1

ME 455/555 Lab 2 555 Timers

The objectives of this laboratory are:
1. To introduce the 555 timer, LEDs and potentiometers
2. To construct an astable oscillator circuit
3. To introduce the digital oscilloscope

EXERCISE 1 555 Timer

Introduction to the 555 timer
The 555 timer IC was first introduced around 1971 by the Signetics Corporation as the
SE555/NE555 and was called "The IC Time Machine." It was also the very first and only
commercial IC timer available and it provided circuit designers and hobby tinkerers with a
relatively cheap, stable, and user-friendly integrated circuit for both monostable and astable
timing applications. Since this device was first made commercially available, a wide variety of
novel and unique circuits have been developed that utilize this chip. Today we will be
constructing one of these circuits the astable oscillator. The internal diagram and pin-out of the
555 timer is shown in Figure 1.


Figure 1. 555 Timer
555 Timer Pin Functions

Pin 1 (Ground): The ground (or common) pin is the most-negative supply potential of the
device, which is normally connected to circuit common (ground) when operated from positive
supply voltages.

Pin 2 (Trigger): This pin is the input to the lower comparator and is used to set the latch, which
in turn causes the output to go high (as will be described for pin 3). Triggering is accomplished
by taking the pin from above to below a voltage level of 1/3 V
CC
(or, in general, one-half the
voltage appearing at pin 5).

6
Vcc
2
7
5
4
3
discharge
trigger
threshold
control
reset
output
2
Pin 3 (Output): The output of the 555 comes from an RS flip-flop, which will be discussed in
class in a week or two. The output of the flip-flop is high (.V
CC
) when the input S is high and
the output is low (.V
CC
) when the input R is high. If both R and S are low the output does not
change (it is not permissible to set both R and S high). The R and S inputs are controlled by two
internal comparators. The threshold comparator outputs a high signal if the threshold voltage
(pin 6) is greater than the control voltage (pin 5) and is low otherwise. The trigger comparator
outputs a high signal if the voltage above the bottom resistor (typically 1/3 V
CC
) is greater than
the trigger voltage (pin 2) and is low otherwise.

Pin 4 (Reset): This pin is used to reset the latch and return the output to a low state. The reset
input is an overriding function; that is, it will force the output to a low state regardless of the
state of either of the other inputs. The pin is activated when a low voltage level (anywhere
between 0 and 0.4 V) is applied to the pin. When not used, it is recommended that the reset input
be tied to V
CC
to avoid any possibility of false resetting.

Pin 5 (Control Voltage): This pin allows direct access to the 2/3 V
CC
voltage-divider point, the
reference level for the upper comparator. Use of this terminal is the option of the user, but it does
allow extreme flexibility by permitting modification of the timing period, resetting of the
comparator, etc.

Pin 6 (Threshold): Pin 6 is one input to the upper comparator (the other being pin 5) and is used
to reset the latch, which causes the output to go low. Resetting via this pin is accomplished by
applying a voltage above 2/3 V+(the normal voltage on pin 5).

Pin 7 (Discharge): This pin is connected to the open collector of an NPN transistor, the emitter
of which goes to ground, so that when the transistor is turned "on", pin 7 is effectively shorted to
ground. Usually the timing capacitor is connected between pin 7 and ground and is discharged
when the transistor turns "on". The transistor is turned on by Q, which is always the opposite of
Q (i.e. if Q is high then Q is low, and vice versa).

Pin 8 (V
CC
): The V
CC
pin (also referred to as V+) is the positive supply voltage terminal of the
555 timer IC. Supply-voltage operating range for the 555 is +4.5 volts (minimum) to +16 volts
(maximum), and it is specified for operation between +5 volts and +15 volts.

555 Timer - Astable Oscillator Circuit
The timer circuit we will construct today is called an astable oscillator and is used to create a
continuous train of pulses that switch between two voltage levels. This circuit, like all IC timer
circuits, relies upon an external capacitor to determine the off-on time intervals of the output
pulses. As you recall from your study of basic electronics, it takes a finite period of time for a
capacitor (C) to charge or discharge through a resistor (R). Those times are clearly defined and
can be calculated given the values of resistance and capacitance.

The astable oscillator circuit is shown in Figure 2. When the circuit is powered capacitor C
charges through the series resistors R
1
and R
2
, and its voltage rises with a time constant
(R
1
+R
2
)C. When the voltage on C reaches 2/3 V
CC
, the threshold comparator outputs a high
signal, resetting the flip-flop and outputting a low signal (Q.0). This sets Q high and turns the
transistor on, which starts to discharge the capacitor through R
2
(with a time constant R
2
C).
When the voltage on C drops to 1/3 V
CC
, the trigger comparator puts out a high signal, the flip-
flop output is set high (Q.V
CC
), the transistor is turned off and the cycle repeats.
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Figure 2. Astable Oscillator

Oscillator Characteristics:

The output of the oscillator is a square wave with variable frequency and duty cycle. The output
is show in Figure 3.


Figure 3. Astable Oscillator Output

The duration of the high and low portions of the output are:
( )C R R t
high 2 1
693 . 0 + =
( )C R t
low 2
693 . 0 = .
The frequency, f, of the signal is:
low high
t t
f
+
=
1
.
The duty-cycle, D, (i.e. the fraction of each cycle that the signal is high) is:
2 1
2 1
2R R
R R
t t
t
D
low high
high
+
+
=
+
= .
Before we construct this circuit, we must first introduce the power supply that we will use to
power the circuit.



V
CC
0

t
high
t
low
V
CC

C
R
1

R
2

7
2
6
+

4
Programmable DC Power Supply
The power supply used in this lab is a 24V (max) dual DC power supply, shown in Figure 4. As
for all laboratories, take care when handling electrical circuits that are powered. Do not leave
power supplies turned on and unattended. Do not touch exposed wires or leads before checking
that the power to the circuit is turned off. It is strongly recommended that you wear rubber soled
shoes.


Figure 4. Programmable DC Power Supply

The voltage of either output of the power supply can be set by adjusting either of the two
Voltage Adjust knobs. The voltage display can be toggled between the two outputs (V1 and
V2) by using the meter buttons on the bottom left of the power supply. Note that both voltage
outputs are on even if you are only showing one of the voltages on the display, and turning either
of the knobs will adjust the output voltages, regardless of which channel you are viewing on the
display. The voltage can be connected to a circuit at the +(red) and (black) terminals, either
using banana jack cables or by unscrewing the terminal heads a few turns, wrapping wire
around the metal contacts in the gap, and then tightening the terminal heads back down.

NOTE: the power supply only provides a difference in voltage between the +and - terminals.
The voltage is not provided relative to ground (green). Thus if we set our power supply to 10 V
and connect the (black) terminal to the ground (green) terminal, the +(red) terminal is +10V
relative to ground. Similarly, we could connect the +(red) terminal to the ground (green)
terminal and the (black) terminal would be -10V relative to ground.

Circuit Construction
You must now construct the circuit shown in Figure 2. DO NOT turn on your power supply yet.
Use V
CC
=5 V, C =10 :F, R
1
=10 kS and R
2
=22 kS. Measure the value of the capacitor (with
one of the Fluke meters) and resistors (with the HP meter). Enter the measured values in #1 on
the solution sheet. Note: the capacitors used in this circuit are polarized and must therefore
ALWAYS be connected in a circuit in a particular direction. The capacitor will have a mark (+
or -) sign on its body to help in the orientation and/or one lead of the capacitor will be longer
than the other (the longer leg is the +side). The capacitor MUST be placed such that the +side
of the capacitor is at a higher voltage than the - side.

5
In order to visualize the output of the circuit, we will have the output power an LED. Light-
emitting diodes (LEDs) are fairly common electronic components. These devices need a low
voltage, typically 1.6 3.0 V in order to pass a current and turn on. The current also needs to
be restricted, as any more than 80 mA will cause the LED to overheat and effectively burn out.
To restrict the current it is therefore necessary to put a limiting resistor in series with the LED.
Add a 150S resistor and an LED to your circuit as shown in Figure 5. Note that the LED is
polarized (like the capacitors). In order to operate, the +side of the LED must be at a higher
voltage than the side. The longer leg of the LED is the +side.



Figure 5. LED Circuit

Before turning on the power to your circuit, answer question #2 on the solution sheet.

You may now turn on your circuit by applying V
CC
=5 V. Comment on the behavior of the LED
in question #3.

Digital Oscilloscope
The oscilloscope (a.k.a. O-scope) displays dynamic voltage signals. It is therefore one of the
most useful pieces of laboratory equipment. The digital oscilloscopes we will be using here are
Agilent DSO3062A and the Tektronix TDS 210 as shown in Figure 6. The oscilloscope has two
inputs labeled Channel 1 and Channel 2. It is possible to view either channel individually or
both at the same time. These oscilloscopes perform a self-check at startup, so we do not need to
calibrate them.

R =150 S
+
-
LED
Ground
(pin 1)
Oscillator Output
(pin 3)
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(a) (b)
Figure 6. (a) Agilent DSO3062A (b) Tektronix TDS 210

Operation of the Agilent DSO3062A
1. Turn on the oscilloscope (power button on lower left corner).
2. Attach an oscilloscope probe to the Channel 1 input and attach the ends of the probe to
the voltage you want to measure (note: be sure you attach the black ground clip to the
ground of your circuit).
3. If it is not already selected, press the 1 button to select Ch. 1.
4. Press auto-scale to bring the waveform on the screen.
5. The scale for the axes can be read at the bottom of the screen (ex: 500mV/ =500 mV per
major horizontal grid line, 200uS/ =200 :S per major vertical division).
6. To measure characteristics of the waveform, hit the measure button to bring up the
measurements menu, then toggle the bottom option to display all by pressing the
bottom menu button. Usually any measurements we are interested are included in the list
that is pulled up.
Operation of the Tektronix TDS 210
1. Turn on the oscilloscope (power button on left side of top of O-scope).
2. Attach an oscilloscope probe to the Channel 1 input and attach the ends of the probe to
the voltage you want to measure (note: be sure you attach the black ground clip to the
ground of your circuit).
3. If it is not already selected, press the Ch. 1 button to select Ch. 1.
4. Press autoset to bring the waveform on the screen.
5. The scale for the axes can be read off the screen as described for the Agilent O-scope.
6. To measure characteristics of the waveform, hit the measure button to bring up the
measurements menu. The various measurements we need can usually be read off the
menu display.
For both O-scopes, if the auto-scaling does not give you the view that you want:
Use the channels volts/div knob (the large colored knob on the Agilent O-scopes) to
adjust the vertical axis scale.
Use the button to change the vertical position of the trace on the screen.
Use the sec/div knob (the large horizontal knob on the Agilent O-scopes) to adjust the
horizontal axis scale.
Use the button to change the horizontal position of the trace on the screen.
If the trace on the screen is unstable, try pressing the 50% button to force the trigger to
the 50% level of the trace (The trigger is what synchronizes the display such that repeated
waveforms get redrawn on the same spot on the screen).
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Hook up the O-scope leads to measure the output voltage (pin #3) of your oscillator. Use the
instructions above to bring the signal onto your screen (try to get 2-3 full cycles of the output on
your screen). Sketch the signal in the plot provided in #4 on your solution sheet. Measure the
frequency of the square wave and the high and low times of the square wave. Record these
values in question #5. Comment (in question #6) on how these values compare to the values you
predicted earlier. If they are not the same, comment on why this may be. Answer question #7.

Hook up the O-scope leads to pin #2. Sketch the output in the plot provided in #8 on your
solution sheet and explain what you are seeing (in question #9).

EXERCISE 2 Variable Astable Oscillator

Potentiometers
The potentiometer is a variable resistor. It typically has three leads, two of which are connected
to the ends of a fixed resistance, and the third (middle) leg contacts the resistance somewhere
between its two ends via a moving contact. By dialing the knob of the potentiometer, we are
able to vary the resistance between the middle lead and either of the end leads.

Using your HP meter, measure the range of resistance for a potentiometer. Enter the result in
#10 on your solution sheet.

We will now use a potentiometer to create a variable astable oscillator. With the power turned
off, alter the circuit you constructed in the previous exercise by replacing R
1
with a 1 kS resistor
and R
2
with a 10 kS potentiometer. Use your HP meter to measure the resistance of your new R
1

and enter it in #11 on your solution sheet. Using the measured value of R
1
and the measured
range of your potentiometer, predict the values of t
low
, t
high
, D and f when the potentiometer is at
its maximum and minimum resistance and enter these values in #12 and #13.

Now, turn on the power to your circuit. Vary the resistance of your potentiometer and observe
the behavior of your LED. Now, use your O-scope to measure the output of the timer (pin 3)
with your potentiometer turned to its lowest and highest resistance. For each of these situations
use your O-scope to measure t
low
, t
high
, D and f. Enter these values in #14 and #15 on your
solution sheet and comment in #16 on how these compare to your predicted values. Demonstrate
your circuit to the professor and have the professor initial your solution sheet.


NOTE: DO NOT disassemble your circuit! Please save it, as we will be using it again in the
next lab exercise.

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Name: ___________________

SOLUTION SHEET LAB #2
ME 455/555

Exercise #1

1. Measured values: C ______________ R
1
______________ R
2
______________

2. Using the resistance and capacitance values you measured in #1, calculate the predicted
t
high
, t
low
, f and D of the oscillator:

t
high
________________ t
low
________________

f ________________ D ________________

3. What is the behavior of the LED when your circuit is powered? How does this compare
to your predicted behavior in question #2?



4. Sketch the output of your circuit (be sure to label the axes with units):











5. Measured value of:

f ________________ t
high
________________ t
low
________________

6. Comment on how these values (in #5) compare to those predicted (in #2). If they are not
the same, comment on why this may be.




7. What is the voltage level during the high portion of the output? How does this compare
to what you expected?
9

8. Sketch the output of pin #2 (be sure to label the axes with units):












9. What is are we seeing in the previous plot?



Exercise #2

10. Measured values of R
pot
: R
pot, low
______________ R
pot, high
______________

11. Measured value of R
1
: ________________

12. Using the resistance values you measured in #10 and #11, calculate the predicted t
high
,
t
low
, f and D of the oscillator with the potentiometer at its lowest resistance:

t
high
________________ t
low
________________

f ________________ D ________________

13. Using the resistance values you measured in #10 and #11, calculate the predicted t
high
,
t
low
, f and D of the oscillator with the potentiometer at its highest resistance:

t
high
________________ t
low
________________

f ________________ D ________________

14. With the potentiometer set to its lowest resistance, calculate the predicted t
high
, t
low
, f and
D of the oscillator:

t
high
________________ t
low
________________

f ________________ D ________________

15. With the potentiometer set to its highest resistance, calculate the predicted t
high
, t
low
, f and
D of the oscillator:

t
high
________________ t
low
________________

f ________________ D ________________
10

16. Comment on how the measured characteristics of your variable astable oscillator
compare to the predicted characteristics.





Professor approval of circuit: ________________