Multivibrators

• Multi-vibrator circuits refer to the special type of electronic circuits

used for generating pulse signals.
• These pulse signals can be rectangular or square wave signals.
• they oscillates between a “HIGH” state and a “LOW” state producing a
continuous output.
• Multivibrators are used as frequency generators, frequency dividers
and generators of time delays and also as memory elements in
computers etc.
• There are basically three types of clock pulse generation circuits:

• Astable – A free-running multivibrator that has NO stable states but

switches continuously between two states this action produces a train
of square wave pulses at a fixed frequency.
• Monostable – A one-shot multivibrator that has only ONE stable state
and is triggered externally with it returning back to its first stable
state.
• Bistable – A flip-flop that has TWO stable states
Astable Multivibrator

• An Astable Multivibrator is such a circuit that it automatically switches

between the two states continuously without the application of any external
pulse for its operation.
• As this produces a continuous square wave output, it is called as a Free-
running Multivibrator.
• The time period of these states depends upon the time constants of the
components used.
• As the Multivibrator keeps on switching, these states are known as quasi-
stable or halfstable states.
• Hence there are two quasi-stable states for an Astable Multivibrator.
• Once the Multivibrator is ON, it just changes its states on its own
after a certain time period which is determined by the RC time
constants.
• A dc power supply or Vcc is given to the circuit for its operation.

Construction of Astable Multivibrator

Two transistors named Q1 and Q2 are connected in feedback to one

another. The collector of transistor Q1 is connected to the base of
transistor Q2 through the capacitor C1 and vice versa. The emitters of
both the transistors are connected to the ground. The collector load
resistors R1 and R4 and the biasing resistors R2 and R3 are of equal
values. The capacitors C1 and C2 are of equal values.
Operation of Astable Multivibrator
• the transistors are biased such that they will either be in saturation state(ON) or in cut-off
state(OFF).
• initially transistor Q1is in saturation and Q2 is in cut off
• The capacitor C1 charges through R2 and Q1.
• The voltage across this capacitor C1 when gets to 0.7v, turns on the transistor Q2 to
saturation.
• Since the collector of Q2 is connected to the base of Q1, Q1 will switch to cut off region.
• the capacitor C2 is charged via R3 and Q2.
• The voltage across this capacitor C2 when gets to 0.7v, turns on the transistor Q1to saturation.
• The time period of these ON/OFF states depends upon the values of biasing resistors and
capacitors used, i.e., on the RC values used.
• As both the transistors are operated alternately, the output is a square waveform, with the
peak amplitude of VCC.
The output waveforms at the collectors of Q1 and Q2 are shown in the figures.
Frequency of Oscillations
• The ON time of transistor Q1 or the OFF time of transistor Q2 is given
by
• t1 = 0.69R2C1
• Similarly, the OFF time of transistor Q1 or ON time of transistor Q2 is
given by
• t2 = 0.69R3C2
• Hence, total time period of square wave t = t1 + t2 = 0.69(R 2C1 +
R3C2)
• As R1 = R2 = R3=R4=R and C1 = C2 = C, the frequency of square
wave will be 1.38RC
Advantages
• No external triggering required.
• Circuit design is simple
• Inexpensive
• Can function continuously
Disadvantages
• Energy absorption is more within the circuit.
• Output signal is of low energy.
Applications
• Astable Multivibrators are used in many applications such as amateur
radio equipment, Morse code generators, timer circuits, analog
circuits, and TV systems.
Monostable Multivibrator

• A Monostable Multivibrator has a stable state and a quasi-stable

state.
• As this Multivibrator produces a single output for each trigger pulse,
this is known as One-shot Multivibrator.
• This Multivibrator cannot stay in quasi-stable state for a longer period
while it stays in stable state until the trigger pulse is received.
Operation of Monostable Multivibrator
• Firstly, when the circuit is switched ON, transistor Q1 will be in OFF state and Q2 will be in ON
state.
• This is the stable state.
• As Q1 is OFF, the collector voltage will be VCC at point A and hence C1 gets charged.
• A positive trigger pulse applied at the base of the transistor Q1 turns the transistor ON.
• This decreases the collector voltage, which turns OFF the transistor Q2.
• The capacitor C1 starts discharging at this point of time.
• As the positive voltage from the collector of transistor Q2 gets applied to transistor Q1, it
remains in ON state. This is the quasi-stable state or Meta-stable state.
• The transistor Q2 remains in OFF state, until the capacitor C1 discharges completely.
• After this, the transistor Q2 turns ON with the voltage applied through the capacitor discharge.
• The width of this output pulse depends upon the RC time constant. Hence it
depends on the values of R1C1. The duration of pulse is given by
T=0.69R1C1
• There will be one output pulse for one trigger pulse.

Advantages
• Circuit design is simple
• Inexpensive
Disadvantages
The major drawback of using a monostable multivibrator is that the time
between the applications of trigger pulse T has to be greater than the RC time
constant of the circuit.

Applications
Monostable Multivibrators are used in applications such as television circuits
and control system circuits.
Bistable Multivibrator ** refer the video attached
for the circuit diagram and operation

• A Bistable Multivibrator has both the two states stable.

• It requires two trigger pulses to be applied to change the states.
• Until the trigger input is given, this Multivibrator cannot change its state. It’s
also known as flip-flop multivibrator.
• As the trigger pulse sets or resets the output, and as some data, i.e., either
high or low is stored until it is disturbed, this Multivibrator can be called as a
Flip-flop.
• the bistable multivibrator is the basic memory element of digital systems,
• the bistable circuit is also known as a Schmitt trigger.
• These are the Multivibrator circuits using transistors. The same
Multivibrators are designed using operational amplifiers and also IC
555 timer circuits