7/31/2017 555 Pulse Generator with Adjustable Duty Cycle

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555 Pulse Generator Circuit

P. MARIAN (HTTP://WWW.ELECTROSCHEMATICS.COM/AUTHOR/ADMIN/)

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frequency generators (/tag/frequency-generator-circuits)

This is a pulse generator with adjustable duty cycle made with the 555 timer IC. The circuit is an astable multivibrator with a 50%
pulse duty cycle. The di erence from the standard design of a 555 timer is the resistance between pins 6 and 7 of the IC
composed of P1, P2, R2, D1 and D2.

The diodes D1 and D2 set a de nite charging time for C1 which produces a 50% duty cycle in a normal case. The duty cycle (n) is
dependent on P1 and P2 in the following manner:

n = 1 + P2/P1

If P2 = 0 (n = 100%) then the frequency can be approximately calculated with the following formula:

f = 0.69/((2*P1 + P2 + 4.7k)*C1)
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Pulse generator circuit diagram

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7/31/2017 555 Pulse Generator with Adjustable Duty Cycle
Pulse generator circuit diagram

(http://www.electroschematics.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/pulse-

(/)

generator.gif)

555 datasheet (http://www.electroschematics.com/650/lm555-datasheet/)

Oscilloscope Captures

(http://www.electroschematics.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/oscilloscope-pwm-1.jpg)

(http://www.electroschematics.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/oscilloscope-pwm-2.jpg)

As you can see in the captures the duty cycle is not between 0% and 100% but it is within reasonable range. Ive used a 20K for P1,
100K for P2 and 10nF for C1.

Printed circuit layout of the pulse generator

(http://www.electroschematics.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/pulse-generator-pcb.gif)

Components List
C2 = 10F
C3 = 0.1F
R1 = R2 = 4.7K
D1 = D2 = 1N4148
IC = 555
C1, P1 and P2 must be calculated

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48 Comments

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i1673687mvrht-net
I have mounted this circuit on a breadboard with 20K for P1, 100K for P2 and 10nF for C1. Deos not work. Do not lose your time and change
schematics.

Posted on July 10th 2017 | 6:00 pm (http://www.electroschematics.com/5834/pulse-generator-with-555/#comment-1902771)

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neha-hule11gmail-com
can you tell me a circuit for which we can keep the pulse width constant and vary the rate of that pulse.

Posted on April 01st 2016 | 8:20 am (http://www.electroschematics.com/5834/pulse-generator-with-555/#comment-1898871)

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itsmesiva88gmail-com
what is the maximum range of frequency can we generate using this circuit?
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Posted on March 12th 2016 | 6:36 am (http://www.electroschematics.com/5834/pulse-generator-with-555/#comment-1897575)

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Posted on March 12th 2016 | 6:36 am (http://www.electroschematics.com/5834/pulse-generator-with-555/#comment-1897575)
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555%2F)

Jim Keith
The most Ive ever been able to get out of a 555 is about 2.7mHZ.

Posted on March 14th 2016 | 2:26 am (http://www.electroschematics.com/5834/pulse-generator-with-555/#comment-1897638)

omkar
hello guys i m designing a pulse generator using fpga and i have designed one.anyone know how to aadjust the on time by default we get 50% i
want to reduce it to 25%.please reply with you idea thank you and i am using digital circuits mostly.

Posted on September 26th 2015 | 4:11 am (http://www.electroschematics.com/5834/pulse-generator-with-555/#comment-1813816)

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555%2F)

lavender
hello there, I have tested this circuit and it is working , however I would like to know how to calculate its pulse width? when I use to calculate it
with astable formula I am not getting the same answer with the simulation.

Posted on May 16th 2015 | 8:01 am (http://www.electroschematics.com/5834/pulse-generator-with-555/#comment-1686096)

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Ra'ed
thanks for this good way to use 555

I would like to ask small question .

If I use
1n4001
Instead of
1n4148

can the circuit work in the same operation ?

Posted on May 07th 2015 | 2:41 pm (http://www.electroschematics.com/5834/pulse-generator-with-555/#comment-1675633)

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555%2F)

Steve
I made this one and it works ne, I checked it on my scope:

http://www.rmcybernetics.com/projects/DIY_Devices/homemade_signal_generator2.htm
(http://www.rmcybernetics.com/projects/DIY_Devices/homemade_signal_generator2.htm)

Here is parts list: http://www.digikey.com/short/w7nnn (http://www.digikey.com/short/w7nnn)

OR these work okay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/181096913621 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/181096913621)

Posted on May 03rd 2015 | 1:46 am (http://www.electroschematics.com/5834/pulse-generator-with-555/#comment-1670128)

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Jos (Oldbeaver)
Thank you Steve, yr info helped me a lot.

Jos

Posted on May 03rd 2015 | 6:26 pm (http://www.electroschematics.com/5834/pulse-generator-with-555/#comment-1670836)

oldbeaver
Can some guru of the Forum help me please?

The circuit looks ok, but I need something slightly di erent, and I am electronic lover, not professional.

Help may be just tell me where they sell a proper kit for what I need, or, tell me tech proper name of what I am looking for.
This is the desired PMW circuit:

+B Voltage: 12-14 VDC

Input signal 1: an almost square signal which varies from 500Hz to 5000Hz app.
Input control voltage: 1 to 6 VDC coming from a control pot.

Needed output: square signal with the same frequency as input (variable) width proportional to control voltage (variable duty cycle, following
same input frequency).

Thank you very much in advance.

Oldbeaver.

Posted on May 03rd 2015 | 1:42 am (http://www.electroschematics.com/5834/pulse-generator-with-555/#comment-1670122)

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Azman
Dear Electro schematic,
Hi.I have construct and build the circuit. But not working, i dont know why? I have troubleshoot the connection, i check every level voltage,
the problem voltage drop at R2 is zero and at R1 is 7.5 V. The power supply is +9 V DC, rite? I dont have +9V DC, i supply 7.5 Vis it working? can I
supply 12 V DC? Please help me, Thanks.

Posted on April 22nd 2015 | 4:13 am (http://www.electroschematics.com/5834/pulse-generator-with-555/#comment-1654929)

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Kristian
Which frequency range can it provide ? I mena from 1 Hz to ..? Without calculation just changing the values of the POT ?

Posted on April 02nd 2015 | 8:34 pm (http://www.electroschematics.com/5834/pulse-generator-with-555/#comment-1629065)

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