagram is shown in Fig. 2. The output of the circuit is the pulse of fixed width and amplitude for
every input pulse greater than some threshold. As fig. 2, Tjis biased through R4, Rs divider. The
base of T; is isolated from -9V line by Ci and is initially at ground potential. Hence T; is OFF.
When a positive pulse of sufficient amplitude is applied at the input, T; goes to cut off and the
potential at the collector of T; will rise. The charging ofC will increase the base voltage of T2
which makes T; to conduct and the output voltage drops. Regeneration occurs through common
emitter connection and T, is held OFF as long as T; is ON. However, C; discharges through R,.
the base-emitter impedance of T; and R2. The base voltage of T; slowly drops until T; reaches
cut off and at the same time T; starts conducting. Thus, unless the input pulse is too long. the
output pulse width and amplitude are independent of the input.
APPARATUS REQUIRED
(i) Multivibrator set-up,
(ii) Oscilloscope.
PROCEDURE
(i) Connect the set-up to the a.c. mains.
(ii) Connect the power supply terminals to the univibrator and free running multivibrator circuits
with proper polarities.
(i) Connect the output I of free running multivibrator to the input of univibrator. (Ground
terminal of free running to the ground terminal of univibrator).
(iv) At the output of the univibrator connect an oscilloscope and observe the wave form.
OBSERVATIONS
Draw the wave shape of the output of univibrator.

DISCUSSIONS
If rectangular waveforn is not observed discuss the reasons of not geting the rectanguiar
waveform.
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 PRECAUTIONS

à should
Before be
connecting
-9V.
the power supply, check the output voltage with the help of multimeter. it
(i) Ground of the power supply must be connected to the grounds of the other circuits.
QUESTIONS AND EXERCISES
) Can we get any output from univibrator, if the output of free running multivibrator is not
connected? If no, why?
i) Why do we get only one pulse for each trigger?
(ii) Explain the working of the univibrator.

EXPERIMENT- II

OBJECT
Study of bistable multivibrator.

THEORY
and two crystal diodes (IN34).
The model uses two p-n-p switching transistors (2N2905) amplifier is directly coupled
of each
The circuit diagram is shown in Fig. 3. Note that the output
to the input of the other amplifier.
in each amplifier will be the
Because of the symmetry of the circuit, the quiescent current
in the current I;. If I; increases, the voltage at the
same. Suppose that there is a minute fluctuationdecrease the voltage at the base of T2. This change
collector of TË will decrease and this will then voltage will
in voltage at base of T; will be amplified and inverted by T2 and the collector negative and
the base of TË will become more
increase (i.e. more negative). Hence the voltage at further. This cycle of events repeats itself. The
as a consequence the current I, will increase still continues to decrease and the circuit moving
I
current I continues to increases and the current This action takes places because of the
its initial condition.
progressively further away from of the
circuit and will occur only of the loop gain
regenerative feedback incorporated into the state, it would be sufticient
a flip-flop be in a stable
circuit is larger than unity. So, in order that
either that one of the devices be OFF or that one
be ON and nearby the full supply voltage will
that is OFF.
appear across the transistor turned
its collector at very low potential and TË is
In Fig. 3 T, is conducting heavily with of TË is held below threshold because of
collector at approximately -9v. The base
OFF with its voltage divider action of R4 - Rs. The input
steering
he low voltage at the collector of T; and (approximately) signal
require -9V to turn ON where
diodes are both reverse biased but D will reverse bias.
voltage of T;
as D, has only at low collector pass through D,
amplitude is applied at the input it will
If a positive pulse of sufficient This will make T, slightly conducting and a small
through C at the base of TË.
and be applied while T; will be
in the end TË will conduct hcavily
Current in collector will flow and ultimately continuously
second pulse or trigger D, will pass and T2 will start conducting and if
DFF. For the
be observed.
riggers are applied pulse output will
MV-O1 Page 6
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 APPARATUS REQUIRED

(i) Multivibrator Set-up.

() Oscilloscope.

PROCEDURE
(i) Connect the set-up to the a.c. mains.
i) Connect the power supply to the free running multivibrator as well as to the bistable
multivibrator.

t) Connect output I of free running multivibrator to the input of bistable multivibrator (Ground
of free running must be connected to the ground of bistáble multivibrator)
iv) To observe the output connect the oscilloscope at the output terminals of bistable
multivibrator.

OBSERVATIONS
Trace the input wave and output wave for the same setting of the oscilloscope.
RESULTS
For each input impulse there is a square pulse at the output (This can be inferred from the
two races).

PRECAUTIONS
) Before connecting the power supply, check the output voltage with help of multimeter, it
shouid be -9v.
() Ground of the power supply must be connected to the grounds of the other circuits.
QUESTIONS AND EXERCISES
) Explain the operation of bistable multivibrator.
(i) How for each input trigger only pulse is generated in the bistable multivibrator?
(ii) Can we operate this bistable multivibrator as pulse generator?
(iv) What type of wave shape will you obtain, if the output of bistable multivibrator is
differentiated through an R.C. combination?

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 SES
STUDY OF MULTIVIBRATOR, Model : MV-01
Power Supply Fig.2 UNIVIBRATOR
lnstrume Jewel Liaht SK 100
Pvt. -9v O
ud.
IK 27K3 33K 33K
0.047ut
Green 2000pt
470jt 70 a
T 2N995
HE
Zener N
9.1V T
6.8K 470n2 $6.8K
U

Fig. 1 Free Running Multivibrator OUTPUTI Fig. 3 Bistable Multivibrator

-9vO 9vO
3K 10K
3K IN34
S82K 3-82K 1N34

2nt
H1ont
3nt
2N995 2et 220pl
ton! Int

OUTPUT II
214995 U 2N995 P
2N995 6.9K 2202 26.8K