Unit 7 Multivibrator (Using Transistor) by Dr. Meenakshi Rana

Semiconductor Devices, Analog and Digital
Electronics
BLOCK – I SEMICONDUCTOR DIODES, TRANSISTORS AND AMPLIFIERS
UNIT 7: Multivibrators (Using Transistors)
Dr. Meenakshi Rana

Department of Physics
Uttarakhand Open University, Haldwani
Content
1. Introduction
2. Invention of multivibrator
3. Classification of multivibrator
Astable
Monostable
Bistable
1. Applications of multivibrator
2. Some useful link
Objective
After studying this unit, you should be able to-
1. Define multivibrator
2. Classification of Basic multivibrator
3. Understand the Basic Concept of multivibrator
4. Get Knowledge About the Condition for Oscillator
5. Application of multivibrator
Introduction
•A multivibrator is an electronic circuit that is used to implement two state systems like
oscillators, timers and flip-flops.
•It is characterized by two amplifying devices (transistors or other devices) cross-
coupled by resistors or capacitors
Invention of Multivibrator
A vacuum tube Abraham-Bloch
multivibrator oscillator, France, 1920.
Henri Abraham and Eugene Bloch
described the first multivibrator circuit in
1920, also called a plate-coupled
multivibrator.
It was made from vacuum tubes and its
harmonics are being used to calibrate a
wavemeter .
Classification of Multivibrator
There are three types of multivibrator circuits depending on the circuit
operation:
Astable – neither state is stable.
Monostable - one of the states is stable, but the other is not.
Bistable – it remains in either state indefinitely.

Astable Multivibrator
A Multivibrator that generates square waveform without using external triggering
pulse is known as Astable multivibrator. It also known as Free-running
Multivibrator .
Astable
Circuit diagram of Astable Multivibrator
This astable circuit consists of two transistors, a cross coupled

Feedback network, and two capacitors and four resistors.
Consider Q1 is ON and Q2 is OFF:
VCC drops across RL 1. Hence, VC1 = 0 and point A is at ground potential and
Vc2=Vcc.
C1 discharging and C2 charging.
Consider Q2 is ON and Q1 is OFF:
VCC drops across RL 2. Hence, VC2 = 0 and point B is at ground potential and
Vc1=Vcc.
C2 discharging and C1 charging.
Frequency of Oscillation
It can be proved that off-time for Q1 is T1 = 0.69 R1C2 and that for Q2 is T2 =
0.69 R2C1.
Hence, total time-period of the wave is T = T1 + T2 = 0.69 (R1C2 + R2C1)
If R1 = R2 = R and C1 = C2 = C i.e. the two stages are symmetrical, then T =
1.38 RC
It is given by the reciprocal of time period,
Application
Used in applications where low clock frequency clock pulse train is required.
Relaxation oscillators, which are parts of vehicle indicator lights, early oscilloscopes and
television receivers.
Timing signals.
Monostable Multivibrator
A Multivibrator which has one stable state and one temporary quasi-
stable state and level transition depends on external triggering pulse is
known as Monostable Multivibrator.

Circuit diagram of Monostable Multivibrator
Monostable Multivibrator
When the circuit is switched

ON, transistor Q1 will be OFF
and Q2 will be ON.
 Capacitor C1 gets charged
during this state.
 When a positive trigger is
applied to the base of transistor
Q1 it turns ON, which turns OFF
the transistor Q2
 Capacitor C1 starts discharging during
this state.
 Transistor Q1 remains in ON state due
the positive voltage from the collector of
transistor Q2 which is in OFF state.
 Transistor Q2 remains in OFF state until
the capacitor C1 discharges completely.
 When the capacitor C1 discharged
completely, transistor Q2 turns ON, which
turns transistor Q1 OFF.
Application
Monostable Multivibrator are used in analog systems to control an
output signal frequency.
To synchronize the line and frame rate of television broadcasts.
To hold output voltages in its unstable state for a certain period of
time.
To moderate the tunes of different octaves with electronic organs.

Bi-stable Multivibrator
A multivibrator that has two absolute stable state and can stay in one of two states
indefinitely is known as Bi-stable multivibrator. It changes it state when it gets
triggering pulse and stay in that state until it gets another triggering pulse.
When VCC is applied, one transistor will start conducting slightly more than that of the other. Let
Q2 be ON and Q1 be OFF.
When Q2 is ON, The potential at the collector of Q2 decreases, which in turn will decrease the
potential at the base of Q1 due to potential divider action of R1 and R2. The potential at the
collector of Q1 increases which in turn further increases the base to emitter voltage at the base of
Q2. The voltage at the collector of Q2 further decreases, which in turn further reduces the voltage
at the base of
Q1. This action will continue till Q2 becomes fully saturated and Q1 becomes fully cutoff.
Thus the stable state of binary is such that one device remains in cut-off and other device
remains at saturation. It will be in that state until the triggering pulse is applied to it. It has two
stable states. For every transition of states triggering is required. At a time only one device will
be conducting.
Application
It is used for the performance of many digital operations such as

counting and storing binary information.
It is also used in the generation and processing of pulse-type
waveforms.
It is widely used in digital logic and computer memory
Some useful link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9lSfBKr0gg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5clfiJtRhR8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7T3At9N9dk
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwjK_iyK4LLCVdgBR30pSFVj-
17TI_8ou
Thanks

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Semiconductor Devices, Analog and Digital

UNIT 7: Multivibrators (Using Transistors)

Dr. Meenakshi Rana

There are three types of multivibrator circuits depending on the circuit

Astable – neither state is stable.

Monostable - one of the states is stable, but the other is not.

Bistable – it remains in either state indefinitely.

This astable circuit consists of two transistors, a cross coupled

stable state and level transition depends on external triggering pulse is

known as Monostable Multivibrator.

When the circuit is switched

Monostable Multivibrator are used in analog systems to control an

output signal frequency.

To synchronize the line and frame rate of television broadcasts.

To hold output voltages in its unstable state for a certain period of

To moderate the tunes of different octaves with electronic organs.

indefinitely is known as Bi-stable multivibrator. It changes it state when it gets

It is used for the performance of many digital operations such as

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