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