555 Layout

Ground 8 Vcc
1
Trigger 2 7 Discharge
Output 3 6 Threshold
Reset 4 5 Control

Also available:
•556 (two-555’s in one DIP package)
•555 in a “metal can” configuration
Vcc
8 Discharge
Ground 1 7

Trigger 2 6 Threshold

Output 3 5 Control
4
Reset

555.1
555.2

Astable Multivibrator
 Reference and Comparators
The Comparators
provide digital logic
A 3-resistor to an SR Latch
voltage divider
provides
reference
voltages

Comparators compare voltage

levels.
•If “+” is higher, output = 1
•If “-” is higher, output = 0
555.3
 Reference and Comparators

Pin 8: Vcc Pin 6: “Threshold”

connection connection (high
Comparator)

Pin 5: “Control”
connection,
used with filter
cap.

Pin 2: “Trigger”
Pin 1: Gnd connection (low
connection Comparator)

555.4
 Latch and Output
The Q’ output controls
The SR Latch the transistor (“on” or The transistor
holds its output “off”). acts like a switch.
states

The reset input can be

used to enable or The buffer has important
disable the timer. electrical functions.
555.5
 Animated Slides
The following slides contain animations to demonstrate the
operations of:
555 as an astable: charge cycle
555 as an astable: discharge cycle

555.6
 + <> -

01

01
10
10
- <> + Vc

Capacitor
Q’ is Charges
Latch
low; viastate
inQ aoutput
set Rais and
high Rb
Capacitor
Lower
Upper continues
comparator
comparator to charge
provides
+ input logic
is
Latch
Q’ is
Transistor receives
high;
is Q
“on” a reset
output
and a state
is low
connection
Capacitor
greater thanbegins
low. Latch to state.
in hold
2/3 Vcc discharge
reference
to ground is made.

555.7 Animated charge cycle

 - >< +

01
10
01
10
+ <> - Vc

Capacitor
Upper is discharging.
comparator
Latch in a +
hold Q output
voltage
state. less
Lower comparator
Latch is
is set.
low. Q’+ voltage
is low. is
than Q output
reference is high.
Transistor
greater than – voltage.
is “off”. Capacitor
voltage.
begins to charge.

555.8 Animated discharge cycle

555.9
555.10