You are on page 1of 5

555 Pulse Generator Circuit

P. MARIAN

frequency generators
This is a pulse generator with adjustable duty cycle made with the 555 timer IC. The circuit
is an astable multivibrator with a 50% pulse duty cycle. The difference from the standard
design of a 555 timer is the resistance between pins 6 and 7 of the IC composed of P1, P2,
R2, D1 and D2.

The diodes D1 and D2 set a definite charging time for C1 which produces a 50% duty cycle
in a normal case. The duty cycle (n) is dependent on P1 and P2 in the following manner:

n = 1 + P2/P1
If P2 = 0 (n = 100%) then the frequency can be approximately calculated with the
following formula:

f = 0.69/((2*P1 + P2 + 4.7k)*C1)

Pulse generator circuit diagram

555 datasheet
Oscilloscope Captures

As you can see in the captures the duty cycle is not between 0% and 100% but it is within
reasonable range. Ive used a 20K for P1, 100K for P2 and 10nF for C1.
Printed circuit layout of the pulse generator

Components List
C2 = 10F
C3 = 0.1F
R1 = R2 = 4.7K
D1 = D2 =
1N4148

IC = 555
C1, P1 and P2 must be calculated

A DIY Square Wave Signal Generator with Pulse Width Modulation


This circuit is very simple and has a fantastic range of potential uses. The two potentiometers
(variable resistors) allow the frequency and pulse width to be varied independently and without
affecting each other like in the super simple signal generator.

By incorporating a rotary switch, the value of the timing capacitor (C1) can be adjusted. This
allows the frequency to be adjusted over the full range that the 555 timer can support.

A separate chip (LM393) is used to control the pulse width so that it will not effect the
frequency. The LM393 is a 'Low Power Low Offset Voltage Dual Comparator' The pot (VR2) is
used as part of a voltage divider so that the voltage on the inverting input of the comparator can
be smoothly varied. This voltage determines the pulse width of the final output signal.

Like this circuit? Check out our range of Pulse width modulation circuits.
IC1 LM555

IC2 LM393

R1 10k

R2 10k

R3 2.2k

R4 10k

VR1 1M

VR2 10k

C1 47nF

C2 4.7nF

C3 470pF
C4 47pF Since the pulse width is relative to the
input voltage on the this input, it is
possible to use the circuit in conjunction
SW1 4 Pole Rotary with a multitude of robotic interface
boards. This signal can be used to drive a
H-Bridge or power transistor which is ideal
for varying the speed of a DC motor. We have some circuits based on this idea on the Cyber
Circuits page. We also have a simple DIY version of this device here

Potential Uses Might Include:


DC Motor Speed Control Control
Boosting or Variable Dimming for LED's and Light Bulbs
Transformer or Ignition Coil Driver

This circuit was used in the Power Pulse Generator project as part of the Ignition Coil Driver

You might also like