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Simple Dice using IC 555 and IC 4017

Aman Chadha, and Abhijeet Ballani, TE, EXTC

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TABLE I
Abstract— While playing board games, we have been PIN ASSIGNMENT OF IC 555
rolling dice. However we were looking at a more appealing
way to implement a dice. hence we came up with a simple Pin Name Function
dice which is nothing but a random number generator
1 GND Ground, low level (0 V)
from 1-6 with the help of IC – 555. Every time you press
2 TRIG OUT rises, and interval starts, when
the reset button a new LED glows denoting a number from
this input falls below 1/3 VCC.
1-6. The simple dice works on a 9V again giving it
3 OUT This output is driven to +VCC or GND.
portability and an efficient solution to our need.
4 RESET A timing interval may be interrupted by
driving this input to GND.
I. INTRODUCTION 5 CTRL "Control" access to the internal voltage
divider (by default, 2/3 VCC).

U SING IC 555 and 4017 here, we develop a Simple Dice

Circuit. Here, we have used 555 in its Astable mode and
4017 as a decade counter.
6 THR The interval ends when the voltage at
THR is greater than at CTRL.
7 DIS Open collector output; may discharge a
capacitor between intervals.
II. INTERNAL DESCRIPTION 8 V+, VCC Positive supply voltage is usually
between 3 and 15 V.
A. A brief overview of IC555
The 555 Timer IC is an integrated circuit (chip)
implementing a variety of timer and multivibrator applications.
The IC was designed by Hans R. Camenzind in 1970 and
brought to market in 1971 by Signetics (later acquired by
Philips).
Depending on the manufacturer, the standard 555 package
includes over 20 transistors, 2 diodes and 15 resistors on a
silicon chip installed in an 8-pin mini dual-in-line package
(DIP-8). Variants available include the 556 (a 14-pin DIP
combining two 555s on one chip), and the 558 (a 16-pin DIP
combining four slightly modified 555s with DIS & THR
connected internally, and TR falling edge sensitive instead of
level sensitive).
Ultra-low power versions of the 555 are also available, such
as the 7555 and TLC555. The 7555 requires slightly different
wiring using fewer external components and less power.
The 555 has been used in the Monostable mode in this
application. In this mode, the 555 functions as a "one-shot".
Applications include timers, missing pulse detection, bounce
free switches, touch switches, frequency divider, capacitance
measurement, pulse-width modulation (PWM) etc.

B. Inside the IC 555

The 555 circuit consists of just a handful of main
components: two comparators, a flip-flop, a discharge path, an
output stage, and a resistor network. The timing functions of
the 555 depend on how the inputs of the comparators are Fig 1. IC 555 Internal Structure and Connection Diagram
configured and how the discharge path is used.
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input and when suitable logic levels are applied to the reset
and enable inputs. The 4017 are 5-stage and 4 stage Johnson
counters having 10 and 8 decoded outputs respectively.
The 4017 are monolithic integrated circuits, fabricated in
standard Al-gate CMOS technology. Are available in 16-iead
dual in-line plastic package. Inputs include a CLOCK, a
RESET and a CLOCK inhibit signal Schmitt trigger in the
CLOCK input circuit provides pulse shaping that allows
unlimited clock input pulse rise and fall times. These counters
are advanced one count at the positive clock signal transition if
the CLOCK INHIBIT signal is low. Counter advancement via
the clock line is inhibited when the CLOCK INHIBIT signal is
high. A high RESET signal clears the counter to its zero count.
Use of the Johnson decade-counter configuration permits high-
speed operation. 2-input decimal-decode gating and spike-free
Fig. 2. IC 555 Pin Structure decoded outputs. Anti-lock gating is provided thus assuring
proper counting sequence. The decoded outputs are normally
low and go high only at their respective decoded time slot. It is
used in Decade counter/decimal decode display,
Binary counter/decoder, Frequency division, Counter
control/timers and Divide by N counting.

F. IC 4017 Specifications: Absolute Maximum Ratings

 Supply voltage:
o G and H types: 0.5 to 20V
o E and F types: 0.5 to 18V
 Input voltage: 0.5 to VDD+0.5 V
 DC Input current (any one input): ±10 mA
 Total power dissipation (per package): 200 mW
Fig 3. IC 555
 Dissipation per output transistor: 100 mW
for TA = full package-temperature range
 Operating temperature:
C. IC 555 Specifications: Absolute Maximum Ratings o G and H types: -55 to 125°C
 Supply voltage (VCC): 4.5 to 15 V o E and F types: -40 to 85°C
 Supply current (VCC = +5 V): 3 to 6 mA  Storage temperature: -65 to 150°C
 Supply current (VCC = +15 V): 10 to 15 mA
 Output current (maximum): 200 mA G. IC 4017 Specifications: Features
 Maximum Power dissipation: 600 mW
 Fully static operation
 Power Consumption (minimum operating): 30
mW@5V, 225 mW@15V  Medium speed operation -12 MHz (typ) at VDD
 Operating temperature : 0 to 70 °C

D. IC 555 Specifications: Features

 Direct replacement for SE555/NE555
 Timing from microseconds through hours
 Operates in both astable and monostable modes
 Adjustable duty cycle
 Output can source or sink 200 mA
 Output and supply TTL compatible
 Temperature stability better than 0.005% per °C
 Normally on and normally off output
 Available in 8-pin MSOP package
Fig. 4. IC 4017 Pin Structure
E. A brief overview of IC 4017
The 4017 decade counter has ten outputs which go high in
sequence when a source of pulses is connected to the clock
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III. SCHEMATIC V. PCB MAKING PROCESS

A. Requirements
• Laser printer
• Suitable glossy paper
• Copper PCB boards
• An iron
• Etchant
• Protective clothing

B. Overview
Print up the PCB traces on suitable paper and transfer the
toner to the copper. Etch the board, remove the toner and
drill. The PCB is ready.

C. Printing PCBs
Use a transparency of good quality. To save time, effort and
expenses it's a good idea to combine multiple images to try
and fill the entire 8.5x11 page with PCBs. Remember that
Fig. 5. Schematic of the Simple Dice. In the above schematic, R1=R2=10K these must be printed as mirror images of the final PCB in
Ω, R3=100K Ω, R4=570Ω, G1=5V, C1=0.01µF order to be correct after transferring them to the copper
board.
A. Schematic Description
Press the push switch to ‘throw’ the dice: this makes the
circuit rapidly cycle through the dice numbers so that an
effectively random dice number is displayed by the LEDs
when the push switch is released. Drill seven 5mm holes in a
dice pattern to mount the LEDs on a panel such as a plastic
box lid or sheet of thin plywood. They should be a tight fit but
a little glue can be applied from the underside if necessary.
The 555 astable circuit provides clock pulses at about 5kHz
for the 4017 counter which has ten outputs (Q0 to Q9). Each
output becomes high in turn as the clock pulses are received.
Only six counts (Q0-Q5) are needed so Q6 is connected to
reset. Appropriate outputs are combined with diodes to supply
Fig. 7. Placing the PCB mirror image face down on the copper
the LEDs: for example Q1, Q3 and Q5 are combined for LED
A. E. Transferring the Image
The dice sequence has been started at 2 so the ÷10 output To proceed you will need a cutout of a single PCB image
can be used for LEDs B1 and B2, this saves diodes and from the glossy paper, a very clean copper board and a
simplifies the circuit. Pressing the push switch makes the clothes iron. Place the PCB mirror image face down on the
disable input low so that counting occurs. copper, ensuring it is correctly positioned. You can use a
few pieces of tape to secure the glossy paper to the board
but I find that, if you are careful when you begin to iron, the
paper sticks and stays in place on its own. Preheat your
trusty clothes iron, using the hottest setting it’s got (cotton,
linen or above). Iron the entire area of paper, pressing firmly
and staying long enough to ensure the toner melts a bit and
binds to the copper. Carefully remove the paper. If certain
areas seem particularly difficult to peel off, you can try
soaking a bit more.

Fig. 6. Dice Numbers and corresponding LEDs

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eye on the state of your board. The process seems to

accelerate in the final stages; this is only an impression but it
can surprise you and lead to over-etching. Leaving the board
in the solution too long will cause the etchant to eat at your
signal traces from below, potentially causing breaks in your
traces.

Fig. 8. Printed Layout and the Copper Clad PCB Surface

F. Etching the Board

Fig. 10. Final PCB

G. Finishing the PCB

Drill holes as appropriate, place your components and
solder.

VI. PCB LAYOUT

Fig. 9. Ferric Chloride, the etchant

When creating a PCB using a chemical etchant, you want to

protect certain areas of copper from the chemical reaction
(to form the pads and signal lines) and let the ferric chloride
remove all the metal that remains exposed.
The next step consists in removing unwanted copper from
the board. You can use the classic, ferric chloride or other
chemical solutions. You won't need a ton of etchant for a
regular sized PCB. Start with a bit, enough to cover the
board. You can always add more if the reaction stops. Just
how much etchant you need and how long the process takes
will depend on many things: the size of the PCB, the amount
of copper on the board (both in terms of area and thickness).
Somewhat hotter etchant will react faster than a cold
solution but we like the ease and control that using room
temperature etchant affords us. Regularly stir the solution, VII. CONCLUSION
every couple of minutes, to ensure the board is in contact
The Simple Dice has been successfully implemented using
with fresh etchant. After a while, you will be able to see that
IC 555 and 4017.
the reaction has begun. The etchant solution will get filled
with dark colored particles and the copper will begin to
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
disappear. Removing the PCB from the solution for a few
seconds will reveal freshly etched spots. After something
like 50-75% of the copper has been removed, gently stir the The authors gratefully acknowledge the facilities provided in
solution (never use metal) on sway the container and keep an Controls and Instrumentation Laboratory of Electronics and
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Telecommunication Engineering Department, Thadomal

Shahani Engineering College, Mumbai, INDIA.

REFERENCES
[1] Block Diagram of the 555 Timer IC [Online]. Available:
http://ecelab.com/555-block-diagram.htm
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diagram-using-timer-and-counter-ics/
[3] 4017B Decade counter (5-stage Johnson counter) [Online]. Available:
http://www.doctronics.co.uk/4017.htm
[4] Electronic Dice [Online]. Available:
http://users.otenet.gr/~athsam/electronic_dice_2.htm
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online.com/electronic-projects-design-ideas-reviews/103250-digital-
dice-2.html
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http://www.datasheetcatalog.com/datasheets_pdf/N/E/5/5/NE555.shtml
[7] Datasheet [Online]. Available: http://www.datasheetarchive.com/555-
datasheet.html
[8] National Semiconductors: http://www.national.com/ds/LM/LM555.pdf