1

Switch-mode Light Dimmer Using Multivibrators

(November 2019)
Caryl Anne V. Balbas, 2014 – 01800
Electrical and Electronics Engineering Institute
University of the Philippines Diliman

B. Astable Multivibrator
Abstract—The purpose of this design is to integrate the lessons
learned by the students in their laboratory class. The objective is An astable multivibrator is shown in the diagram below.
to design a switch-mode light dimmer using multivibrators. An When Q1 is on, its collector and emitter act as a short circuit and
astable multivibrator is connected to a monostable multivibrator Q1 will be driven to saturation while Q2 is driven to cut-off.
through a high pass circuit. The output is then connected to a During this time, C2 is charging to VCC through R’’. After T =
common collector circuit then to a power transistor with a bulb
connected. The periodic on and off of the switch changes the light R1C1, C1 will discharge completely and start charging in reverse
intensity of the bulb. The flicker was not evident due to the high direction through R1. When C1 obtains a voltage that can
switching frequency. Deviations in the simulated and actual values provide a base-emitter voltage of 0.7V to Q2, Q2 will turn on
were present. and capacitor C2 starts discharging. The diodes D1 and D2 will
prevent charging of capacitor through the R’. These diodes
I. INTRODUCTION make the output waves sharp.
Bipolar junction transistors can be used as an amplifier, filter,
rectifier, oscillator, or even a switch. Because the transistor’s
collector current is proportionally limited by its based current,
it can be used as a current-controlled switch as shown below.

Fig. 1. Transistor as switch (a) cut-off, bulb off; (b) saturated, lamp on.

When a BJT is switched off, it is in its cut-off. Therefore, Fig. 2. Astable Multivibrator
there is no current flowing and it acts as an open circuit. On the
other hand, when a BJT is switched on, it is in its saturation To design the astable multivibrator, let C1 = C2 = 10nF, f =
region. When the transistor is saturated, the maximum current 2kHz, and duty cycle = 50%. Equation 1 is the used to solve for
flows, essentially making it a short circuit. R.
1
For a BJT to be toggled on and off, there should be a square 𝑇 ′ = 0.5 × = 0.69𝑅𝐶 (1)
wave input. The positive voltage should trigger the transistor to 𝑓
saturate and the negative voltage should bring the transistor to 𝑅 = 36.2𝑘Ω
cut-off. R’ and R’’ was calculated depending upon the collector
The astable multivibrator introduces the square wave input to current requirement. Equation 2 is used where Vce, sat = 0.2V,
trigger the switching cycle of the monostable multivibrator. VCC = 12V and assuming IC = 2mA.
This will toggle the light bulb on and off in high frequency as 𝑉𝑐𝑐 − 𝑉𝑐𝑒,𝑠𝑎𝑡
𝑅′ = 𝑅′′ = = 5.9𝑘Ω (2)
to make it seem going dimmer or brighter as the duty cycle 𝐼𝑐
changes. C. Triggering Circuit
To cascade the astable and monostable multivibrators, a
II. CIRCUIT DESIGN
triggering circuit is used in between to avoid loading effects.
A. Design Specifications The type of triggering circuit used is a high pass filter in series
The following are the design specifications needed to be with a diode. The values of the resistor and capacitor was
achieved for the switch-mode light dimmer: chosen such that the high pass circuit has greater cut-off
1. Implement an astable multivibrator cascaded to a frequency than the frequency of the signal needed to be passed
variable duty cycle monostable multivibrator. which is 2kHz.
2. Frequency: 2kHz (±100 Hz)
3. Duty Cycle Range: 25% – 75% (±2%)
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D. Monostable Multivibrator from the datasheet is equal to 100.

A monostable multivibrator is shown below. When the 𝐼𝑐
𝐼𝑏 = 3 × (5)
circuit is switched on, transistor Q1 will be off and Q2 will be 𝛽
on. Capacitor C1 gets charged. When a positive trigger is 𝑉𝑐𝑐 − 𝑉𝑏𝑒
𝑅2 = (6)
applied to the base of Q1, it turns on and Q2 turns off due to the 𝐼𝑏
negative charge from C1. C1 starts discharging and Q1 remains 𝑅2 = 188.3𝑘Ω
on due to the positive voltage form the collector of Q2. When A speed up capacitor C2 was used. The values for the speed
C1 is completely discharged, Q2 turns on which turns Q1 off. up capacitor and R2 were adjusted to remove the charge stored
at the base of the transistor during saturation period.

E. Common Collector and Power Transistor

Directly connecting the monostable output to the TIP31C
transistor will exhibit loading effects. The common collector
circuit has a high current gain and near unity voltage gain which
makes it a great voltage buffer circuit. To calculate the base
resistor of the TIP31C, the following equations were used
where Vce,sat TIP31C = 1.2V, βmin TIP31C = 10, and Vbe,on TIP31C = 4V.
𝑉𝐶𝐶 − 𝑉𝑐𝑒,𝑠𝑎𝑡 𝑇𝐼𝑃31𝐶
𝐼𝑏𝑢𝑙𝑏 = = 2.16𝐴 (7)
5Ω
𝐼𝑏𝑢𝑙𝑏
𝐼𝑏 = = 216𝑚𝐴 (8)
𝛽𝑚𝑖𝑛 𝑇𝐼𝑃31𝐶
Fig. 3. Monostable Multivibrator 𝐼𝑏 = 216𝑚𝐴 > 𝐼𝐶,𝑠𝑎𝑡 𝑇𝐼𝑃31𝐶

To comply with the design specifications, R1 is replaced with 𝑉𝐶𝐶 − 𝑉𝑐𝑒,𝑠𝑎𝑡 2𝑛3904 − 𝑉𝑏𝑒,𝑜𝑛 𝑇𝐼𝑃31𝐶 − 𝐼𝑏 𝑅 = 0 (9)
a circuit that uses a potentiometer to sweep the duty cycle from 𝑅 = 36.1Ω
25% to 75%.
To design the monostable multivibrator, let C1 = 2.2nF, f =
2kHz. Two values for R1 were calculated which will make an III. CIRCUIT IMPLEMENTATION
output with the minimum and maximum duty cycle.
1 A. Actual Circuit
𝑇25% = 0.25 × = 0.69𝑅25% 𝐶 (3)
𝑓 There were adjustments made in the theoretical values to
𝑅25% = 82𝑘Ω create the circuit following the design specifications. These
1 adjustments were due to some non-idealities. The table below
𝑇75% = 0.75 × = 0.69𝑅75% 𝐶 (4) shows the theoretical and actual values side by side.
𝑓
𝑅75% = 246𝑘Ω
TABLE I
To implement the two resistor values as the maximum and THEORETICAL VS. ACTUAL VALUES
minimum of the potentiometer, the following circuit was Circuit Element Theoretical Value Actual Value
implemented. There were some adjustments to the resistor Astable Multivibrator
values in the actual circuit making the minimum and maximum D1, D2 - 1N4148
Q1, Q2 - 2N3904
resistances equal to 90kΩ and 271kΩ. R1, R2, R5, R6 5.9kΩ 5.9kΩ = 3.9kΩ + 2kΩ
R3, R4 36.2kΩ 34.7kΩ = 3(10kΩ) + 4.7kΩ
C1, C2 10nF 10nF
Triggering Circuit
R7 - 200kΩ
C3 - 10nF
D3 - 1N4148
Monostable Multivibrator
Fig. 4. Potentiometer Circuit Q3, Q4 - 2N3904
R8, R12 5.9kΩ 5.9kΩ = 3.9kΩ + 2kΩ
The collector resistance R was calculated depending upon the R11 188.3kΩ 100kΩ
R9 82kΩ 90kΩ
collector current requirement. Equation 2 is used where Vce, sat R16 244kΩ 284kΩ
= 0.2V, VCC = 12V and assuming IC = 2mA. VR1 500kΩ 500kΩ
𝑉𝑐𝑐 − 𝑉𝑐𝑒,𝑠𝑎𝑡 Common Collector and Power Transistor
𝑅= (2)
𝐼𝑐 Q5 - 2N3904
Q6 - TIP31C
𝑅 = 5.9𝑘Ω R10 - 270Ω
The base resistor R2 is calculated using equation 6 where Ib R14 - 1kΩ
is calculated using equation 5. IC is assumed to be 2mA and β R13 36.1Ω 51Ω
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Fig. 6. Actual circuit implementation

B. Output Waveforms

Fig. 7. Output of Astable Multivibrator;

Frequency = 2.05kHz, Duty Cycle = 51.64%, Max = 11.9V, Min = 0V

Fig. 5. Circuit Diagram with actual values Fig. 8. Output of Monostable cascaded to Astable Multivibrator;
Frequency = 2.03kHz, Duty Cycle = 73.17%, Max = 11.5V, Min = 80mV
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Fig. 9. Output of Monostable cascaded to Astable Multivibrator;

Frequency = 1.97kHz, Duty Cycle = 23.58% , Max = 11.4V, Min = 80mV

Fig. 10. Output of TIP31C collector;

Frequency = 1.97kHz, Duty Cycle = 24.41%, Max = 12.2V, Min = 80mV

Fig. 11. Output of TIP31C collector;

Frequency = 1.97kHz, Duty Cycle = 73.23%, Max = 12.2V, Min = 160mV

REFERENCES
[1] Common Collector Amplifier or Emitter Follower Circuit and Its
Applications. Retrieved 11 November 2019, from
https://www.elprocus.com/common-collector-amplifier-circuit-working/
[2] George, L. (2015). Monostable Multivibrator using Transistors.
Retrieved 11 November 2019, from
https://electrosome.com/monostable-multivibrator-transistors/
[3] George, L. (2012). Transistor as a Switch. Retrieved 11 November 2019,
from https://electrosome.com/transistor-as-a-switch/
[4] George, L. (2012). Astable Multivibrator using Transistors. Retrieved 11
November 2019, from https://electrosome.com/astable-multivibrator-
transistors/