INTELLIGENT SWITCH

T
his intelligent switch circuit ena- remains de-en-
bles automatic, switching on of ergised. How-
an emergency light system during ever, during
darkness in the event of mains failure. darkness, pho-
The mains power failure condition to transistor
is detected by the section consisting is cut-off and
of mains step-down transformer X1 therefore tran-
followed by bridge rectifier comprising sistor T2 re-
diodes D1 through D4 and smoothing ceives forward
capacitor C1. If the mains is available base bias via
then it causes energisation of relay resistor R1
RL1 which has two sets of changeover (connected to
contacts. positive rail),
The light/darkness condition is de- as resistor R2
tected by the circuit comprising photo- is no more
transistor FPT100/2N5777 followed by grounded (via
Darlington pair comprising transistors photo-transis-
T2 and T3. However, this section will tor T1). As a
function only when mains supply is result, relay
not available (i.e. when relay RL1 is in RL2 gets en-
de-energised state) since battery supply ergised.
(negative lead) path gets completed via Thus it
lower N/C contact of relay RL1. would be ob-
During daylight, photo transistor served that
conducts and places transistor T2 base when mains is
near ground potential. Thus Darlington absent (relay RL1 de-energised) and it output path is complete. In any other
pair remains cut-off and relay RL2 is dark (relay RL2 energised), the switch condition switch output path would get
broken. The switch output terminals can
Period Conditions Switch status
be used (in series with supply) to control
a lighting system directly or indirectly
During daylight
[
(when mains is present
(when mains is absent) ] intelligent switch is ‘off ’.
through another contactor/heavy-duty
relay depending upon the load.
During night darkness
[ (when mains is absent) ]
(when mains is present) intelligent switch is ‘off ’.
intelligent switch is ‘on’.
The working of the intelligent switch
is summarised in the table.

200 ELECTRONICS PROJECTS Vol. 19

 circuit
ideas

Long-Range IR Transmitter s.c. dwiv

edi

 EFY Lab
IR laser pointer as the IR signal source.
The laser pointer is readily available in

M
ost of the IR remotes work re-
liably within a range of 5 me-
tres. The circuit complexity
increases if you design the IR transmit-
ter for reliable operation over a longer
range, say, 10 metres. To double the
range from 5 metres to 10 metres, you
need to increase the transmitted power
Fig. 1: Circuit of the long-range ir transmitter
four times.
If you wish
to realise a
highly direc-
tional IR beam
(very narrow
Fig. 2: Pin configurations
beam), you can
of bc547/557 and bS170 suitably use an
the market. However, with a very nar- duces the power loss that would result
row beam from the laser pointer, you if a transistor were used. To avoid any
have to take extra care, lest a small jerk dip during its ‘on’/‘off’ operations, a
to the gadget may change the beam 100μF reservoir capacitor C2 is used
orientation and cause loss of contact. across the battery supply. Its advan-
Here is a simple circuit that will tage will be more obvious when the
give you a pretty long range. It uses IR transmitter is powered by ordinary
three infrared transmitting LEDs (IR1 batteries. Capacitor C2 supplies extra
charge during ‘switch-
ing on’ operations.
As the MOSFET ex-
hibits large capacitance
across gate-source ter-
minals, a special drive
arrangement has been
made using npn-pnp
Darlington pair of
BC547 and BC557 (as
emitter followers), to
avoid distortion of the
gate drive input. Data
(CMOS-compatible) to
be transmitted is used
for modulating the 38
kHz frequency gener-
ated by CD4047 (IC1).
However, in the circuit
shown here, tactile
switch S1 has been
used for modulating
through IR3) in series to increase the and transmitting the IR signal.
radiated power. Further, to increase Assemble the circuit on a gen-
the directivity and so also the power eral-purpose PCB. Use switch S2 for
density, you may assemble the IR LEDs power ‘on’/‘off’ control. Commer-
inside the reflector of a torch. cially available IR receiver modules
For increasing the circuit efficiency, (e.g., TSOP1738) could be used for
a MOSFET (BS170) has been used, efficient reception of the transmitted
which acts as a switch and thus re- IR signals. 

w w w. e f y m ag . co m e l e c t ro n i c s f o r yo u • S e p t e m b e r 2 0 0 8 • 1 0 9
 Long-range FM Transmitter
S
everal circuits for constructing FM
transmitters have been published
in EFY. The power output of most
of these circuits were very low because
no power amplifier stages were incorpo-
rated.
The transmitter circuit described here
has an extra RF power amplifier stage,
after the oscillator stage, to raise the
power output to 200-250 milliwatts. With
a good matching 50-ohm ground—plane
antenna or multi-element Yagi antenna,
this transmitter can provide reasonably
good signal strength up to a distance of
about 2 kilometres.
The circuit built around transistor
T1 (BF494) is a basic low-power vari-
able-frequency VHF oscillator. A varicap an aluminium sheet. VR2 is used for power control. For hum-
diode circuit is included to change the fre- Coil winding details are given below: free operation, operate the transmitter
quency of the transmitter and to provide L1 – 4 turns of 20 SWG wire close on a 12V rechargeable battery pack of
frequency modulation by audio signals. wound over 8mm diameter plastic 10 x 1.2-volt Ni-Cd cells. Transistor T2
The output of the oscillator is about 50 former. must be mounted on a heat sink. Do
milliwatts. Transistor T2 (2N3866) forms L2 – 2 turns of 24 SWG wire near top not switch on the transmitter without
a VHF-class A power amplifier. It boosts end of L1. a matching antenna. Adjust both trim-
the oscillator signals’ power four to five (Note: No core (i.e. air core) is used for mers (VC1 and VC2) for maximum
times. Thus, 200-250 milliwatts of power the above coils) transmission power. Adjust potentiom-
is generated at the collector of transistor L3 – 7 turns of 24 SWG wire close eter VR1 to set the centre frequency
T2. wound with 3mm diameter air core. near 100 MHz.
For better results, assemble the circuit L4 – 7 turns of 24 SWG wire-wound on This transmitter should only be used
on a good-quality glass epoxy board and a ferrite bead (as choke) for educational purposes. Regular trans-
house the transmitter inside an alumini- Potentiometer VR1 is used to set the mission using such a transmitter without
um case. Shield the oscillator stage using centre frequency whereas potentiometer a licence is illegal in India.

ELECTRONICS PROJECTS Vol. 20

 LOW-COST PCO BILLING METER
T
he circuit presented here can be
used in PCOs for displaying the
actual bill. The comparative
disadvantages of the presented circuit are
as follows:
1. The calculator used along with this
circuit is required to be switched ‘on’
manually before making a call.
2. Certain manual entries have to be
made in the calculator; for example, for
a pulse rate of Rs 1.26, number 1.26 is
to be entered after switching ‘on’ the
calculator followed by pressing of ‘+’
button twice. However, possibility exists
for automating these two functions by
using additional circuitry.
In telephony, on-hook condition is
represented by existance of 48V to 52V
across the line. Similarly, the off-hook
condition is represented by the line
voltage dropping to a level of 8V to 10V
(depending upon the length of the local
lead line (local loop) from telephone
exchange to the subscriber’s premises as
188 ELECTRONICS PROJECTS Vol. 21
well as upon the impedance of telephone
instrument). Handset is normally lifted
either for dialing or in response to a ring.
In the circuit shown in Fig. 1, when
the handset is off-hook, the optocoupler
MCT2E (IC1) conducts and forward
biases transistor T1, which, in turn,
forward biases transistor T2 and
energises relay RL1. In energised
condition of relay, the upper set of relay
contacts connects the positive supply rail
to PLL (phase-
locked loop) IC2
(LM567) pin 4,
while the lower set
of relay contacts
couples the positive
telephone lead to
input pin 3 of
LM567 via
capacitor C1 and
resistor R3.
The negative
telephone lead is
permanently
capacitively coupled to ground via
capacitor C2. As soon as call matures,
16kHz tone pulses would be pumped into
the telephone line by the telephone
exchange at suitable intervals. This
interval depends on the pulse rate of the
place called and also the time of the day
and whether it’s a working-day or
holiday. On receipt of 16kHz pulse,
output pin 8 of IC LM567 (which is tuned
for centre frequency of 16 kHz) goes ‘low’
for the duration of the pulse. The output
of IC2 is coupled via transistor T3 to
optocoupler IC3. The output of this
optocoupler is used to bridge the ‘=’
button on a calculator (such as Taksun
make), which has the effect of pressing
the ‘=’ button of the calculator.
Considering that pulse rate for a
specific town/time/day happens to be Rs
1.26 per pulse, then before maturity of
the call one enters 1.26 followed by
pressing of ‘+’ key twice. Now, if a total
of ten billing pulses have been received
from exchange for the duration of the call,
then on completion of the call, the
calculator display would show 12.60. The
telephone operator has to bill the
customer Rs 14.60 (Rs 12.60 towards call
charges plus Rs 2.00 towards service
charges).
For tuning of the PLL circuit around
IC2, lift the handset and inject 16kHz
tone across the line input points.
Tune IC2 to centre frequency of 16 kHz
with the help of preset VR1. Proper
tuning of the PLL will cause LED
(D6) to glow even with a very low-
amplitude 16kHz tone.
EFY Lab note. Arrangement used for
simulating a 16kHz pulsed tone is shown
in Fig. 2. Push-to-on switch is used for
generation of fixed-duration pulse for
modulating and switching on a 16kHz
oscillator.
For more details regarding pulse
rates, pulse codes, etc, readers are
advised to go through the tariff rates and
pulse code information given in the
beginning pages of telephone directories,
such as MTNL, Delhi directory, Vol. I.
 Low Current, High
Voltage Power Supply
A
high voltage power supply is a
very useful source which can be Table
effectively used in many applica- Details of the Transformer Windings
tions like biasing of gas-discharge tubes Windings No. of Standard wire
and radiation detectors etc. Such a power turns gauge (SWG)
supply could also be used for protection of Primary 50 31
property by charging of fences. Here the Feedback 12 31
current requirement is of the order of a Secondary 1650 41
few microamps. In such an application,
high voltage would essentially exist be-
tween a ‘live’ wire and ground. When this
‘live’ wire is touched, the discharge occurs
via body resistance and it gives a non-le-
thal but deterrent shock to an intruder.
The circuit is built around a transis-
torised blocking oscillator. An important
element in this circuit is the transformer.
It can be fabricated using easily available
ferrite core. Two ‘E’ sections of the core
are joined face-to-face after the enamelled
copper wire wound on former is placed in
it. The details of the transformer windings
are given in the Table.
In this configuration, the primary wind-
ing and the feedback winding are arranged about 24V(p-p). This gets further ampli- adjusted by varying the supply voltage.
such that a sustained oscillations are en- fied due to the large step-up ratio of the The present configuration gives 2 kV for an
sured once the supply is switched on. The transformer and we get about 800V(p-p) input DC voltage of 15 V. Though higher
waveform’s duty cycle is asymmetrical, but across the secondary. A simple series volt- voltages could be achieved by increas-
it is not very important in this application. age multiplier (known as Cockroft-Walton ing input supply, one word of caution is
Please note that if the oscillations do not oc- circuit) is used to boost up this voltage necessary: that the component ratings
cur at the ‘switch-on’ time, the transformer in steps to give a final DC voltage of about have to be kept in mind. If the ratings
winding terminals of the feedback or the 2 kV. are exceeded then there will be electrical
primary winding (but not both) should be The output voltage, however, is not discharges and breakdowns, which will
reversed. very well regulated. But if there is a damage the device.
The primary oscillations amplitude is constant load, the final voltage can be

ELECTRONICS PROJECTS Vol. 20

 MAGIC LIGHTS
T
he circuit as shown in the figure
employs 14 bi-colour (red and
green) LEDs having three termi-
nals each. Different dancing colour pat-
terns are produced using this circuit since
each LED can produce three different
colours. The middle terminal (pin 2) of the
LEDs is the common cathode pin which is
grounded. When a positive voltage is ap-
plied to pin 1, it emits red light. Similarly,
when positive voltage is applied to pin 3. it
emits green light. And when positive volt-
age is simultaneously applied to its pins 1
and 3, it emits amber light. The circuit can
be used for decorative lights.
IC1 (555) is used in astable mode to
generate clock signal for IC2 and IC3
(CD4518) which are dual BCD counters.
Both counters of each of these ICs have
been cascaded to obtain 8 outputs from
each. The outputs from IC2 and IC3 are
connected to IC4 through IC7 which are
BCD to 7-segment latch/decodor/driver
ICs. Thus we obtain a total of 14 seg-
ment outputs from each of the IC pairs
consisting of IC4 plus IC5 and IC6 plus
IC7. While outputs from former pair
are connected to pin No. 1 of all the
14 bi-colour LEDs via current limiting
resistors, the ouputs of the latter pair
are similarly connected to pin No.3 of
all the bi-colour LEDs to get a magical
dancing lights effect.
ELECTRONICS PROJECTS Vol. 19 187
 Magnetic Proximity Switch
H
ere is an interesting circuit for a
magnetic proximity switch which
can be used in various applica-
tions.
The circuit, consists of a reed switch
at its heart. When a magnet is brought
in the vicinity of the sensor (reed switch),
its contacts close to control the rest
of the switching circuit. In place of the
reed switch, one may, as well, use a
general-purpose electromagnetic reed
relay (by making use of the reed switch
contacts) as the sensor, if required. These
tiny reed relays are easily available as
they are widely used in telecom products.
The reed switch or relay to be used with a consequence its output at pin 3 is used. Note that the flip-flop is wired
this circuit should be the ‘normally open’ goes high for a short duration and in toggle mode with data input (pin 5)
type. supplies clock to the clock input connected to the Q (pin 2) output. On
When a magnet is brought/placed (pin 3) of IC2 (CD4013—dual D-type receipt of clock pulse, the Q output at
in the vicinity of the sensor element flip-flop). LED D2 is used as a response pin 1 changes from low to high state and
for a moment, the contacts of the indicator. due to this the relay driver transistor
reed switch close to trigger timer This CMOS IC2 consists of two inde- T1 gets forward-biased. As a result the
IC1 wired in monostable mode. As pendent flip-flops though here only one relay RL1 is energised.

ELECTRONICS PROJECTS Vol. 20

 CIRCUIT
IDEAS

MEDIUM-POWER S.C. DW
IVEDI

FM TRANSMITTER
„ PRADEEP G. in RF stages as oscillator.) The third tenna. For the
stage is a class-A tuned amplifier that maximum range,

T
he range of this FM transmi- boosts signals from the oscillator. Use use a sensitive re-
tter is around 100 metres at 9V of the additional RF amplifier increases ceiver. VC1 is a
DC supply. the range of the transmitter. frequency-adjust-
The circuit comprises three stages. Coil L1 comprises four turns of ing trimpot. VC2
The first stage is a microphone pream- 20SWG enamelled copper wire wound should be adjusted
plifier built around BC548 transistor. to 1.5cm length of a 4mm dia. air core. Fig. 2: Pin for the maximum
configurations of
The next stage is a VHF oscillator wired Coil L2 comprises six turns of 20SWG transistors BC548
range. The trans-
around another BC548. (BC series tran- enamelled copper wire wound on a and C2570 mitter unit is pow-
sistors are generally used in low-fre- 4mm dia. air core.
quency stages. But these also work fine Use a 75cm long wire as the an-

Fig. 3: Walkie-talkie arrangement

ered by a 9V PP3 battery. It can be

combined with a readily available FM
receiver kit to make a walkie-talkie set
Fig. 1: FM transmitter as shown in Fig. 3. z

80 • AUGUST 2005 • ELECTRONICS FOR YOU WWW.EFYMAG.COM

CMYK

MICROMOTOR CONTROLLER
„ V. DAVID
U
sing this circuit, you can con-
trol the rotation of a DC
micromotor simply by press-
ing two push-to-on switches momen-
tarily.
The circuit is built around two
NE555 ICs (IC1 and IC2) and a quad-
NAND IC CD4011 (comprising NAND
gates N1 through N4). The NE555 ICs
(IC1 and IC2) are configured as invert-
ing buffers. IC CD4011 (IC3) NAND
gates are configured as bistable flip-
flop. The DC motor to be controlled is
WWW.EFYMAG.COM
connected between the outputs (pin 3)
of IC1 and IC2.
Closing switch S5 provides power
to the circuit. Now, when you press
switch S1 momentarily, pin 10 of IC3
goes high, while its pin 11 goes low.
Since pin 10 of IC3 is connected to reset
pin 4 of IC1 and IC2, the high output at
pin 10 of IC3 will enable IC1 and IC2
simultaneously. When switch S2 is
pressed, pin 10 of IC3 goes low, while
its pin 11 goes high. The low logic at
pin 10 disables both IC1 and IC2.
Switches S3 and S4 are used for
forward and reverse motion of the mo-
ELECTRONICS FOR YOU • APRIL 2005 • 63
CMYK
CIRCUIT
IDEAS
SUNIL K
UMAR
tor in conjunction with switch S1. If
you press switch S3 after pressing
switch S1, pin 3 of IC3 goes high, while
its pin 4 goes low. The motor now
starts rotating in the forward direction.
However, if you press switch S4 after
pressing switch S1, the motor will ro-
tate in reverse direction.
Note. The complete kit of this cir-
cuit can be obtained from
Kits‘n’Spares, 303, Dohil Chambers, 46,
Nehru Place, New Delhi 110019;
Phone: 011-26430523, 26449577;
Website: www.kitsnspares.com;
E-mail: kits@efyindia.com. z
CMYK

CIRCUIT
IDEAS

MUSICAL LIGHT CHASER S.C. DW

IVEDI

„ DEBARAJ KEOT ranged in zig-zag fashion. The bulb lighting effect generator circuit. You
sets glow one after another depending just need to place the gadget near the

T
his music-operated lighting ef- on the intensity of the audio signal. speakers of the music system.
fect generator comprises five No electrical connection is to be made Fig. 1 shows the complete circuit
sets of 60W bulbs that are ar- between the music system and the of the musical light chaser, while Fig.

Fig. 1: Circuit diagram of musical light chaser

82 • JANUARY 2005 • ELECTRONICS FOR YOU WWW.EFYMAG.COM

CMYK
2 shows pin configurations of 9V regu-
lator 7809, triac BT136 and level meter
IC LB1403.
The circuit is powered by regulated
9V DC. The AC mains is stepped down
by transformer X1 to deliver a second-
ary output of 12V AC at 250 mA. The
transformer output is rectified by a
full-wave rectifier comprising diodes
D1 and D2 and filtered by capacitors
C1 and C2. Regulator IC 7809 (IC1)
provides regulated 9V power supply
to the circuit. Closing switch S1 pro-
vides power to the circuit and LED1
glows to indicate that the circuit is
ready to work.
When you put your music system
in front of the condenser microphone
of the light chaser, the sound pressure
variation is converted into electrical
signals by the condenser microphone.
These weak electrical signals are am-
plified by op-amp µA741 (IC2), which
is configured as an inverting ampli-
fier. Using preset VR1 you can set the
sensitivity of the circuit.
The amplified output is fed to IC
LB1403 (IC3) at its input pin 8. IC3 is a
five-dot LED level meter commonly
used in stereo systems for LED
bargraph displays. It has a built-in am-
WWW.EFYMAG.COM
Fig. 2: Pin configuration
plifier, comparators and constant cur-
rent source at its output pins.
Depending on the intensity of the
input audio signals, all or some out-
puts of IC3 go low to drive transistors
T1 through T5, which, in turn, fire the
corresponding triacs TR1 through TR5
via their gates and multicoloured zig-
zag bulb sets comprising ZL1 through
ZL5 glow.
When the audio level is low, only
triac T1 is fired and the zig-zag bulb
set ZL1 turns on and off sequentially.
When the audio level is high, triacs
TR1 through TR5 get fired and all the
bulb sets (ZL1 through ZL5) turn on
and off sequentially.
Pin 7 of IC3 is used for selecting
the response speed of the lighting.
The larger the time constant, the
slower the response, and vice versa.
CIRCUIT
IDEAS
The time constant can be changed by
changing the values of resistor R6,
variable resistor VR2 and capacitor
C7. Here, variable resistor VR2 is used
for varying the response speed of the
chaser light as desired. When VR2 is
set in the minimum resistance posi-
tion, the response is very fast, and
when it is set at the maximum resis-
tance, the response is slow.
The complete circuit including the
power supply can be constructed on
any general-purpose PCB or
a small Vero board. Triacs TR1
through TR5 should be kept away
from the op-amp and its related com-
ponents. The metallic parts of the
triacs should not touch each other and
the other parts of the circuit. After
assembling the circuit, house it in a
suitable shockproof plastic cabinet.
Make some holes in the cabinet for
heat dissipation.
Note. 1. Some zig-zag lights have
a special bulb called ‘master bulb’ for
automatic flickering. It should be
removed and replaced with a simple
non-flickering colour bulb.
2. Never touch any naked part of
the circuit when it is connected to the
mains. z
ELECTRONICS FOR YOU • JANUARY 2005 • 83
 PARALLEL TELEPHONE
WITH SECRECY
O
ften a need arises for connection disconnects you toggle switch at
of two telephone instruments in in the other your telephone end
parallel to one line. But it creates position of the to receive the call
quite a few problems in their proper switch. At any and have a
performance, such as over loading and one time, only conversation. As
overhearing of the conversation by an one telephone is soon as the position
undesired person. In order to eliminate all connected to the of the toggle switch
such problems and get a clear reception, a line. To receive is changed, the line
simple scheme is presented here (Fig. 1). a call at the gets transferred to
This system will enable the incoming instrument, the other telephone
ring to be heard at both the telephones. which is not instrument.
The DPDT switch, installed with each of connected to the Mount one
the parallel telephones, connects you to line, you just DPDT toggle
the line in one position of the switch and have to flip the switch, one
telephone ringer, and one
telephone terminal box on
two wooden electrical
switchboards, as shown in
Fig. 3. Interconnect the
boards using a 4-pair
telephone cable as per Fig.
1. The system is ready to
use. Ensure that the two
lower leads of switch S2
are connected to switch S1
after reversal, as shown in
the figure.
Lab. Note: The
external ringer for the
project as shown in Fig. 2,
was designed/fabricated
at EFY Lab.

ELECTRONICS PROJECTS Vol. 21 181

 PC-Based 7-Segment
Rolling Display
It
is very interesting and con
venient to be able to control
everything while sitting at
your PC terminal. Here, a simple
hardware circuit and software is
used to interface a 7-segment based
rolling display.
The printer port of a PC pro-
vides a set of points with some act-
ing as input lines and some others
as output lines. Some lines are open
collector type which can be used as
input lines. The circuit given here
can be used for interfacing with any
type of PC’s printer port.
The 25-pin parallel port connec-
tor at the back of a PC is a combi-
nation of three ports. The address
varies from 378H-37AH. The 7 lines
of port 378H (pins 2 through 8) are
used in this circuit to output the
code for segment display through
IC1. The remaining one line of port
378H (pin 9) and four lines of port
37AH (pins 1, 14, 16, 17) are used
to enable the display digits (one a
time) through IC2.
The bits D0, D1 and D3 of port
37AH connected to pins 1, 14 and 17
of ‘D’ connector are inverted by the
computer before application to the pins PC places the 7-segment code for the first over and over again. Because of this rep-
while data bit D2 is not inverted. There- digit/character on the data bus and ena- etition at a fairly high rate, there is an
fore to get a logic high at any of former bles only the first 7-segment display. After illusion that all the digits/characters are
three pins, we must send logic 0 output to delay of a few milliseconds, the 7-segment continuously being displayed. DISP1 is to
the corresponding pin of port 37AH. code for the digit/character is replaced by be physically placed as the least signifi-
Another important concept illustrated that of the next charter/digit, but this time cant digit.
by the project is the time division multi- only second display digit is enabled. IC1 (74LS244) is an octal buffer which
plexing. Note that all the five 7-segment After the display of all characters/ is primarily used to increase the driving
displays share a common data bus. The digits in this way, the cycle repeats itself capability. It has two groups of four buff-

P r o g r a m
/*DISP.C*** PC BASED ROLLING clrscr(); delay(300);
DISPLAY */ for(f=200;f<=500;f+=100)
/* P.R.DESHMUKH*/ { }
#include<stdio.h> sound(f );
#include<conio.h> delay(100); else
#include<dos.h> } {
#define PORTA 0x378 nosound(); outportb(PORTB,0x0b);
#define PORTB 0x37a while (!kbhit()) outportb(PORTA,m[j]);
void main() { outportb(PORTA ,(m[j] || ( 0x80)));
{ for (j=0;j<=4;j++) delay(300);
int dno[6]={0x0a,0x09,0x0f,0x03,0x80}; { }
/* code for “hallo”*/ outportb(PORTA,m[j]); }
int m[5]={0x76,0x77,0x38,0x38,0x3f }; if(j<=3) }
/*code for the selection of display*/ { }
int f,j; outportb(PORTB,dno[j]);

ELECTRONICS PROJECTS Vol. 20

ers with non-inverted tri-state outputs.
The buffer is controlled by two active
low enable lines. IC2 (75492) can drive
a maximum of six 7-segment displays.
(For driving up to seven common-cathode
displays one may use ULN2003 described
in the previous circuit idea.)
The program for rolling display
is given in the listing DISP.C above.
ELECTRONICS PROJECTS Vol. 20
Whatever the message/characters to
be displayed (here five characters have
been displayed), these are separated
and stored in an array. Then these are
decoded.
Decoding software is very simple.
Just replace the desired character with
the binary equivalent of the display
code. The display code is a byte that
has the appropriate bits turned on. For
example, to display character ‘L’, the
segments to be turned on are f, e and
d. This is equivalent to 111000 binary
or 38 hex.
Please note that only limited char-
acters can be formed using 7-segment
display. Characters such as M, N and K
cannot be formed properly.
 PHONE BROADCASTER
H
ere is a simple yet very useful breakdown voltage (here 24V) and switch- tor T3 works as a common-emitter RF
circuit which can be used to ing voltage of the transistor T1 (0.7V). oscillator, with transistor T2 serving as
eavesdrop on a telephone con- Thus, if we adjust preset VR1 to get over an electronic ‘on’/‘off’ switch. The audio
versation. The circuit can also be used as 24.7 volts, it will cause the zener to signal available across the telephone lines
a wireless telephone amplifier. breakdown and transistor T1 to conduct. automatically modulates oscillator fre-
One important feature of this circuit As a result collector of transistor T1 will quency via transistor T2 along with its
is that the circuit derives its power di- get pulled towards negative supply, to cut series biasing resistor R3. The modu-
rectly from the active telephone lines, and off transistor T2. At this stage, if you lift lated RF signal is fed to the antenna. The
thus avoids use of any external battery the handset of the telephone, the line volt- telephone conversation can be heard on
or other power supplies. This not only age drops to about 11V and transistor T1 an FM receiver remotely when it is tuned
saves a lot of space but also money. It is cut off. As a result, transistor T2 gets to FM transmitter frequency.
consumes very low current from telephone forward biased through resistor R2, to pro- Lab Note: During testing of the cir-
lines without disturbing its performance. vide a DC path for transistor T3 used in cuit it was observed that the telephone
The circuit is very tiny and can be the following FM transmitter section. used was giving an engaged tone
built using a single-IC type veroboard that The low-power FM transmitter sec- when dialed by any subscriber. Addition
can be easily fitted inside a telephone tion comprises oscillator transistor T3, coil of resistor R5 and capacitor C6 was found
connection box of 3.75 cm x 5 cm. L1, and a few other components. Transis- necessary for rectification of the fault.
The circuit consists of two sec-
tions, namely, automatic switch-
ing section and FM transmitter
section.
Automatic switching section
comprises resistors R1 to R3,
preset VR1, transistors T1 and T2,
zener D2, and diode D1. Resistor
R1, along with preset VR1, works
as a voltage divider. When voltage
across the telephone lines is 48V
DC, the voltage available at wiper
of preset VR1 ranges from 0 to 32V
(adjustable). The switching voltage
of the circuit depends on zener

ELECTRONICS PROJECTS Vol. 21 167

 CIRCUIT
IDEAS

PICNIC LAMP S.C. DW

IVEDI

„ D. MOHAN KUMAR is a monostable multivibrator built white LED (LED1) through ballast re-
around low-power CMOS timer IC sistor R7.

Y
ou can take this white LED- 7555. Resistor R4 keeps trigger input The circuit can be easily assembled
based night lamp on your pic- pin 2 of the monostable normally high on a perforated board. Make the cir-
nic outings. The lamp has in the absence of the trigger input. cuit assembly as compact as possible
sound trigger and push-to-on facili- Timing elements R6 and C4 give a time to enclose in a small case. Use three
ties and gives ample light dur-
ing a walk at night. It will also
prove useful in locating the
door of your tent in the dark-
ness. A click of the fingers will
switch on the lamp for three
minutes to help you in a
strange place.
The circuit uses low-power
ICs to save the battery power.
JFET op-amp TL071 (IC1) am-
plifies the sound picked up by
the condenser microphone. Re-
sistor R1 and low-value capaci-
tor C1 (0.22µF) make the am-
plifier insensitive to very low-
frequency sounds, eliminating
the chance of false triggering.
VR1 is used to adjust the sensitivity of delay of three minutes. Reset pin 4 of 1.5V pen-light cells to power the cir-
the microphone and VR2 adjusts the IC2 is connected to the positive rail cuit. Adjust VR1 and VR2 suitably to
gain of IC1. through R5 and to the negative rail get sufficient sensitivity of IC1. Toggle
The amplified output from IC1 is through C2 to provide power-on-reset switch S1 can be used to switch on the
coupled to trigger pin 2 of IC2, which function. The output of IC2 powers the lamp like a torch. z

WWW.EFYMAG.COM ELECTRONICS FOR YOU • MARCH 2006 • 101

CMYK
 POWER-SUPPLY FAILURE ALARM
M
ost of the power-supply failure ‘low’ via resistor R8, it conducts and be omitted from the circuit. Following
indicator circuits need a sepa- sounds the buzzer (alarm) to give a points may be noted:
rate power-supply for them- warning of the power-failure. 1. At a higher DC voltage level, tran-
selves. But the alarm circuit presented With the value of C3 as shown, a good- sistor T1 (BC558) may pass some collec-
here needs no additional supply source. It quality buzzer would sound for about a tor-to-emitter leakage current, causing a
employs an electrolytic capacitor to store minute. By increasing or decreasing the continuous murmuring sound from the
adequate charge, to feed power to the value of capacitor C3, this time can be buzzer. In that case, replace it with some
alarm circuit which sounds an alarm for altered to serve one’s need. low-gain transistor.
a reasonable duration when the mains Assembly is quite easy. The values of 2. Piezo buzzer must be a continuous
supply fails. the components are not critical. If the tone version, with built-in oscillator.
During the presence of mains power alarm circuit is powered from any exter- To save space, one may use five small-
supply, the rectified mains voltage is nal DC power-supply source, the mains- sized 1000μF capacitors (in parallel) in
stepped down to a required low level. A supply section up to points ‘P’ and ‘M’ can place of bulky high-value capacitor C3.
zener is used to limit the
filtered voltage to 15-volt level.
Mains presence is indicated by
an LED. The low-level DC is
used for charging capacitor C3
and reverse biasing switching
transistor T1. Thus, transistor
T1 remains cut-off as long as
the mains supply is present. As
soon as the mains power fails,
the charge stored in the capaci-
tor acts as a power-supply
source for transistor T1. Since,
in the absence of mains supply,
the base of transistor is pulled

182 ELECTRONICS PROJECTS Vol. 21

 C I RC ICR U
C U I T
IT I D E A S
IDEAS

POWER-SUPPLY FAILURE ALARM the components are not critical. If the

alarm circuit is powered from any exter-
nal DC power-supply source, the mains-
EDI supply section up to points ‘P’ and ‘M’ can
DWIV be omitted from the circuit. Following
M.K. CHANDRA MOULEESWARAN S.C.
points may be noted:

M
1. At a higher DC voltage level, tran-
ost of the power-supply failure transistor T1. Since, in the absence of sistor T1 (BC558) may pass some collec-
indicator circuits need a sepa- mains supply, the base of transistor is tor-to-emitter leakage current, causing a
rate power-supply for them- pulled ‘low’ via resistor R8, it conducts continuous murmuring sound from the
selves. But the alarm circuit
presented here needs no addi-
tional supply source. It em-
ploys an electrolytic capacitor
to store adequate charge, to
feed power to the alarm cir-
cuit which sounds an alarm
for a reasonable duration
when the mains supply fails.
During the presence of
mains power supply, the rec-
tified mains voltage is stepped
down to a required low level.
A zener is used to limit the
filtered voltage to 15-volt
level. Mains presence is indicated by an and sounds the buzzer (alarm) to give a buzzer. In that case, replace it with some
LED. The low-level DC is used for charg- warning of the power-failure. low-gain transistor.
ing capacitor C3 and reverse biasing With the value of C3 as shown, a good- 2. Piezo buzzer must be a continuous
switching transistor T1. Thus, transistor quality buzzer would sound for about a tone version, with built-in oscillator.
T1 remains cut-off as long as the mains minute. By increasing or decreasing the To save space, one may use five small-
supply is present. As soon as the mains value of capacitor C3, this time can be sized 1000µF capacitors (in parallel) in
power fails, the charge stored in the ca- altered to serve one’s need. place of bulky high-value capacitor C3.
pacitor acts as a power-supply source for Assembly is quite easy. The values of "

ELECTRONICS FOR YOU ! JULY 2000

 PRECISION ATTENUATOR
WITH DIGITAL CONTROL
W
hen instruments are designed,
an analogue front-end is es-
sential. Further, as most equip-
ment have digital or microcontroller in-
terface, the analogue circuit needs to have
digital control/access.
The circuit of a programmable attenu-
ator with digital control is described here,
where digital control can be a remote dip
switch, or CMOS logic outputs of a de-
cade counter (having binary equivalent
weight of 1, 2, 4, and 8, respectively), or
I/O port of a microcontroller like 80C31.
The heart of this circuit is the popu-
lar OP07 op-amp with ultra-low offset in
the inverting configuration. A dual, 4-
channel CMOS analogue multiplexer
switch CD4052 enables the change in
gain. An innovative feature of the circuit
is that the ‘on’ resistance (around 100
ohms) of CD4052 switch is bypassed so
that no error is introduced by its use.
Resistors R1 to R6 used in the circuit
should be of 0.1 per cent tolerance, 50
ppm (parts per million) if you use 3½-
digit DPM, i.e. ±1999 counts (approx. 11
bits). But for 4½-digit DPM (approx. 14
bits), you may need to have trimpots (e.g.
replace 1k-ohm resistor R6 by a fixed 900-
ohm resistor in series with a 200-ohm
trimpot) to replace R3, R4, R5, and R6
gain selection resistors for proper calibra-
tion to required accuracy. However, for
testing or trials, use 1 per cent 100ppm
MFR resistors. The expected errors will
be around 1 per cent.
To keep parts count (hence cost) to a
minimum, the common or ground is
used as the positive input terminal and
one end of resistor R1 as the negative.
This is so because the op-amp inverts
the polarity as it is used in inverting
configuration. This does not matter as
the equipment will be isolated by the
power supply transformer and all polari-
ties are relative. In case you want the
common to be the negative, you will have
to add some stages (IC4 and IC5 circuitry
shown in precision amplifier circuit de-
scribed later).
The OP07 pinout is based on stan-
dard single op-amp 741. Any other
op-amp like CA3140, TLO71, or LF351
can be used but with offset errors in ex-
cess of 1 per cent, which is not tolerable
in precision instrumentation.
The OP07 has equivalent ICs like
μA741 and LM607 having ultra-low off-
set voltage (<100μV), low input bias
current (<10nA), and high input imped-
ance (>100M), which are the key require-
ments for a good instrumentation op-amp
for use with DC inputs.
The following design considerations
should be kept in mind:
(a) Input: 500V max
Since ¼W resistors can withstand up
to 250V, resistors R1 and R2 in series are
used for 1 meg-ohm with 500V (max) in-
put limit. These resistors additionally
limit the input current as well. Diodes D1
and D2 clamp the voltage across input of
op-amp to ±0.5V, thereby protecting the
Truth Table (Control input VS attenuation)
X,Y (ON-switch (2) (1) Gain
Pair) B A (Attenuation)
X0,Y0 0 0 1/1000
X1,Y1 0 1 1/100
X2,Y2 1 0 1/10
X3,Y3 1 1 1
op-amp.
(b) Output
The output can be connected to a 7107/
7135-based DPM or any other analogue-
to-digital converter or op-amp stage. Use
a buffer at the output if the output has to
be loaded by a load less than 1 meg-ohm.
Use an inverting buffer if input leads
have to have polarity where ground is the
inverting terminal. (For details, see next
circuit.)
(c) CD4052 CMOS switch
The on-resistance (100-ohm approx.)
comes in series with the op-amp output
source resistance, which produces no er-
ror at output.
Caution. The circuit does not isolate,
it only attenuates. When high voltage is
present at its input, do not touch any part
of the circuit.
(d) Digital control options
(i) A and B can be controlled by I/O
port of a microcontroller like 80C31 so
that the controller can control gain.
(ii) A and B can be given to counters
like 4029/4518 to scroll gain digitally.
(iii) A and B can be connected to DIP
switch.
(iv) A and B can be connected to a
thumbwheel switch.
Notes. 1. Digital input logic 0 is 0V
and logic 1 is 5V.
2. All resistors are metal film resis-
tors (MFR) with 1% tolerance, unless
specified otherwise.
3. C2 and C3 are ceramic disk capaci-
tors of 0.1μF = 100nF value.
ELECTRONICS PROJECTS Vol. 22
 PRECISION DIGITAL AC
POWER CONTROLLER
S
CRs and Triacs are
extensively used in
modern electronic power
controllers—in which power is
controlled by means of phase
angle variation of the conduction
period. Controlling the phase
angle can be made simple and
easy if we set different firing
times corresponding to different
firing angles. The design given
here is a synchronised program-
mable timer which achieves this
objective.
The following equation for a
sinewave shows how firing time
and the phase angle are related
to each other:
θ = 2πft or θ∝t
Here, θ is the angle described
by a sinewave in time t (seconds),
while f is the frequency of
sinewave in Hz. Time period T
(in seconds) of a sinewave is
equal to the reciprocal of its
frequency, i.e. T = 1/f. set again instantly for the next delay time.
The above equation indicates that This arrangement helps the timer to be
if one divides the angle described set for every half of mains wave—when
during one complete cycle of the the positive half of the mains waveform
sinewave (2π = 360o) into equal parts, starts building up, the timer is set for
then time period T of the wave will be that half and as it begins to cross zero, it
divided into identical equal parts. gets reset and set again for negative half,
Thus, it becomes fairly easy to set the when the negative half begins to build
different programmable timings up. The process is repeated. Here, instead
synchronised with the AC mains of using two zero crossing detectors—one
sinewave at zero crossing. The main for each half of mains wave—a single de-
advantage of such an arrangement, tector is used to perform both the
as already mentioned earlier, is that functions. This is possible because the
only the firing time has to be sampling wave for negative half is in-
programmed to set different firing verted by the rectifier diode bridge.
angles. It is to be noted that the The 18V AC from power transformer
more precise the timer, the more is fed to the four diodes in bridge
precise will be the power being con- configuration, followed by the filter ca-
trolled. pacitor which is again followed by a three-
In this circuit, the time period terminal voltage regulator IC LM7812.
of mains waveform is divided into The voltage so obtained drives the cir-
20 equal parts. So, there is a time cuit. The unfiltered voltage is isolated
interval of 1 ms between two con- from the filter capacitor by a diode and is
secutive steps. The sampling volt- fed to zener diode D8, which acts as a
age is unfiltered full-wave and is clipper to clip voltage above 6 volts.
obtained from the diode bridge at This voltage is fed to the base of
the output of the power transistor T1, which is wired as zero cross-
transformer. The timer is reset at ing detector. When base voltage reaches
every zero crossing of full wave and the threshold, it conducts. It thus sup-

174 ELECTRONICS PROJECTS Vol. 21

plies a narrow positive pulse which resets
the timer at every zero crossing.
A 32.768kHz crystal is used
to get stable output of nearly
1 kHz (1,024Hz) frequency after
five stages of binary division by
an oscillator-cum-divider IC CD4060. The
32.768kHz crystal is used because it can
be found in unused quartz clocks and is
readily available in the market. But use
of a 1kHz crystal using a quad-NAND IC
CD4093 as clock generator, as shown in
Fig. 2, is better as it provides the exact
time interval required. In that case,
CD4060 oscillator/divider is not required.
The CD4017B counter-cum-decoder IC
then divides this 1kHz signal into ten equal
intervals, which are programmed via the
single-pole, 10-way rotary switch. Once
the delayed output reaches the desired
time interval, the corresponding output of
CD4017 inhibits the counter CD4017 (via
pole of rotary switch and diode D6) and
fires the Triac. Transistor T2 here acts as
a driver transistor. The reset pin of 4017
is connected to zero crossing detector out-
put to reset it at every zero crossing. (The
load-current waveforms for a few positions
of the rotary switch, as observed at EFY
Lab, are shown in Fig. 3.)
The circuit can be used as power con-
troller in lighting equipment, hot-air oven,
universal single-phase AC motor, heater, etc.
ELECTRONICS PROJECTS Vol. 21 175
Precision 1Hz Clock Generator
using Chip-on-Board
U
sually the circuits for generation clock pulse has a very low amplitude Preset VR1
of 1Hz clock for applications in of the order of a few milli-volts which is offset null
digital clock and counter circuits cannot be used to drive the digital cir- control used to
make use of ICs in conjunction with cuits directly. This low-level voltage is adjust proper
a crystal and trimmer capacitors, etc. amplified several times by op-amp IC 1Hz pulse at the
However, similar or better accuracy can CA3140. output terminal
be achieved using a chip-on-board (COB) The op-amp CA3140 is connected in ‘E’. Connect one
device found inside a digital clock, which a non-inverting mode, and its gain is set LED in series
is readily available in the market for by resistors R4 and R3. Capacitor C2 with 220-ohm
Rs 15-20. This COB consists of IC, ca- reduces the AC gain and unwanted stray resistor between
pacitors and quartz crystal, etc which are pick-up and thus improves stability of the terminal ‘E’
mounted on its surface. It works on 1.4 the circuit. and ground and adjust preset VR1 till
volt DC source. This COB can be used to The input impedance of IC CA3140 the LED blinks once every second.
derive 1Hz clock. is very high and thus there is no drop When using the COB, affix the same
on a general-purpose
PCB using rubber
based adhesive and
solder the terminals
neatly using thin
single-strand wire.
Lab Note: The
COBs used in dif-
ferent watches
may differ some-
what in their
configuration.
But by trial-and-
error one can al-
ways find out the
appropriate points
corresponding to
Resistor R1, capacitor C3, diodes D1 at the input when 1Hz clock signal of points A, B, C and D. Figure of a sec-
and D2 shown in the circuit convert 5V low level is connected across its input ond COB used by EFY Lab is shown
DC into 1.4V DC. A ½Hz clock is avail- terminals from the COB. Amplified 1Hz alongside. The points A and B (on the
able at terminals A and B with a phase clock pulse is available at its output pin COB used by us) were observed to
difference of 90o. The two outputs, are 6, which is further amplified by transis- have complementary 1Hz outputs and
combined using capacitors C1 and C2 to tors T1 and T2 to drive the digital clocks hence anyone (only) could be used as
obtain a complete 1Hz clock. This 1Hz and timers. input to opamp CA3140.

ELECTRONICS PROJECTS Vol. 20

 PROGRAMMABLE DOOR-BELL
WITH FLASHING LEDS
I
C1 (NE555) is used here as a clock
generator. It is configured as an
astable multivibrator whose frequency
can be adjusted with the help of potmeter
VR1. The clock pulses obtained from IC1
are fed to pin 14 of IC2 (CD4017) which is
a well-known decade counter.
Here LEDS have been connected in
a rather unusual way. The LEDs flash
sequentially from Q0 to Q9. Five presets
192 ELECTRONICS PROJECTS Vol. 19
of 100k each are connected to each pair
of LEDs.
IC3 here works as tune generator
and the Darlington pair comprising
transistors BC547B and SL100B is used
to amplify its output. The frequency of
IC3 is adjusted by potmeter VR2. Each
100k preset (VR3 through VR7) is ad-
justed for a different tune depending on
individual choice. The 10-LED display
is assembled in such a way that the
first vertical column has orange LED1
through LED5 and the second parallel
column has green LED10 through LED6,
as shown in the figure.
The circuit can be easily assembled on
a veroboard. Any well-filtered 9V, 250mA
DC power supply is suitable. Primary of
the supply transformer may be connected
to the bell AC outlet points.
 Programmable LED Indicator
A
lthough IC CD4017 is a decade
counter, it can be used in a vari-
ety of ways. In this circuit it has
been used to program a bicolour LED
indicator in 10 different modes which
can be selected with a single push-button
switch.
IC3(555) is used in astable mode to
generate square wave and transistor T1
is used to obtain its complementary wave-
form. IC2 CD4081 is a quad 2-input AND
gate. These AND gates and the diode ma-
trix form the logical part of the circuit. IC4
(555) is configured as a monostable flip-
flop which provides a single clock pulse
to IC1 CD4017 for changing the mode by
depression of push-to-on switch S1. The
use of IC4 avoids switch debouncing prob-
lem which causes multiple makes/breaks.

TABLE I
Mode Operation
0 Off
1 Red ON
2 Green ON
3 Blinking Green-Yellow-Green-Yellow...
4 Blinking Red
5 Blinking Yellow
6 Blinking Green
7 Yellow ON
8 Blinking Red-Yellow-Red-Yellow...
9 Blinking Red-Green-Red-Green...

Switch S2 is included for resetting the
circuit. Instead of just one bicolour LED
you can use an array of bicolour LEDs in
conjunction with two driver transistors.
The bicolour (RED and GREEN) LED
has three legs. The middle terminal (pin2)
LED is the common cathode pin which is
grounded when a positive voltage is ap-
plied to pin1, it emits red light. Similarly,
when positive voltage is applied to pin3, it
emits green light. And when positive volt-
age is simultaneously applied to its pin1
and 3, it emits yellowish light.
Power supply used is +5V regulated.
Various modes of this circuit are sum-
merised in Table I.
Outputs of IC1 can also be selected
through a 10-way rotary switch connected
to Vcc. Now IC1 can be eliminated. Differ-
ent indications can be activated for differ-
ent functions of a device.
Construction is very easy and total cost
of this circuit is less than Rs 60. Current con-
sumption of the circuit is less than 100mA.

ELECTRONICS PROJECTS Vol. 22 

 PROTECTION FOR YOUR
ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES
H
ere is a very low-cost circuit to
save your electrically operated
appliances, such as TV, tape
recorder, refrigerator, and other
instruments during sudden tripping and
resumption of mains supply. Appliances
like refrigerators and air-conditioners are
more prone to damage due to such
conditions.
The simple circuit given here switches
off the mains supply to the
load as soon as the power N (say, 1 to 5 milliseconds)
trips. The supply can be
resumed only by manual
intervention. Thus, the
supply may be switched on
only after it has stabilised.
The circuit comprises a
step-down transformer
followed by a full-wave
rectifier and smoothing
capacitor C1 which acts as P power
a supply source for relay
H
RL1. Initially, when the circuit is switched a parallel path for the supply to the
on, the power supply path to the step- transformer as well as the load.
down transformer X1 as well as the load is If there is any interruption in the power
incomplete, as the relay is in de-energised supply, the supply to the transformer is
state. To energise the relay, press switch not available and the relay de-energises.
S1 for a short duration. This completes Thus, once the supply is interrupted even
the path for the supply to transformer X1 for a brief period, the relay is de-energised
as also the load via closed contacts of switch and you have to press switch S1
S1. Meanwhile, the supply to relay becomes momentarily (when the supply resumes)
available and it gets energised to provide to make it available to the load.
Very-short-duration
interruptions or
fluctuations will not
affect the circuit because
of presence of large-
value capacitor which
has to discharge via the
relay coil. Thus the
circuit provides suitable
P
H
safety against erratic
supply
N conditions.
ELECTRONICS PROJECTS Vol. 21 155

PULSE GENERATOR
A. JEYABAL
T
his circuit is very useful while
checking/operating counters, step-
ping relays, etc. It avoids the pro-
cedure of setting a switch for the required
number of pulses. By pressing appropriate
switches S1 to S9, one can get 1 to 9 nega-
tive-going clock pulses, respectively.
Schmitt trigger NAND gate N1 of IC2,
resistor R1, and capacitor C1 are wired to
produce clock pulses. These pulses are taken
out through NAND gate N3 that is con-
trolled by decade counter CD4017 (IC1).
Initially no switch from S1 to S9 is
S.C. DWI
VED
I
depressed and the LED is glowing. As pins
5 and 6 of NAND gate N2 are pulled up
by resistor R3, its output pin 4 goes low.
This disables NAND gate N3 to take its
output pin 10 to high state, and no pulse
is available.
IC1 is a decade counter whose Q out-
puts normally remain low. When clock
pulses are applied, its Q outputs go high
successively, i.e. Q0 shifts to Q1, Q1 shifts
to Q2, Q3 shifts to Q4, and so on.
If any one of switches S1 through S9,
say, S5 (for five pulses), is momentarily
depressed, pins 5 and 6 of NAND gate N2
go low, making its output pin 4 high, which
CIRCUIT IDEAS
fully charges capacitor C2 via diode D. At
the same time, this high output of N2 en-
ables NAND gate N3 and clock pulses come
out through pin 10. These are the required
number of pulses used to check our de-
vice.
The clock pulses are fed to clock-enable
pin 13 of IC1, which starts counting. As
soon as output pin 1 (Q5) of IC1 turns high,
input pins 5 and 6 of NAND gate N2 will
also become high via switch S5 because
high-frequency clock allowed five pulses
during momentary pressing. This high in-
put of N2 provides low output at pin 4 to
disable NAND gate N3 and finally no pulse
will be available to advance counter IC1.
Before the next usage, counter IC1
must be in the standby state, i.e. Q0 out-
put must be in the high state. To do this,
a time-delay pulse generator wired around
NAND gate N4, resister R4, diode D, ca-
pacitor C2, and differentiator circuit com-
prising C3 and R5 is used.
When output pin 4 of NAND gate N2
is low, it discharges capacitor C2 slowly
through resistor R4. When the voltage
across capacitor C2 goes below the lower
trip point, output pin 11 of NAND gate N4
turns high and a high-going sharp pulse is
produced at the junction of capacitor C3
and resistor R5. This sharp pulse resets
counter IC1 and its Q0 output (pin 3) goes
high. This is represented by the glowing
of LED.
Ensure the red LED is glowing before
proceeding to get the next pulse. Press
any of the switches momentarily and the
LED will glow. If the switch is kept
pressed, the counter counts continuously
and you cannot get the exact number of
pulses.
This circuit costs around Rs 70.
JUNE 2003 ELECTRONICS FOR YOU
 CIRCUIT IDEAS

QUALITY FM TRANSMITTER SUN

IL KU
MAR

TAPAN KUMAR MAHARANA For frequency stability, use a regulated L1: 5 turns of 24 SWG wire closely
DC power supply and house the transmit- wound over a 5mm dia. air core

T
his FM transmitter for your stereo ter inside a metallic cabinet. For higher L2: 2 turns of 24 SWG wire closely
or any other amplifier provides a antenna gain, use a telescopic antenna in wound over the 5mm dia. air core
good signal strength up to a dis- place of the simple wire. Coils L1 and L2 L3: 7 turns of 24 SWG wire closely
tance of 500 metres with a power
output of about 200 mW. It works
off a 9V battery.
The audio-frequency modula-
tion stage is built around transis-
tor BF494 (T1), which is wired
as a VHF oscillator and modu-
lates the audio signal present at
the base. Using preset VR1, you
can adjust the audio signal level.
The VHF frequency is decided by
coil L1 and variable capacitor
VC1. Reduce the value of VR2 to
have a greater power output.
The next stage is built around
transistor BC548 (T2), which
serves as a Class-A power ampli-
fier. This stage is inductively
coupled to the audio-frequency
modulation stage. The antenna
matching network consists of
variable capacitor VC2 and capacitor C9. are to be wound over the same air core wound over a 4mm dia. air core
Adjust VC2 for the maximum transmis- such that windings for coil L2 start from L4: 5 turns of 28 SWG wire on an
sion of power or signal strength at the the end point for coil L1. Coil winding intermediate-frequency transmitter (IFT)
receiver. details are given below: ferrite core

AUGUST 2004 ELECTRONICS FOR YOU

 RAMP CONTROLLED LIGHT
T
he circuit described here
can be used for control-
ling a decorative lamp
from zero intensity to maximum
intensity in a specified time.
Typical applications are for
controlling Christmas lamps and
serial lampsets etc. The bright-
ness of the lamps is controlled
by a continuously running ramp
voltage generated by a timer.
The circuit features a triac
(BT136) controlled by pulses
from a UJT (unijunction transis-
tor) relaxation oscillator. Pedes-
tal voltage control is employed
for controlling the firing angle.
Pedestal voltage is derived from
a ramp generator which sets the
time period of intensity control.
X1 secondary (sec. 2) pro-
vides the power supply for the
ramp generator section. The
555 timer circuit is configured
as astable multivibrator which
provides rectangular pulses
having required time period
which are converted to a positive going step-down transformer will serve the Transistor T2 controls the charging time
ramp by sweep generator transistor T1. purpose. However, it is advisable to of capacitor C5, thus providing the pedes-
This is coupled to the base of transistor have a higher voltage rating (9V or 12V) tal voltage control.
T2. The time period of control can be for X1 secondary (sec. 1) for extended The pulses generated by the UJT
altered by modifying the sweep generator control range. oscillator are coupled to the gate of triac
and 555 timer sections. Zener diode D12 generates the re- through a pulse transformer (X2). A ferrite
X1 is a step-down transformer hav- quired trapezoidal waveform for the UJT core transformer with 1:1 ratio can also be
ing two secondaries. Any centre-tapped oscillator from the bridge rectifier output. used for X2.

ELECTRONICS PROJECTS Vol. 19 177

CIRCUIT IDEAS

REMOTE-OPERATED MUSICAL BELL S.C.

DWIV
EDI

PRADEEP G.

T
his infrared light-
controlled 12-tone
musical bell can be
operated using any TV re-
mote control. It can be
operated from up to 10
metres, provided the re-
mote control is directed
towards the sensor.
The circuit uses the
popular 3-lead IR sensor
TK1836 to trigger musi-
cal bell built around IC
UM3481(IC1). (You can
also use IC UM3482,
UM3483, or UM3484
in place of IC UM3481.)
The sensor responds only to 36 kHz. pulses low. Transistor T1 conducts to ap- heard. This way, twelve different musical
Most TV remote controls transmit this ply a triggering pulse to IC1 at its pin 4. tones can be generated.
frequency. After playing one musical tone, the circuit The circuit works off a 5V power sup-
When any button on the TV remote automatically resets. If you again press any ply. Regulator IC 7805, powered from a 9-
control is pressed, the sensor’s output of the remote’s buttons, another music is 12V DC source, provides regulated 5V.

ELECTRONICS FOR YOU OCTOBER 2003

 Running Message Display
L
ight emitting diodes are advanta-
geous due to their smaller size,
low current consumption and
catchy colours they emit. Here is a run-
ning message display circuit wherein the
letters formed by LED arrangement light
up progressively. Once all the letters of
the message have been lit up, the circuit
gets reset.
The circuit is built around Johnson
decade counter CD4017BC (IC2). One of
the IC CD4017BE’s features is its provi-
sion of ten fully decoded outputs, making
the IC ideal for use in a whole range of
sequencing operations. In the circuit
only one of the outputs remains high and
the other outputs switch to high state
successively on the arrival of each
clock pulse.
The timer NE555 (IC1) is wired as a
1Hz astable multivibrator which clocks
the IC2 for sequencing operations. On
reset, output pin 3 goes high and drives
transistor T7 to ‘on’ state. The output of
transistor T7 is connected to letter ‘W’ of
the LED word array (all LEDs of a letter
array are connected in parallel) and thus
letter ‘W’ is illuminated. On arrival of
first clock pulse, pin 3 goes low and pin 2
goes high. Transistor T6 conducts and let-
ter ‘E’ lights up. The preceding letter ‘W’
also remains lighted because of forward
biasing of transistor T7 via diode D21. In
a similar fashion, on the arrival of each
successive pulse, the other letters of the
display are also illuminated and finally
the complete word becomes visible. On the
following clock pulse, pin 6 goes to logic 1
and resets the circuit, and the sequence
repeats itself. The frequency of sequenc-
ing operations is controlled with the help
of potmeter VR1.
The display can be fixed on a
veroboard of suitable size and connected
to ground of a common supply (of 6V to
9V) while the anodes of LEDs are to be
connected to emitters of transistors T1
through T7 as shown in the circuit.
The above circuit is very versatile and
can be wired with a large number of LEDs
to make an LED fashion jewellery of any
design. With two circuits connected in a
similar manner, multiplexing of LEDs can
be done to give a moving display effect.
ELECTRONICS PROJECTS Vol. 20
 CIRCUIT
IDEAS
SECRET BELL
 D. MOHAN KUMAR
M
any people move through
the corridors and steps in
multistoried buildings. As
most of them are strangers for the in-
habitants of the flats, it becomes nec-
essary to verify the identity of the visi-
tor before opening the door as he can
be a burglar.
This circuit helps you identify the
members of your family. It is basically
Fig. 1: Secret bell circuit
94 • DECEMBER 2006 • ELECTRONICS FOR YOU
UMAR
SUNIL K
a switchless musical bell that activates
with a single puff of breath. The con-
denser mic fitted inside the existing
door-bell switch box will trigger the
bell on detecting air-pressure changes
following the breath. As only the mem-
bers of your family know the secret of
the bell and hence puff out before the
hole for the switch box, the door can
be opened without fear.
The front end of the circuit is a con-
denser mic amplifier with fixed sensi-
tivity. Transistor T1 amplifies the sig-
nal received from the condenser mic
through capacitor C1. When transistor
T1 conducts, a short negative pulse
triggers the monostable wired around
IC1. The monostable time is decided
by resistor R7
and capacitor
C5. Reset pin 4
of IC1 is made
stable by R6 and
C3. Resistor R5
acts as a pull-up
Fig. 2: Pin configuration resistor for trig-
of UM66 and BC548/549 ger pin 2 of IC1
to keep the trig-
ger pin high in the standby mode.
The high output from IC1 is used
to power IC UM66 (IC2). IC2 gener-
ates a soft melody on receiv-
ing 3 volts at pin 2. Transis-
tor T2 amplifies the music
notes. A zener diode main-
tains the power for IC2 at a
safer level of 3 volts.
Assemble the circuit on
any general-purpose PCB
and enclose in a suitable
cabinet. The condenser mic
should be connected to the
circuit using a single-core
shielded wire to reduce
noise interference. Drill a
1mm hole in the cover of the
existing bell switch box and
fix the mic inside the box
with adhesive. The front side
of the mic should face the
hole. 
WWW.EFYMAG.COM
SENSITIVE TEMPERATURE SWITCH
T
his temperature switch has a
high sensitivity and is quite re-
liable. Here, in place of a single
transistor, a Darlington pair has been
used for switching.
At normal room temperature germi-
num diode D1 (0A79 or equivalent) has
a back resistance value of about 10 kilo-
ohms. As a result Darlington pair, com-
prising transistors T1 and T2. conducts
and keeps the anode terminal of diode
D2 at ground potential. Consequently,
transistor T3 does not get base bias and
thus relay RL1 is not activated.
But when temperature increases. the
back resistance of diode D1 decreases
sharply, which results in
cutting off of Darlington pair
and forward biasing of tran-
sistor T3 via resistor R2 and
diode D2. As a result, relay
RL1 energises and switches
on the alarm. Potmeter VR1
may be adjusted for required
sensitivity.
This simple circuit can be
used as an overheat indicator,
fire alarm, or it can be used
in a constant temperature
circuit for switching on a fan
etc. The circuit can be easily sensor D1 must be of germanium type
assembled on a piece of veroboard. Diode and not silicon.
ELECTRONICS PROJECTS Vol. 19 189
 CIRCUIT
IDEAS
SHADOW ALARM
„ D. MOHAN KUMAR
T
his opto-sensitive circuit sounds
an alarm whenever a shadow
falls on it. So it can be used at
night by shopkeepers to protect the
valuables in their showrooms. A dim
lighting in the room is necessary to
detect the moving shadow. Unlike
opto-interruption alarms based on
light-dependent resistors (LDRs), it
does not require an aligned light beam
to illuminate the photo-sensor.
The circuit is powered by a 9V PP3
battery and uses the most sensitive
photo-sensor L14F1 to detect shadows.
It is portable and can be used at any
place that is to be monitored.
Op-amp µA741 (IC1) is used as a
voltage comparator. Its inverting in-
put is biased by the voltage obtained
from the junction of 100k resistor R1
and the collector of phototransistor T1.
100 • JANUARY 2006 • ELECTRONICS FOR YOU
SANI TH
The non-inverting input of IC1 gets a
controlled voltage from potential di-
vider R2 and VR1.
In the presence of ambient light,
the phototransistor conducts and the
inverting input (pin 2) of IC1 gets a
lower voltage than its non-inverting
input (pin 3). This makes the output
of IC1 high, which is indicated by the
glowing of LED1.
When a shadow falls on the photo-
sensor, the output of IC1 goes low.
This low pulse triggers the monostable
(IC2) designed for a delay of 51 sec-
onds using R6 and C3. The output of
IC2 is used to light up LED2 and acti-
vate the alarm.
Slide switch S2 is used to select ei-
ther the buzzer or siren. When it is
towards left the buzzer beeps, and
when it is towards right IC UM3561
(IC3) activates to give a loud alarm
simulating a police siren. Resistor R8
CMYK
EO
and zener diode ZD1 provide 3.1V DC
to IC UM3561.
The circuit is easy to assemble as
it requires only a few low-cost com-
ponents. Enclose it in a cabinet with
the photo-sensor inside. Drill a 5mm
hole on the front panel of the cabinet
to let ambient light fall on the photo-
sensor.
Adjust potmeter VR1 (47k) until
LED2 stops glowing and the buzzer
stops beeping while LED1 glows. This
is the position of VR1 to be main-
tained for that particular
intensity of light. LED1 will continue
to glow even when a shadow is
detected.
The circuit is now ready to use.
To test it, move a paper in front of
the unit. If LED2 glows along with
the beep of the buzzer, it means that
the photo-sensor has detected a
shadow. z
WWW.EFYMAG.COM
 short wave AM TRANSMITTER
T
he main feature of this transmit-
ter is that it is free from the LC
(inductor, capacitor) tuned circuit
and operates on a fixed frequency of 12
MHz which is extremely stable. An LC
based tuned circuit is inherently unstable
due to drift of resonant frequency on ac-
count of temperature and humidity varia-
tions. The circuit is very simple and uses
only a few components.
The figure shows the complete circuit
diagram of the transmitter. Resistors R1
and R2 are used for DC biasing of transis-
tor T1. The capacitor C1 provides coupling
between the condenser microphone and
the base of transistor T1. Similarly, resis-
tors R3, R4 and R5 provide DC biasing to
transistor T2.
The oscillator section is a combina-
tion of transistor T2, crystal XTAL, ca-
pacitor C2, C3 and resistors R3, R4 and
R5. The crystal is excited by a portion of
energy from the collector of transistor
T2 through the feedback capacitor C2.
The crystal vibrates at its fundamental
frequency and the oscillations occurring
due to the crystal are applied to the base
of transistor T2 across resistor R4. In
this way, continuous undamped oscilla-
tions are obtained. Any crystal having
RAJESH KAMBOJ
the frequency in
short wave range
can be substitut-
ed in this circuit,
although the op-
eration was test-
ed with a 12 MHz
crystal.
Transistor T1
serves three func-
tions:
1. It provides
the DC path for
extending +VCC
supply to transis-
tor T2.
2. It amplifies
the audio signals obtained from condenser loop antenna into space in the form of
microphone. electromagnetic waves. The antenna
3. It injects the audio signal into the can be tuned to a particular frequency
high frequency carrier signal for modula- varying trimmer C5 and also by chang-
tion. ing the length of ferrite rod into the
The condenser microphone converts coil.
the voice message into the electrical The transmitted signals can be re-
signal which is amplified by transistor ceived on any short wave receiver without
T1. This amplified audio signal modu- distortion and noise. The range of this
lates the carrier frequency generated by transmitter is 25 to 30 metres and can
transistor T2. The amplitude modulated be extended further if the length of the
output is obtained at the collector of antenna wire is suitably increased along
transistor T2 and is transmitted by a with proper matching.
ELECTRONICS PROJECTS Vol. 19 179
 SHORTWAVE TRANSMITTER
T
his transmitter circuit operates in
shortwave HF band (6 MHz to 15
MHz), and can be used for short-
range communication and for educational
purposes.
The circuit consists of a mic ampli-
fier, a variable frequency oscillator, and
modulation amplifier stages. Transistor
T1 (BF195) is used as a simple RF oscil-
lator. Resistors R6 and R7 determine base
bias, while resistor R9 is used for stabil-
ity. Feedback is provided by 150pF ca-
pacitor C11 to sustain oscillations. The
primary of shortwave oscillator coil and
variable condenser VC1 (365pF, 1/2J
gang) form the frequency determining net-
work.
By varying the coil inductance or the
134 ELECTRONICS PROJECTS Vol. 23
capacitance of gang condenser, the fre-
quency of oscillation can be changed. The
carrier RF signal from the oscillator is
inductively coupled through the second-
ary of transformer X1 to the next RF am-
plifier-cum-modulation stage built around
transistor T2 that is operated in class ‘A’
mode. Audio signal from the audio ampli-
fier built around IC BEL1895 is coupled
to the emitter of transistor 2N2222 (T2)
for RF modulation.
IC BEL1895 is a monolithic audio
power amplifier designed for sensitive AM
radio applications. It can deliver 1W power
to 4 ohms at 9V power supply, with low
distortion and noise characteristics. Since
the amplifier’s voltage gain is of the order
of 600, the signal from condenser mic can
be directly connected to its input without
any amplification.
The transmitter’s stability is gov-
erned by the quality of the tuned circuit
components as well as the degree of regu-
lation of the supply voltage. A 9V regu-
lated power supply is required. RF out-
put to the aerial contains harmonics, be-
cause transistor T2 doesn’t have tuned
coil in its collector circuit. However, for
short-range communication, this does not
create any problem. The harmonic con-
tent of the output may be reduced by
means of a high-Q L-C filter or resonant
L-C traps tuned to each of the
prominent harmonics. The power output
of this transmitter is about 100
milliwatts.
 SIMPLE ELECTRONIC
CODE LOCK
T
he circuit diagram of a simple elec- can be mounted on a keyboard panel, be connected in parallel with S10 and
tronic code lock is shown in fig- and any number or letter can be used to placed on the keyboard panel for more
ure. A 9-digit code number is used mark them. Switch S10 is also placed safety.
to operate the code lock. together with other switches so that any A 12V power supply is used for the
When power supply to the circuit is stranger trying to operate the lock fre- circuit. The circuit is very simple and can
turned on, a positive pulse is applied to quently presses the switch S10, thereby be easily assembled on a general-purpose
the RESET pin (pin 15) through capaci- resetting the circuit many times. Thus, PCB. The code number can be easily
tor C1. Thus, the first output terminal he is never able to turn the relay ‘on’. If changed by changing the connections to
Q1 (pin 3) of the decade counter IC (CD necessary, two or three switches can switches (S1 to S9).
4017) will be high and all other outputs
(Q2 to Q10) will be low. To shift the high
state from Q1 to Q2, a positive pulse must
be applied at the clock input terminal (pin
14) of IC1. This is possible only by press-
ing the push-to-on switch S1 momentarily.
On pressing switch S1, the high state
shifts from Q1 to Q2.
Now, to change the high state from
Q2 to Q3, apply another positive pulse at
pin 14, which is possible only by pressing
switch S2. Similarly, the high state can
be shifted up to the tenth output (Q10)
by pressing the switches S1 through S9
sequentially in that order. When Q10 (pin
11) is high, transistor T1 conducts and
energises relay RL1. The relay can be
used to switch ‘on’ power to any electrical
appliance.
Diodes D1 through D9 are provided
to prevent damage/malfunctioning of the
IC when two switches corresponding to
‘high’ and ‘low’ output terminals are
pressed simultaneously. Capacitor C2 and
resistor R3 are provided to prevent noise
during switching action.
Switch S10 is used to reset the
circuit manually. Switches S1 to S10

ELECTRONICS PROJECTS Vol. 21 169

 CIRCUIT
IDEAS

SIMPLE SHORT-WAVE S.C. DW

IVEDI

TRANSMITTER

PRINCE PHILLIPS

T
his low-cost short-wave trans-
mitter is tunable from 10 to 15
MHz with the help of ½J gang
condenser VC1, which determines
the carrier frequency of the
transmitter in conjunction with
inductor L1. The frequency trimming
can be done with VC2. The carrier
is amplified by transistor T4
and coupled to RF amplifier transis-
tor T1 (BD677) through transformer
X1*.
The transmitter does not use any
modulator transformer. The audio out-
put from condenser MIC is
preamplified by transistor T3 (BC548).
The audio output from T3 is further
amplified by transistor T2 (BD139),
which modulates the RF amplifier
built around transistor T1 by varying
the current through it in accordance
with the audio signal’s amplitude. Fig. 1: Simple shortwave transmitter
RFC1 is used to block the carrier RF
signal from transistor T2 and the transformer transformer X1, we used a readymade
power supply. are given in short-wave antenna coil with
The modulated RF is coupled the figure. tuning slug (Jawahar make),
to the antenna via capacitor C9. EFY Lab. which worked satisfactorily. We tested
For antenna, one can use a 0.5m During test- the transmitter reception up to
long telescopic aerial. Details of ing, in place of
Fig. 2: Pin configurations of 75 metres and found good signal
RF choke, inductor L1 and coupling BD139, BD677 and BC548 coupling strength.

WWW.EFYMAG.COM ELECTRONICS FOR YOU • APRIL 2006 • 95

CMYK
 Smart Phone Light
The circuit shown here is used to
switch on a lamp when the tele-
phone rings, provided that the ambient
light is insufficient.
The circuit can be implemented using
just two ICs. A light dependent resistance
(LDR), with about 5 kilo-ohms resistance
ELECTRONICS PROJECTS Vol. 20
in the ambient light and greather than
100 kilo-ohms in darkness, is at the heart
of the circuit.
The circuit is fully isolated from the
phone lines and it draws current only
when the phone rings. The lamp can be
battery powered to provide light during
power failure or load shedding also.
The light switches off automati-
cally after a programmable time period.
If required, the lamp lighting period can
be extended by simply pressing a pushbut-
ton switch (S1).
The first part of the circuit functions
as a ring detector. When telephone is on-
hook, around 48V DC is present across
the TIP and RING terminals. The diode
in the opto-coupler is ‘off’ during this
condition and it draws practically no
current from the telephone lines. The opto-
coupler also isolates the circuit from the
telephone lines. Transistor in the opto-cou-
pler is normally ‘off’ and a voltage of +5V
is present at the ring indicator line B.
When telephone rings, an AC voltage
of around 70-80V AC present across the
telephone lines turns on the diode inside
the opto-coupler (IC2), which in turn
switches on transistor inside the opto-
coupler. The voltage at its collector drops
to a low level during ringing to trigger IC3
74LS123(A) monostable flip-flop.
The other opto-coupler (IC1) is used
to detect the ambient light condition.
When there is sufficient light, LDR has
a low resistance of about 5 kilo-ohms and
the transistor inside the opto-coupler is
in ‘on’ state. When there is insufficient
light available, the resistance of LDR
increases to a few mega-ohms and the
transistor switches to ‘off’ state. Thus
the DC voltage present at the collector of
transistor of the opto-coupler is normally
low and it jumps to 5V when there is no
light or insufficient light.
The 74LS123 retriggerable monos-
table multivibrator IC is used to gener-
ate a programmable pulse-width. The
first monostable 74LS123(A) generates
a pulse from the trigger input avail-
able during ringing, provided its pin 2
input (marked B) is logic high (i.e.
during darkness). It remains high for
the programmed duration and
switches back to 0V at the end of the pulse
period.
This high-to-low transition (trail-
ing edge) is used to trigger the second
monostable flip-flop 74LS123(B) in the
same package. Output of the second
monostable is used to control a relay.
The lamp being controlled via the N/O
contacts of the relay gets switched ‘on.’
The ‘on’ period can be extended by sim-
ply pressing pushbutton switch S1. If
nobody attends the phone, the light turns
off automatically after the specific time
period equal to the pulse-width of the
second flip-flop.
The light sensitivity of LDR
can be changed by changing re-
sistance R3 connected at collec-
tor of the transistor in light mon-
itor circuit. Similarly, switch-on
period of the lamp can be controlled by
changing capacitor C3’s value in the
second 74123(B) monostable circuit.
ELECTRONICS PROJECTS Vol. 20
 S O F TS OWF TAW R
CRYPTOGRAPHY
S. SUNDAR
N
ews item in ‘The Times of India’,
Mumbai, on June 27, 1999: “The
Indian Institute of Technology,
Kanpur, has developed a new-generation
cipher code for the Indian navy. The
breakthrough would provide a technologi-
cal edge to defence communication. Chris-
tened ‘Trinetra’, the cipher is a modern
computer-based code language system
which can digitise long, alphabetic mes-
sages within seconds.”
This article is about cryptography—
the science of scrambling data to make it
unintelligible to all, except the intended
person. It has come to focus recently due
to the expanding influence of e-commerce.
Almost all the credit card transactions
taking place on the Internet or elsewhere
make use of cryptography. This concept
is also used in ‘secure server’ transactions,
where the data is guarded by the use of
cryptography.
Some of the terms used in this article
are explained below:
Plaintext is the text or data that is to
be encrypted. It is one of the inputs to
the encryption algorithm.
Key is the password used to decrypt
the coded message.
Ciphertext is the output of the encryp-
tion algorithm. It can be transmitted safely
as it is unintelligible without the key.
One of the earliest known and sim-
plest methods of encryption is the ‘Cae-
sar Cipher’ method, which involves re-
placement of each letter in the message
with some other letter or numeral. The
principle of ‘bit replacement technique’ is
Fig. 1: Triple DES
76
ARE
E SECTION
S E C T I O N
that a letter may be replaced by another
letter three places (offset or key) down
the order; for example, the letter ‘a’ will
become ‘d’, and so on.
Here, lesser number of keys are pos-
sible. Also, the encryption and decryption
algorithms are known and the language
is understood easily. Because of these fac-
tors, an advanced computer using either
Fig. 2: Public-key encryption
parallel processing or distributed comput-
ing can crack this method. This type of
cracking is termed as ‘Brute Force At-
tack’ in computer parlance.
International Data Encryption Algo-
rithm (IDEA) and Data Encryption Stan-
dard (DES) are two algorithms that use
the bit-replacement technique explained
above. These algorithms, along with com-
pression, are used to send secure e-mail
using software programs like PGP (Pretty
Good Privacy)—the present standard for
encrypted mail. In PGP, the public-key
encryption explained in the later part of
the article is also used.
International data encryption
algorithm (IDEA)
The Swiss Federal Institute of
Technology developed IDEA in
1990. This method uses a 128-bit
key; only the powers of two are
used as key-size. If the key is too
large, the computations involved
in encryption and decryption make
the working of the algorithm
slower; and if it is too small, the
algorithm becomes insecure. As
with any other bit replacement
scheme, there are two inputs,
namely, the plain text and the key.
ELECTRONICS FOR YOU ❚ MAY 2000
Here, the number 128 gives the size
of the key in bits. This key size gives a
key space (total number of combinations
of bits in the key) of 3.4 x 1038 keys, which
makes the ‘Brute force attack’ impracti-
cal. Higher the key size, tougher it is to
crack the ciphertext. In IDEA, eight
rounds or iterations of data manipulation
are done to generate the final output.
The manipulations may consist of one
or a combination of the following three
operations:
Bit-by-Bit exclusive-ORing
Addition of integers modulo 216
Multiplication of integers modulo 216
The expression ‘x mod y’ gives the re-
mainder when x is divided by y. The value
of y is referred to as the modulus of the
expression; for example,
10 mod 3 = 1. The use of
these manipulations in a
sequential order produces
a complex transformation
of the input data, mak-
ing crypt analysis diffi-
cult.
Data encryption standard (DES)
In DES, the plaintext ought to be of 64
bits and the key of 56 bits. Longer blocks
of plaintext are encrypted in 64-bit blocks.
Each block of 64-bit input is passed
through 16 iterations, with each iteration
producing an intermediate 64-bit value.
The iteration is essentially the same
complex function that involves a permu-
tation of bits and substitution of one bit
pattern by another. A variation of DES,
the ‘Triple DES’ that uses two keys and
three executions of the algorithm, has
gained considerable success. Triple DES
employs an encrypt-decrypt-encrypt se-
quence. There is no cryptographic signifi-
cance to the use of decryption for the sec-
ond stage. It only allows users of triple
DES to decrypt data encoded by users of
the older single DES.
Public-key encryption
Another commonly used method for en-
cryption is the public-private key encryp-
tion. This method uses two passwords, one
termed as public key and the other pri-
vate key. The algorithms used to generate
keys are based on mathematical numbers
generated by the computer on user’s re-
quest, instead of simple bit operations.
An analogy of public-key encryption is
 SOFTWARE SECTION

safe with a special type of lock that can be
locked/unlocked with one or two different
keys. A left key turns the mechanism to
the left and a right key turns it to the
right. In the unlocked state, the mecha-
nism is in the centre position. If locked
with the right key, the only way to unlock
it is by using the left key and vice-versa. If
‘A’ wants to send a message to ‘B’, he/she
can put the message in the box and lock it
Fig. 3: Example of RSA algorithm
with the right key. On receiving the mes-
sage, ‘B’ can unlock the box using
the corresponding left key and read the
message.
The lock will open only when a par-
ticular key combination is used. Suppose
a group of people wants to share mes-
sages using this method. Then everyone
in the group buys one’s own safe box and
freely supplies the respective right key
duplicates but keeps one’s left keys to
oneselves. For communication, one can
just write the message, put it in the safe,
lock it using the right key of the recipi-
ent, and pass it to the recipient who uses
one’s own left key to unlock it.
Thus, the message can be transmit-
ted safely, since apart from the intended
recipient no one else would be having the
correct left key.
A similar technique is used in public-
key encryption. In place of a right key, a
public key is used while encrypting and,
in place of a left key, a private key is
used for decrypting.
Once a key is lost, the data encrypted
using the particular key can’t be recov-
ered. So backup copies of all the keys used
must be kept necessarily.
Furthermore, these algorithms have
the following important characteristics:
• It is computationally unfeasible to
determine the decryption key with the
knowledge of the cryptography and the
encryption key.
• Either of the two related keys can
be used for encryption.
With conventional encryption (bit re-
placement technique as opposed to pub-
lic-key encryption), a fundamental re-
quirement for two parties to communi-
cate securely was to share a secret key.
How to distribute the secret key was the
most difficult problem for conventional en-
cryption. This problem is eliminated by
the public-key encryption, considering
that private key is never distributed.
RSA
Ron Rivest, Adi Shamir, and Len Adleman
at MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Tech-
nology) devel-
oped one of the
first public-key
schemes in
1977. The RSA
scheme then
reigned su-
preme as the
only widely accepted and implemented ap-
proach to public-key encryption.
RSA is a cipher in which the plaintext
and the ciphertext are integers between 0
and ‘n-1’, for some valued ‘n’. For a long
message, the message is broken into
blocks. These blocks are log2n bits long.
Two high-value prime numbers are mul-
tiplied to get ‘n’ so that extracting the
value of ‘n’ becomes very difficult. As the
public and private keys are dependent on
the value of ‘n’, guessing this value is very
difficult.
Encryption and decryption make use
of modular arithmetic. The RSA algorithm
for plaintext block M and ciphertext block
C with keys ‘e’ and ‘d’ is given below:
Key generation
Select p,q p and q are both prime
Calculate n = p x q
Calculate f(n) = (p-1)(q-1)
Select integer e gcd(f(n),e)=1; 1<e<f(n)
Calculate d d=e-1 mod f (n)
Public Key KU = {e,n}
Private Key KR = {d,n}
Encryption
Plaintext: M<n
Ciphertext: C = Me (mod n)
Decryption
Ciphertext: C A = 01234567
Plaintext: M = Cd (mod n)
The RSA Algorithm
C = Me mod n
M = Cd mod n = (Me)d mod n = Med mod n
Both sender and receiver must know
the value of ‘n’ and ‘e’; whereas the value
of d is known only to the receiver. Thus,
this is a public-key encryption algorithm
in which the public key is {e,n} and the
private key is {d,n}. For public-key en-
cryption, this algorithm will be satisfac-
tory if the following conditions are ful-
filled:
• Values of e, d, and n exist such that
M = Med mod n, for all M < n.
• It should be relatively easy to cal-
culate Me and Cd for all values of M < n.
• It should be unfeasible to determine
d, even if the values of e and n are known.
The third condition would be satis-
fied only for large values of e and n.
Another method, the Secure Hash
Function (developed by Ron Rivest, ‘R’ of
RSA), is based on public-key encryption.
With the advent of Internet, intense re-
search is going on in this field, using di-
verse technologies which employ distrib-
uted networking and the use of the inher-
ently present noise in transmission chan-
nel to encrypt data. The five steps involved
in this algorithm are detailed below:
Step 1: Append padding bits. The
message is padded such that the length
of the padded message is 64 bits less than
an integer multiple of 512 bits. Padding
is necessarily done even if the message is
already of desired length; for example,
even a message of 448 (512-64) bits is
made to 960 (512x2-64) bits by padding
512 bits to it. Thus, the number of pad-
ding bits lies between 1 and 512. The pad-
ding consists of a single -1- bit followed
by the necessary number of -0- bits.
Step 2: Append length. A 64-bit rep-
resentation of the length in bits of the
original message (before padding) is ap-
pended to the result of Step 1. The out-
come is a message which is an integer
multiple of 512 bits in length. The mes-
sage is represented in blocks of 512 bits
Y0,Y1,Y2,...,YL-1,... So, the total length of
the expanded message is L x 512.
Step 3: Initialise MD buffer. A 128-
bit buffer is used to hold intermediate and
final results of the hash function. The
buffer can be represented as four 32-bit
registers (A, B, C, and D). These regis-
ters are initialised to the following hexa-
decimal values:
B = 89ABCDEF
C = FEDCBA98
D = 76543210
Step 4: Process message in 512-bit
blocks. The heart of the algorithm is the
module that consists of four rounds of pro-
cessing. These rounds may have a simi-
lar structure, but each may use a differ-
ent primitive logical function, like AND,
OR, etc.
Step 5: Output. After all L 512-bit
blocks have been processed, the output

ELECTRONICS FOR YOU ❚ MAY 2000 77

 SOFTWARE SECTION

from the Lth stage is the 128-bit message
digest.
Starting from the simple bit-replace-
ment technique to computer-based code
language systems, the science of cryptog-
raphy has indeed come a long way. The
Indian system of ‘Trinetra’ can even
digitise and encode the voice of a sender.
Cryptographers have come up with vari-
ous schemes considered to be virtually un-
breakable, only to find out later that they
were not so. And thus, public-key encryp-
tion remains the standard for secure en-
cryption till date.

MORSE TUTOR
YUJIN BOBY character mode, separate characters can
be practiced. In file mode, stored
messages can be sent. This mode also

M
orse tutor is a program written
in C++. It can be used for learn-
ing or sending Morse code.
Morse code uses long (dash) and short
(dot) sounds to communicate. The dot is
the basic unit and the dash is equal to
the length of three dots.
Morse code was developed by Samual
Morse in 1897. Due to advantages like
overriding noise, static and simple trans-
mitter, and low power requirements, it is
still used for communication.
The program provides character mode,
line mode, and file mode of operations. In
has provision for creating a new message
file. The speed can be set between 5 WPM
(words per minute) and 20 WPM, and
the tone can be varied betwen 100 Hz
and 4,000 Hz using the program. The
default speed is 12 WPM and the tone is
700 Hz.

Program Listing in C++

#include<iostream.h> case ‘B’ : strcpy (code, “-...”) ; break; character \”;
#include<conio.h> case ‘C’ : strcpy (code, “-.-.”) ; break; cout<<in<<“\”<<endl; break;
#include<dos.h> case ‘D’ : strcpy (code, “-..”) ; break; }
#include<stdio.h> case ‘E’ : strcpy (code, “.”) ; break; int len=strlen(code) ;
#include<string.h> case ‘F’ : strcpy (code, “ ..-.”) ; break; for (int i=0; i<len; i++)
#include<stdlib.h> case ‘G’ : strcpy(code,“—.”) ; break; { sound (FREQ) ;
#include<ctype.h> case ‘H’ : strcpy(code,“....”) ; break; if(code [i]==‘.’) delay(DOT) ;
void morse() ; case ‘I’ : strcpy(code,“..”) ; break; else
int mnu_one(); case ‘J’ : strcpy(code,“.—”) ; break; if(code[i]==‘-’) delay(3*DOT) ;
void mode_line() ; case ‘K’ : strcpy(code,“-.-”) ; break; nosound() ; delay (DOT) ;
void mode_file() ; case ‘L’ : strcpy(code,“.-..”) ; break; }
void mode_sett() ; case ‘M’ : strcpy(code,“—”) ; break; delay (3*DOT) ;
void mode_char() ; case ‘N’ : strcpy(code,“-.”) ; break; }
char in ; case ‘O’ : strcpy(code,“—”) ; break; int mnu_one()
int FREQ=700; // default tone 700 Hz case ‘P’ : strcpy(code,“.—.”) ; break; {
int DOT=50; // default speed 12 wpm case ‘Q’ : strcpy(code,“—.-”) ; break; int ch;
void main() case ‘R’ : strcpy(code,“.-.”) ; break; clrscr() ;
{ case ‘S’ : strcpy(code,“...”) ; break; gotoxy(30,7) ; cout<<“MORSE CODE TUTOR”;
int choice ; case ‘T’ : strcpy(code,“-”) ; break; gotoxy(30,8) ;
while (1) case ‘U’ : strcpy(code,“..-”) ; break; cout<<“~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~” ;
{ case ‘V’ : strcpy(code,“...-”) ; break; gotoxy(33,9) ; cout<<“l. CHARACTER MODE”;
choice=mnu_one() ; case ‘W’ : strcpy(code,“.—”) ; break; gotoxy(33,10) ; cout<<“2. LINE MODE” ;
if (choice==1) mode_char() ; case ‘X’ : strcpy(code,“-..-”) ; break; gotoxy(33,11) ; cout<<“3. FILE MODE” ;
else if( choice==2 ) mode_line () ; case ‘Y’ : strcpy(code,“-.—”) ; break; gotoxy(33,12) ; cout<<“4. SETTINGS” ;
else if(choice==3) mode_file () ; case ‘Z’ : strcpy(code,“—..”) ; break; gotoxy(33,13) ; cout<<“5. EXIT” ;
else if(choice==4) mode_sett () ; case ‘1’ : strcpy(code,“.——”) ; break; gotoxy(30,15) ; cout<<“Enter your choice : ” ;
else if(choice==5) break ; case ‘2’ : strcpy(code,“..—”) ; break; gotoxy(25,19) ; cout<<“A Freeware From
} case ‘3’ : strcpy(code,“...—”) ; break; VU3PRX” ;
clrscr() ; case ‘4’ : strcpy(code,“....-”) ; break; gotoxy(50,15) ; cin>>ch ; return ch ;
cout<<endl<<“Thank you for using” ; case ‘5’ : strcpy(code,“.....”) ; break; }
highvideo() ; cprintf(“MORSE TUTOR”) ; case ‘6’ : strcpy(code,“-....”) ; break; void mode_line()
normvideo() ; case ‘7’ : strcpy(code,“—...”) ; break; {
cout<<endl<<“ 73 & Good Bye...” ; case ‘8’ : strcpy(code,“—..”) ; break; int flag=1; char line[80] ;
cout<<endl<<“de” ; case ‘9’ : strcpy (code,“——.”) ; break; clrscr() ; cout<<“LINE MODE”<<endl ;
cout<<endl<<“\t\tYUJIN BOBY, Radio case ‘0’ : strcpy(code,“——”) ; break; cout<<“Type ‘*’ to END sending”<<endl ;
VU3PRX” ; case ‘-’ : strcpy(code,“-....-”) ; break; while(flag)
cout<<endl<<“\t\tKoilparambil, Arthinkal” ; case ‘?’ : strcpy(code,“..—..”) ; break; {
cout<<endl<<“\t\tKerala, PIN - 688 530” ; case ‘(‘ : strcpy(code,“-.—.”) ; break; gets(line) ;
cout<<endl<<endl ; case ‘)’ : strcpy(code,“-.—.-”) ; break; int len=strlen(line) ;
} case ‘.’ : strcpy(code,“.-.-.-”) ; break; for (int i=0; i<len; i++)
void morse () case ‘=’ : strcpy(code,“-...-”) ; break; {
{ case ‘/’ : strcpy(code,“-..-.”) ; break; in=line[i] ;
char code [8] ; case ‘+’ : strcpy(code,“.-.-.”) ; break; if(in==‘ ’) { delay (6*DOT) ; continue ;
switch (toupper(in)) case ‘:’ : strcpy(code,“—...”) ; break; }
{ case ‘,’ : strcpy(code,“—..—”) ; break; else if(in==‘*’) { flag=0; break;
case ‘A’ : strcpy (code, “.-”) ; break; default: cout<<endl<<“MSG-Switch::Invalid }

78 ELECTRONICS FOR YOU ❚ MAY 2000

 SOFTWARE SECTION

morse() ; void mode_sett() ; cout<<“\nCurrent speed is ”<<speed<<

} void mode_sett() “ Words/Minute”<<endl ;
} { cout<<“The valid Speed is from 5 WPM to 20
} int cho ; WPM ”<<endl ;
void mode_file() clrscr() ; cout<<“\n\nEnter new speed : ” ;
{ cout<<“l. CHANGE FREQUENCY”<<endl ; cin>>speed ;
FILE *fp ; char fname[10] ; cout<<“2. CHANGE SPEED”<<endl ; if((speed>4) && (speed<21))
clrscr() ; cout<<endl<<“Enter your choice : ” ; {
cout<<“Enter file name : ”; cin>> fname; cin>>cho ; DOT=36000/ (speed*60) ;
if ((fp=fopen(fname,“r”)) !=NULL) if(cho==1) cout<<“\n\nNow the speed is ”<<speed<<
{ { “Words Per Minute” ;
while((in=getc(fp)) !=EOF) cout<<endl<<“Current Frequency of tone is” }
{ <<FREQ<<“Hz”<<endl ; else cout<<“\n\nError : Speed “<<speed<<
if (in==’ ‘) cout<<“The valid frequency range is from 100 “WPM not allowed\n” ;
{ Hz to 4000 Hz” ; getch() ;
delay(6*DOT); continue; cout<<endl<<endl<<“Enter the new }
} frequency : ” ; }
morse() ; int tmp ; void mode_char()
} cin>>tmp ; {
} cout<<endl<<endl; clrscr() ;
else if ( (tmp>99) && (tmp<4001) ) cout<<“CHARACTER MODE”<<endl ;
{ { cout<<“Type ‘*’ to END sending”<<endl ;
char ans ; FREQ=tmp ; while (1)
cout<<endl<<“File not found, Create New cout<<“Now the Frequency is changed to” {
(Y/N) ? ” ; <<FREQ<<“Hz”<<endl; in=getche() ;
cin>>ans ; } if(in==‘ ’) { delay (6*DOT) ; continue;
if((ans==‘y’) || (ans==’Y’)) else cout<<“Error : Invalid frequency range” ; }
if((fp=fopen(fname,“w”)) !=NULL) getch() ; else if(in==‘*’) break ;
while((ans=getchar() ) !=‘\n’) } morse () ;
putc(ans, fp) ; if(cho==2) }
} { }
fclose(fp) ; int speed ;
} speed=36000/(DOT*60) ;

CONNECT-FOUR GAME place four pieces of your colour adjacent

to each other, as you place in tick-tack-
DHAVAL Y. TRIVEDI toe. In tick-tack-toe, you can put your piece
anywhere. But in connect-four, a piece will

C
onnect-four is a very simple and
popular game. Here is the com-
puter version of this game. The
game is quite easy and self-explanatory.
Online help is provided to avoid any con-
fusion during the game.
This game is executable only in
QBASIC and it runs only on a system
with VGA monitor or a higher system. A
486 or higher system is recommended, as
the game will run very slow on a lower
system.
In this game, two different colours are
provided for two players. This game is
almost like tick-tack-toe. You have to just
be placed at the lowest empty block.
The player who places four pieces of
his colour in a row, column, or diagonally
will win. The software will automatically
detect the winner. All the runtime keys
are specified in the online help. Save this
file as CONNECT4.BAS. If you want to
run this game directly from DOS-prompt,
make a file CONNECT4.BAT in your di-
rectory as follows:
@ECHO OFF
CLS
QBASIC/RUN CONNECT4.BAS
CLS

Program Listing in QBASIC

CLEAR , , 8096: CLS : SCREEN 12 2”: GOSUB hlp
10 CLS : SCREEN 12: DIM cur(11): PSET (2, 0): DRAW “g2 e2 f2 h2 PLAY “L20”: PLAY “O 3CDEFG”
d8”: DEF SEG = 0: POKE 1047, &H0: DEF SEG 90 K$ = INKEY$
GET (0, 0)-(4, 8), cur: CLS : PAINT (1, 1), 7 KEY 17, CHR$(0) + CHR$(16): ON KEY(17) GOSUB ex: KEY(17) ON: KEY
LINE (0, 345)-(640, 345), 15: LINE (560, 0)-(560, 345), 15 18, CHR$(0) + CHR$(34): ON KEY(18) GOSUB grid: KEY(18) ON
LINE (572, 80)-(627, 105), 7, BF: LINE (572, 80)-(627, 105), 5, BF: KEY 15, CHR$(0) + CHR$(42): ON KEY(15) GOSUB p1: KEY(15) ON:
GOSUB grid: KEY 16, CHR$(0) + CHR$(49): ON KEY(16) GOSUB restart: KEY(16) ON
LINE (560, 175)-(639, 175), 15: LINE (0, 0)-(639, 479), 15, B IF LEN(K$) < 2 THEN 90
X = 30: y = 330: r1 = 325: r2 = 325: r3 = 325: r4 = 325: r5 = 325: r6 = K = ASC(RIGHT$(K$, 1))
325: r7 = 325: r8 = 325: r9 = 325: IF K = 75 THEN x1 = -55: y1 = 330: GOTO 170
r10 = 325: turn = 6: gr = 7: PUT (X, y), cur IF K = 77 THEN x1 = 55: y1 = 330: GOTO 170
LOCATE 2, 72: PRINT “PLAYER 1”: LOCATE 13, 72: PRINT “PLAYER GOTO 90

ELECTRONICS FOR YOU ❚ MAY 2000 79

 SOFTWARE SECTION

170 PUT (X, y), cur: X = X + x1: y = y1 IF X = 470 THEN r9 = r9 - 25: SOUND 990, .5: IF r9 < 25 THEN turn =
IF X < 30 THEN X = 525 ELSE IF X > 525 THEN X = 30 5: BEEP: GOSUB play1t: GOTO 320 ELSE LINE
SOUND 190, .5: PUT (X, y), cur (X - 24, r9 + 24)-(X + 29, r9 + 1), turn, BF
GOTO 90 IF X = 525 THEN r10 = r10 - 25: SOUND 990, .5: IF r10 < 25 THEN
p1: turn = 5: BEEP: GOSUB play1t: GOTO 320 ELSE
turn = turn - 1 LINE (X - 24, r10 + 24)-(X + 29, r10 + 1), turn, BF
IF X = 30 THEN r1 = r1 - 25: SOUND 990, .5: IF r1 < 25 THEN turn = GOSUB check
6: BEEP: GOSUB play2t: GOTO 90 ELSE LINE GOSUB play2t
(X - 24, r1 + 24)-(X + 29, r1 + 1), turn, BF turn = 6
IF X = 85 THEN r2 = r2 - 25: SOUND 990, .5: IF r2 < 25 THEN turn = GOTO 90
6: BEEP: GOSUB play2t: GOTO 90 ELSE END
LINE (X - 24, r2 + 24)-(X + 29, r2 + 1), turn, BF restart:
IF X = 140 THEN r3 = r3 - 25: SOUND 990, .5: IF r3 < 25 THEN turn = GOTO 10
6: BEEP: GOSUB play2t: GOTO 90 ELSE LINE check:
(X - 24, r3 + 24)-(X + 29, r3 + 1), turn, BF FOR U = 35 TO 325 STEP 25
IF X = 195 THEN r4 = r4 - 25: SOUND 990, .5: IF r4 < 25 THEN turn = FOR D = 30 TO 525 STEP 55
6: BEEP: GOSUB play2t: GOTO 90 ELSE LINE IF POINT(D, U) = turn AND POINT(D + 55, U) = turn AND POINT(D
(X - 24, r4 + 24)-(X + 29, r4 + 1), turn, BF + 110, U) = turn AND POINT(D + 165, U) = turn THEN GOSUB win
IF X = 250 THEN r5 = r5 - 25: SOUND 990, .5: IF r5 < 25 THEN turn = IF POINT(D, U) = turn AND POINT(D, U + 25) = turn AND POINT(D,
6: BEEP: GOSUB play2t: GOTO 90 ELSE LINE U + 50) = turn AND POINT(D, U + 75) = turn THEN GOSUB win
(X - 24, r5 + 24)-(X + 29, r5 + 1), turn, BF IF POINT(D, U) = turn AND POINT(D + 55, U + 25) = turn AND
IF X = 305 THEN r6 = r6 - 25: SOUND 990, .5: IF r6 < 25 THEN turn = POINT(D + 110, U + 50) = turn AND POINT(D
6: BEEP: GOSUB play2t: GOTO 90 ELSE LINE + 165, U + 75) = turn THEN GOSUB win
(X - 24, r6 + 24)-(X + 29, r6 + 1), turn, BF IF POINT(D, U) = turn AND POINT(D + 55, U - 25) = turn AND
IF X = 360 THEN r7 = r7 - 25: SOUND 990, .5: IF r7 < 25 THEN turn = POINT(D + 110, U - 50) = turn AND POINT(D
6: BEEP: GOSUB play2t: GOTO 90 ELSE LINE + 165, U - 75) = turn THEN GOSUB win
(X - 24, r7 + 24)-(X + 29, r7 + 1), turn, BF NEXT
IF X = 415 THEN r8 = r8 - 25: SOUND 990, .5: IF r8 < 25 THEN turn = NEXT
6: BEEP: GOSUB play2t: GOTO 90 ELSE LINE RETURN
(X - 24, r8 + 24)-(X + 29, r8 + 1), turn, BF win:
IF X = 470 THEN r9 = r9 - 25: SOUND 990, .5: IF r9 < 25 THEN turn = PLAY “L20”: PLAY “O 3GFEDCP8CDEFGP8GFEDCP8CDEFG”:
6: BEEP: GOSUB play2t: GOTO 90 ELSE LINE PLAY “L30”
(X - 24, r9 + 24)-(X + 29, r9 + 1), turn, BF CLS : SCREEN 12: PAINT (1, 1), 7: KEY OFF: FOR I = 1 TO 520 STEP
IF X = 525 THEN r10 = r10 - 25: SOUND 990, .5: IF r10 < 25 THEN 7: LINE (1, 1)-(I, 479), 5: LINE (640, 1)-(640 - I, 1), 5: LINE (1,
turn = 6: BEEP: GOSUB play2t: GOTO 90 ELSE 479)-(I, 1), 5: LINE (640, 479)-(640 - I, 1), 5: LOCATE 15, 36:
LINE (X - 24, r10 + 24)-(X + 29, r10 + 1), turn, BF COLOR 7: PRINT “PLAYER “; turn - 4: LOCATE 17, 39: PRINT
GOSUB check “WINS”: NEXT
GOSUB play1t SLEEP 1
320 K$ = INKEY$ GOTO 10
ON KEY(17) GOSUB ex: ON KEY(18) GOSUB grid play1t:
KEY 15, CHR$(0) + CHR$(54): ON KEY(15) GOSUB p2: KEY(15) ON: LINE (572, 80)-(627, 105), 7, BF: LINE (572, 250)-(627, 275), 6, BF
ON KEY(16) GOSUB restart: KEY(16) ON RETURN
IF LEN(K$) < 2 THEN 320 play2t:
K = ASC(RIGHT$(K$, 1)) LINE (572, 250)-(627, 275), 7, BF: LINE (572, 80)-(627, 105), 5, BF
IF K = 75 THEN x1 = -55: y1 = 330: GOTO 400 RETURN
IF K = 77 THEN x1 = 55: y1 = 330: GOTO 400 ex:
GOTO 320 CLS : SCREEN 0
400 PUT (X, y), cur: X = X + x1: y = y1 LOCATE 11, 35: COLOR 30: PRINT “CONNECT FOUR”
IF X < 30 THEN X = 525 ELSE IF X > 525 THEN X = 30 LOCATE 12, 29: COLOR 7: PRINT “BY:- DHAVAL.Y.TRIVEDI,”
SOUND 190, .5: PUT (X, y), cur LOCATE 13, 30: PRINT “KANCHAN JUNGHA APPT, 101,”
GOTO 320 LOCATE 14, 26: PRINT “ROYAL PARK-6, UNI.ROAD, RAJKOT-5.”
p2: PLAY “L20”: PLAY “O 3GFEDC”
turn = turn + 1 SYSTEM
IF X = 30 THEN r1 = r1 - 25: SOUND 990, .5: IF r1 < 25 THEN turn = grid:
5: BEEP: GOSUB play1t: GOTO 320 ELSE LINE IF gr = 7 THEN gr = 1 ELSE IF gr = 1 THEN gr = 7
(X - 24, r1 + 24)-(X + 29, r1 + 1), turn, BF LINE (5, 325)-(555, 300), gr, B: LINE (5, 300)-(555, 275), gr, B: LINE
IF X = 85 THEN r2 = r2 - 25: SOUND 990, .5: IF r2 < 25 THEN turn = (5, 275)-(555, 250), gr, B
5: BEEP: GOSUB play1t: GOTO 320 ELSE LINE LINE (5, 250)-(555, 225), gr, B: LINE (5, 225)-(555, 200), gr, B: LINE
(X - 24, r2 + 24)-(X + 29, r2 + 1), turn, BF (5, 200)-(555, 175), gr, B
IF X = 140 THEN r3 = r3 - 25: SOUND 990, .5: IF r3 < 25 THEN turn = LINE (5, 175)-(555, 150), gr, B: LINE (5, 150)-(555, 125), gr, B: LINE
5: BEEP: GOSUB play1t: GOTO 320 ELSE LINE (5, 125)-(555, 100), gr, B
(X - 24, r3 + 24)-(X + 29, r3 + 1), turn, BF LINE (5, 100)-(555, 75), gr, B: LINE (5, 75)-(555, 50), gr, B: LINE (5,
IF X = 195 THEN r4 = r4 - 25: SOUND 990, .5: IF r4 < 25 THEN turn = 50)-(555, 25), gr, B
5: BEEP: GOSUB play1t: GOTO 320 ELSE LINE LINE (5, 325)-(60, 25), gr, B: LINE (60, 325)-(115, 25), gr, B: LINE
(X - 24, r4 + 24)-(X + 29, r4 + 1), turn, BF (115, 325)-(170, 25), gr, B
IF X = 250 THEN r5 = r5 - 25: SOUND 990, .5: IF r5 < 25 THEN turn = LINE (170, 325)-(225, 25), gr, B: LINE (225, 325)-(280, 25), gr, B: LINE
5: BEEP: GOSUB play1t: GOTO 320 ELSE LINE (280, 325)-(335, 25), gr, B
(X - 24, r5 + 24)-(X + 29, r5 + 1), turn, BF LINE (335, 325)-(390, 25), gr, B: LINE (390, 325)-(445, 25), gr, B: LINE
IF X = 305 THEN r6 = r6 - 25: SOUND 990, .5: IF r6 < 25 THEN turn = (445, 325)-(500, 25), gr, B
5: BEEP: GOSUB play1t: GOTO 320 ELSE LINE LINE (500, 325)-(555, 25), gr, B
(X - 24, r6 + 24)-(X + 29, r6 + 1), turn, BF RETURN
IF X = 360 THEN r7 = r7 - 25: SOUND 990, .5: IF r7 < 25 THEN turn = hlp:
5: BEEP: GOSUB play1t: GOTO 320 ELSE LINE LOCATE 28, 2: COLOR 15: PRINT “<LEFT SHIFT>=PLAYER 1
(X - 24, r7 + 24)-(X + 29, r7 + 1), turn, BF <RIGHT SHIFT>=PLAYER 2 <G>=GRID
IF X = 415 THEN r8 = r8 - 25: SOUND 990, .5: IF r8 < 25 THEN turn = ON/OFF <N>=NEW <Q>=QUIT”
5: BEEP: GOSUB play1t: GOTO 320 ELSE LINE RETURN
(X - 24, r8 + 24)-(X + 29, r8 + 1), turn, BF

80 ELECTRONICS FOR YOU ❚ MAY 2000


SOLAR BUG
„ D. SOMNATH
H
ide this solar-powered circuit
suitably and see the reaction
of your friends to the chirpy
sound produced by it every few min-
utes. In all probability, it will coax
them to find out where the sound is
coming from.
The circuit runs off a miniature so-
lar power panel, which can be taken
out from an old calculator such as Citi-
zen CT-500. A panel giving 1.5V to
WWW.EFYMAG.COM
CIRCUIT
IDEAS
SANI TH
EO
small as 3 cm2.
If a digital voltmeter is connected
across capacitor C2, a slow build-up
of voltage can be observed when the
panel is exposed to light. Transistors
T1 and T2 form a relaxation oscillator.
When C1 charges to 0.6V, transistor
T1 conducts and the charge built up
in C2 is discharged through the
piezobuzzer to produce a short beep.
While testing the circuit, the value
of resistor R1 can be reduced to, say, 1
kilo-ohm. Use a good-quality buzzer
2.5V is required. Note that the circuit to ensure that the sound produced is
can work properly from a panel as loud enough. z
ELECTRONICS FOR YOU • APRIL 2005 • 67
CMYK
 CIRCUIT
IDEAS
SOLAR LIGHTING SYSTEM

ASHISH AHUJA
T
he world cannot continue to rely
for long on fossil fuels for its
energy requirements. Fossil fuel
reserves are limited. In addition, when
burnt, these add to global warming,
air pollution and acid rain.
So solar photovoltaic systems are
ideal for providing independent elec-
trical power and lighting in isolated
rural areas that are far away from the
power grid. These systems are non-
polluting, don’t deplete the natural re-
sources and are cheap in the long run.
The aim of this circuit is to demon-
strate how we can utilise solar light to
electrify the remote areas, i.e., how we
can store the solar energy and then use
it for small-scale lighting applications.
Solar cells generate direct current,
so make sure that DPDT switch S1 is
towards the solar panel side. The DC
voltage from the solar panel is used to
charge the battery and control the re-
lay.
Capacitor C1 connected in parallel
with a 12V relay coil remains charged
in daytime until the relay is activated.
Capacitor C1 is used to increase the
response time of the relay, so switch-
98 • APRIL 2006 • ELECTRONICS FOR YOU
ing occurs moments after the voltage
across it falls below 12V. Capacitor C1
also filters the rectified output if the
battery is charged through AC power.
The higher the value of the capacitor,
the more the delay in switching. The
switching time is to be properly ad-
justed because the charging would
practically stop in the early evening
while we want the light to be ‘on’ dur-
ing late evening.
During daytime, relay RL1
energises, provided DPDT switch S1
is towards the solar panel side. Due to
energisation of relay RL1, the positive
terminal of the battery is connected to
the output of regulator IC 7808 (a 3-
terminal, 1A, 8V regulator) via diode
D1 and normally-open (N/O) contacts
of relay RL1. Here we have used a 6V,
4.5Ah maintenance-free, lead-acid re-
chargeable battery. It requires a con-
stant voltage of approx. 7.3 volts for
its proper charging.
Even though the output of the so-
lar panel keeps varying with the light
intensity, IC 7808 (IC1) is used to give
a constant output of 8V. Diode D1
causes a drop of 0.7V, so we get
approx. 7.3V to charge the battery.
LED1 indicates that the circuit is work-
CMYK
IVEDI
S.C. DW
ing and the battery is in the charging
mode.
At night, there will be no genera-
tion of electricity. The relay will not
energise and charging will not take
place. The solar energy stored in the
battery can then be used to light up
the lamp. A 3W lamp glows continu-
ously for around 6 hours if the battery
is fully charged. Instead of a 3W lamp,
you can also use a parallel array of
serially connected white LEDs and lim-
iting resistors to provide sufficient
light for even longer duration.
In case the battery is connected in
reverse polarity while charging, IC
7808 will get damaged. The circuit in-
dicates this damage by lighting up
LED2, which is connected in reverse
with resistor R2. However, the circuit
provides only the indication of reverse
polarity and no measure to protect the
IC. A diode can be connected in re-
verse to the common terminal of the
IC but this would reduce the voltage
available to the battery for charging
by another 0.7 volt.
There is also a provision for esti-
mating the approximate voltage in the
battery. This has been done by connect-
ing ten 1N4007 diodes (D2 through D11)
WWW.EFYMAG.COM

in forward bias with the battery. The
output is taken by LED3 across diodes
D2, D3, D4 and D5, which is equal to
2.8V when the battery is fully charged.
LED3 lights up at 2.5 volts or above.
Here it glows with the voltage drop
across the four diodes, which indicates
that the battery is charged. If the bat-
WWW.EFYMAG.COM
tery voltage falls due to prolonged op-
eration, LED3 no longer glows as the
drop across D2, D3, D4 and D5 is not
enough to light it up. This indicates
that the battery has gone weak. Micro-
switch S1 has been provided to do this
test whenever you want.
If the weather is cloudy for some
ELECTRONICS FOR YOU • APRIL 2006 • 99
CMYK
CIRCUIT
IDEAS
consecutive days, the battery will not
charge. So a transformer and full-wave
rectifier have been added to charge the
battery by using DPDT switch S1. This
is particularly helpful in those areas
where power supply is irregular; the
battery can be charged whenever
mains power is available.


Staircase Light With
Auto Switch-Off
 Raj K. Gorkhali
W
e are all familiar with the
electrical wiring arrange-
ment that connects an elec-
trical bulb with two switches: one at
the bottom of a staircase and the other
at the top. Wiring is done such that
either of the two switches can be used
to switch the bulb on or off. In such a
wiring arrangement, while climbing
up the staircase which is in dark, the
switch located at the bottom of the
staircase is used to switch on the light.
After you have climbed the staircase,
you use the switch located there to
switch off the light.
The circuit presented here is an
electronic-cum-electrical arrangement
to get a similar facility as provided
by the hard-wired electrical system,
but you need to operate the switch
only once. Whereas in the hard-wired
arrangement if you forget to switch
off the light once you have traversed
the staircase, light would remain ‘on,’
wasting energy.
In this circuit also, we have two
w w w. e f y m ag . co m
micro-switches—one located at the top
and the other located at the bottom of
the staircase—that can be pushed and
released easily during climb-up from
the bottom of the staircase or climb-
down from the top of the staircase. With
every push and release of either of the
two switches, bulb L1 lights up for a
preset time period of, say, 40 seconds,
which is considered adequate for climb-
ing up or going down the staircase. The
bulb goes off automatically after the set
40 seconds. You can change this ‘on’
time by changing the values of resis-
tor R7 and/or capacitor C4 depending
upon your requirement.
Switches S1 and S2 are the two
micro-switches, which provide low in-
puts to the respective de-bouncing cir-
cuits. Each de-bouncing circuit is built
around two NAND gates connected
back to back. The de-bouncing circuits
ensure a clean, bounce-free pulse at the
output every time the micro-switch is
pressed and released. The outputs from
the two de-bouncing circuits are ORed
using diodes D1 and D2 (1N4001). So
every time you press and release either
circuit
ideas
s.c. dwiv
edi
of the micro-switches, you get a posi-
tive-going pulse at the junction of the
cathodes of diodes D1 and D2.
These pulses are used to trigger the
monostable circuit built around timer
IC2. On the trailing edge of the pulse,
the output of the monostable goes
high for a time period of 40 seconds.
This drives relay-driver transistor
2N2222 (T1) wired as a switch. Relay
RL1 gets energised and closes N/O
contacts of the relay, wired in series
with the mains and the bulb (L1). Bulb
L1 switches off when the relay gets
de-energised after 40-second pulse pe-
riod. Free-wheeling diode D4 (1N4001)
protects transistor T1 against transients
during relay switch-off operation.
The circuit operates off a 9V bat-
tery, which gets connected to the cir-
cuit through ‘on’/‘off’ switch S3. You
can also use regulated 9V power sup-
ply. Assemble the circuit on a general-
purpose PCB and house in a small box.
Connect micro-switches S1 and S2 near
top and bottom of the staircase through
flexible wires and bulb in the middle of
the staircase. 
e l e c t ro n i c s f o r yo u • M ay 2 0 0 8 • 7 1
 CIRCUIT
IDEAS

STRESS METER SANI TH

EO

„ D. MOHAN KUMAR cuit. The circuit is very sensitive and bar mode for each increment of 125
detects even a minute voltage varia- mV in the input.

T
his stress monitor lets you
assess your emotional pain. If
the stress is very high, it gives
visual indication through a light-emit-
ting diode (LED) display along with a
Fig. 1: Circuit of the stress meter
warning beep. The gadget is small
enough to be worn around the wrist.
The gadget is based on the prin-
ciple that the resistance of the skin var-
ies in accordance with your emotional
states. If the stress level is high the
skin offers less resistance, and if the
body is relaxed the skin resistance is
high. The low resistance of the skin
during high stress is due to an increase
in the blood supply to the skin. This
increases the permeability of the skin
and hence the conductivity for electric
current.
This property of the skin is used
here to measure the stress level. The
touch pads of the stress meter sense
the voltage variations across the touch
pads and convey the same to the cir-
tion across the touch pads.
The circuit comprises signal ampli-
fier and analogue display sections.
Voltage variations from the sensing
pads are amplified by transistor BC548
(T1), which is configured as a com-
mon-emitter amplifier. The base of T1
is connected to one of the touch pads
through resistor R1 and to the ground
rail through potmeter VR1. By vary-
ing VR1, the sensitivity of T1 can be
adjusted to the desired level. Diode D1
maintains proper biasing of T1 and ca-
pacitor C1 keeps the voltage from the
emitter of T1 steady.
The amplified signal from transis-
tor T1 is given to the input of IC
LM3915 (IC1) through VR2. IC
LM3915 is a monolithic integrated cir-
cuit that senses analogue voltage lev-
els at its pin 5 and displays them
through LEDs providing a logarith-
mic analogue display. It can drive up
to ten LEDs one by one in the dot/
Here, we’ve used only five LEDs
connected at pins 14 through 18 of IC1.
LED1 glows when input pin 5 of IC1
receives 150 mV. LED5 glows when
the voltage rises to 650 mV and LED5
flashes and
piezobuzzer PZ1
beeps when the
stress level is high.
Resistors R4
and R5 and capaci-
tor C2 form the
flashing elements.
Resistor R3 main-
Fig. 2: Display panel tains the LED cur-
rent at
around 20
mA. Ca-
pacitor C3
should be
p l a c e d
close to pin
Fig. 3: Self-locking straps 3 for proper
functioning
of the IC. Zener diode ZD1 in series
with resistor R6 provides regulated 5V
to the circuit.
The circuit can be assembled on a
small piece of perforated board. Use
transparent 3mm LEDs and a small
piezobuzzer for audio-visual indica-
tions. Enclose the circuit in a small
plastic case with touch pads on the
back side. Two self-locking straps can
be used to tie the unit around your
wrist.
After tying the unit around your
wrist (with touch pads in contact with
the skin), slowly vary VR1 until LED1
glows (assuming that you are in re-
laxed state). Adjust VR2 if the sensi-
tivity of IC1 is very high. The gadget
is now ready for use. z

WWW.EFYMAG.COM ELECTRONICS FOR YOU • SEPTEMBER 2005 • 101

CMYK
 TELEPHONE CALL ME TER USING
CALCULATOR AND COB
I
n this circuit, a simple calculator, in
conjunction with a COB (chip-on-
board) from an analogue quartz clock,
is used to make a telephone call meter.
The calculator enables conversion of STD/
ISD calls to local call equivalents and al-
ways displays current local call-meter
reading.
The circuit is simple and presents an
elegant look, with feather-touch operation.
It consumes very low current and is fully
battery operated. The batteries used last
more than a year.
Another advantage of using this cir-
cuit is that it is compatible with any type
of pulse rate format, i.e. pulse rate in
whole number, or whole number with
decimal part. Recently, the telephone de-
partment announced changes in pulse
rate format, which included pulse rate
in whole number plus decimal part. In
such a case, this circuit proves very
handy.
To convert STD/ISD calls to local calls,
this circuit needs accurate 1Hz clock
pulses, generated by clock COB. This COB
is found inside analogue quartz wall
clocks or time-piece mechanisms. It
consists of IC, chip capacitors, and crystal
that one can retrieve from scrap quartz
clock mechanisms.
Normally, the COB inside clock
mechanism will be in good condition.
However, before using the COB, please
check its serviceability by applying
1.5V DC across terminals C and D, as
shown in the figure. Then check DC
voltage across terminals A and B;
these terminals in a clock are connected
to a coil. If the COB is in good condition,
the multimeter needle would deflect
forward and backward once every sec-
ond. In fact, 0.5Hz clock is available at
terminals A and B, with a phase
difference of 90o. The advantage of using
this COB is that it works on a 1.5V DC
source.
LOOKUP TABLE
Pulse rate (PR) 2 2.5 3 4
Pulse rate
eqlt. (PRE) 0.500 0.400 0.333 0.250 0.166 0.125 0.083 0.062 0.041 0.031 0.027 0.020
Note: Here PRE is shown up to three decimal places. In practice, one may use up to five
or six decimal places.
The clock pulses available from ter-
minal A and B are combined using a
bridge, comprising diodes D1 to D4, to
obtain 1Hz clock pulses. These clock
pulses are applied to the base of transis-
tor T1. The collector and emitter of tran-
sistor T1 are connected across calculator’s
‘=’ terminals.
The number of pulses forming an
equivalent call may be determined from
the latest telephone directory. However,
the pulse rate (PR) found in the directory
cannot be used directly in this circuit.
For compatibility with this circuit, the
pulse rate applicable for a particular
place/distance, based on time of the
day/holidays, is converted to pulse rate
equivalent (PRE) using the formula
PRE = 1/PR.
You may prepare a look-up table for
various pulse rates and their equivalents
(see Table). Suppose you are going to
make an STD call in pulse rate 4. Note
down from the table the pulse rate equiva-
lent for pulse rate 4, which is 0.25. Please
note that on maturity of a call in the
telephone exchange, the exchange call
meter immediately advances to one call
and it will be further incremented ac-
cording to pulse rate. So one call should
6 8 12 16 24 32 36 48
always be included before counting the
calls.
For making call in pulse rate 4, slide
switch S1 to ‘off’ (pulse set position) and
press calculator buttons in the following
order: 1, ‘+’, 0.25, ‘=’. Here, 1 is initial
count, and 0.25 is PRE. Now calculator
displays 1.25. This call meter is now ready
to count. Now make the call, and as soon
as the call matures, immediately slide
switch S1 to ‘on’ (start/standby position).
The COB starts generating clock
pulses of 1 Hz. Transistor T1 conducts
once every second, and thus ‘=’ button in
calculator is activated electronically once
every second. The calculator display starts
from 1.25, advancing every second as
follows:
1.25, 1.5, 1.75, 2.00, 2.25, 2.50, and so on.
After finishing the call, immediately
slide switch S1 to ‘off’ position (pulse set
position) and note down the local call
meter reading from the calculator display.
If decimal value is more than or equal to
0.9, add another call to the whole num-
ber value. If decimal value is less than
0.9, neglect decimal value and note down
only whole numbers.
To store this local call meter reading
into calculator memory, press ‘M+’ but-
ton. Now local call meter reading is stored
in memory and is added to the previous
local call meter reading. For continuous
display of current local call meter read-
ing, press ‘MRC’ button and slide switch
S1 to ‘on’ (start/standby position). The cur-
rent local call meter reading will blink
ELECTRONICS PROJECTS Vol. 21 167
once every second.
In prototype circuit, the author used
TAKSUN calculator. The display height
was 1 cm. In this calculator, he
substituted the two button-type batteries
with two externally connected 1.5V R6
type batteries to run the calculator for
more than an year.
The power ‘off’ button terminals were
made dummy by affixing cellotape on con-
tacts to avoid erasing of memory, should
someone accidentally press the power ‘off’
button. This calculator has auto ‘off’ fa-
cility. Therefore, some button needs to be
pressed frequently to keep the calculator
‘on’. So, in the idle condition, the ‘=’ but-
168 ELECTRONICS PROJECTS Vol. 21
ton is activated electronically once every
second by transistor T1, to keep the cal-
culator continuously ‘on’.
Useful hints. Solder the ‘=’ button
terminals by drilling small holes in its
vicinity on PCB pattern using thin cop-
per wire and solder it neatly, such that
the ‘=’ button could get activated elec-
tronically as well as manually. Take
the copper wire through a hole to the
backside of the PCB, from where it is
taken out of the calculator as terminals
G and H.
At calculator’s battery terminals, sol-
der two wires to ‘+’ and ‘–’ terminals.
These wires are also taken out from cal-
culator as terminals E and F. Affix COB
on a general-purpose PCB and solder the
remaining components neatly. For giv-
ing the unit an elegant look, purchase a
jewellery plastic box with flip-type cover
(size 15cm x 15cm). Now fix the board,
calculator, and batteries, along with
holder inside the jewellery box. Then
mount the box on the wall and paste the
look-up table inside the box cover in such
a way that on opening the box, it is vis-
ible on left side of the box.
Caution. The negative terminals of
battery A and battery B are to be kept
isolated from each other for proper opera-
tion of this circuit.
 Telephone Conversation
Recorder
T
his circuit enables automatic ensures that transistor T1 gets voltage of tor T1 is pulled to ground potential via
switching-on of the tape recorder proper polarity, irrespective of the polarity resistor R4 and thus is cut off. Thus, base
when the handset is lifted. The of the telephone lines. of transistor T2 gets forward biased via
tape recorder gets switched off when the During on-hook condition, the output resistor R5, which results in the energisa-
handset is replaced. The signals are suit- from the bridge (48V DC) passes through tion of relay RL1. The tape recorder is
ably attenuated to a level at which they 12V zener D5 and is applied to the base of switched 'on' and recording begins.
can be recorded using the 'MICIN' socket transistor T1 via the voltage divider com- The tape recorder should be kept
of the tape recorder. prising resistors R3 and R4. This switches loaded with a cassette and the record
Points X and Y in the circuit are con- on transistor T1 and its collector is pulled button of the tape recorder should re-
nected to the telephone lines. Resistors R1 low. This, in turn, causes transistor T2 to main pressed to enable it to record the
and R2 act as a voltage divider. The voltage cut off and relay RL1 is not energised. conversation as soon as the handset is
appearing across R2 is fed to the 'MIC-IN' When the telephone handset is lifted, lifted. Capacitor C2 ensures that the re-
socket of the tape recorder. The values of the voltage across points X and Y falls lay is not switched on-and-off repeatedly
R1 and R2 may be changed depending on below 12 volts and so zener diode D5 does when a number is being dialled in pulse
the input impedance of the tape recorder's not conduct. As a result, base of transis- dialling mode.
'MIC-IN' terminals. Capacitor
C1 is used for blocking the flow
of DC.
The second part of the circuit
controls relay RL1, which is used
to switch on/off the tape recorder.
A voltage of 48 volts appears
across the telephone lines in
on-hook condition. This voltage
drops to about 9 volts when the
handset is lifted. Diodes D1
through D4 constitute a bridge
rectifier/polarity guard. This

ELECTRONICS PROJECTS Vol. 21

 TELEPHONE LINE BASED AUDIO
MUTING AND LIGHT-ON CIRCUIT
V
ery often when enjoying music or relays will still remain energised because The timer IC2 (555) is configured in
watching TV at high audio level, of low-impedance DC path available monostable mode and connected between
we may not be able to hear a (via cradle switch and handset) for transistor T1 and relay units provides a
telephone ring and thus miss
an important incoming phone
call. To overcome this
situation, the circuit
presented here can be used.
The circuit would
automatically light a bulb on
arrival of a telephone ring and
simultaneously mute the
music system/TV audio for
the duration the telephone
handset is off-hook. Lighting
of the bulb would not only
indicate an incoming call but
also help in locating the
telephone during darkness.
On arrival of a ring, or
when the handset is off-
hook, the inbuilt transistor
of IC1 (opto-coupler)
conducts and capacitor C1
gets charged and, in turn,
transistor T1 gets forward
biased. As a result,
transistor T1 conducts,
causing energisation of
relays RL1, RL2, and RL3.
Diode D1 connected in anti-
parallel to inbuilt diode of
IC1, in shunt with resistor R1, provides the in-built diode of IC1. After completion holding time of around 0.5 minutes.
an easy path for AC current and helps of call when handset is placed back on Similarly, energisation of DPDT
in limiting the voltage across inbuilt its cradle, the low-impedance path relay RL3 opens the leads going to
diode to a safe value during the ringing. through handset is no more available the speakers and thus mutes both audio
(The RMS value of ring voltage lies and thus relays RL1 through RL3 are speakers. Use ‘N/C’ contacts of relay
between 70 and 90 volts RMS.) Capacitor deactivated. RL3 in series with speakers of music
C1 maintains necessary voltage for As shown in the figure, the energised system and ‘N/C’ contacts of RL2 in
continuously forward biasing transistor relay RL1 contacts switch on the light, series with TV speaker. Use ‘N/O’ contact
T1 so that the relays are while energisation of relay RL2 causes the of relay RL1 in series with a bulb to
not de-energised during the negative path of TV speaker lead to be opened. (For get the visual indication of an incoming
half cycles and off-period of ring signal. dual-speaker TV, replace relay RL2 with a call as well as light during off-hook
Once the handset is picked up, the DPDT relay of 6V, 200 ohm.) period.

ELECTRONICS PROJECTS Vol. 21 187

 Telecom Headset
A
compact, inexpensive and
low component count
telecom head-set can be con-
structed using two readily available
transistors and a few other electron-
ic components. This circuit is very
useful for hands-free operation of
EPABX and pager communication.
Since the circuit draws very little
current, it is ideal for parallel opera-
tion with electronic telephone set.
Working of the circuit is simple
and straightforward. Resistor R1
and an ordinary neon glow-lamp
forms a complete visual ringer cir-
cuit. This simple arrangement does
not require a DC blocking capacitor
because, under idle conditions, the tel-
ephone line voltage is insufficient to ionise
the neon gas and thus the lamp does not
light. Only when the ring signal is being
received, it flashes at the ringing rate to
indicate an incoming call.
The bridge rectifier using diodes D1
through D4 acts as a polarity guard which lector of transistor T2 are
protects the electronic circuit from any coupled to dynamic receiver
reversal in the telephone line polarity. RT-200 (used as earpiece) via
Zener diode D5 at the output of this bridge capacitor C7.
rectifier is used for additional circuit A condenser micro-
protection. phone, connected as shown
Section comprising transistor T1, re- in the circuit, is used as
sistors R2, R3 and zener diode D6 forms a transmitter. Audio signals
constant voltage regulator that provides developed across the microphone are diode bridge.
a low voltage output of about 5 volts. coupled to the base of transistor T1 The whole circuit can be wired on a
Dial tone and speech signals from ex- via capacitor C3. Resistor R4 deter- very small PCB and housed in a medium
change are coupled to the audio ampli- mines the DC bias required for the size headphone, as shown in the illustra-
fier stage built around transistor T2 and microphone. After amplification by tion. For better results at low line cur-
related parts, i.e. resistors R7, R6 and transistor T1, the audio signals are rents, value of resistor R2 may be reduced
capacitor C5. Amplified signals from col- coupled to the telephone lines via the after testing.

ELECTRONICS PROJECTS Vol. 20

 TELEPHONE RINGER
USING TIMER ICs
U
sing modulated rectangular
waves of different time periods,
the circuit presented here pro-
duces ringing tones similar to those
produced by a telephone.
The circuit requires four astable
multivibrators for its working. Therefore
two 556 ICs are used here. The IC 556
contains two timers (similar to 555 ICs)
in a single package. One can also as-
semble this circuit using four separate
555 ICs. The first multivibrator produces
a rectangular waveform with 1-second
‘low’ duration and 2-second ‘high’
duration. This waveform is used to con-
trol the next multivibrator that produces
another rectangular waveform.
A resistor R7 is used at the collector of
transistor T2 to prevent capacitor C3 from
fully discharging when transistor T2 is
conducting. Preset VR1 must be set at
such a value that two ringing tones are
heard in the loudspeaker in one second.
The remaining two multivibrators are used
to produce ringing tones correspond-
ing to the ringing pulses produced
by the preceding multivibrator
stages.
When switch S1 is closed, tran-
sistor T1 cuts off and thus the first
multivibrator starts generating
pulses. If this switch is placed in the
power supply path, one has to wait
for a longer time for the ringing to
start after the switch is closed. The
circuit used also has a provision for
applying a drive voltage to the circuit
to start the ringing.
Note that the circuit is not meant
for connection to the telephone lines.
Using appropriate drive circuitry at
the input (across switch S1) one can
use this circuit with intercoms, etc.
Since ringing pulses are generated
within the circuit, only a constant
voltage is to be sent to the called
party for ringing.
EFY Lab note. To resemble the
actual telephone ringing a 400 Hz
tone is switched on in the following
sequence: 400ms on, 200ms off,
400ms on and 2000ms off and then
repeat.
ELECTRONICS PROJECTS Vol. 21 203
 CIRCUIT
IDEAS
TELEPHONE-OPERATED
CALLING SYSTEM
 YOGESH KATARIA (VU3PYF)
D
ual-tone multiple-frequency
(DTMF) receiver IC is com-
monly used in telephone
equipment. One common DTMF
receiver is Holtek HT9170 used in
electronic communication circuits. The
Holtek HT9170 series comprises DTMF
receivers integrated with digital de-
coder and bandsplit filter functions.
All HT9170 series ICs use digital
counting techniques to detect and de-
code all the 16 DTMF tone pairs into a
4-bit code output.
This telephone-operated calling cir-
cuit is very helpful for doctors in call-
ing the patients, in banks and in vari-
ous other situations where persons
have to be called or signalled. When
you need to call a person amongst
many standing outside your cabin, just
lift the telephone handset off the cradle
and press the respective number. The
number of the person called will be
displayed and a bell will sound to in-
form the person that it is his turn.
100 • OCTOBER 2006 • ELECTRONICS FOR YOU
The circuit can also be used in quiz
contests and by visually- or hearing-
impaired people. It can be used to call
a maximum of nine different persons.
The circuit is built around DTMF
receiver IC HT9170, BCD-to-7-segment
decoder/driver 7447, quad 2-input OR
gate and common-anode display.
Simple melody generator IC UM66 is
used to produce melody sound in the
loudspeaker through Darlington-pair
transistors (T1 and T2).
The tone pair DTMF generated by
pressing the telephone key is con-
verted into binary values internally in
the IC. The binary values are indicated
by the glowing of LEDs at the output
of IC1.
The output of IC1 is connected to:
1. LEDs connected via resistors R15
through R18 at pins 11 through 14, re-
spectively. LED1 indicates the LSB and
LED4 indicates the MSB.
2. BCD-to-7-segment decoder/
driver 7447, whose outputs are con-
nected to the common-anode display
for displaying the pressed number on
CMYK
S.C. DW
IVEDI
the telephone connected in parallel to
the circuit.
3. Gates N1 and N2 to activate the
call bell.
Here is how the circuit works: Con-
nect the telephone and the circuit in
parallel to the telephone line. Connect
6V to the circuit. When you press
switch S1, DIS1 shows ‘0.’ Lift the
handset off the cradle and dial a num-
ber, say, ‘1.’ The output of IC1 becomes
A3A2A1A0 = 0001. LED1 glows, the
display shows ‘1’ and the call bell
sounds.
To stop the call bell, put the re-
ceiver on the cradle and press switch
S1 momentarily. Now DIS1 shows ‘0’
and LED1 stops glowing.
For calling other numbers, follow
the same procedure: Lift the handset
off the cradle and press the desired
number (0 through 9). The respective
LED will glow, the number will be dis-
played on DIS1 and the call bell will
sound. Now put the handset on the
cradle and press S1 momentarily to
stop the call bell. 
WWW.EFYMAG.COM
 Tiny Dew Sensor
D
ew (condensed moisture) ad-
versely affects the normal per-
formance of sensitive electronic
devices. A low-cost circuit described here
can be used to switch off any gadget
automatically in case of excessive
humidity.
At the heart of the circuit is an
inexpensive (resistor type) dew sensor
element. Although dew sensor elements
are widely used in video cassette players
and recorders, these may not be easily
available in local market. However, the
ELECTRONICS PROJECTS Vol. 20
same can be procured from authorised
service centres of reputed companies. The
author used the dew sensor for FUNAI
VCP model No. V.I.P. 3000A (Part No:
6808-08-04, reference no. 336) in his pro-
totype. In practice, it is observed that all
dew sensors available for video application
possess the same electrical characteristics
irrespective of their physical shape/size,
and hence are interchangeable and can be
used in this project.
The circuit is basically a switching
type circuit made with the help of a
popular dual op-amp IC LM358N which
is configured here as a comparator. (Note
that only one half of the IC is used here.)
Under normal conditions, resistance of
the dew sensor is low (1 kilo-ohm or so)
and thus the voltage at its non-inverting
terminal (pin 3) is low compared to that at
its inverting input (pin 2) terminal. The
corresponding output of the comparator
(at pin 1) is accordingly low and thus noth-
ing happens in the circuit.
When humidity exceeds 80 per cent,
the sensor resistance increases rapidly.
As a result, the non-inverting pin becomes
more positive than the inverting pin. This
pushes up the output of IC1 to a high
level. As a consequence, the LED inside
the opto-coupler is energised. At the same
time LED1 provides a visual indication.
The opto-coupler can be suitably inter-
faced to any electronic device for switching
purpose.
Circuit comprising diode D1, resistors
R8 and R6 and capacitor C1 forms a low-
voltage, low-current power supply unit.
This simple arrangement obviates the
requirement for a bulky and expensive
step-down transformer.
 CIRCUIT IDEAS

touch signal is connected to the counter/

decoder via a resistor and clock input CK

TOUCH DIMMER S.C.

DWI
VED
I is connected to the counter/decoder via a
frequency generator.
Line frequency signal is taken through
R4 at pin 2 of IC TT6061A. At zero cross-
K. KRISHNA MURTY second touch, the bulb gives medium light. ing, the triac (BT136) triggers to drive a
At the third touch, the bulb is driven 200W bulb.

B
y simply touching this touch dim-
mer you can increase the light in-
tensity of incandescent lamps in
three steps. The touch dimmer is built
around 8-pin CMOS IC TT8486A/TT6061A
specifically manufactured for touch dim-
fully. Another touch puts off the light.
Since the IC is highly sensitive, use a
long wire to connect the IC to the touch
sensor. The circuit uses minimum exter-
nal components. For touch plate, you can
use a simple copper plate of 1cm×1cm or
The 6.8V power supply is taken di-
rectly from mains through resistors R1 and
R3, diode D3, capacitor C4, and zener
diode and fed to power-input pin 3 of the
IC. Capacitors C1, C2, and C3 connected
between touch input pin 4 and touch plate

Pin Assignments of IC TT6061A

Pin No. Pin name Function description

1 CK System clock input

2 FI 50Hz line frequency
3 VDD Power input pin for VDD
4 TI Touch input
5 CI Sensor control input
6 NC Not connected
7 VSS Power input pin for VSS
8 AT Angle-trigger output

remove the shock potential from the touch

mer applications.
Initially, when mains switch is ‘on,’
the bulb is ‘off’. Now, if you touch the
touch plate, the bulb glows dimly. On
even the end of the lead wire. Touch plate
is coupled to the touch detector through
820pF, 2kV capacitors C1, C2, and C3 con-
nected in series. Internally IC TT6061A’s
plate, so do not replace these capacitors
with a single capacitor or with a capacitor
of a lower voltage rating. Mains potential
exists in the circuit. Needless to say, it is
dangerous to touch the circuit when mains
is ‘on.’
Note. The IC had been procured by
the author from SM Semiconductors,
Santacruz (W), Mumbai.

DECEMBER 2003 ELECTRONICS FOR YOU

 TOUCH-SENSITIVE MUSICAL
BELL WITH TIMER
T
his circuit is built
around CMOS IC
CD4011 and pop-
ular melody generator
IC UM66. When touch
plates are bridged by
hand for a moment. the
circuit starts to generate
music. After a few sec-
onds the music automati-
cally stops.
Maximum supply
voltage for this circuit is
+5 volts. The IC UM66
can not operate beyond
3.3V voltage. IC 7805
regulator based power supply can be used ing values of capacitor C1 and resistor R2. 5-volt rail keep voltage applied to pin2 of
to power this circuit. Three silicon diodes connected in series UM66 below 3.2 volts because of the drop
Time delay can be changed by chang- between pin 2 of UM66 IC and positive of approximately 1.8 volts across them.

ELECTRONICS PROJECTS Vol. 19 185

 CIRCUIT
IDEAS
ULTRASONIC PROXIMITY DETECTOR
 PRADEEP G.
W
e the humans can hear
sound of up to 20kHz fre-
quency only. This proxim-
ity detector works at a frequency of 40
kHz. It uses two specially made ultra-
sonic transducers: One transducer
emits 40kHz sound, while the other
receives 40kHz sound and converts it
into electrical variation of the same fre-
quency.
Fig. 1 shows the block diagram of
the ultrasonic proximity detector and
Fig. 2 shows its circuit. Mount the
transducers (transmitter as well as re-
ceiver) about 5 cm apart on a piece of
Fig. 1: Block diagram of ultrasonic proximity detector
Fig. 2: Circuit of ultrasonic proximity detector
88 • DECEMBER 2006 • ELECTRONICS FOR YOU
general-purpose PCB as shown in
Fig. 3 and connect to identical points
(‘a’ through ‘d’) of the detector circuit
(Fig. 2) via external wires.
The 40kHz oscillator is built
around transistors T1 and T2. If there
is a solid object in front of the ultra-
sonic transmitter module (TX1), some
signals will be reflected back and
sensed by the receiver transducer
(RX1). The 40kHz ultrasonic signals are
converted into 40kHz electric signals
by the receiver and then amplified by
transistors T3 and T4.
The amplified signals are still in
the inaudible range, i.e., these can’t be
heard. So a frequency-divider stage us-
IVEDI
S.C. DW
ing CMOS decade counter IC4017 (IC1)
is used at the output of the amplifier.
IC1 divides the input frequency by ’10,’
so the 40kHz signal becomes 4 kHz,
which is within the audible range. The
4kHz signals are fed to op-amp IC 741
(IC2), which is wired as an earphone
amplifier.
This circuit can be used as an elec-
tronic guard for the blind. Keep it
(along with 9V battery) in their pocket
with earphone plugged to their ear.
The transducer modules should be di-
rected to-
wards the
walking
path. If
any object
comes up
in front or
n e a r b y , Fig. 3: Transducers mounted
they will on the PCB
WWW.EFYMAG.COM

hear 4kHz sound through the ear-
phone and can change their path ac-
cordingly.
One thing to be noted here is that
while using this device, avoid the com-
pany of your pets. The reason is that
pets can hear ultrasonic sound, which
will irritate them and they will bark
unnecessarily.
EFY note. A similar device is used
in some cars, such as Skoda’s Laura
model, to help the drivers in backing
CIRCUIT
IDEAS
up and avoid banging against some
invisible objects. However, instead of
earphones the sound in this case is
heard through a speaker and there is
also an LCD screen to visually assist
the driver. 

WWW.EFYMAG.COM ELECTRONICS FOR YOU • DECEMBER 2006 • 89

 UPS FOR CORDLESS TELEPHONES
C
ordless telephones are very
popular nowadays. But they
have a major drawback, i.e. they
cannot be operated during power fail-
ure. Therefore usually another ordinary
telephone is connected in parallel to the
Fig. 1: Block diagram of UPS.
cordless telephone. This results in lack of
secrecy. UPS is a permanent solution to
this problem.
Fig. 2: Circuit diagram of UPS
Since the UPS is meant only for the
cordless telephone, its output power is
limited to around 1.5W. This is sufficient
to operate most cordless telephones. as
these employ only small capacity adapters
(usually 9V/12V, 500mA), to enable the
operation of the circuit and to charge the
battery present in the handset.
The UPS presently designed is of on-
line type. Here the inverter is ‘on’ through-
182 ELECTRONICS PROJECTS Vol. 19
out, irrespective of the presence of the AC
mains. When the AC mains is present,
the same is converted into DC and fed to
the inverter. A part of the mains rectified
output is used to charge the battery. When
the mains power fails, the DC supply to
the inverter is from the battery and from
this is obtained AC at the inverter output.
This is shown in fig.1.
The circuit wired around IC CD4047
is an astable multivibrator operating at a
frequency of 50 Hz. The Q and Q outputs
of this multivibrator directly drive power
MOSFETS IRF540. The configuration used
is push-pull type. The inverter output is
filtered and the spikes are reduced using
MOV (metal oxide varistor). The inverter
transformer used is an ordinary 9V-0-9V,
1.5A mains transformer readily available
in the market. Two LEDS (D6 and D7) indi-
cate the presence of mains/battery.
The mains supply (when present) is
stepped down, rectified and filtered using
diodes D1 through D4 and capacitor C1. A
part of this supply is also used to charge
the battery. In place of a single 12V, 4Ah
Fig. 3: Proposed layout of front and rear panels.
battery, one may use two 6V, 4Ah batter-
ies (SUNCA or any other suitable brand).
The circuit can be easily assembled on
a general-purpose PCB and placed inside
a metal box. The two transformers may be
mounted on the chassis of the box. Also,
the two batteries can be mounted in the
box using supporting clamps. The front
and back panel designs are shown in the
Fig. 3.
The same circuit can deliver up to
100W, provided the inverter transformer
and charging transformer are replaced
with higher current rating transformers,
so that the system can be used for some
other applications as well.
 CIRCUIT
IDEAS
VARIABLE POWER SUPPLY USING
A FIXED-VOLTAGE REGULATOR IC
 DR MAHESH N. JIVANI AND DR
NIKESH A. SHAH
A
voltage regulator (also called
a ‘regulator’) with only three
terminals appears to be a
simple device, but it is in fact a very
complex integrated circuit. It converts
a varying input voltage into a constant
‘regulated’ output voltage. Voltage
regulators are available in a variety of
outputs like 5V, 6V, 9V, 12V and 15V.
The LM78XX series of voltage regu-
lators are designed for positive input.
For applications requiring negative in-
put, the LM79XX series is used. Fig. 1
shows the pin configuration of a 5V
7805 regulator.
The output voltage of a regulator
circuit can be increased
Fig. 1: Pin
configuration of
7805 regulator Fig. 2: Circuit for increasing
Fig. 3: Circuit of variable power supply using a 5V regulator
96 • NOVEMBER 2006 • ELECTRONICS FOR YOU
by using a pair of ‘voltage-divider’ re-
sistors. It is not possible to obtain a
voltage lower than the stated rating.
You cannot use a 12V regulator to
make a 5V power supply, but you can
use a 5V regulator to make a 12V sup-
ply.
Voltage regulators are very robust.
These can withstand over-current
draw due to short circuits and also
over-heating. In both cases, the regu-
lator will cut off before any damage
occurs. The only way to destroy a
regulator is to apply reverse voltage
to its input. Reverse polarity destroys
the regulator almost instantly.
Fig. 2 shows the circuit for increas-
ing the output voltage of a regulator
circuit using a pair of voltage-divider
resistors. Let’s assume the value of R1
as 470 ohms, which
means that a constant
current of 10.6 mA will
be available between
terminals 2 and 3 of
7805. This constant cur-
rent plus the regulator
standby current of
about 2.5 mA will flow
through R2 to ground
the output voltage regardless of its value.
IVEDI
S.C. DW
Common Resistor
Combinations for the
7805 Regulator
Vout (approx.) R1 (ohms) R2 (ohms)
5V 470 0
6V 470 100
8V 470 220
9V 470 330
12V 470 510
Because of this constant 13.1mA cur-
rent, R2 can now be set to a value that
will give constant 7 volts across resis-
tor R2. A resistor value of 533 or 510
ohms (standard value) will give the
necessary 7 volts.
With 5 volts across R1 and 7 volts
across R2, a total of about 12 volts
(regulated) will appear across termi-
nal 2 and ground. If a variable resis-
tor is used as R2, the output voltage
can be easily fine-tuned to any value
greater than 5 volts. The standby
current will vary slightly in the
regulator 7805, but 2.5 mA will yield
good results in the calculations. If an
exact voltage (within 0.3 volt) is
needed, R2 must be a variable resis-
tor. To make any fixed regulator ad-
justable, use the following formula:
Vfixed
Vout= Vfixed+R2 +Istandby
R1
where Vout is the desired output
voltage, Vfixed is the fixed voltage
of the IC regulator (5 volts) and
Istandby is the standby current of the
regulator (2.5 mA). For resistor R1,
use any value from 470 ohms to 1
kilo-ohm for best results. For vari-
able resistor R2, put any value
from the table given here for de-
sired voltage operation.
Fig. 3 shows the circuit of a 6V-
12V variable power supply using
a 5V regulator. The 220V AC mains
voltage is stepped down by trans-
former X1 to 9 volts, rectified by
WWW.EFYMAG.COM

the bridge rectifier comprising 1N4007
diodes D1 through D4, filtered by
smoothing capacitors C1 and C2, and
regulated by IC 7805 (IC1). Capacitors
C1 and C2 help to maintain a constant
input to the regulator.
Capacitor C1 should be rated at a
minimum of 1000 µF for each ampere
WWW.EFYMAG.COM
of current drawn and at least twice
the input voltage. Wire the 270nF or
greater disk (ceramic) capacitor close
to the input terminal of the IC, and a
10µF or greater electrolytic capacitor
across the output. The regulator ICs
typically give 60 dB of ripple rejec-
tion, so 1V of input ripple appears as
ELECTRONICS FOR YOU • NOVEMBER 2006 • 97
CIRCUIT
IDEAS
a mere 1 mV of ripple in the regu-
lated output.
Attach the 5-way rotary switch to
resistors of different values to get the
regulated output as shown in the table.
Or, you can use a 1-kilo-ohm potmeter
as a variable resistor to get the regu-
lated 5V-12V output. 
 circuit
ideas

Versatile CMOS/TTL Logic

And Clock Probe s.c. dwiv
edi

 EFY Lab point of the logic circuit. goes low only when logic input at the
Supply for the probe circuit is probe tip exceeds the biasing voltage

F
or fault diagnosis of any logic
circuit, you need a probe that can
test the logic level or existence of
clock activity. The circuit shown here
can be used to test CMOS and TTL
logic circuits for logic states and also
for the presence of clock activity from a
few hertz to more than 10 MHz, at any
taken from the circuit under test using
alligator clips. In the circuit, LM319
dual-comparator is connected as a
window detector. The non-invert-
ing pin of comparator N1 is biased
to nearly 2V when switch S1 is in
TTL position and 80 per cent of Vcc
in CMOS position. The output of N1
and, as a result, the red LED lights up
to indicate logic 1 state at the probe
tip.
Similarly, the inverting pin of
comparator N2 is biased at nearly 0.8V
(in TTL position of switch S1) and 20
per cent of Vcc (in CMOS position of
switch S1). Only when the input volt-

age at probe tip is less than the biasing

Test Results
voltage, will its output drop low to
Test Specified Observed Red Green Yellow Buzzer
light up the green LED to indicate logic
conditions level level LED LED LED sound
0 state.
TTL (5V) The probe tip is also connected to
Low <0.8V <0.8V Off On Off Off the input of CD4049 (N3) via capacitor
High >2V ≥2.1V On Off Off Off C1 to pass AC/clock signals. It simply
Clock TTL 1 Hz to 10 MHz Off Momentarily On for On for acts as a buffer and couples only the
compatible or even more on/off 3 seconds 3 seconds high-to-low going signals at the in-
CMOS (12V) put/output of the gate to the input of
Low <2.5V ≤2.35V Off On Off Off next gate N4.
High >9.5V >9.5V On Off Off Off The output of gate N4 is further
Clock CMOS 1 Hz to 10 MHz Off Momentarily ‘On’ for ‘On’ for coupled to gate N5, which is wired as a
compatible or even more on/off 3 seconds 3 seconds monostable. A positive feedback from

9 2 • F e b r ua ry 2 0 0 8 • e l e c t ro n i c s f o r yo u w w w. e f y m ag . co m

the output of gate N5 to the input of
gate N4 ensures that unless capacitor
C4 (0.47µF) discharges sufficiently via
4.7-mega-ohm resistor, further clock
pulses at the input of N4 will have no
effect.
Gate N6 is used for driving a yel-
low LED (indicating oscillatory input
at probe tip), which will be switched
on for a brief period. The output of
gate N6 is further used to inhibit/en-
able the oscillator formed by gates N7
circuit
ideas
and N8. It briefly activates the buzzer
to beep during mono period, indicat-
ing oscillatory input at the probe tip.
Thus we have audio-visual indication
during clock/oscillatory input at the
probe tip. 

w w w. e f y m ag . co m e l e c t ro n i c s f o r yo u • F e b r ua ry 2 0 0 8 • 9 3
 CIRCUIT
IDEAS
VERSATILE POWER SUPPLY
„ SUNIL KUMAR
U
sing this circuit, you can ob-
tain the following voltages
(approx.) at a current limited
to one ampere: 3.3V, 5V, 6V, 9V, 12V
and 15V.
The AC mains is stepped down
by transformer X1 to deliver the sec-
ondary output of 18V AC at a maxi-
mum current of 1A dependant upon
the load. The transformer output is
rectified by the bridge rectifier com-
prising diodes D1 through D4, filtered
by capacitor C1 and fed to regulator
IC LM317, which is a 3-terminal posi-
84 • FEBRUARY 2006 • ELECTRONICS FOR YOU
tive regulator capable of providing
1.2V to 37 volts at 1.5A current to the
load.
Resistor R13 and selected combi-
nations of resistors R1 through R12
are used to produce approximately
3.3V, 5V, 6V, 9V, 12V and 15V at the
output. The desired resistors are se-
lected by switching into conduction
one of the six pnp transistors T1
through T6 by grounding the corre-
sponding transistor base using rotary
switch S1.
For example, to get regulated 3.3V,
simply rotate the knob of rotary switch
to 3.3V position. Consequently, tran-
CMYK
S.C. DW
IVEDI
sistor T1 is forward biased to switch
resistors R1 and R2 (in series) across
Adj pin of LM317 and ground to pro-
duce 3.3V.
Other voltages can be produced in
the same way by using rotary switch
S1. Capacitor C2 bypasses any ripple
in the output. Diode D5 is used as the
protection diode. Use a heat-sink for
dissipation of heat from IC LM317. The
fuse-rated lamp provides protection
against short circuit.
This 1A rated power supply can
be used for testing of various circuit
ideas as well as construction projects
published in EFY. z
WWW.EFYMAG.COM

VISUAL AC MAINS
VOLTAGE INDICATOR

RAJ K. GORKHALI
Y
ou should not be surprised if
someone tells you that the
mains voltage fluctuation could
be anywhere from 160 volts to 270
volts. Although majority of our elec-
trical and electronics appliances have
some kind of voltage stabilisation in-
ternally built-in, more than 90 per cent
of the faults in these appliances occur
due to these power fluctuations.
This simple test gadget gives vi-
sual indication of AC mains voltage
from 160 volts to 270 volts in steps of
10 volts.
There are twelve LEDs numbered
LED1 to LED12 to indicate the voltage
level. For input AC mains voltage of
less than 160 volts, all the LEDs remain
off. LED1 glows when the voltage
WWW.EFYMAG.COM
reaches 160 volts, LED2 glows when
the voltage reaches 170 volts and so on.
The number of LEDs that glow keeps
increasing with every additional 10
volts. When the input voltage reaches
270 volts, all the LEDs glow.
The circuit basically comprises
three LM339 comparators (IC1, IC2
and IC3) and a 12V regulator (IC4). It
is powered by regulated 12V DC. For
power supply, mains 230V AC is
stepped down to 15V AC by step-
down transformer X1, rectified by a
bridge rectifier comprising diodes D1
through D4, filtered by capacitor C4
and regulated by IC4. The input
voltage of the regulator is also fed to
the inverting inputs of gates N1
through N12 for controlling the level
of the AC.
The LED-based display circuit is
CMYK
CIRCUIT
IDEAS
S.C. DW
IVEDI
built around quad op-amp compara-
tors IC1 through IC3. The inverting in-
put of all the comparators is fed with
the unregulated DC voltage, which is
proportional to mains input, whereas
the non-inverting inputs are derived
from regulated output of IC4 through
a series network of precision resistors
to serve as reference DC voltages.
Resistors R13 to R25 are chosen
such that the reference voltage at
points 1 to 12 is 0.93V, 1.87V, 2.80V,
3.73V, 4.67V, 5.60V, 6.53V, 7.46V,
8.40V, 9.33V, 10.27V and 11.20V, re-
spectively. When the input voltage var-
ies from 160V AC to 270V AC, the DC
voltage at the anode of ZD1 also var-
ies accordingly. With input voltage
varying from 160V to 270V, the out-
put across filter capacitors C1 and C2
varies from 14.3V to 24.1V approxi-
ELECTRONICS FOR YOU • MAY 2006 • 89
 CIRCUIT
IDEAS
mately. Zener ZD1 is used to drop
fixed 12V and apply proportional volt-
ages to all comparator stages (invert-
ing pins). Whenever the voltage at the
non-inverting input of the compara-
tors goes high, the LED connected at
the output glows.
Assemble the circuit on a general-
90 • MAY 2006 • ELECTRONICS FOR YOU
purpose PCB such that all the LEDs
make a bargraph. In the bargraph,
mark LED1 for minimum level of
160V, then LED2 for 170V and so on.
Finally, mark LED12 for maximum
level of 270V.
Now your test gadget is ready to
use. For measuring the AC voltage,
CMYK
simply plug the gadget into the mains
AC measuring point, press switch S1
and observe the bargraph built around
LEDs. Let’s assume that LED1 through
LED6 glow. The measured voltage in
this case is 220V. Similarly, if all the
LEDs glow, it means that the voltage
is more than 270V.

WWW.EFYMAG.COM
 WATCH-DOG FOR TELEPHONES
M
ost of the telephone security
devices available in market
are simple but quite expensive.
These devices provide blinking or beeping
type line-tap/misuse indications. Quite
often they do not offer guaranteed pro-
tection against unauthorised operation.
A very simple and unique circuit of a
telephone watch-dog to safeguard sub-
scriber telephone lines against any fraud
is described here.
This little circuit keeps continuous
watch over the telephone lines and sounds
184 ELECTRONICS PROJECTS Vol. 19
an alarm in case of any misuse. In ad-
dition it transmits a loud tone through
the telephone lines to prevent further
misuse.
When switch S1 is turned on, the
normal (on-hook) telephone line voltage
at the output of bridge-rectifier diodes
D1 to D4 is approximately 48 volts,
which being well above the break-down
voltage of zener diode D5, the diode
conducts. As a result transistor T2 gets
forward biased. This effectively grounds
the base of transistor T1 which is thus
cut off and the remaining circuit does
not get any power supply. In this state,
only a small (negligible) current is taken
by the circuit, which will not affect the
telephone line condition. However, when
handset of any telephone connected to
the telephone lines is lifted (off-hook),
line voltage suddenly drops to about
10 volts. As a result, transistor T2
is switched off and transistor T1 gets
forward biased via resistor R1. Now, the
astable multivibrator built around timer
IC1 starts oscillating and the speaker
starts sounding. Output of
the astable multivibrator is
also connected to the base
of transistor T1 through ca-
pacitor C5. As a result, only
a loud (and irritating) tone
is heard in the ear-piece of
the unauthorised telephone
instrument.
This circuit can be con-
structed on a veroboard us-
ing easily available low-cost
components and it can be
connected to any telephone
line without the fear of mal-
functioning. No extra power
supply is required as it draws
power from the telephone line
for operation.
EFY Note: Please discon-
nect the gadget when you are
yourself using the telephone as
it cannot distinguish between
authorised and unauthorised
operation.