Multi vibrator Overview

A multivibrator circuit is nothing but a switching circuit. It generates non-sinusoidal waves

such as Square waves, Rectangular waves and Saw tooth waves etc. Multivibrators are used as
frequency generators, frequency dividers and generators of time delays and also as memory
elements in computers etc.

A Transistor basically functions as an amplifier in its linear region. If a transistor amplifier

output stage is joined with the previous amplifier stage, such a connection is said to be coupled.
If a resistor is used in coupling two stages of such an amplifier circuit, it is called as Resistance
coupled amplifier. For more details, refer to the AMPLIFIERS tutorial.

What is a Multivibrator?

According to the definition, A Multivibrator is a two-stage resistance coupled amplifier with

positive feedback from the output of one amplifier to the input of the other.

Two transistors are connected in feedback so that one controls the state of the other. Hence the
ON and OFF states of the whole circuit, and the time periods for which the transistors are driven
into saturation or cut off are controlled by the conditions of the circuit.

The following figure shows the block diagram of a Multivibrator.

Types of Multivibrators

There are two possible states of a Multivibrator. In first stage, the transistor Q 1 turns ON while
the transistor Q2 turns OFF. In second stage, the transistor Q 1 turns OFF while the transistor Q2
turns ON. These two states are interchanged for certain time periods depending upon the circuit
conditions.

Depending upon the manner in which these two states are interchanged, the Multivibrators are
classified into three types. They are

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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 dc power
source is a common requirement.

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.

Monostable Multivibrator

A Monostable Multivibrator has a stable state and a quasi-stable state. This has a trigger input
to one transistor. So, one transistor changes its state automatically, while the other one needs a
trigger input to change its 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.

Bistable Multivibrator

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. To get a clear idea on the
above discussion, let us have a look at the following figure.

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Astable Multivibrator

An astable multivibrator has no stable states. Once the Multivibrator is ON, it just changes its
states on its own after a certain time period which is determined by the R C 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 Q 2 through the capacitor C1 and vice versa.
The emitters of both the transistors are connected to the ground. The collector load resistors R 1
and R4 and the biasing resistors R2 and R3 are of equal values. The capacitors C 1 and C2 are of
equal values.

The following figure shows the circuit diagram for Astable Multivibrator.

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Operation of Astable Multivibrator

When Vcc is applied, the collector current of the transistors increase. As the collector current
depends upon the base current,

Ic=βIB

As no transistor characteristics are alike, one of the two transistors say Q 1 has its collector
current increase and thus conducts. The collector of Q1 is applied to the base of Q2 through C1.
This connection lets the increased negative voltage at the collector of Q 1 to get applied at the
base of Q2 and its collector current decreases. This continuous action makes the collector current
of Q2 to decrease further. This current when applied to the base of Q 1 makes it more negative and
with the cumulative actions Q1 gets into saturation and Q2 to cut off. Thus the output voltage of
Q1 will be VCE (sat) and Q2 will be equal to VCC.

The capacitor C1 charges through R1 and when the voltage across C1 reaches 0.7v, this is enough
to turn the transistor Q2 to saturation. As this voltage is applied to the base of Q 2, it gets into
saturation, decreasing its collector current. This reduction of voltage at point B is applied to the
base of transistor Q1 through C2 which makes the Q1 reverse bias. A series of these actions turn
the transistor Q1 to cut off and transistor Q2 to saturation. Now point A has the potential VCC. The
capacitor C2 charges through R2. The voltage across this capacitor C 2 when gets to 0.7v, turns on
the transistor Q1 to saturation.

Hence the output voltage and the output waveform are formed by the alternate switching of the
transistors Q1 and Q2. The time period of these ON/OFF states depends upon the values of

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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.

Waveforms

The output waveforms at the collectors of Q1 and Q2 are shown in the following figures.

Frequency of Oscillations

The ON time of transistor Q1 or the OFF time of transistor Q2 is given by

t1 = 0.69R1C1

Similarly, the OFF time of transistor Q1 or ON time of transistor Q2 is given by

t2 = 0.69R2C2

Hence, total time period of square wave

t = t1 + t2 = 0.69(R1C1 + R2C2)

As R1 = R2 = R and C1 = C2 = C, the frequency of square wave will be

f=1t=11.38RC=0.7RC

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Advantages

The advantages of using an astable multivibrator are as follows −

 No external triggering required.

 Circuit design is simple
 Inexpensive
 Can function continuously

Disadvantages

The drawbacks of using an astable multivibrator are as follows −

 Energy absorption is more within the circuit.

 Output signal is of low energy.
 Duty cycle less than or equal to 50% can’t be achieved.

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, as the name implies, has only one stable state. When the transistor
conducts, the other remains in non-conducting state. A stable state is such a state where the
transistor remains without being altered, unless disturbed by some external trigger pulse. As
Monostable works on the same principle, it has another name called as One-shot Multivibrator.

Construction of Monostable Multivibrator

Two transistors 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. The base Q1 is connected to
the collector of Q2 through the resistor R2 and capacitor C. Another dc supply voltage –V BB is
given to the base of transistor Q 1 through the resistor R3. The trigger pulse is given to the base of
Q1 through the capacitor C2 to change its state. RL1 and RL2 are the load resistors of Q1 and Q2.

One of the transistors, when gets into a stable state, an external trigger pulse is given to change
its state. After changing its state, the transistor remains in this quasi-stable state or Meta-stable
state for a specific time period, which is determined by the values of RC time constants and gets
back to the previous stable state.

The following figure shows the circuit diagram of a Monostable Multivibrator.

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Operation of Monostable Multivibrator

Firstly, when the circuit is switched ON, transistor Q 1 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 Q 1 turns the
transistor ON. This decreases the collector voltage, which turns OFF the transistor Q 2. 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 C 1 discharges completely. After this,
the transistor Q2 turns ON with the voltage applied through the capacitor discharge. This turn ON
the transistor Q1, which is the previous stable state.

Output Waveforms

The output waveforms at the collectors of Q 1 and Q2 along with the trigger input given at the
base of Q1 are shown in the following figures.

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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

The trigger input given will be of very short duration, just to initiate the action. This triggers the
circuit to change its state from Stable state to Quasi-stable or Meta-stable or Semi-stable state, in
which the circuit remains for a short duration. There will be one output pulse for one trigger
pulse.

Advantages

The advantages of Monostable Multivibrator are as follows −

 One trigger pulse is enough.

 Circuit design is simple
 Inexpensive

Disadvantages

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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

A Bistable Multivibrator has two stable states. The circuit stays in any one of the two stable
states. It continues in that state, unless an external trigger pulse is given. This Multivibrator is
also known as Flip-flop. This circuit is simply called as Binary.

There are few types in Bistable Multivibrators. They are as shown in the following figure.

Construction of Bistable Multivibrator

Two similar transistors Q1 and Q2 with load resistors RL1 and RL2 are connected in feedback to
one another. The base resistors R3 and R4 are joined to a common source –V BB. The feedback
resistors R1 and R2 are shunted by capacitors C1 and C2 known as Commutating Capacitors.
The transistor Q1 is given a trigger input at the base through the capacitor C 3 and the transistor Q2
is given a trigger input at its base through the capacitor C4.

The capacitors C1 and C2 are also known as Speed-up Capacitors, as they reduce the transition
time, which means the time taken for the transfer of conduction from one transistor to the other.

The following figure shows the circuit diagram of a self-biased Bistable Multivibrator.

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Operation of Bistable Multivibrator

When the circuit is switched ON, due to some circuit imbalances as in Astable, one of the
transistors, say Q1 gets switched ON, while the transistor Q 2 gets switched OFF. This is a stable
state of the Bistable Multivibrator.

By applying a negative trigger at the base of transistor Q 1 or by applying a positive trigger pulse
at the base of transistor Q 2, this stable state is unaltered. So, let us understand this by considering
a negative pulse at the base of transistor Q1. As a result, the collector voltage increases, which
forward biases the transistor Q2. The collector current of Q2 as applied at the base of Q1, reverse
biases Q1 and this cumulative action, makes the transistor Q 1 OFF and transistor Q2 ON. This is
another stable state of the Multivibrator.

Now, if this stable state has to be changed again, then either a negative trigger pulse at transistor
Q2 or a positive trigger pulse at transistor Q1 is applied.

Output Waveforms

The output waveforms at the collectors of Q1 and Q2 along with the trigger inputs given at the
bases of QW and Q2 are shown in the following figures.

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Advantages

The advantages of using a Bistable Multivibrator are as follows −

 Stores the previous output unless disturbed.

 Circuit design is simple

Disadvantages

The drawbacks of a Bistable Multivibrator are as follows −

 Two kinds of trigger pulses are required.

 A bit costlier than other Multivibrators.

Applications

Bistable Multivibrators are used in applications such as pulse generation and digital operations
like counting and storing of binary information.

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Fixed-bias Binary

A fixed-bias binary circuit is similar to an Astable Multivibrator but with a simple SPDT switch.
Two transistors are connected in feedback with two resistors, having one collector connected to
the base of the other. The figure below shows the circuit diagram of a fixed-bias binary.

To understand the operation, let us consider the switch to be in position 1. Now the transistor Q 1
will be OFF as the base is grounded. The collector voltage at the output terminal V O1 will be
equal to VCC which turns the transistor Q2 ON. The output at the terminal V O2 goes LOW. This is
a stable state which can be altered only by an external trigger. The change of switch to position
2, works as a trigger.

When the switch is altered, the base of transistor Q 2 is grounded turning it to OFF state. The
collector voltage at VO2 will be equal to VCC which is applied to transistor Q1 to turn it ON. This
is the other stable state. The triggering is achieved in this circuit with the help of a SPDT Switch.

There are two main types of triggering given to the binary circuits. They are

 Symmetrical Triggering
 Asymmetrical Triggering

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Schmitt Trigger

Another type of binary circuit which is ought to be discussed is the Emitter Coupled Binary
Circuit. This circuit is also called as Schmitt Trigger circuit. This circuit is considered as a
special type of its kind for its applications.

The main difference in the construction of this circuit is that the coupling from the output C 2 of
the second transistor to the base B1 of the first transistor is missing and that feedback is obtained
now through the resistor Re. This circuit is called as the Regenerative circuit for this has a
positive feedback and no Phase inversion. The circuit of Schmitt trigger using BJT is as shown
below.

Initially we have Q1 OFF and Q2 ON. The voltage applied at the base of Q 2 is VCC through RC1
and R1. So the output voltage will be

V0=VCC−(IC2Rc2)

As Q2 is ON, there will be a voltage drop across R E, which will be (IC2 + IB2) RE. Now this
voltage gets applied at the emitter of Q 1. The input voltage is increased and until Q 1 reaches cut-

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in voltage to turn ON, the output remains LOW. With Q 1 ON, the output will increase as Q 2 is
also ON. As the input voltage continues to rise, the voltage at the points C 1 and B2 continue to
fall and E2 continues to rise. At certain value of the input voltage, Q 2 turns OFF. The output
voltage at this point will be VCC and remains constant though the input voltage is further
increased.

As the input voltage rises, the output remains LOW until the input voltage reaches V 1 where

V1=[VCC−(IC2RC2)]

The value where the input voltage equals V1, lets the transistor Q1 to enter into saturation, is
called UTP (Upper Trigger Point). If the voltage is already greater than V 1, then it remains there
until the input voltage reaches V 2, which is a low level transition. Hence the value for which
input voltage will be V2 at which Q2 gets into ON condition, is termed as LTP (Lower Trigger
Point).

Output Waveforms

The output waveforms are obtained as shown below.

The Schmitt trigger circuit works as a Comparator and hence compares the input voltage with
two different voltage levels called as UTP (Upper Trigger Point) and LTP (Lower Trigger
Point). If the input crosses this UTP, it is considered as a HIGH and if it gets below this LTP, it
is taken as a LOW. The output will be a binary signal indicating 1 for HIGH and 0 for LOW.
Hence an analog signal is converted into a digital signal. If the input is at intermediate value
(between HIGH and LOW) then the previous value will be the output.

This concept depends upon the phenomenon called as Hysteresis. The transfer characteristics of
electronic circuits exhibit a loop called as Hysteresis. It explains that the output values depends

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upon both the present and the past values of the input. This prevents unwanted frequency
switching in Schmitt trigger circuits

Advantages

The advantages of Schmitt trigger circuit are

 Perfect logic levels are maintained.

 It helps avoiding Meta-stability.
 Preferred over normal comparators for its pulse conditioning.

Disadvantages

The main disadvantages of a Schmitt trigger are

 If the input is slow, the output will be slower.

 If the input is noisy, the output will be noisier.

Applications of Schmitt trigger

Schmitt trigger circuits are used as Amplitude Comparator and Squaring Circuit. They are also
used in Pulse conditioning and sharpening circuits.

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