4
Bistable Multivibrators
evious Multivibrators are hasically
cross-coupled active devices like regenerative
circuits cornprising of
bipolar junction
The output states of a multivibrator depend upon thetransistors.
nature of
coupling between the
the active
elements involved.
41 Classification :
Multivibrators (or multis, as they are generally abbreviated)
are broadly classified into three categories, basedupon their output
states.
1. Bistable multivibrators,
2. Monostable multivibrators, and
3. Astable multivibrators.
rernain
Abistable multihas two stable output states. it can can be
Metinitely in any one of the two stable states, and it
stabie state by
uvCed to make an abrupt transition to the other rermain indefinitely
external excitation. lt would
Of SUitable induced to switch into the
"US stable state. until it is again
Onginal stable state by external triggering.
termed as 'binary's or flip-
also
Bistable multivibrators are referred to as 'Eccles-Jordan
flops. A binary is sometimes
circuit. one stable state and one
A multivibrator has indefiniteiy.
monostable the stable state
state. t can remain inapplied, the monostable multi
quasi
When -astasuitable
ble external trigger is remainsinthis quasi-stabte
SwiBlatetchfores intoshort
a
quasi-stable state. It
the
duration only and
intothe stable
switches back
external triggering.
slate, of Its own accord, without any
shot!
monostatble muiti is also called
'one
AND DIGITAL CIRCUITS Bistable Multivibrators I65
l64 PUISE
multivibrator has two output Letit be [Link] that Q, and Q, are n-p-n
astable multi states
An astable
which are
qussstable. The
these two states,
indefiniteiyin any of
and it cannot
keeps on
botremaihn ot arecoupledto each other as shown. It is evident
transistoris coupled to the input of the
transistors.
Theyof
that the output
other transistor [The
between the two
This chapter
states.
discuSses bistable
multis. switching ach
collector current of Q, supplies the
base-drive for Qn, and the
collector current of Q, provides the base-drive for Q]. Since
the
(ransistors are identical, their quiescent currents would be the
ON-OFF switch
4.2 Transistor as same, unless the loop gain is greater than unity.
junction transistor
We studied earlier that a bipolar
function as afast-acting electronic switch. It can be cut-off can
cut-off, it simulates
(BJT) Let the loop gain be greater
small margin.
than unity, and let I, >1, by a
can be driven into saturation. When when in an open
And
switch, and it does not conduct.
heaviy and simulates a closed switch. saturation,
it conducts
When , increases slightly, the voltage drop across the collector
in a binary which uses two cross-coupled transistors, each resistance Rr increases. Since V is fixed, the voltage of point
the trans1stors is alternately cut-off and driven into saturation c decreases. (Because V = Vcc,R All voltages are w.r.t.
However the arangement is such that when one transistor is ON around]. This has the effect of decreasing the base current of Q,
the other is OFF and vice-versa. This is achieved by means of
regeneratve coupling (i.e. positive feed-back). The base drive tor This, in turn, decreases the collector current of Q, viz. I, {Because
each transistor is provided by the collector current of the other where h,, = forward current gain]. If I, decreases, the
transistor.
=h
voltage drop I,R decreases. Hence the voltage of point D
By proper design, it is ensured that the transistors are either
cut off o saturated at any given point of time, and no transistor increases. [:: Vo= VocH
operates in the active region. Due to increase of V the base current of Q, increases. This
4.3Principle of operation of bistable multivibrator ncreases the collector current of Q, viz ,. Thus I, further increases.
Consider the circuit of fig. 4-1. I,R, drop further increases, Vc further decreases, the base current
e+Voc Of Q, further decreases. with the result that I,further decreases.
the collector current I,
ldentical n-p Tnds it can easily be seen that if
progressively decreasing
transistors. increases even marginally. I Would go on I,
Cw R, h* Rc2 H, R Re and Rca ae and as a result, 1, would progressively increase. Eventuallythe
transistor Q,; At
A B wD resistors. (R= Rc2 Would become practically zero, cutting off the
result that
Vcc Supply voltage same time transistor Q, would conduct heavily with theOFF and Q,
it becomes
8R= Fixed bias voltage. would be driven into saturation. Thus Q,
becomes ON.
Fig. 4-1
CIRCUITS
DIGITAL
166 PULSE AND Bistable Multivibrators 167
that if . increases even and base
similarly be shown The collector current
question are evaluated independently. CUrrent i, of
It can
similar sequence of
and Q, OFF.
operations wouldresult and ultimatelymargnal y. fthe
transistor is indeed in
the transistor in
saturation, the following condition
be ON,
Thus when Q, is ON, Q, is OFF and when Q, is OFF,
ast be satisTied : 'e'B(min)
both transistors are not i.e. lg > ic
be noted that ON or OFF
ON. It may
simultaneously.
htelmin)
tw0 stable is the minimumn value of current gain needed
Thus it is seen that there are
indefinitely. Hence the states in which where e(min)
transistor in saturation.
to
transistors can remain name keep the
bistable multi. binary or [h, is the ratio of i to
i)
4-4 Standard specifications 4-6Fixed bias transistor binary
The follovwing values may be assumed for the junction voiteos. The fixed bias bistable multivibrator of fig. 4-1 is reproduced
(i) In the cut-off region i.e. for the OFF state here for ready reference. +Vcc
0 Voit for silicon transistor
VBgcut of) -0.1 Volt for germanium transistor
Vag is base-emitter voltage.
For the base-emitter junction to be forward-biased, it is necessary
Ro 1, R, Rc2
WwD
A B
that Vg > VBEcut off)
(ü) In the saturation region i.e. for the ON state R Ry
VBE(sat) 0.7 Volt for silicon transistor
0.3Voit for germanium transistor Fig. 4-2
VCEIsat) 0.3 Voit for silicon
transistor
0.1 Volt for germanium
transistor
The binary under consideration is a fixed bias binary.
De observed that there is no emitter resistor. Instead
t may
there is
These values hold good for n-p-n Since the transistors used are n-p-n
transistors,
transistor. oing voltage Vr
BB are
(Note : VcE is collector emitter is the voltage Vec is positive and VB8 is negative. In practice Voc and VB8
measurable across emitter and [Link],
collector V,
CE(sat) whenthe diode due to
y Of a few volts, This is
the fact that when a transistor
iS operating in practically zero, and
saturation region.] or Q) is OFF, its collector current is
Thusthe voltage
4-5 Test for hence its collector voltage is almost equal to V
In order to saturation across the transistor i.e. VcEVcc
the following testensure that a
is made. certain transistor is really in
saturation.
CIRCUITS Bistable Multivibrators 169
DIGITAL
PULSE AND
168 when Q, is ON, Q, is OFF. It can
that
than the collector Thusit is seen similarly
be smaller
Since
voltage BV Vg Should
VrShould be limitedto a few volts only (usually
break-down beshownthat when Q, is ON, Q, is OFF. Thus the binary has two
stablestates.
3-20V).
during a switching transiernt, evaluate the stable state currents and voltages
Let it be assumed
Q, becomes
that,
ON and transistor Q,
becomes OFF r aansistor 4-7To
Considerthe fixed bias binary shown in fig. 4.3.
saturation, the potential of point Dis
+Voc
Since Q, is in
0.
practically
zero. For V= VCElsat)
R, Potential of point A=V-iR, Rcisl ....
n-p-n
WD D transistors
A We have i=
Vo-(-VB8)
ict lB14 ica ...
R+R2 Resistors
Vo +VB8 R,
Fig. 4-3 R+Rz
|Fig. 4-4
Vo +VB8 state currents and voltages.
R,+R2 Let it be required to determine all stable
Q, be ON, and transistor
Let, duringa switching transient, transistor
=0 0+Vge putting VT =0. Q, be OFF.
R+Rz and
Vpp is positive for n-p-n transistor. Since Q, is ON, V= VcE(sat
V, is -ve ie. V, < 0.
V= VBE/sat)
But V, = VE of O, . BE(O1) V, [All voltages are w.r.t. ground]
becomes negative.
When VoceBE becomes negative, it is <
Tofind i,, I'
2 and l i
:. Transistor Q, is indeed OFF. VAElcut-of) We have i, = Vcc -Vo
Since O, is OFF, there is no collector Current and hence Rc2
VoVoc This large positive potential Vis sufficiernt to Overcome R = 0 as Q,
Since Q, is OFF, ioy and
the negative bias of -V, of wD circuit,
the base forms an open
BB and force a current through
transistor O,, with the result that where 'gamin)
i sthe
minimum base current needed to ipo>'2imin'
keep Q, in saturation.
Hence transistor Q, is Fig. 4-5
indeed ON.
+VB8
Va is
Q,
and V-(-VBg)
V
+Ve8 that
0. R2
= Vcc
-VB+R,
Rc1 implies
ioy Rci+
R
)
Vcc
-VB
OFF,
it OFF.
then 0.<
VBEON
[Link] =
VR,
CIRCUITS Q, i
have 'BZ(min)indeed
Since
We I4
= is OFF.
are Q, = i.e.
DIGITAL ig V
whether <[Link]
4-5, hjelmin)20 4.5,
and of V,
fig. -(-VBA)
Vo value fig.
AND of R,+RzVp
+VBB . i' B2 verify Q, thatQ,
of
is
circuit R+R i, min) calculated circuit of found
currents Fig.
4-6 that
PULSE ig2( next Vag
To
find
ig2 indeed
ON. be proves
the +Vcc Rcisi, have shallthe = would
170 From AlsoThus the FromV This
We We But
If It
Hence, R, =13.218KS2, R, =31.75K2 and Ro,
With reference to tables,
standard
=Ro= 2.925K2.
to the calculated values are resistor values which are nearest
selected.
(R, = 13K2, R, =33KS2 and R,= 3KA.]
4-9 Collector-catching Diodes
In the problems discussed earlier, it was seen that
the collector
voltage V of the OFF transistor decreases progressively, as the
load across the transistor increases. In othér words, the
collector
voltage is dependent upon the load resistor. When the binary is
used to drive other circuits, it becomes necessary to ensure that
the collector voltage is independent of R,. This is achieved,
pract1ce, by the use of collector-catching diodes, as shown in
trhe c1rcuit of fig, 4-16.
V Vee
fo circuilto locctto
be driven
be dive
,
W
collecot
Diodes
al ,
lVon Fig 4-16) Fig 417
D, and D, are semiconductor diodes incorporated into the biu
circuit, so as to clamp the collector voltage to a voltage V.y
Let G, be OFf and a, be OFF. Let Q, and Q, be two npn transistors cross-coupled as
Since Vis positive, diode D, becomes reverse-blased, as the shown. It cAn be observed that there is no negative supply -V
poterntial ofDis equal to V i.e. zero. However since Q, is OFF as in the fixed bias binary, Instead the required selt-bjas is provded
the potential of C ternds to rise to almost V Since Vr >V by the common emitter resistor R, Resistors R, are grounded.
diode D, becomes torward biased and conducts readily. Due to The analysis of the self-bias binary nay be made on the
the reference voltage V,it is seen that the collector voltage V,o1 same lines as that of the fixed bias binary studied earlier.
O, is clamped to Vvolts. Thus irrespective of what resi_tor , Let during a switching transition, Q, be OFF and à, OON.
shunted across the colector ofO,, the collector voltage Vema
steady at V We have V= VeFsal t V, (All volages are wt grourndl
The collector voltage is thus Also V
made
independent of H In order to evaluate the voltages Vy VA and V and the
4-10 Self-biased
A Transistor Binary negative iupply
selt-biased binary
Currents
at D and p,
B.
and we shall obtain the Thevenin equIvalert circuts
voltage -Vpa is shown in which
fiquredispenses with the emitter resIstor
4-17. ACommon (0) At D
R,provides the
necessary selt-bias. Consider the Circuit shown in tig. 4.18.
AND DIGITAL CIRCUITS Bistable Multivibrators 193
192 PULSE Also, Thevenin equivalent resistance between BandG
Let denote the Current
R |l (Rc:+R.)
Voc ArwB) =R2
We have i =
Rc2 + R+R, R2(Rc1 +R,)
.. Voltage of D
W.r.t. ground R + Rc1 t ,
R, Vo=,(R,+ R) We have now obtained the Thevenin equivalent circuits between
Vcc
Rca + R;+y(R +Az) Dand
The
ground, and between Band grOund.
two can be combined, and the equivalent circuit of transistor
R can be modified as in fig. 4-20.
But V = V at point D Q,
w
.: Vy at D= VcclR+R,) RTHO)
Fig. 4-18
Rca +R+Rz oVTHD) KVL is successively
Aiso, Thevenin equivalent resistance between D and G. VTHB)
c2
wQON)
PRH(B) E
applied to the two loops
BEGB and DEGD, and
currents
RczlA, +Az) 'BT and i are
Rcz +Rt Az Re evaluated, by solving the
Fig. 4-20 equilibrium equations (1)
(i) At B: and (2) given below.
Consider the circut of fig. 4.19. Loop BEGB
Let i, denote the current B2 +'c=0 (1)
VTHB)'B2 HTHB)BElsat)
Voc Loop DEGD
We have i, =
Rc1+R,t Rg 'THO) 'ce RTHD) VoElsat) F'at ' (2)
Voltage of B w.r.t. ground Next voltages V and V are computed.
B
We have Vo =VTHD) - 'c HTHD
Vcc. R2 CE(sat)
and
Rc1+R, +R2
Fig. 4-19+ oG
To find V, and Vc
But V,=
B Vo between Band G Consider the circuit of fig. 4.21.
R,
=VTH at point B. WD We have V,= Vo:
.. VTH at point B= Vcc .R2 Vo
is A,+Rz
Rc1tR+ R Fig. 4-21|
