MONOSTABLE MULTIVIBRATORS

A Monostable Multivibrator is also called a one-shot. This multivibrator

produces a single pulse that stays high or low for a fixed amount of time.
An input signal called a trigger must be applied to activate the one-shot.
The amount of time that the pulse stays high or low depends on external
resistors and capacitors to the one-shot. This device is used to delay,
reshape, and/or eliminate mechanical switch bounce.
There are two types of one-shots. Retriggerable one-shots allow the oneshot to be fired while the output is still activated. This allows the output to
stay activated for a longer time that the device was configured for. A nonretriggerable one-shot cannot be retriggered while the output is activated.
For this one-shot the output must complete its cycle, return to its resting
state and then be triggered again.

Shown below is a schematic diagram of a monostable multivibrator built

with transistors. One transistor will normally be on and the other
transistor will normally be off. The state changes when a pulse is triggered.
The transistor which is normally on goes into cutoff while the other
transistor turns on and begins conducting. This condition exists only for a
short period of time. After this the circuit then returns to its original state

until another pulse is triggered.

The next schematic diagram is for another monostable multivibrator. This

one uses NAND gates. LEDs as used to display the input and output signals
for the one-shot. The red LED represents the input signal and the green
LED represents the output signal. As shown by the waveform, the green
LED will light up after an input trigger pulse is applied. After a certain
amount of time, depending on the value of the capacitor, the green LED
will turn off.

74121 or 555 Timer as a One-Shot

(74121 Monostable Multivibrator)
Shown below is the pinout diagram for the 74121. The 74121 has three
trigger inputs: A1, A2,and B. Depending on the circuit design, any or all of
these three pins may be connected to the input trigger signal. The "A"
inputs are active low and the "B" input is active high. The input logic
circuit reads: If A1 OR A2 goes low AND B goes high the one-shot will fire
its pulse.
Notice also that pins 2, 8, 12, and 13 are not connected to anything inside
the IC. Therefore, these pins are labeled "NC" for "No Connection".
The time of the pulse is determined by an external resistor and capacitor
connected to REXT, and REXT/C EXT. If the value of capacitor connected to
CEXT is greater than 1uF the pulse width (Tw) is equal to .33 * REXT * CEXT
The 74121 is a retrigerable one-shot.

The schematic diagram below shows how a 74121 may be wired. Here
we are using pin 5 (B) for the input trigger signal which will fire on a high
input pulse. When a trigger input activates the device, the Q output will
go HIGH as illustrated in the timing diagram. The length of the pulse is
determined by the formula Tw = .33 * Cext * Rext.

Tw = .33 * 20uF * 10K = .066 Seconds

555 Timer as a Monostable Multivibrator

Shown below is the pinout for the 555 timer and how it can be
configured to operate as a monostable multivibrator. This one-shot is
non-retrigerable.