555 Timer

This presentation will

Introduce the 555 Timer.
Derive the characteristic equations for the charging and
discharging of a capacitor.
Present the equations for period, frequency, and duty cycle
for a 555 Timer Oscillator.

Going Further.
Detail the operation of a 555 Timer Oscillator.
Derive the equations for period, frequency, and duty cycle for
a 555 Timer Oscillator.
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What is a 555 Timer?

The 555 timer is an 8-pin IC that is
capable of producing accurate time delays
and/or oscillators.
In the time delay mode, the delay is
controlled by one external resistor and
capacitor.
In the oscillator mode, the frequency of
oscillation and duty cycle are both
controlled with two external resistors and
one capacitor.
This presentation will discuss how to use
a 555 timer in the oscillator mode.
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Block Diagram for a 555 Timer

Discharge (7)

Vcc (8)

Control Voltage (5)

Threshold Voltage (6)

COMP2

T1

Flip-Flop
RESET

SET

Output (3)

Trigger Voltage (2)

COMP1

3
Ground (1)

Reset (4)

Monostable Operation

Schematic of a 555 Timer in Oscillator Mode

5 Volts

RA
Discharge

RB

N/C

3.333 V

Output

1.666 V

Threshold /
Trigger

C
Ground

N/C

555 Timer Design Equations

tHIGH : Calculations for the Oscillators HIGH Time
THE OUTPUT IS HIGH WHILE THE
CAPACITOR IS CHARGING THROUGH RA
+ RB.
5v
3.333 v

Vc

1.666 v
0v

tHIGH

HIGH

Output
LOW

t HIGH 0.693 R A RB C

555 Timer Design Equations

tLOW : Calculations for the Oscillators LOW Time
THE OUTPUT IS LOW WHILE THE
CAPACITOR IS DISCHARGING THROUGH
RB.
5v
3.333 v

Vc

1.666 v
0v

tLOW

HIGH

Output
LOW

t LOW 0.693R BC

555 Timer Period / Frequency / DC

Period:

Duty Cycle:

t HIGH 0.693 R A RB C

DC

t HIGH
100%
T

DC

0.693 R A RB C
100%
0.693 R A 2RB C

DC

R
R

t LOW 0.693 RBC

T t HIGH t LOW
T 0.693 R A RB C 0.693 RBC
T 0.693 R A 2RB C

RB
100%
2RB

Frequency:
F
F

1
T
1

0.693 R A 2RB C

Example: 555 Oscillator

Example:
For the 555 Timer oscillator shown below, calculate the circuits,
period (T), frequency (F), and duty cycle (DC).

Example: 555 Oscillator

Solution:

R A 390

RB 180

C 6.8 F

Period:

T 0.693 R A 2RB C

T 0.693 390 2 180 6.8 F

T 3.534 mSec
Frequency:

1
F
T
1
F
3.534 mSec
F 282.941 Hz

Duty Cycle:

R R 100%
R 2R
390 180 100%
DC
390 2 180
DC

DC 76%

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Example: 555 Oscillator

Example:
For the 555 Timer oscillator shown below, calculate the value for
RA & RB so that the oscillator has a frequency of 2.5 KHz @ 60%
duty cycle.

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Example: 555 Oscillator

Solution:
Frequency:

Duty Cycle:

1
1

400 Sec
f 2.5 kHz
T 0.693 R A 2RB C 400 Sec
T

T 0.693 R A 2RB 0.47 f 400 Sec

R A 2 RB

400 Sec
1228.09
0.693 0.47 f

R A 2 RB 1228.09

DC

R
R

R
R

RB
100% 60%
2RB

RB
0 .6
2RB

R A RB 0.6 R A 2RB
R A R B 0. 6 R A 1 . 2 R B
0 .4 R A 0 . 2 R B
R A 0 .5 R B

Two Equations & Two Unknowns!

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Example: 555 Oscillator

Solution:
Frequency:

Duty Cycle:

R A 2 RB 1228 .09

R A 0 .5 R B

Substitute and Solve for R B

R A 2 RB 1228.09
0.5 RB 2 RB 1228.09
2.5 RB 1228.09
RB 491.23
Substitute and Solve for RA

R A 2 RB 1228.09

R A 2 491.23 1228.09
R A 982.472 1228.09
R A 245.618

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555 Timer Period / Frequency / DC

Period:

Duty Cycle:

t HIGH 0.693 R A RB C

DC

t HIGH
100%
T

DC

0.693 R A RB C
100%
0.693 R A 2RB C

DC

R
R

t LOW 0.693 RBC

T t HIGH t LOW
T 0.693 R A RB C 0.693 RBC
T 0.693 R A 2RB C

RB
100%
2RB

Frequency:
F
F

1
T
1

0.693 R A 2RB C

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