May 31, 2011

555 Timer Chip

       
          The 555 timer chip is probably the most versatile non-programmable part I have ever seen. Over the past 40 years, many people have created at least hundreds probably thousands of applications that have used this chip in ways I’m sure the original designer never would have thought possible; the original function of the chip was to provide a regular train of pulses. In this section, I will show how the chip is used in a circuit, along with some of the tricks that can be performed with it.




The 555 is usually built into an eight pin ‘‘dual in-line package’’ that is commonly used for chips. In Figure above, I have put in an ‘‘overhead’’ view of the 555, along with a photograph of an actual 555 chip.
          Looking at the labels for each of the pins, most of them do not make a lot of sense. What should jump out at you is the ‘‘Gnd’’ (ground) at Pin 1 and the ‘‘Vcc’’ (positive power) at Pin 8. These two pins are used to provide power for the part; they match the power pins I’ve presented elsewhere for digital devices elsewhere in the book.
          To try and get a better understanding of a chip, I'll discussed with detail explanation about this topic later, wait for my next posting..


to be continued..


 
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May 27, 2011

The Multivibrator

 
   
          Multivibrators, like the familiar sinusoidal oscillators, are circuits with regenerative feedback, with the difference that they produce pulsed output. There are three basic types of multivibrator, namely the Bistable Multivibrator, the Monostable Multivibrator and the Astable Multivibrator.


1. Bistable Multivibrator

          A bistable multivibrator circuit is one in which both LOW and HIGH output states are stable. Irrespective of the logic status of the output, LOW or HIGH, it stays in that state unless a change is induced by applying an appropriate trigger pulse. As we will see in the subsequent pages, the operation of a bistable multivibrator is identical to that of a flip-flop.


          Figure 1 shows the basic bistable multivibrator circuit. This is the fixed-bias type of bistable multivibrator. Other configurations are the self-bias type and the emitter-coupled type. However, the operational principle of all types is the same. The multivibrator circuit of Fig. 1 functions as follows. In the circuit arrangement of Fig. 1 it can be proved that both transistors Q1 and Q2 cannot be simultaneously ON or OFF. If Q1 is ON, the regenerative feedback ensures that Q2 is OFF, and when Q1 is OFF, the feedback drives transistor Q2 to the ON state. In order to vindicate this statement, let us assume that both Q1 and Q2 are conducting simultaneously. Owing to slight circuit imbalance, which is always there, the collector current in one transistor will always be greater than that in the other. Let us assume that IC2 > IC1. Lesser IC1 means a higher VC1. Since VC1 is coupled to the Q2 base, a rise in VC1 leads to an increase in the Q2 base voltage. Increase in the Q2 base voltage results in an increase in IC2 and an associated reduction in VC2 Reduction in VC2 leads to a reduction in Q1 base voltage and an associated fall in IC1, with the result that VC1 increases further. Thus, a slight circuit imbalance has initiated a regenerative action that culminates in transistor Q1 going to cut-off and transistor Q2 getting driven to saturation. To sum up, whenever there is a tendency of one of the transistors to conduct more than the other, it will end up with that transistor going to saturation and driving the other transistor to cut-off. Now, if we take the output from the Q1 collector, it will be LOW (= VCE1 sat.) if Q1 was initially in saturation. If we apply a negative-going trigger to the Q1 base to cause a decrease in its collector current, a regenerative action would set in that would drive Q2 to saturation and Q1 to cut-off. As a result, the output goes to a HIGH (=+VCC) state. The output will stay HIGH until we apply another appropriate trigger to initiate a transition. Thus, both of the output states, when the output is LOW and also when the output is HIGH, are stable and undergo a change only when a transition is induced by means of an appropriate trigger pulse. That is why it is called a bistable multivibrator.



2. Monostable Multivibrator


          A monostable multivibrator, also known as a monoshot, is one in which one of the states is stable and the other is quasi-stable. The circuit is initially in the stable state. It goes to the quasi-stable state when appropriately triggered. It stays in the quasi-stable state for a certain time period, after which it comes back to the stable state.



          Figure 2 shows the basic monostable multivibrator circuit. The circuit functions as follows. Initially, transistor Q2 is in saturation as it gets its base bias from +VCC through R. Coupling from Q2 collector to Q1 base ensures that Q1 is in cut off. Now, if an appropriate trigger pulse induces a transition in Q1 from saturation to cut-off, the output goes to the HIGH state. This HIGH output when coupled to the Q1 base turns Q1 ON. Since there is no direct coupling from Q1 collector to Q2 base, which is necessary for a regenerative process to set in, Q1 is not necessarily in saturation. However, it conducts some current. The Q1 collector voltage falls by IC1RC1 and the Q2 base voltage falls by the same amount, as the voltage across a capacitor (C in this case) cannot change instantaneously. To sum up, the moment we applied the trigger, Q2 went to cut off and Q1 started conducting. But now there is a path for capacitor C to charge from VCC through R and the conducting transistor. The polarity of voltage across C is such that the Q2 base potential rises. The moment the Q2 base voltage exceeds the cut-in voltage, it turns Q2 ON, which, owing to coupling through R1, turns Q1 OFF. And we are back to the original state, the stable state. Whenever we trigger the circuit into the other state, it does not stay there permanently and returns back after a time period that depends upon R and C. The greater the time constant RC, the longer is the time for which it stays in the other state, called the quasi stable state.



3. Astable Multivibrator


          In the case of an astable multivibrator, neither of the two states is stable. Both output states are quasistable. The output switches from one state to the other and the circuit functions like a free running square-wave oscillator.



          Figure 3 shows the basic astable multivibrator circuit. It can be proved that, in this type of circuit, neither of the output states is stable. Both states, LOW as well as HIGH, are quasi-stable. The time periods for which the output remains LOW and HIGH depends upon R2C2 and R1C1 time constants respectively. For R1C1= R2C2, the output is a symmetrical square waveform. The circuit functions as follows. Let us assume that transistor Q2 is initially conducting, that is, the output is LOW. Capacitor C2 in this case charges through R2 and the conducting transistor from VCC, and, the moment the Q1 base potential exceeds its cut in voltage, it is turned ON. A fall in Q1 collector potential manifests itself at the Q2 base as voltage across a capacitor cannot change instantaneously. The output goes to the HIGH state as Q2 is driven to cut-off. However, C1 has now started charging through R1 and the conducting transistor Q1 from VCC. The moment the Q2 base potential exceeds the cut-in voltage, it is again turned ON, with the result that the output goes to the LOW state. This process continues and, owing to both the couplings (Q1 collector to Q2 base and Q2 collector to Q1 base) being capacitive, neither of the states is stable. The circuit produces a square-wave output.



   
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May 22, 2011

ISIS Proteus Simulator (Electronics Software)

 
 
  


Proteus is software for microprocessor simulation, schematic capture, and printed circuit board (PCB) design. It is developed by Labcenter Electronics.
Proteus Virtual System Modelling (VSM) combines mixed mode SPICE circuit simulation, animated components and microprocessor models to facilitate co-simulation of complete microcontroller based designs. For the first time ever, it is possible to develop and test such designs before a physical prototype is constructed.

This is possible because you can interact with the design using on screen indicators such as LED and LCD displays and actuators such as switches and buttons. The simulation takes place in real time (or near enough to it): a 1GMHz Pentium III can simulate a basic 8051 system clocking at over 12MHz. Proteus VSM also provides extensive debugging facilities including breakpoints, single stepping and variable display for both assembly code and high level language source.





System Components


ISIS Schematic Capture - a tool for entering designs.

PROSPICE Mixed mode SPICE simulation - industry standard SPICE3F5 simulator combined with a digital simulator.

ARES PCB Layout - PCB design system with automatic component placer, rip-up and retry auto-router and interactive design rule checking.

VSM - Virtual System Modelling lets cosimulate embedded software for popular micro-controllers alongside hardware design.

System Benefits Integrated package with common user interface and fully context sensitive help.



Download ISIS Proteus 7.1

(Due to an error, the link above was removed. Please check the link below for the update)


ISIS Proteus 7.6

      
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May 21, 2011

Metronome

 
      


A metronome marks time by producing a regular sequence of "clicks" or "pocks". Adjust the click rate by adjusting R2 or changing C1's value. That will varying the RC time constant so it will also varying the "delay time" of the buzzer or speaker. This project is so simple, applicative and low-cost. It is suitable for you who loves to learn about music and build and use this project for your low-cost metronome. :-)



    
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Light Flasher

 
         


This circuit produces bright flashes every second or so. R1 controls flash rate. L1 can replace with 3V or 4.5V flash light or for simply you can use a LED for example.



 
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Zener Voltage Regulator

   
       



This circuit supplies a steady voltage (Vout) to a load from an unregulated supply (like a battery), Vin can vary but must be at least 1 volt above desired Vout. I, can vary from 0 mA to planned maximum value. I does not change if IL falls to 0 mA. Since I = IL + IZ, IZ rises as IL falls. In other words, the regulator always uses the same current, even when the load is removed. Caution: D1 and R1 must have proper power rating. Use Ohm's Law.


Example:

A radio draws from 20 to 50 mA from a 9 volt battery. To power it from a 12 volt batery, use a 9 volt, 1/2 watt Zener Diode. R1 should be closed to 60 ohm and rated for at least 0.15 W.




     
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Voltage Doublers

  
    
  


These circuit approximately double an incoming AC voltage. The output is DC. Use capacitors and diodes rated for twice the input voltage. Output ripple can be reduced by using large values for C1 and C2.


  
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May 16, 2011

Fritzing (Electronics Software)




Fritzing is an open source GUI based program that allows users to document their prototypes, share them with others, show them in a presentation, and create a pcb layout for professional manufacturing. This is the latest version of Fritzing that released till today (version 0.5.2b). You can check for the Fritzing update directly on the Help tab on Fritzing window.

Download Fritzing 0.5.2b


Here's I give a quick tutorial using fritzing so it can help you to understand how to use fritzing more easily, have fun! :-)





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