555 TIMER AND ITS USES

GROUP 5
• 2105713 DEVENDRA MOULI BHATTACHARYA
• 2105714 FARHAN JAFFER
• 2105715 GARGI SANSANWAL
• 2105719 HIMANSHU MOHANTY
• 2105720 HRITIKA GUPTA
• 2105721 KUMAR ADITYA
• 2105722 MALVIKA NARSIPURAM
• 2105723 MUSKAN AGARWAL
• 2105724 N PAVAN KUMAR
• 2105726 PATATRI GOSWAMI
• 2105728 PRANAV KUMAR
• 2105731 RAHUL KUMAR
• 2105732 RAJ SINGH
• 2105733 RISHAV PANDEY
• 2105734 RISHIKESH
• 2105735 RISHITA KUNDU
• 2105738 ROHAN NAG
• 2105739 ROHIT PANDEY
• 2105741 SAMRIDDHA SIL
INTRODUCTION
 The 555 Timer is one of the most popular and versatile
integrated circuits ever produced!
 “Signetics” Corporation first introduced this device as the
SE/NE 555 in early 1970.
 It is a combination of digital and analog circuits.
 It is known as the “time machine” as it performs a wide
variety of timing tasks.
 Applications for the 555 Timer include:
• Ramp and Square wave generator
• Frequency dividers
• Voltage-controlled oscillators
• Pulse generators and LED flashers
555 timer- Pin Diagram
The 555 timer is an 8-Pin D.I.L. Integrated Circuit or ‘chip’

Notch

Pin 1
555 timer- Pin Description
Pin Name Purpose
1 GND Ground, low level (0 V)

2 TRIG OUT rises, and interval starts, when this input falls below 1/3 VCC.

3 OUT This output is driven to approximately 1.7V below +VCC or GND.

A timing interval may be reset by driving this input to GND, but the
4 RESET timing does not begin again until RESET rises above approximately
0.7 volts. Overrides TRIG which overrides THR.

5 CTRL "Control" access to the internal voltage divider (by default, 2/3 VCC).

6 THR The interval ends when the voltage at THR is greater than at CTRL.

Open collector output; may discharge a capacitor between intervals.

7 DIS In phase with output.
8 V+, VCC Positive supply voltage is usually between 3 and 15 V.
Why 555?
5 kΩ
Comparator 1 T1
Flip-Flop
Control Voltage (5) -
Threshold Voltage (6) + RESET Q

5 kΩ
+Comparator 2
SET Q Output (3)
-
Trigger Voltage (2)

5 kΩ

Ground (1) Reset (4)

555 Timer
Description:
•Contains 25 transistors, 2 diodes and 16 resistors
• Maximum operating voltage 16V
• Maximum output current 200mA

• Best treated as a single component with required

input and output

INPUT PROCESS OUTPUT

If you input certain signals they will be processed / controlled in a

certain manner and will produce a known output.
Inside the 555 Timer

+ Truth Table
S R Q Q
Vref
0 0 No Change
0 1 0 1
Threshold
Control Voltage 1 0 1 0
R Q 1 1 X X

S
-
Q

Trigger
Discharge

Fig: Functional Diagram of 555 Timer

Inside the 555 Timer

Operation:
• The voltage divider has three equal 5K resistors. It
divides the input voltage (Vcc) into three equal
parts.
• The two comparators are op-amps that compare
the voltages at their inputs and saturate depending
upon which is greater.
• The Threshold Comparator saturates when the voltage
at the Threshold pin (pin 6) is greater than (2/3)Vcc.
• The Trigger Comparator saturates when the voltage at
the Trigger pin (pin 2) is less than (1/3)Vcc
Inside the 555 Timer
• The flip-flop is a bi-stable device. It generates two
values, a “high” value equal to Vcc and a “low” value
equal to 0V.
• When the Threshold comparator saturates, the flip flop is
Reset (R) and it outputs a low signal at pin 3.
• When the Trigger comparator saturates, the flip flop is Set
(S) and it outputs a high signal at pin 3.
• The transistor is being used as a switch, it connects
pin 7 (discharge) to ground when it is closed.
• When Q is low, Q bar is high. This closes the transistor
switch and attaches pin 7 to ground.
• When Q is high, Q bar is low. This open the switch and
pin 7 is no longer grounded
Uses of 555 timer

What the 555 timer is used for:

•To switch on or off an output after a certain time delay i.e.
Games timer, Childs mobile, Exercise timer.

•To continually switch on and off an output i.e.

warning lights, Bicycle indicators.

•As a pulse generator i.e.

To provide a series of clock pulses for a counter.
Schematic Diagram of 555 Timer
555 Timer operating modes
• The 555 has three operating modes:
1. Monostable Multivibrator
2.Astable Multivibrator
3. Bistable Multivibratior
555 Timer as Monostable Multivibrator
Description:
 In the standby state, FF holds
transistor Q1 ON, thus
clamping the external timing
capacitor C to ground. The
output remains at ground
potential. i.e. Low.

 As the trigger passes through VCC/3, the FF is set, i.e. Q bar=0, then
the transistor Q1 OFF and the short circuit across the timing
capacitor C is released. As Q bar is low , output goes HIGH.
555 Timer as Monostable Multivibrator

Fig (a): Timer in Monostable Operation with Functional Diagram

Fig (b): Output wave Form of Monostable
Monostable Multivibrator- Description
• Voltage across it rises exponentially through R towards
Vcc with a time constant RC.
• After Time Period T, the capacitor voltage is just greater
than 2Vcc/3 and the upper comparator resets the FF, i.e.
R=1, S=0. This makes Q bar =1, C rapidly to ground
potential.
• The voltage across the capacitor as given by,
t
v c V cc (1  e  RC )  If –ve going reset pulse terminal (pin
2
at t T , v c  V cc
3
4) is applied, then transistor Q2-> OFF,
2 T
V cc V cc (1  e  RC ) Q1-> ON & the external timing
3
1 capacitor C is immediately discharged.
T RC ln( ) T 1.1RC sec
3
Behavior of the Monostable Multivibrator

• All monostable multivibrators are timed

devices.
• The circuit generates a single pulse of desired
duration when it receives a trigger signal,
hence it is also called a one-shot.
• The RC time constant may be varied with
time.
Uses of the Monostable Multivibrator

• Used to generate a clean pulse of the correct

height and duration for a digital system
• Used to turn circuits or external components on or
off for a specific length of time.
• Used to generate delays.
• Can be cascaded to create a variety of sequential
timing pulses. These pulses can allow you to time
and sequence a number of related operations.
Monostable Multivibrator
Problem:
In the monostable multivibrator of fig, R=100kΩ
and the time delay T=100ms. Calculate the value of C ?
Solution:
T=1.1RC
T 100 x10 3
 C  3
0.9 F
1.1R 1.1x100 x10
Applications in Monostable Mode

1. Missing Pulse Detector.

2. Linear Ramp Generator.
3. Frequency Divider.
4. Pulse Width Modulation.
1.Missing Pulse Detector
Missing Pulse Detector- Description
• When input trigger is Low, emitter-base diode of Q is
forwarded biased capacitor is clamped to 0.7v(of
diode), output of timer is HIGH width of T o/p of
timer > trigger pulse width.
• T=1.1RC select R & C such that T > trigger pulse.
• Output will be high during successive coming of input
trigger pulse. If one of the input trigger pulse missing
trigger i/p is HIGH, Q is cut off, timer acts as normal
monostable state.
• It can be used for speed control and measurement.
2.Linear Ramp Generator

at pin 2 > Vcc/3

Capacitor voltage
at pin 6
Linear Ramp Generator- Description
Analysis:
Applying KVL around base-emitter loop of Q3
R
V  V I R ( I  I ) R ( I   I ) R (1   ) I R I R I R i R
1
CC BE E E C B E B B E B E E C E E
R1  R2
B

( I C i )

Q3  (  )  (  )
i R E  R1V CC V BE R1 R2  i  R1V CC V BE R1 R2
i Ic R1  R2 R E ( R1  R2)

Voltage Capacitor,
1t 1 t R1V CC  V BE ( R1  R2) 1  (  )
vc C idt C { }dt  { R1V CC V BE R1 R2 }t
0 0 RE ( R1  R2) C RE ( R1  R2)
2
When becomes 3 V at T,
v c CC

2
2  (  ) V CC CR E ( R1  R2)
V  R1V CC V BE R1 R2 T  T  3
CR E ( R1  R2)
CC
3 R1V CC  V BE ( R1  R2)
3.Frequency Divider

Description:
A continuously triggered
monostable circuit when triggered by a
square wave generator can be used as a
frequency divider, if the timing interval is
adjusted to be longer than the period of the
triggering square wave input signal.
The monostable multivibrator will
be triggered by the first negative going edge
of the square wave input but the output will
Fig: Diagram of Frequency Divider
remain HIGH(because of greater timing
interval) for next negative going edge of the
input square wave as shown fig.
4.Pulse Width Modulation

Fig a: Pulse Width Modulation Fig b: PWM Wave Forms

Pulse Width Modulation- Description
The charging time of capacitor is entirely depend upon 2Vcc/3.
When capacitor voltage just reaches about 2Vcc/3 output of the timer
is coming from HIGH to Low level.
We can control this charging time of the capacitor by adding
continuously varying signal at the pin-5 of the 555 timer which is
denoted as control voltage point. Now each time the capacitor voltage
is compared control voltage according to the o/p pulse width change.
So o/p pulse width is changing according to the signal applied to
control voltage point. So the output is pulse width modulated form.
Pulse Width Modulation
Practical Representation

Fig: PWM & Wave forms

ASTABLE MULTIVIBRATOR

Astable Multivibrator is
another type of cross
coupled transistor
switching circuit that has
no stable output states as
it changes from one state
to the other all the time.
Astable Multivibrator

Fig (a): Diagram of Astable Multvibrator

1 – Ground 5 – FM Input (Tie to gnd via bypass cap)
2 – Trigger 6 – Threshold
3 – Output 7 – Discharge
4 – Reset (Set HIGH for normal operation) 8 – Voltage Supply (+5 to +15 V)
Astable Multivibrator

R1

VA
A1 A 1
V1 Vo
R2

V 2 A2 A 2
VC VT
R3
Q1

Functional Diagram of Astable Multivibrator using 555 Timer

Astable Multivibrator

Advantages of Astable Multivibrator

1. They are very simple in design.

2. They are very reliable.

3. They are very easy to construct with a very low cost.

4. They do not need any external triggering.

5. They can run continuously for a very large amount of time without any
problem.
Disadvantages of Astable Multivibrator

The continuous pulse generation by this multivibrator circuit depends upon the positive
feedback. So due to the resistance in the circuit, this multivibrator cannot transfer the
whole output signal to the input. So a small amplifier circuit is used with this
multivibrator circuit which restores the lost energy.
Astable 555 Timer Block Diagram Contents
• Resistive voltage divider (equal resistors) sets threshold
voltages for comparators

V1 = VTH = 2/3 VCC V2 = VTL = 1/3 VCC

• Two Voltage Comparators
- For A1, if V+ > VTH then R =HIGH
- For A2, if V- < VTL then S = HIGH
• RS FF
- If S = HIGH, then FF is SET, Q = LOW, Q1 OFF, VOUT = HIGH
- If R = HIGH, then FF is RESET, Q= HIGH, Q1 ON, VOUT = LOW

• Transistor Q1 is used as a Switch

Operation of a 555 Astable
1) Assume initially that the capacitor is discharged.
a) For A1, V+ = VC = 0V and for A2, V- = VC = 0V, so R=LOW,
S=HIGH, Q = LOW , Q1 OFF, VOUT = VCC
b) Now as the capacitor charges through RA & RB,
eventually VC > VTL so R=LOW & S=LOW.
FF does not change state.
RA RB
VC(t)
VCC
Operation of a 555 Astable
Continued……
2) Once VC  VTH
a) R=HIGH, S=LOW, Q = HIGH ,Q1 ON, VOUT = 0
b) Capacitor is now discharging through RB and Q1 to
ground.
c) Meanwhile at FF, R=LOW & S=LOW since
VC < VTH.
RB
VC(t)

Q1
Operation of a 555 Astable
Continued…..
3) Once VC < VTL
a) R=LOW, S=HIGH, Q= LOW , Q1 OFF, VOUT = VCC
b) Capacitor is now charging through RA & RB again.

RA RB
VC(t)
VCC
Timing Diagram of a 555 Astable
VC(t) 1 2 3
VTH

VTL
t

VOUT(t) TL TH
t
t=0 t = 0'
Output = High
tHIGH : Calculations for the Oscillator’s HIGH Time
THE OUTPUT IS HIGH WHILE THE
CAPACITOR IS CHARGING THROUGH RA +
RB.

t HIGH 0.693R A  RB C
Output = Low
tLOW : Calculations for the Oscillator’s LOW Time
THE OUTPUT IS LOW WHILE THE CAPACITOR
IS DISCHARGING THROUGH RB.
5v

3.333 v

Vc 1.666 v

0v

 tLOW 

HIGH

Output
LOW

t LOW 0.693RBC
IC 555 timer
How does the charge and discharge of the capacitor relate to the
blinking LED?

The basic principle behind these blinking LEDs

is the charging/discharging of capacitor that
enables and disable the flow of current that
ultimately let the LEDs blink.

The charging of capacitor enables the LED to

stay ON and it gets switched OFF when it is
discharging.
Period
The Period is the total time of an
on/off cycle and depends on the
values of RA, RB, and C

t HIGH 0.693 RA  RB C

t LOW 0.693 RB C
T t HIGH  t LOW
Calculate the period of the flashing light.
T 0.693 RA  RB C   0.693 RB C 
T 0.693 RA  2 RB C
Frequency
The frequency of an oscillation
(or anything that exhibits a
repeating pattern) is inversely
proportional to the period

1 Unit of Measure:
F cycles/second = Hertz (Hz)
T
1

FCalculate the frequency (or blinking rate) of the
0 . 693 
flashing light.
R A
 2R B
 C
Astable Multivibrator- Analysis
The capacitor voltage for a low pass RC circuit subjected to a step input of V cc volts is
given by, t
v V (1  e )
c CC
RC

2
The time t1 taken by the circuit to change from 0 to 2Vcc/3 is, 
V C 3 V CC
2V CC  t1
V CC (1  e RC )  t 1.09 RC
1
3 1
The time t2 to charge from 0 to vcc/3 is V 3 V
C CC

V  (1   t 2 )  0.405RC
3
V
CC
e
CC t
RC
2

So the time to change from Vcc/3 to 2Vcc/3 is, t HIGH t1  t 2 1.09 RC  0.405 RC 0.69 RC
So, for the given circuit, t HIGH 0.69( R A  R B )C …… Charging time

The output is low while the capacitor discharges from 2Vcc/3 to Vcc/3 and the
voltage across the capacitor is given by, V CC 2 t
 V CC e RC
3 3
Astable Multivibrator- Analysis
After solving, we get, t=0.69RC
For the given circuit, 0.69 R B C …… Discharging time
t LOW

Both RA and RB are in the charge path, but only RB is in the discharge path.
 The total time period,
T t HIGH  t LOW 0.69 ( R A  R B )C  0.69 R B C

 T 0.69[( R A  R B )C  R B C ] 0.69 ( R A  R B  R B )C 0.69 ( R A2 R B )C

1 1 1.45
Frequency, f    …….1.45 is Error Constant
T 0.69 ( R A 2 R B )C ( R A 2 R B )C

Duty Cycle,
0.69 ( R A  R B )C (  RB)
% D  t HIGH X 100  X 100  R A X 100
T 0.69 ( R A 2 R B )C ( R A 2 R B )
0.69 R B C
% D  t LOW X 100  X 100  RB X 100
T 0.69 ( R A2 R B )C ( R A 2 R B )
Behavior of the Astable Multivibrator
 The astable multivibrator is simply an oscillator. The
astable multivibrator generates a continuous stream of
rectangular off-on pulses that switch between two
voltage levels.
 The frequency of the pulses and their duty cycle are
dependent upon the RC network values.
 The capacitor C charges through the series resistors RA
and RB with a time constant (RA + RB)C.
 The capacitor discharges through RB with a time
constant of RBC
Uses of the Astable Multivibrator
• Flashing LED’s
• Pulse Width Modulation
• Pulse Position Modulation
• Periodic Timers
• Uses include LEDs, pulse generation, logic
clocks, security alarms and so on.
Applications in Astable Mode

1.Square Generator
2.FSK Generator
3.Pulse Position Modulator
1.Square Generator

( R1 R )
3
10µF DutyCycle  2
X 100 50%
( R12 R ) 2

Here R1 0

C1
Fig: Square Wave Generator

 To avoid excessive discharge current through Q1 when R1=0

connect a diode across R2, place a variable R in place of R1.
 Charging path R1 & D; Discharging path R2 & pin 7.
2. FSK Generator

Description:
 In digital data communication,
binary code is transmitted by
shifting a carrier frequency
between two preset
frequencies. This type of
Fig: FSK Generator
transmission is called
Frequency Shift Keying (FSK)
technique. Contd…..
FSK Generator
 A 555 timer is astable mode can be used to generate FSK signal.
 When input digital data is HIGH, T1 is OFF & 555 timer works as
normal astable multivibrator.

The frequency of the output wave form given by,

1.45
fO
( R12 R )C
2

When input digital is LOW, Q1 is ON then R3 parallel R1

1.45
f O
( R3||R12 R )C
2
3. Pulse Position Modulator
Description:
 The pulse position modulator can be
constructed by applying a modulating
signal to pin 5 of a 555 timer connected
for astable operation.
 The output pulse position varies with
Fig (a): Pulse position Modulator
the modulating signal, since the
threshold voltage and hence the time
delay is varied.
 The output waveform that the
frequency is varying leading to pulse
Fig (b): Output Wave Form of PPM
position modulation.
Astable Multivibrator
Problem:
In the astable multivibrator of fig, RA=2.2KΩ, RB=3.9K Ω and C=0.1µF. Determine
the positive pulse width tH, negative pulse width tLow, and free-running frequency fo.
Solution:

t HIGH
0.69( R A  R B )C 0.69(2.2 K  3.9 K)(0.1X 10 6) 0.421ms
6
t LOW
0.69 R B C 0.69(3.9 K)(0.1X 10 ) 0.269ms
1 1.45
fo   ?
T ( R A 2 R B )C Duty Cycle,
(  RB)
% D t HIGH X 100  R A
2.2 K  3.9
X 100  X 100 ?
T ( R A 2 R B ) 2.2 K  2 X 3.9 K

3.9
% D t LOW X 100  RB X 100  X 100 ?
T ( R A 2 R B ) 2 .2 K   2 X 3 .9 K 
Example: Design a 555 Oscillator to produce an approximate
square-wave at 40 KHz. Let C > 470 pF.

One Possible F=40KHz; T=25µs; t1=t2=12.5µs

Solution:
For a square-wave RA<<RB; Let RA=1K and RB=10K
t1=0.693(RB)(C); 12.5µs=0.693(10K)(C); C=1800pF
T=0.693(RA+2RB)C: T=0.693(1K+20K)1800pF
T=26.2µs; F=1/T; F=38KHz (almost square-wave).
Example: A 555 oscillator can be combined with a J-K FF to
produce a 50% duty-cycle signal. Modify the above
circuit to achieve a 50% duty-cycle, 40 KHz signal.
One Possible Reduce by half the 1800pF. This will create a T=13.1µs or F=76.35 KHz
Solution: (almost square-wave). Now, take the output of the 555 Timer and connect
it to the CLK input of a J-K FF wired in the toggle mode (J and K inputs
connected to +5V). The result at the Q output of the J-K FF is a perfect
38.17 KHz square-wave.
BISTABLE MULTIVIBRATOR

A Bistable multivibrator is a type of circuit which has two stable states

(high and low). It stays in the same state until and unless an external
trigger input is applied.

Generally, a bistable multivibrator stays low until a trigger signal is

applied and it stays high until a reset signal is applied. Bistable multi
vibrators are also called as flip-flops or latches. The term flip-flop is used
because it ‘flips’ to one state and stays there until a trigger is applied and
once the trigger is applied it ‘flops’ back to the original state.
Bistable Multivibrator Circuit using 555
Timer
A bistable multivibrator is one of the
easiest circuits that can be built using a
555 timer. It doesn’t require a capacitor as
the RC charging unit is not responsible for
the generation of the output. The
generation of high and low outputs is not
dependent on the charging and
discharging of the capacitor in the RC unit
but rather it is controlled by the external
trigger and reset signals.

The trigger and reset pins (pins 2 and 4 respectively) are connected to the supply
through two resistors R1 and R2 so that they are always high. In all the previous cases,
the reset pin is not used and in order to avoid any accidental reset, it is simply
connected to VCC.
Waveforms of the Bistable Mode

• When the switch S1 is pressed, the

voltage from VCC will bypass the
trigger terminal and is shorted to
ground through the resistor R1.

• When the switch S2 is pressed, the

voltage from VCC will bypass the
reset terminal and is shorted to
ground through the resistor R2.

Hence, the output will become LOW and stays there until the
trigger is applied. The waveforms of the bistable mode of
operation of the 555 timer are shown below.
Schmitt Trigger

• Schmitt trigger, also called as Regenerative Comparator, compares the

input voltage to two reference voltages and produces an equivalent
output.
• Analog signals are generally not perfect and might not have clean edges all
the times. Schmitt Trigger is a special type of comparator that is used to
avoid such signals.
• The output of a Schmitt trigger is always a square or rectangular wave
irrespective of the shape of the input. It is often used when we need to do
the following:
1. Convert sine wave to square wave
2. To clean up the noisy signals
3. To convert slow edges (like in a triangular wave) into fast edges (like
a square wave)
Schmitt Trigger

Fig (b): Output Wave Form

Fig (a): Circuit Diagram of Schmitt Trigger

The use of 555 timer as a Schmitt trigger is shown in fig.

Here the two internal comparators are tied together and externally
biased at Vcc/2 through R1 and R2. Since the upper comparator will
trip at 2Vcc/3 and lower comparator at Vcc/3, the bias provided by R1
and R2 is centered within these two thresholds.
555 Timer IC based projects

Wire Loop Breaking Alarm Signal for Burglar

555 Timer IC based
projects

Touch Controlled Load Switch

555 Timer IC based projects

Hidden Active Cell Phone Detector

Features of IC 555 Timer
The Features of IC 555 Timer are:
1. The 555 is a monolithic timer device which can be used to
produce accurate and highly stable time delays or oscillation. It can
be used to produce time delays ranging from few microseconds to
several hours.
2. It has two basic operating modes: monostable and astable.
3. It is available in three packages: 8-pin metal can, 8-pin mini
DIP or a 14-pin. A 14-pin package is IC 556 which consists of two 555
times.
Features of IC 555 Timer
4. The NE 555( signetics ) can operate with a supply
voltage in the range of 4.5v to 18v and output currents of
200mA.
5. It has a very high temperature stability, as it is
designed to operate in the temperature range of -55⁰c to
125oc.
6. Its output is compatible with TTL, CMOS and Op-
Amp circuits.
IC 555 TIMER LED SHOW
Thank You