ASTABLE
MULTIVIBRATORS
A STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE
SIR ZAFAR IQBAL
APPLIED PHYSICS
GROUP (0102-134)
WHAT ARE MULTIVIBRATORS?
• A multivibrator is an electronic circuit used to implement a
variety of simple two-state devices such as relaxation
oscillators, timers, latches and flip-flops. The first
multivibrator circuit, the astable multivibrator oscillator, was
invented by Henri Abraham and Eugene Bloch during World
War I.
TYPES OF MULTIVIBRATORS
• ASTABLE
MULTIVIBRATOR
• MONOSTABLE
MULTIVIBRATOR
• BISTABLE
MULTIVIBRATOR
: WHAT IS AN ASTABLE
MULTIVIBRATOR?
• An astable multivibrator is
an electronic circuit that
generates continuous
oscillations.It constantly
switches between two
unstable states, producing a
square wave signal.No
external input is needed to
maintain oscillation.
COMPONENTS
• Transistors: Act as electronic switches. 2
Transistors (Q1, Q2).
• Capacitors: Store and release charge to
control timing. 2 Capacitors (C1, C2)
• Resistors: Set the rate at which capacitors
charge/discharge. 4 Resistors (R1, R2, RB1,
RB2).
• Power Supply: Provides energy to the circuit.
WORKING
• One transistor is ON, the
other is OFF.The capacitor
connected to the OFF
transistor charges.When
the capacitor voltage
reaches a threshold, the
states switch.This creates
continuous oscillations
and a square wave
output.
HOW IT WORKS (STEP 1)
• Starting State:Q1 is
ON, Q2 is OFF.C1
charges through
R1.Switching:When
C1 charges to a
threshold, Q1 turns
OFF, and Q2 turns
ON.
HOW IT WORKS (STEP 2)
• Next State:Q2 is ON,
Q1 is OFF.C2 charges
through
R2.Repetition:The
process repeats,
creating a continuous
square wave output.
Waveforms and Outputs
TIME PERIOD AND FREQUENCY
• T= THigh+TLow
• THIGH=0.693xR1xC1
• TLOW=0.693xR1xC2
• F=1/T
EXAMPLE
• IF R1= 10k Ω, R2=15k Ω, C1=C2=10µF
T= THigh+TLow
• Then T=?, F=?
THIGH=0.693xR1xC1
• Thigh=0.693x10000x10x10-6=0.0693 TLOW=0.693xR1xC2
• Tlow=0.693x15000x10x10-6 = 0.10395 F=1/T
• T=0.0693+0.10395=0.17325 s
• F=1/ 0.17325=5.77 Hz
ADVANTAGES
• Adjustable frequency and duty cycle.
• Simple design with basic components.
• Cost-effective for small projects.
• Easy to build and understand.
• Suitable for low to moderate
frequencies.
LIMITATIONS
• Limited frequency stability.
• Unsuitable for very high frequencies.
• Sensitive to temperature changes.
• Frequency range is limited.
TYPES
• BJT(BIPOLAR JUNCTION BASED ASTABLE
MULTIVIBRATOR)
• BJT stands for bipolar junction transistor, a solid-state device
that uses two p-n junctions to amplify or switch signals
• OP AMP BASED ASTABLE MULTIVIBRATOR
• An operational amplifier (op-amp) is an integrated circuit (IC)
that amplifies the voltage difference between two inputs.
DIFFERENCE B/W BJT AND OP AMP
BASED ASTABLE MULTIVIBRATOR
• BJT-Based Design: Provides moderate precision. The accuracy of timing
depends on the resistors and capacitors used, but temperature variations
can affect performance.Op-Amp-Based Design: High precision, as op-amps
offer stable performance and better control over the output signal. It is
less sensitive to temperature changes and offers more accuracy in timing.
• BJT-based circuits are cheaper and simpler but have limitations in terms of
precision and frequency range.Op-Amp-based circuits offer greater
precision and a wider frequency range, though at a higher cost and
complexity.
TABLE FOR COMPARISON
FEATURE BJT BASED OP-AMP BASED
COMPLEXITY SIMPLE MODERATE
PRECISION MODERATE HIGH
COST LOW HIGHER
FREQUENCY RANGE LIMITED WIDER RANGE
USES OF ASTABLE MULTIVIBRATORS
• Used to generate square
wave signals for:
• Clock pulses in digital circuits.
• Flashing lights and LED displays.
• Tones in buzzers and alarms.
• Test signals for electronics.
CONCLUSION
• Astable Multivibrator: A self-sustaining circuit for square
wave generation.Why BJTs?: Simple, cost-effective, suitable
for basic applications.Key Applications: LED flashing, pulse
generation, timing circuits.
