555 IC TIMER

INTRODUCTION

 The 555 timer is one of the most popular and versatile integrated circuits ever produced. It includes 23 transistors, 2 diodes and 16 resistors on a silicon chip installed in an 8-pin mini dual-in-line package (DIP). 8-pin IC It is an integrated circuit (chip) implementing a variety of timer and multivibrator applications. Composed of 2 comparators, one ohmic ladder, one flip- flop and discharging transistor. Capable of producing accurate time delays or oscillations. Use in analog and digital application.

Pins of the 555 timer are as follows: Ground- connection for chip. Trigger 555 timer- triggers when this pin transitions from voltage at Vcc to 33% voltage at Vcc. - Output pin goes high when triggered. Output pin of 555 timer Reset - Resets 555 timer when low. Vcc- 5V to 15 V supply input. Discharge - Used to discharge a capacitor. Threshold - Used to detect when the capacitor has charged. - The Output pin goes low when capacitor has charged to 66.6% of Vcc. Control Voltage- Used to change Threshold and Trigger set point voltages.

ADVANTAGES
Low- cost High operating voltage (5- 15V) High powered IC Can be triggered by small amount of current

HISTORY
The IC was designed and invented by Hans R. Camenzind. It was designed in 1970 and introduced in 1971 by Signetics (later acquired by Philips). The original name was the SE555/NE555 and was called "The IC Time Machine". Even today, Samsung in Korea manufactures over 1 billion units per year (2003).

DIFFERRENT VERSIONS OF 555 IC TIMER

NE555 - it is the most popular version of 555 IC.

SPECIFICATIONS OF NE555:
Supply voltage (VCC)- 4.5 to 15 V Supply current (VCC = +5 V)- 3 to 6 mA Supply current (VCC = +15 V)- 12 to 15 mA Output current (maximum)- 200 mA Power dissipation- 600 mW Operating temperature - 0 to 70 C

 ICM7555 - low power version of 555 IC TIMER - has a maximum output current of 20mA with a 9V supply - same pin arrangement as a standard 555 IC

556
Dual version of the 555 Housed in 14-pin package

LM555 TIMER
It is a highly stable device for generating accurate time delays or oscillation. Additional terminals are provided for triggering or resetting if desired. In the time delay mode of operation, the time is precisely controlled by one external resistor and capacitor.

Features: Direct replacement for SE555/NE555 Timing from microseconds through hours Operates in both astable and monostable modes Adjustable duty cycle Output can source or sink 200 mA Output and supply TTL compatible Temperature stability better than 0.005% per C Normally on and normally off output Available in 8-pin MSOP package

1. 2. 3. 4.

Monostable Operation Astable Operation Bistable Operation Inverting Buffer Operation

Monostable Operation
A monostable circuit produces a single output pulse when triggered. It is called a monostable because it is stable in just one state: 'output low'. The 'output high' state is temporary.

The monostable (one-pulse) operation can be understood as consisting of these events in sequence: (up to t = 0) A closed switch keeps the C uncharged: Vc = 0, Vout is low. 1. (at t = 0) A triggering event occurs: Vtrigger drops below Vcontrol/2, very briefly. This causes the switch to open. 2. (0 < t < t1) Vc(t) rises exponentially toward Vcc with time constant RC. Vout is high. 3. (at t = t1) Vc reaches Vcontrol. This causes the switch to close, which instantly discharges the C. 4. (from t = t1 on) A closed switch keeps the C uncharged: Vc = 0, Vout is low.

The monostable 555 timer circuit can be used in the following applications: 1. Debounce a momentary / pushbutton switch. 2. Turning on an actuator for a set period of time. 3. Turn an output from a resistive sensor from analog signal to digital signal.

Astable Operation
An astable circuit produces a 'square wave', this is a digital waveform with sharp transitions between low (0V) and high (+Vs). Note that the durations of the low and high states may be different. The circuit is called an astable because it is not stable in any state: the output is continually changing between 'low' and 'high'.

The astable (pulse train) operation can be understood as consisting of these events, starting at a point where Vc = Vcontrol/2: 1. (at t = 0) Vc = Vcontrol/2, and the switch opens. 2. (0 < t < t1) Vc(t) rises exponentially toward Vcc with time constant (R1+R2)C. Vout is high. 3. (at t = t1) Vc reaches Vcontrol. This causes the switch to close. 4. (t1 < t < t1 + t2) Vc(t) falls exponentially toward zero with time constant R2C. Vout is low. 5. (at t = t1 + t2 = T) Vc reaches Vcontrol/2. This causes the switch to open. These conditions are the same as at step 1, so the cycle repeats every T seconds.

The astable 555 timer circuit can be used in the following applications: 1. Modulate transmitters such as ultrasonic and IR transmitters. 2. Create an accurate clock signal. 3. Turn on and off an actuator at set time intervals for a fixed duration.

Bistable Operation
The circuit is called a bistable because it is stable in two states: output high and output low. It is also known as a 'flip-flop'.

It has two inputs: Trigger (555 pin 2) makes the output high. Trigger is 'active low', it functions when < 1/3 Vs. Reset (555 pin 4) makes the output low. Reset is 'active low', it resets when < 0.7V.

Inverting Buffer Operation

It is an Inverting Buffer or NOT Gate because the output logic state (low/high) is the inverse of the input state: Input low (< 1/3 Vs) makes output high, +Vs Input high (> 2/3 Vs) makes output low, 0V

555 inverting buffer circuit (a NOT gate)

NOT gate symbol

APPLICATIONS

1. Dark Detector It will sound an alarm if it gets too dark all over sudden. The LDR enables the alarm when light falls below a certain level.

2. Power Alarm This circuit can be used as a audible 'Powerout Alarm'. It uses the 555 timer as an oscillator biased off by the presence of line-based DC voltage.

3. Tilt Switch It shows how to use a 555 timer and a small glass-encapsulated mercury switch to indicate 'tilt'.

4.. Metronome A device that produces a regulated aural, visual or tactile pulse to establish a steady tempo in the performance of music.

5. Ten-Minute Timer Can be used as a time-out warning for Ham Radio.

6. Schmitt Trigger It cleans up any noisy input signal in a nice, clean and square output signal.

Other Applications
Generate a single pulse. Debounce a switch create a clean pulse when a noisy switch is pressed. Generate a time delay.

 Measure time elapsed between events. Measure time duration of events. Measure frequency of a pulse train.

 Generate a pulse train of specified duty cycle and frequency. Create a variable-frequency train of pulses. Generate interesting sounds (sirens, two-tone alternation, dial tone, busy signal, etc.).

STEPPER MOTOR

STEPPER MOTOR
A stepper motor is a digital version of the electric motor. The predecessor of the stepper motor was the servo motor. Today

Stepper motor vs servo motor.

Characteristics
Stepper speed characteristics.

Characteristics
5V Stepper Motor 12V Stepper Motor

Rated Voltage: 5 VDC Rated Current: .1 amps (100 mA) Phase Resistance: 50 ohms Weight: 135 g Unipolar 6 wire 5 Degrees per step Shaft Size: 1/8 dia. X 9/16 length

Rated Voltage: 12 VDC Rated Current: .16 amps (160 mA) Size: 1.70" D x 1.125" H Weight: 235 g Unipolar 5 wire 3.6 degrees per step

OPERATION

PHASE SWITCHING SEQUENCES

FULL STEP
Using a simple two phase stepping motor with one pole pair as an example the phase switching sequence when driven in full step mode is as follows:

PHASE SWITCHING SEQUENCES

Start = Step angle 0 - Windings W1 and W2 are energized producing a north and south pole which attracts the rotor's respective poles and holds the rotor in position. Step 1 = Step angle 90 - Winding W1 remains the same but the current flow in winding W2 is switched (reversed). This results in a movement of the stator's magnetic field which the rotor follows until it is held at the new position.

PHASE SWITCHING SEQUENCES

Step 2 = Step angle 180 - This time the current flow in Winding W1 is switched (reversed) and W2 stays the same. Again, the stator's magnetic field moves, the rotor follows and is held in the new position. Step 3 = Step angle 270 - Winding W1 stays as before, the current flow in W2 is switched (reversed) and the rotor follows the stator field to it's new position.

PHASE SWITCHING SEQUENCES

HALF STEP Using the same stepping motor driven in half step mode doubles the resolution (steps per rotation). Although the switching sequence is similar, instead of just reversing the flow of current through a phase, a phase is switched off, allowing the rotor to follow and take up even more positions. The sequence for one rotation is as follows:

PHASE SWITCHING SEQUENCES

PHASE SWITCHING SEQUENCES

Construction
Stepping motors are electromagnetic, rotary, incremental devices which convert digital pulses into mechanical rotation

The benefits offered by stepping motors include: a simple and cost effective design high reliability maintenance free (no brushes) open loop (no feed back device required) known limit to the 'dynamic position error'

Although various types of stepping motor have been developed, they all fall into three basic categories.
variable reluctance (V.R) permanent magnet (tin can) hybrid

variable reluctance or V.R.

motor consist of a rotor and stator each with a different number of teeth. As the rotor does not have a permanent magnet it spins freely

permanent magnet (PM) or tin can

motor is perhaps the most widely used stepping motor in non-industrial applications. In it's simplest form the motor consists of a radially magnetized permanent magnet rotor and a stator similar to the V.R. motor.

The Hybrid
probably the most widely used of all stepping motors. Originally developed as a slow speed synchronous PM motor it's construction is a combination of the V.R. and tin can designs. The Hybrid consists of a multi-phased toothed stator and a three part rotor (single stack).

The increasing demands on the modern stepping motor system of reducing acoustic noise, improving drive performance while at the same time reducing costs were satisfied in the past with two main types of Hybrid stepping motor. The 2 phase which has generally been implemented in simple applications and the 5 phase which has proven to be ideal for more the demanding of tasks

The advantages offered by the 5 phase included: higher resolution lower acoustic noise lower operational resonance lower detent torque

Although the characteristics of the 5 phase offered many benefits; especially when micro stepping, the increased number of power switches and the additional wiring required could have an adverse affect on a system's cost.

With advances in electronics allowing circuits with ever higher degrees of integration and ever more features to be realized, SIG Positec saw an opportunity and took the initiative in their ground breaking development in stepping motor technology.

The 3 phase Hybrid stepping motor

Although similar in construction to other Hybrid stepping motors (see fig. 4), implementing 3-phase sine drive technology made it possible for the number of motor phases to be reduced leaving the number of rotor pole pairs and the drive electronics to determine the resolution (steps per revolution).

As 3-phase technology has been used for decades as a cost effective method of generating rotating fields, the advantages of this system are self evident. The 3-phase stepping motor was therefore a natural progression incorporating all the best features from the 5-phase system at a significant cost reduction.

Stepping motor resolution and step angle As already mentioned, the resolution (number of steps) and step angle of a stepping motor is dependent on: the number of rotor pole pairs the number of motor phases the drive mode (full or half step)

RESONANCE

The term used for the effect which occurs when a stepping motor is stepped at its natural oscillating frequency. Stepping at this natural frequency can result in the stepping motor desynchronizing or even stalling.

A stepping motor's resonance can be calculated using the formula:

Stepper Motors, Servos, and RC Servos

STEPPER MOTOR
A stepper motor (or step motor) is a brushless, synchronous electric motor that can divide a full rotation into a large number of steps. The motor's position can be controlled precisely, without any feedback mechanism

SERVOS
A servomechanism, or servo is an automatic device which uses error-sensing feedback to correct the performance of a mechanism. The term correctly applies only to systems where the feedback or errorcorrection signals help control mechanical position or other parameters. For example an automotive power window control is not a servomechanism, as there is no automatic feedback which controls position the operator does this by observation.

RC SERVOS
RC servos are hobbyist remote control devices servos typically employed in radio-controlled models, where they are used to provide actuation for various mechanical systems such as the steering of a car, the flaps on a plane, or the rudder of a boat. RC servos are composed of a DC motor mechanically linked to a potentiometer. Pulse-position modulation (PPM) signals sent to the servo are translated into position commands by electronics inside the servo. When the servo is commanded to rotate, the DC motor is powered until the potentiometer reaches the value corresponding to the commanded position. Due to their affordability, reliability, and simplicity of control by microprocessors, RC servos are often used in small-scale robotics applications.