This is one of the applications of 555 Timer IC. It is an amazing little IC which can be used to develop various circuits which are used in toys & commercial applications. 555 Timer ICs are also used in Embedded applications sometimes.
The 555 timer IC is an integrated circuit (chip) used in a variety of timer, pulse generation, and oscillator applications. The 555 can be used to provide time delays, as an oscillator, and as a flip-flop element. Derivatives provide up to four timing circuits in one package.
Pinout
The connection of the pins for a DIP package is as follows:
1 GND Ground reference voltage, low level (0 V)
2 TRIG The OUT pin goes high and a timing interval starts when this input falls below 1/2 of CTRL voltage (which is typically 1/3 of VCC, when CTRL is open).
3 OUT This output is driven to approximately 1.7 V below +VCC or GND.
4 RESET A timing interval may be reset by driving this input to GND, but the timing does not begin again until RESET rises above approximately 0.7 volts. Overrides TRIG which overrides THR.
5 CTRL Provides “control” access to the internal voltage divider (by default, 2/3 VCC).
6 THR The timing (OUT high) interval ends when the voltage at THR is greater than that at CTRL (2/3 VCC if CTRL is open).
7 DIS Open collector output which may discharge a capacitor between intervals. In phase with output.
8 VCC Positive supply voltage, which is usually between 3 and 15 V depending on the variation.
Pin 5 is also sometimes called the CONTROL VOLTAGE pin. By applying a voltage to the CONTROL VOLTAGE input one can alter the timing characteristics of the device. In most applications, the CONTROL VOLTAGE input is not used. It is usual to connect a 10 nF capacitor between pin 5 and 0 V to prevent interference. The CONTROL VOLTAGE input can be used to build an astable with a frequency modulated output.
Modes – The 555 has three operating modes:
Monostable mode: In this mode, the 555 functions as a “one-shot” pulse generator. Applications include timers, missing pulse detection, bouncefree switches, touch switches, frequency divider, capacitance measurement, pulse-width modulation (PWM) and so on.
Astable (free-running) mode: The 555 can operate as an oscillator. Uses include LED and lamp flashers, pulse generation, logic clocks, tone generation, security alarms, pulse position modulation and so on. The 555 can be used as a simple ADC, converting an analog value to a pulse length. E.g. selecting a thermistor as timing resistor allows the use of the 555 in a temperature sensor: the period of the output pulse is determined by the temperature. The use of a microprocessor based circuit can then convert the pulse period to temperature, linearize it and even provide calibration means.
Bistable mode or Schmitt trigger: The 555 can operate as a flip-flop, if the DIS pin is not connected and no capacitor is used. Uses include bounce-free latched switches.
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Post time: Jun-20-2017