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1.2.5.A Clock Signals - The555Timer

PLTW Digital Electronics

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53 views4 pages

1.2.5.A Clock Signals - The555Timer

PLTW Digital Electronics

Uploaded by

saanvirao816
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Activity 1.2.

5 Clock Signals: The 555 Timer


Introduction
Almost all development tools used today in digital electronics have an internal clock that can
be integrated into your circuit design. There are times however, when you may want to
generate your own simple clock signal and not depend on the internal clock of your
development board or equipment like a function generator or digital writer.

The 555 Timer oscillator is one of the most common circuits used in introductory electronics.
It is a favorite among beginners because of its low cost and ease of design. These are
precisely the same reasons the 555 Timer is used in the Random Number Generator design.

In this activity you will simulate and create a 555 Timer oscillator. You will observe the effect
that varying the value of its resistor and capacitor values has on the oscillation frequency and
duty cycle.

Equipment
● Circuit Design Software (CDS)

● 555 timer Integrated Circuit (IC)

● Resistors and capacitors

● #22 Gauge solid wire

● Breadboard

Procedure
1. For the 555 Timer oscillator circuit shown below, calculate the frequency and duty
cycle of the output signal based on the component values shown.

© 2014 Project Lead The Way, Inc.


Digital Electronics Activity 1.2.5 The 555 Timer – Page 1
T = .693(330 + (2)(330)) x 22uF = 15.1 ms
f = 1/.0151s = 66.2Hz
DC = (660/990) x 100 = 67%
2. Use the CDS to enter and simulate the 555 Timer oscillator circuit. Use the
oscilloscope’s markers to make the necessary measurements. Determine the
frequency and duty cycle of the output signal. How do these values compare to the
calculated values?
f = 49.7 Hz, DC = 75% Duty Cycle
The values are quite similar, but there is about a 10% margin of error for the
Duty Cycle, and the frequency is about 16 Hz lower.

3. Repeat steps (1) and (2) for each set of component values in the table shown below.
Note that the shaded areas are the values that were measured from the original circuit.
RA RB C2 Period(T) Frequency(f) tH tL Duty Cycle
.006
100 Ω 330 Ω 22 μF 11.58ms 86Hz .005 57
55
330 Ω 330 Ω 22 μF 15.09ms 66 .010 .005 66
.013
560 Ω 330 Ω 22 μF 18.60ms 53 .005 73
5
.006 .001
330 Ω 100 Ω 22 μF 8.08ms 123 81
55 5
330 Ω 330 Ω 22 μF 15.09ms 66 .010 .005 66
.013 .008
330 Ω 560 Ω 22 μF 22.11ms 45 61
5 5
.004 .002
330 Ω 330 Ω 10 μF 6.86ms 145 67
57 3
330 Ω 330 Ω 22 μF 15.09ms 66 .010 .005 66
.010
330 Ω 330 Ω 47 μF 32.25ms 31 .021 65
7

4. Review the results of the data collected in step (3) of the procedure.

● What effect did varying the RA have on the frequency and duty cycle?

The higher the RA value, the lower the frequency, and the higher the duty
cycle

● What effect did varying the RB have on the frequency and duty cycle?

The higher the RB value, the lower the frequency and the lower the duty
cycle

© 2014 Project Lead The Way, Inc.


Digital Electronics Activity 1.2.5 The 555 Timer – Page 2
● What effect did varying the C2 have on the frequency and duty cycle?

The higher the C value, the lower the frequency value and duty cycle

In the previous activity you created a 4-bit counter that counted from 0-15 in binary.
We used a provided clock source. (Internal clock in the development board or a
software generated clock source).
Using what you have learned about the relationships between RA, RB, C2 and how
they impact the frequency output of the clock signal, create your own 555 Timer
oscillator circuit on your development board.
(Note: The simulation was helpful in determining how RA, RB, and C2 impact the 555
Timer oscillator design. However, the software simulated frequency can be affected
by the processor on your computer. The frequency rate may appear slightly different in
your actual design compared to your simulated design. Also, your design may be
limited by the resistors and capacitors available.)
Simulation
5. Once you have your 555 Timer circuit functioning, use the clock signal to trigger the 4-
bit binary counter you created previously.

The combination of the 555 Timer and the binary counter creates a counter where X1
goes on and off and X2 goes goes on and off every 2 times X1 blinks, displaying the
counter up to 15.
Breadboard
6. Create the circuit on your breadboard. (Remember you may need to use different
resistor and capacitor values to find a clock signal rate you are comfortable with.
You will need to locate the datasheets for the 555 timer and 74LS74 D Flip-flop.

© 2014 Project Lead The Way, Inc.


Digital Electronics Activity 1.2.5 The 555 Timer – Page 3
© 2014 Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Digital Electronics Activity 1.2.5 The 555 Timer – Page 4

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