multivibrator

Irrespective of the logic status of the output, LOW or HIGH, it stays in that state unless a change is induced by applying an appropriate trigger pulse. As we will see in the subsequent pages, the operation of a bistable multivibrator is identical to that of a flip-flop. Figure 1 shows the basic bistable multivibrator circuit. This is the fixed-bias type of bistable multivibrator. Other configurations are the self-bias type and the emitter-coupled type. However, the operational principle of all types is the same. The multivibrator circuit of Fig. 1 functions as follows. In the circuit arrangement of Fig. 1 it can be proved that both transistors Q1 and Q2 cannot be simultaneously ON or OFF. If Q1 is ON, the regenerative feedback ensures that Q2 is OFF, and when Q1 is OFF, the feedback drives transistor Q2 to the ON state. In order to vindicate this statement, let us assume that both Q1 and Q2 are conducting simultaneously. Owing to slight circuit imbalance, which is always there, the collector current in one transistor will always be greater than that in the other. Let us assume that IC2 > IC1. Lesser IC1 means a higher VC1. Since VC1 is coupled to the Q2 base, a rise in VC1 leads to an increase in the Q2 base voltage. Increase in the Q2 base voltage results in an increase in IC2 and an associated reduction in VC2 Reduction in VC2 leads to a reduction in Q1 base voltage and an associated fall in IC1, with the result...