Multivibrators

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 Q1 turns ON
while the transistor Q2 turns OFF. In second stage, the transistor Q1 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

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.
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.

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.

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

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 –VBB.
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 C3 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.
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 Q2 gets switched OFF. This is a
stable state of the Bistable Multivibrator.
By applying a negative trigger at the base of transistor Q1 or by applying a positive trigger
pulse at the base of transistor Q2, 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 Q1 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.

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.
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 Q1 will be OFF as the base is grounded. The collector voltage at the output
terminal VO1 will be equal to VCC which turns the transistor Q2 ON. The output at the
terminal VO2 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 Q2 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
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
C2 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.

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 value depends 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.
These are the Multivibrator circuits using transistors. The same Multivibrators are
designed using operational amplifiers and also IC 555 timer circuits, which are discussed
in further tutorials.
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 –VBB is given to the base of transistor Q1 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.

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.
This turn ON the transistor Q1, which is the previous stable state.
Output Waveforms
The output waveforms at the collectors of Q1 and Q2 along with the trigger input given at
the base of Q1 are shown in the following figures.
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=0.69R1C1T=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
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.
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
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.
The following figure shows the circuit diagram for Astable Multivibrator.

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=βIBIc=βIB
As no transistor characteristics are alike, one of the two transistors say Q1 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 Q1 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
Q1 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 Q2, 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 C2 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 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=0.7RCf=1t=11.38RC=0.7RC
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.