555 Timers with PSpice

Objective:
As we, all know PSpice is one of the best tools we have to simulate any circuit on
the computer and see what the output at any point looks like.
So, we will use PSpice to simulate a couple of simple 555 circuits to see how they can be
implemented.
Here are a few sites you could visit and read up on 555 circuits
http://users.auth.gr/~mixos/info/555timer.htm
http://www.uoguelph.ca/~antoon/gadgets/555/555.html

Finally goto www.google.com and type in 555 Timer

Step 1 (Creating the schematic):
V1

R 3
2 .2 k

5Vdc

360p

R 2
1 .0 m e g

C 1
10n

2
4
5
6
7

VC C

X1

T R IG G E R
R ESET O U TPU T
C O N TR O L
TH R ESH O LD
D IS C H A R G E

R 1

3
V

2 .2 k

G N D

C 2

555D

This is your circuit!

Please refer to lab#1 and make sure you create a new project in your U:
Checklist:
Make sure Analog or Mixed A/D is checked
Create your project in U:
Then make sure you Create a Blank Project
Place the 555 Timer IC
Goto Place Part
(Make sure you have all your libraries under the libraries)
Under the Eval library choose 555D

and place it in the center.

Then you have 3 resistors, 2 capacitors and a DC voltage source. Please refer to lab#1 if
you have any difficulties finding any of these parts.
Step 2 (Specifying the values):
According to the schematic above
R1 2.2kohms
R2 1.0 mega ohms
R3 2.2 kohms
C1 10nF
C2 360pF
V1 5V
Things you could miss, So please check

Ground is not placed

Short pin 2 and pin 6
Short pin 4 and pin 8
All your pins should basically be
connected somewhere!

Dont forget place the Voltage/Level marker on pin 3.

Try placing the marker on pin 2, pin 4 and anywhere else you think something interesting
is going on
Step 3 (Simulating)
Now if you think you have finished the schematic goto PSpice
Profile
For the simulation settings:
Under Analysis type choose Time Domain (Transient)
Under the Options choose General settings
Then on your right:
Start saving data from 0
Run to time 0.005s
Make sure there is nothing in the Transient options.
Your setting should look like this

New simulation

and under the Then click on the Options tab

box (NOPAGE)

Output File uncheck the page break

We have completed the simulation settings and now you can run the simulation. You can
Run the Simulation in different ways
By hitting F11
Or By going to PSpice Run
Or by hitting the Blue triangle Button on the top toolbar
This is what your output should be like!

Step 4 (Printing and Analyzing):

Print the schematic and graphs in Landscape format and make sure you type in your title.
Print the output file in Portrait format.
Some changes:
Now you can vary the value of R2 to change the frequency of the output!
This circuit can be used for creating square wave with a 4.398V amplitude.

Here is another circuit you could simulate

R 5
10k

2
4
5
6
7

V2
12Vdc

X2

T R IG G E R
R E S E T O U TP U T
C O N TR O L
TH R E S H O LD
D IS C H A R G E
G N D

10k

VC C

R 6

3
V

R 7
1k

555D
V

C 2
0 .1 u F

C 3
.0 1 u F

It does create somewhat a similar output as the previous one, but do analyse it and notice
the differences.
In the simulation settings

Questions
1) Please analyze the circuit and play around with it to see various outputs.
2) Look online and try to simulate other circuits that you find interesting.