.2.

555 Timer:
The 555 IC is one of the simplest and versatile linear integrated IC's. The 555 timer IC
was first introduced around 1971 by the Signetics Corporations as the SE555/NE555 and was
called The IC Time Machine and was also the very first and only commercial timer IC
available. It is a high stable controller capable of producing accurate timing pulses.

Operation 555 Timer/Oscillator:

The three equal resistors R1, R2, R3 arranged in order to serve as internal voltage divider
for the source voltage. Thus one-third of the source voltage appears across each resistor. The
voltage at points p1 and p2 serves as reference voltages for the two comparators.

Fig (4.2.1) Block Diagram of 555 Timer.

Comparator is a basically an op-amp which changes the state when one of its input
exceeds the reference voltage. The reference voltage for comparator 2 is 1/3Vcc. If a trigger

pulse is applied at the negative input of this comparator drops below +1/3Vcc, it causes a change
in the state. Comparator 1 is referred at voltage +2/3Vcc. The output of each comparator is fed to
the input terminals of a flip-flop.
The flip-flop used in the SE/NE 555 timer IC is a bistable multi. As usual, this flip-flop
changes states according to the voltage value of its input. Thus if the voltage at the threshold
terminal rises above +2/3Vcc, it causes comparator 1 to cause flip-flop to change its states. On
the other hand, if the trigger voltage falls below +1/3Vcc, it causes comparator 2 to change its
state and hence causes flip-flop to change its states. Thus the output of the flip-flop is controlled
by the voltages of the two comparators. A change in state occurs when the threshold voltage rises
above +2/3Vcc or when the trigger voltage drops below +1/3Vcc.
The output of the flip-flop is used to drive the discharge transistor and the output stage. A
high or positive flip-flop output turns on both the discharge transistor and the output stage. The
discharge transistor becomes conductive and behaves as a low resistance short circuit to ground.
The output stage behaves similarly. When the flip-flop output assumes the low or zero state,
reverse action takes place i.e., the discharge transistor behaves as an open circuit or infinite
impedance. The output stage assumes high or positive Vcc state. Thus the operational state of the
discharge transistor and the output stage depends on the voltage applied to the threshold and the
trigger input terminals.

555 Timer as Monostable Multivibrator:

A monostable multivibrator, often called as one-shot multivibrator, is a pulse generating
circuit in which duration of pulse is determined by one external resistor and one capacitor.
Monostable is used in several timing applications where we need operations to be last for
specified length of time.

Monostable Operation:
In monostable multivibrator, a simple output pulse is generated in response to one input
trigger pulse.

Fig: Monostable Circuit

Fig: Waveforms of Monostable

Initially when the output is low, i.e. the circuit is in stable state, transistor is ON and
capacitor C is shorted to ground. When a negative going pulse is applied at trigger input (pin 2),
transistor Q1 is turned OFF, which releases short circuit across the external capacitor C1 and
drives the output (at pin 3) to go high to +Vcc. The trigger pulse causes the comparator 2 to drop
below its reference voltage +1/3Vcc, and this in turn causes flip-flop to go to its low state. A
negative voltage to the discharge transistor causes resistance to become infinite. This in turn
removes the shunt to ground capacitor C1. Hence the voltage across capacitor C1 now starts
charging up towards Vcc through RA. When the voltage across capacitor equals 2/3Vcc,
comparator 1s output switches from low to high, which in turn drives the output to its low state
via the output of the flip-flop. At the same time, the output of the flip-flop turns transistor Q1 on,
and hence capacitor C1 rapidly discharges through the transistor. The output of the monostable
remains low until a trigger pulse is again applied.
555 TIMER AS MONOSTABLE MULTIVIBRATOR:
Theory:The 555 timer configured for monostable operation is shown in the figure.

Monostable multivibrator often called a one shot multivibrator is a pulse generating circuit in
which the duration of this pulse is determined by the RC network connected externally to the 555
timer. In a stable or standby state, the output of the circuit is approximately zero or a logic-low
level. When external trigger pulse is applied output is forced to go high ( VCC). The time for
which output remains high is determined by the external RC network connected to the timer. At
the end of the timing interval, the output automatically reverts back to its logic-low stable state.
The output stays low until trigger pulse is again applied. Then the cycle repeats. The monostable
circuit has only one stable state (output low) hence the name monostable.

The internal diagram for a 555 timer is shown in the figure.

Pin1: Ground. All voltages are measured with respect to this terminal.
Pin2: Trigger. The output of the timer depends on the amplitude of the external trigger pulse
applied to this pin. The output is low if the voltage at this pin is greater than 2/3 VCC. When a
negative going pulse of amplitude greater than 1/3 VCC is applied to this pin, comparator 2 output
goes low, which inturn switches the output of the timer high. The output remains high as long as
the trigger terminal is held at a low voltage.
Pin3: Output. There are two ways by which a load can be connected to the output terminal:
either between pin 3 and ground or between pin3 and supply voltage +VCC. When the output is
low the load current flows through the load connected between pin3 and +VCC into the output
terminal and is called sink current. The current through the grounded load is zero when the
output is low. For this reason the load connected between pin 3 and +VCC is called the normally
on load and that connected between pin 3 and ground is called normally off-load. On the other
hand, when the output is high the current through the load connected between pin 3 and +VCC is

zero. The output terminal supplies current to the normally off load. This current is called source
current. The maximum value of sink or source current is 200mA.
Pin4: Reset. The 555 timer can be reset (disabled) by applying a negative pulse to this pin. When
the reset function is not in use, the reset terminal should be connected to +VCC to avoid any
possibility of false triggering.
Pin5: Control Voltage. An external voltage applied to this terminal changes the threshold as well
as trigger voltage. Thus by imposing a voltage on this pin or by connecting a pot between this pin
and ground, the pulse width of the output waveform can be varied. When not used, the control
pin should be bypassed to ground with a 0.01F Capacitor to prevent any noise problems.
Pin6: Threshold. This is the non-inverting input of comparator 1, which monitors the voltage
across the external capacitor. When the voltage at this pin is greater than or equal to the threshold
voltage 2/3 VCC, the output of comparator 1 goes high, which inturn switches the output of the
timer low.
Pin7: Discharge. This pin is connected internally to the collector of transistor Q1. When the
output is high Q1 is OFF and acts as an open circuit to external capacitor C connected across it.
On the other hand, when the output is low, Q1 is saturated and acts as a short circuit, shorting out
the external capacitor C to ground.
Pin8: +VCC. The supply voltage of +5V to + 18V is applied to this pin with respect to ground.

Operation:

Initially when the circuit is in the stable state i.e., when the output is low, transistor Q1 is ON and
the capacitor C is shorted out to ground. Upon the application of a negative trigger pulse to pin 2,
transistor Q1 is turned OFF, which releases the short circuit across the external capacitor C and
drives the output high. The capacitor C now starts charging up towards V CC through R. When the
voltage across the capacitor equals 2/3 VCC, comparator 1s output switches from low to high,
which inturn drives the output to its low state via the output of the flip-flop. At the same time the
output of the flip-flop turns transistor Q1 ON and hence the capacitor C rapidly discharges
through the transistor. The output of the monostable remains low until a trigger pulse is again
applied. Then the cycle repeats.
The pulse width of the trigger input must be smaller than the expected pulse width of the output
waveform. Also the trigger pulse must be a negative going input signal with amplitude larger
than 1/3 VCC.
The time during which the output remains high is given by

t= 1.1 RC seconds

where R is in Ohms and C is in Farads.

Once triggered, the circuits output will remain in the high state until the set time, t elapses. The
output will not change its state even if an input trigger is applied again during this time interval t.
The circuit can be reset during the timing cycle by applying negative pulse to the reset terminal.
The output will remain in the low state until a trigger is again applied.