Lab Manual [Electronic Devices and Circuits –II] GEC.

ETC[2019]

Expt. No: 7 Date:

ASTABLE MULTIVIBRATOR
AIM:

1. To study the operation and observe the wave forms of Astable Multivibrator.
2. To Design an Astable Multivibrator to generate a square wave of 1 KHz frequency using
Transistors.

APPARATUS:

1. CRO 0 to 20 MHz (Dual Channel) - 1 No.

2. Function Generator 1Hz to 1 MHz - 1 No.
3. Bread board - 1 No.
4. Resistor (1K , 10K ) - 2 Nos. each
5. Capacitors (0.1µF) - 2 Nos.
6. Transistor (BC 107) - 2 Nos.
7. Regulated D.C Power Supply 0 to 30V (dual) - 1 No.
8. Connecting wires
9. Bread board

CIRCUIT DIAGRAM:

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Prepared by: Dr. Samarth Borker, GEC.ETC
Lab Manual [Electronic Devices and Circuits –II] GEC.ETC[2019]

THEORY:

The Astable circuit has two quasi-stable states. Without external triggering signal the Astable
configuration will make successive transitions from one quasi-stable state to the other. The Astable
circuit is an oscillator. It is also called as free running multivibrator and is used to generate “Square
Wave”. Since it does not require triggering signal, fast switching is possible.

OPERATION:

When the power is applied, due to some imbalance in the circuit, the transistor Q2 conducts more
than Q1 i.e. current flowing through transistor Q2 is more than the current flowing in transistor Q1.
The voltage VC2 drops. This drop is coupled by the capacitor C1 to the base by Q1 there by reducing
its forward base-emitter voltage and causing Q1 to conduct less. As the current through Q1
decreases, VC1 rises. This rise is coupled by the capacitor C2 to the base of Q2. There by increasing
its base- emitter forward bias. This Q2 conducts more and more and Q1 conducts less and less, each
action reinforcing the other.

Ultimately Q2 gets saturated and becomes fully ON and Q1 becomes OFF. During this time C1 has
been charging towards VCC exponentially with a time constant T1 = R1C1. The polarity of C1 should
be such that it should supply voltage to the base of Q1. When C1 gains sufficient voltage, it drives
Q1 ON. Then VC1 decreases and makes Q2 OFF. VC2 increases and makes Q1 fully saturated.
During this time C2 has been charging through VCC, R2, C2 and Q2 with a time constant T2 =
R2C2. The polarity of C2 should be such that it should supply voltage to the base of Q 2. When C2
gains sufficient voltage, it drives Q2 On, and the process repeats.

DESIGN:

The period T is given by

T = T1 + T2 = 0.69 (R1C1 + R2C2)

For symmetrical circuit, with R1 = R2 = R & C1 = C2 = C

T = 1.38 RC

Let VCC = 12V; hfe = 51 (for BC107), VBESat = 0.7V; VCESat = 0.3V Let C = 0.1 F &
T = 1mSec.

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Prepared by: Dr. Samarth Borker, GEC.ETC
Lab Manual [Electronic Devices and Circuits –II] GEC.ETC[2019]

10-3 = 1.38 x R X 0.1 X 10-6

R = 7.24K (Practically choose 10K ) i.e., R1 and R2 resistors.

Let ICmax=10mA

RC = = 1.17K ( 1K is selected for Rc1 and Rc2)

PROCEDURE:

1. Make then connections as per the circuit diagram.

2. Observe the Base Voltage and Collector Voltages of Q1 & Q2 on CRO in DC mode
and measure the frequency (f = 1/T).
3. Trace the waveforms at collector and base as each transistor with the help of dual trace
CRO and plot the waveforms.
4. Verify the practical output frequency with theoretical values f = 1/T, where T = 1.38 RC

Expected Waveforms:

##############(Refer textbooks for neat labelled waveforms)##################

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Prepared by: Dr. Samarth Borker, GEC.ETC
Lab Manual [Electronic Devices and Circuits –II] GEC.ETC[2019]

Theoretical calculations:

F = 1/ T = (1/1.38RC)

R = 10K C = 0.1 F

RESULTS:

An Astable Multivibrator is designed; the waveforms are observed and verified the results
theoretically.

PRECAUTIONS:

Viva questions:

1. What are the other names of Astable multivibrator?

2. Define quasi stable state?
3. Is it possible to change time period of the waveform with out changing R & C?
4. Explain charging and discharging of capacitors in an Astable Multivibrator?
5. How can an Astable multivibrator be used as VCO?
6. What are the applications of Astable Multivibrator?
7. How can Astable multivibrator be used as a voltage to frequency converter?
8. What is the formula for frequency of oscillations?

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Prepared by: Dr. Samarth Borker, GEC.ETC