Physics

Paper No. : 09 Electronics

Module: 2.1 Multivibrators

Development Team
Prof. Vinay Gupta ,Department of Physics and Astrophysics,
Principal Investigator University of Delhi, Delhi

Dr. Monika Tomar ,Physics Department ,Miranda House

Paper Coordinator
University of Delhi, Delhi

Prof. Vinay Gupta, Department of Physics and Astrophysics, University of Delhi, Delhi
Content Writer
Dr. Ayushi Paliwal, Department of Physics, Deshbandhu College, University of Delhi, Delhi

Prof. R. P. Tondon,Department of Physics and Astrophysics,

Content Reviewer
University of Delhi, Delhi 1

Electronics
Material Science
Multivibrators
 Description of Module
Subject Name Physics
Paper Name Electronics
Module Name/Title Multivibrators

Module Id 2.1

Electronics
Material Science
Multivibrators
 Contents of the unit
1. Introduction
2. Transistor as switch
3. Switching time in a transistor
4. Astable multivibrator
5. Monostable multivibrator
6. Summary

Learning Objectives
• Transistor as switch
• Astable multivibrator
• Monostable multivibrator
• Construction of multivibrator using 555 IC

Electronics
Material Science
Multivibrators
 1. Introduction

A multivibrator is a relaxation oscillator consisting of two stage resistance coupled amplifier with the
output of each stage being coupled regeneratively to each other. The condition in which the
multivibrator stays indefinitely until the circuit is triggered by some external signal is known as stable
state. Multivibrators perform a variety of useful functions like Generation of square
waveforms,counting,frequency division, generation of time delays etc. there are three types of
multivibrators i.e. astable, monostable and bistable multivibrator.
2. Transistor as switch
Since multivibrators involve transistors, which alternate between conduction and cut off. So, let us
consider a transistor in CE configuration and Vi is a step input applied at base of transistor.

Figure 1: IV characteristics of transistor in CE configuration

Open Switch
When Vi =0,it implies IB=0 transistor is in cut off region and no current flows through RL except
the leakage current ICEO And the switch is in off position. In this condition the VCE is
maximum=VCC. Since there is negligible drop across RL when IC~0.

Electronics
Material Science
Multivibrators
 Figure 2: Transistor as open switch
Closed Switch
Now Consider Vi is applied to turn the switch on by applying base current IB. This will cause the
transistor to switch on quickly and drive. The transistor into saturation.VCE~0 and the ground at
emitter has now effectively been transferred to collector so that full VCC voltage has been placed
across RL.

Figure 3: Transistor as close switch

Electronics
Material Science
Multivibrators
 3. Switching time in a transistor
Due to capacitive effect in transistor application of square wave input to base emitter junction is not
followed directly by a change in output voltage.

Vi = VBE 1 µ sec

Time
0V Input Square Wave (Vi)

Ton
Toff
td tr ts tf
Ic
90%

Ion 10%
Output Waveform (ic)

Figure 4: Input and output waveform in a transistor

tr= rise time- time required for output to change from 10% of its initial value to 90% of its final
value.
td=delay time - time taken by ic to start rising
Turn on time=Ton =td+tr
When Vbe goes to zero there is a delay before ic starts to change due to charge stored in the
transistor
being cleaned out and this is called charge storage time=ts.
tf=fall time – time required to reach 10% of the initial value.
Turn off time-Toff=ts+tf

Electronics
Material Science
Multivibrators
 4. Astable multivibrator
The Astable circuit has no stable state. With no external signal applied, the transistors alternately
switch from cut off to saturation at a frequency determined by the RC time constants of the coupling
circuits. Astable multivibrator circuit consist of two cross coupled RC amplifiers. RL1 and RL2 are
the collector resistances for transistors T1 and T2 respectively. C1and C2 are the coupling capacitors.
R1 and R2 provide the ON state base current to the two transistors respectively during saturation
region.

VCC (12V)

RL1 R1 R2 RL2
(1kῼ) R1 (10kῼ) (10kῼ) (1kῼ)
(10kῼ)

C1(0.01uF) C2(0.01uF)

T1 T2
VC1
VB1
VB2

Figure 5: Circuit of astable multivibrator

Working of the circuit:
When power is applied ,one of the transistor conducts more than the other due to circuit imbalance. Let
us consider that transistor T1 is conducting and T2 is off. Thus the output VC1 of the transistor T1 is
approximately 0V and VC2=12V. Hence the capacitor C2 gets a path to charge up through RL2 and base
emitter junction of transistor T1 is approximately 12V. The capacitor C1 has previously charged upto
12V(when T2 was conducting) through RL1 .But when T1 conducts a path is provided for C1 to discharge
through T1 and R1.

Electronics
Material Science
Multivibrators
 VCC

+
R1

+ - -
VC1

T1 T2

VB2

Discharging path for C1 through R1 and T1.It also shows how a negative voltage is coupled to base of
T2. The initial pulse of discharge current from C1 through R1 makes the base of T2 suddenly very
negative (approx -12V).This causes T2 to be cut off as assumed. T1 is kept in the conducting state by
base current provided from VCC through R2 so VB1 is slightly positive. The charging current of C2 through
RL2 has now ceased. The length of time for which T2 is held off is determined by time constant of
discharging of C1 through T1 and R1.

VCC (12V)

RL1

+ -
VC1
C1
T2

VB2

 This allows C1 to be recharged very quickly through R L1 and T2 causing increase in the positive
voltage at the base of T2 and aiding the turning on of T2.

Electronics
Material Science
Multivibrators
 VCC

R2

- - +
VC2

T1 T2

VB1

At the same time,C2 is allowed to discharge through T2 and C2,coupling a large negative voltage at the
base of T1 .This turns T1 off quickly and collector voltage VC1 rises towards +12V.However,the voltage
at collector of T1 is somewhat less than 12V at this instant due to the voltage drop across R L1 occuring
while C1 is recharging. This is relatively short time but it causes a rounding of the rising edge in VC1 .
Vc1 T1 off
12 V

T1 on
Vsat
0 t
t1 t2

VB1 T1 on

0 t

Discharge
-12 V of R2C2
T1 off

Vc2 T2 off

12 V

T2 on
Vsat

VB2 T2 on

T2 off Discharge
of R1C1

Electronics
Material Science
Multivibrators
 The turning on of one transistor T2 and its falling voltage at the collector permits discharging of a
capacitor which drives transistor T1 into cut off. The rising voltage at the T1s collector feeds back to
base of T2 tending it to turn it on.
The waveforms can be explained as:
1.When T1 is in saturation the whole Vcc drops across RL1 so VC1=0 and hence the lower end of RL1 is
at zero .
2.T2 is cut off, so no voltage across RL2 and hence the lower end of RL2 is at a potential Vcc.
3.When lower end of RL1 is at zero potential C1 starts charging through R1 towards Vcc.
4. When the voltage across C1 rises more than 0.7V, T2 is forward biased and starts conducting T2 is
soon driven to saturation.
5.When T2 is in saturation,VC2 becomes almost zero i.e., the potential of lower end of RL2 decreases
from Vcc to 0.This potential decrease is applied to the base of T1 through C2 , Consequently T2 is
driven to cut off.
6.In cut off position of T1 the lower end of RL2 is at zero potential and hence C2 starts discharging
through RL2 to potential Vcc.
7.When voltage across C2 is more than 0.7V , T1 is forward biased and starts conducting.
Circuit conditions
(1) When T1 is in saturation region:

(2) When T2 is in off region:

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Electronics
Material Science
Multivibrators
 Frequency of oscillations:
During the discharge of C2:

The initial discharge value of current Ic1 is:

(capacitor charges upto Vcc approx)

The current decays exponentially with a time constant R1C1 ,

Suppose VB2=0,then

(since VCC≠0)
Or,

Thus the off time (t2) for transistor T2 or the on time of transistor T1 is given by:

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Electronics
Material Science
Multivibrators
 Similarly, off time (t1) for T1 or on time of T2 is:

Total time period:

If

and

Then

The frequency of astable multivibrator is:

Minimum value of

and

When,

and

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Electronics
Material Science
Multivibrators
 Then,

Proof: To ensure oscillations, the transistor must saturate so that R1 and R2 must be chosen
With the hfe ,the dc current Gain of the transistor. Let us assume that T2 is saturated, so that its collector
to emitter voltage is approximately equal to base to emitter voltage. Then the voltage drop across R1
must be equal to the voltage drop across RL2.

Thus transistor will be saturated if:

Or

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Electronics
Material Science
Multivibrators
 5. Monostable multivibrator
Suppose a signal trigger is applied to B2 and a regenerative action takes place which drives T2 to
completely cut-off. The voltage at Y2 rises approximately to Vcc. Now T1 comes in conduction.
The device may be driven into saturation or it may operate within its active region. In either case a
current I1 exists in RL1 which causes a voltage drop I1RL1 at Y1 and there by decreasing the voltage
B2 by same amount because voltage across capacitor C cannot change instantaneously.The
multivibrator is now in quasi-stable state. The circuit will remain in this state only for a finite time
because B2 is Connected to Vcc through R. Now B2 will rise in voltage. When the voltage at B2 is
equal to the cut in voltage of T2,a regenerative action takes place. This turns T1 off ad eventually
returning the multivibrator to tits initial state. The triggering Signal is applied at t=0 and reverse
transition occurs at t=T.

VCC

RL1 R RL2
C1

C
Y1 Y2
C R1 )

T1 T2
B1
VC1 B2

VB1
-VBB

6. Summary
 Detailed explaination of Transistor as switch
 Working of Astable multivibrator along with switching time and all the waveforms
 Monostable multivibrator
 Construction of multivibrator using 555 IC

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Electronics
Material Science
Multivibrators