Long and longer timeout periods are frequent goals for the ubiquitous 555 timer. Generally, this is accomplished (albeit unreliably) by unusually large electrolytic timing capacitors. However, here ...

The function of the 555 timer is mainly determined by two comparators. The output voltage of the them controls the state of the RS flip-flop and the discharge tube. It also contains 3 working states.

Simply adding a diode and potentiometer to a 555 timer operating in the asynchronous mode yields a pulsewidth modulator (PWM) with a duty factor adjustable from 1% to 99% (Fig. 1). Applications would ...

You can use a microcontroller to build a clock. After all, a clock is just something that counts the passage of time. The only problem is that microcontrollers can’t track time very accurately. They ...

This file type includes high-resolution graphics and schematics when applicable. Paul Rako, Creative Director, Rako Studios Back in 2011, Jeff Hamilton contacted Bob Pease, asking for Bob’s experience ...

Sometimes the best inspiration is limitation. The 555 timer does “one thing” — compares a voltage to a couple thresholds and outputs a signal accordingly. It’s two comparators, a voltage ladder, and a ...