Digital Logic Design (EL-1005)

Laboratory Manual
Spring 2022

LAB: 12 555 Timer and its modes of Operation

Engr. Hazrat Ali
Engr. Waqar Ahmad

Student Name: ______________________________________________________

Roll Number: _______________________________________________________

Section: ___________________________________________________________

Date Performed:_____________________________________________________

___________________________

LAB ENGINEER SIGNATURE & DATE MARKS AWARDED: /20

9.1 Lab Objectives:

• To understand the function of 555 Timer IC.

• To design and implement an A-Stable Multivibrator (Clock generation circuit).
• To design and implement a Mono-Stable Multivibrator.
• To design and implement a Bistable-Stable Multivibrator.

9.2 Equipment Required:

• Trainer Board
• Logic Probe
• Multimeter
• 555 Timer IC
• Capacitors (2.2 µF, 10 µF, 0.01 µF)
• Resistors (10 kΩ, 150 kΩ, 100 kΩ (2), 330 kΩ (2), 470 kΩ (2))

9.3 Introduction:
The 555 Timer IC:
The 555 timer integrated circuit (IC) consists of a mix of analog and digital subsystems that can be used,
together with a few external components, to implement various timing functions. The IC was introduced in 1971 by
Signetics and it is still widely used. The basic principle that is used by all variants of the 555 IC is to measure the
charge and discharge times of a capacitor.
The main functional components of the 555 timer are two voltage comparators, a voltage divider network with three
equal resistors (5 kΩ in the original version, hence the name 555), one SR (Set/Reset) flip-flop, a discharge
transistor, and an output buffer that is capable of sinking/sourcing up to 200 mA. Figure 10.1 shows the pin
configuration of 555 Timer IC.
 Figure 10.1: The 555 Timer pin configuration

Working:
A voltage comparator is a device with positive and negative input and output. The output voltage goes high (+V CC
in this case) if the +ve input has a more positive voltage than the - input. Otherwise, if the voltage at the -ve input is

memory cell with complementary outputs and 𝑄̅ . If the voltage at the S input goes high the flip-flop is set and
more positive than at the +ve input, the output voltage goes low (GND in this case). The flip-flop is a single

the output goes high while the 𝑄̅ output goes low. If the voltage at the R input goes high then the flip-flop is
reset and the output goes low at the same time as the 𝑄̅ output goes high. If the voltage at the 𝑅𝐸𝑆̅̅̅̅̅ (reset)
input is low, then the flip-flop is reset, regardless of the states of the R and S inputs. The discharge transistor acts as
a switch that is open when the flip-flop is set (𝑄̅ low) and closed when the flip-flop is reset (𝑄̅ high). Figure 10.2
shows a functional block diagram of the 555 timer IC.

Figure 9.2: Internal block diagram of 555 Timer

The three identical resistors are used to obtain the reference voltages VCC/3 and 2VCC/3 if the CTRL
(Control) input is left open. The flip-flop is then set if the voltage at the TRIG (trigger) input goes below VCC/3. To
reset the flip-flop either the voltage at the THRESH (threshold) input has to go above 2VCC/3 or the RES (reset)
input has to go low. The two main modes in which the 555 timer typically operates are the monostable or one-shot
mode and the astable or oscillatory mode.

A-stable Mode of 555 Timer: (Clock Generation Circuit)

We can connect the 555 timer IC in an Astable mode to produce a very stable 555 Oscillator circuit for generating
highly accurate free-running waveforms whose output frequency can be adjusted using an externally connected RC
tank circuit consisting of just two resistors and a capacitor. The 555 Oscillator is another type of relaxation
oscillator for generating stabilized square wave output waveforms of either a fixed frequency of up to 500 kHz or
of varying duty cycles from 50 to 100%. To get the 555 Oscillator to operate as an astable multivibrator, it is
necessary to continuously re-trigger the 555 IC after every timing cycle.
This re-triggering is achieved by connecting the trigger input (pin 2) and the threshold input (pin 6) together,
thereby allowing the device to act as an astable oscillator. Then the 555 Oscillator has no stable states as it
continuously switches from one state to the other. Also, the single timing resistor of the previous monostable
multivibrator circuit has been split into two separate resistors, R1 and R2 with their junction connected to the
discharge input (pin7) as shown below.
.

(a)

(b)
Figure 9.3: (a), (b) Astable Multivibrator using 555 Timer
In the 555 Oscillator above, pin 2 and pin 6 are connected together allowing the circuit to retrigger itself on each
and every cycle allowing it to operate as a free-running oscillator. During each cycle capacitor, C charges up
through both timing resistors, R1 and R2 but discharges itself only through a resistor, R2 as the other side of R2 is
connected to the discharge terminal, pin 7. Then the capacitor charges up to 2/3Vcc (the upper comparator limit)
which is determined by the 0.693×(R1+R2)×C combination and discharges itself down to 1/3Vcc (the lower
comparator limit) determined by the 0.693(R2×C) combination. This results in an output waveform whose voltage
level is approximately equal to Vcc - 1.5V and whose output "ON" and "OFF" periods are determined by the
capacitor and resistors combinations. The individual times required to complete one charge and discharge cycle of

𝒕𝟏 = 𝟎. 𝟔𝟗𝟑 (𝑹𝟏 + 𝑹𝟐) 𝑪

the output is therefore given as:

𝒕𝟐 = 𝟎. 𝟔𝟗𝟑 (𝑹𝟐) 𝑪 Where R is in Ω's and C in

Farads.
When connected as an astable multivibrator, the output from the 555 Oscillator will continue indefinitely charging
and discharging between 2/3Vcc and 1/3Vcc until the power supply is removed. As with the monostable
multivibrator, these charge and discharge times and therefore the frequency are independent of the supply voltage.
The duration of one full cycle is therefore equal to the sum of the two individual times that the capacitor charges

𝑻 = 𝒕𝟏 + 𝒕𝟐 = 𝟎. 𝟔𝟗𝟑 (𝑹𝟏 + 𝟐𝑹𝟐) 𝑪

and discharges added together and is given as:

The output frequency of oscillations can be found by inverting the equation above for the total cycle time giving a
final equation for the output frequency of an Astable 555 Oscillator as:

By altering the time constant of just one of the RC combinations, the Duty Cycle better known as the "Mark-
toSpace" ratio of the output waveform can be accurately set and is given as the ratio of resistor R 2 to resistor R1.
The Duty Cycle for the 555 Oscillator, which is the ratio of the "ON" time divided by the "OFF" time, is given by

The duty cycle has no units as it is a ratio but can be expressed as a percentage ( % ). If both timing resistors, R 1
and R2 are equal the output duty cycle will be given as 2:1 or 33%.

For Duty Cycle 50%:

As the timing capacitor, C charges through resistors R1 and R2 but only discharges through resistor R2 the output
duty cycle can be varied between 50 and 100% by changing the value of resistor R2. By decreasing the value of R2
the duty cycle increases to 100% and by increasing R2 the duty cycle reduces to 50%. If resistor, R2 is very large
relative to resistor R1 the output frequency of the 555 astable circuit will be determined by R2 x C only. The
problem with this basic astable 555 oscillator configuration is that the duty cycle, the "mark-to-space" ratio will
never go below 50% as the presence of resistor R2 prevents this. In other words, we cannot make the output "ON"
time shorter than the "OFF" time, as (R1 + R2)×C will always be greater than the value of R1 x C. One way to
overcome this problem is to connect a signal bypassing diode in parallel with resistor R 2 as shown below (figure
10.4).
 Figure 9.4: Astable Multivibrator for duty cycles lesser than and equal to 50%

By connecting this diode, D1 between the trigger input and the discharge input, the timing capacitor will now
charge up directly through resistor R1 only, as resistor R2 is effectively shorted out by the diode. The capacitor
discharges as normal through a resistor, R2. Now the previous charging time of t1 = 0.693×(R1 + R2)×C is modified
to take account of this new charging circuit and is given as t1 = 0.693×(R1 × C).
The individual times required for completing one charge and discharge cycle of the output is therefore given as:
𝒕(𝑫<50%) = 𝟎. 𝟔𝟗𝟑 (𝑹𝟏) 𝑪
𝒕(𝑫<50%) = 𝟎. 𝟔𝟗𝟑 (𝑹𝟐) 𝑪 Hence the time period and
frequency for D < 50% becomes:
𝑻𝑫<50% = 𝒕𝟏 + 𝒕𝟐 = 𝟎. 𝟔𝟗𝟑 (𝑹𝟏 + 𝑹𝟐) 𝑪

The duty cycle is therefore given as:

Then to generate a duty cycle of less than 50%, resistor R1 needs to be less than resistor R2.
Another shorthand for nearly 50% duty cycle: (Choosing
R1, R2, and C1):
R1 and R2 should be in the range of 1 kΩ to 1 MΩ. It is best to choose C1 first because capacitors are available
in just a few values.
1. Choose C1 to suit the frequency range you require (use the table as a guide).
2. Choose R2 to give the frequency (f) you require. Assume that R1 is much smaller than R2 (so that ON time
and OFF time are almost equal), then you can use:

3. Choose R1 to be about a tenth of R2 (1 kΩ min.) unless you want the mark (ON) time to be significantly
longer than the space (OFF) time.
 4. If you wish to use a variable resistor it is best to make it R2.
5. If R1 is variable it must have a fixed resistor of at least 1k in series (this is not required for R 2 if it is
variable)

Task 1: Clock Generation using Astable mode of 555 Timer:

Procedure:
1. Design the astable multivibrator circuit using 555 timer IC for 50% duty cycle and given values.
2. Calculate the values of the unknowns using given values.
3. Implement the circuit on a breadboard.
4. Check the output on the Trainer board and record the results in the table below:
S.# Frequen Capacitan Resistan Resistan Time Calculated Observed
cy (Hz) ce (F) ce, R ce, R Period, T ON Time ON Time
1 2

(sec)
(Ω) (Ω)
1 2.2µ 330k 330k

2 0.68 10 µ

3 10 µ 330k

4 10 µ 470k
Monostable Mode of 555 Timer:
A Monostable circuit produces one pulse of a set length 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 machine will automatically switch off
after a set time.

10kΩ

Figure 9 : Monostable Multivibrator using 555 Timer

When a negative ( 0V ) pulse is applied to the trigger input (pin 2) of the Monostable configured 555 timer
oscillator, the internal comparator, (comparator 1) detects this input and "sets" the state of the flip-flop, changing
the output from a "LOW" state to a "HIGH" state. This action in turn turns "OFF" the discharge transistor
connected to pin 7, thereby removing the short circuit across the external timing capacitor, C 1. This action allows
the timing capacitor to start to charge up through resistor, R1 until the voltage across the capacitor reaches the
threshold (pin 6) voltage of 2/3Vcc set up by the internal voltage divider network. At this point, the output of the
comparator goes "HIGH" and "resets" the flip-flop back to its original state which in turn turns "ON" the transistor
and discharges the capacitor to the ground through the pin 7. This causes the output to change its state back to the
original stable "LOW" value awaiting another trigger pulse to start the timing process over again. Then as before,
the Monostable Multivibrator has only "ONE" stable state. The monostable circuit triggers on a negative-going
pulse applied to pin 2 and this trigger pulse must be much shorter than the output pulse width allowing time for the
timing capacitor to charge and then discharge fully. Once triggered, the 555 Monostable will remain in this "HIGH"
unstable output state until the time period set up by the R1 x C1 network has elapsed. The amount of time that the

𝒕 = 𝟏. 𝟏 × 𝑪𝟏 × 𝑹𝟏
output voltage remains "HIGH" or at a logic "1" level is given by the following time constant equation.
We can manually calculate the values of R and C for the individual components required as we did in the example
above.

Procedure:
Task 2:
1. Design the monostable multivibrator circuit, given in figure 10.5, using 555 timer IC for the given values.
2. Fix a value of capacitance (C).
3. Calculate the value of resistance (R) for achieving the pulse duration (t) and vice versa.
4. Implement the circuit on a breadboard.
5. Check the output on the Trainer board and measure the duration of a pulse.

Monostable multivibrator observations

ON Time ON Designed Practical
Capacitance Resistance
S.# Frequency Time ON Time ON Time
(µF) (kΩ)
f (Hz) t (sec) (sec) (sec)

1 470 10

2 100 10

3 470 22

4 1 10

5 10 150

6 3.63 10

7 0.2 10