Ray Tools: 555 Timer

The LM 555 timer chip is a special application device used for timing applications. This program can be used to design four different timer circuits, a Pulse timer (monostable), an Oscillator (astable), a Delay OFF timer and a Delay ON timer. The design of a timing device is straightforward with the specialized chip but can become complicated without much effort. This simulator is designed to help simplify your calculations with four types of timer configurations. Many times you may not know exactly how to design a circuit and in this case what configuration you would like to use. The program lets you select the type of timer and then helps design the circuit in a simplified environment. The outputs show when you change the variables by just a little bit. This helps to understand how the equations work. All results change as you input values either by keyboard or UP/DN adjusters. Changing the pulse width or frequency is easy with the adjusters. Tweak the final design by using standard 5% resistors. When you are done simply Email the design results to your home base to be opened in any text editor or spreadsheet. The program warns for division by zero and sets a value to near zero if an input should not be zero. This program is a must for Students and Engineers. It makes the complex understandable. Simply the best Timer simulator.

Features:
- Solves 4 Different Timer circuits
- Updates as You Edit
- Number Pad Digital Entry
- Division by Zero warning
- Over heating warning for resistors
- Circuit Diagrams
- Help Screen, Glossary, Email Results.
- Can be used with other Design Tool Programs

Check Out Other RAY TOOLS Including:
- AC Impedance Simulator
- Output Driver Devices Simulator
- Inverting Operational Amplifier Simulator
- Non Inverting Operational Amplifier Simulator
- Sensor Input Devices Simulator
- AC Input Operational Amplifier Simulator
- 555 Timer

Search for 'RAY TOOLS' on the App Store.

Example: An LM 555 Timer is used to generate an output pulse of 1 sec.

Details: Set R1 = 1000 (arbitrary) and C1 to .00001 farads. Note that the pulse width is only .1 second and we need 1 second pulse width. Increase C1 using the adjuster buttons or select the input field and use the keyboard. Note that as the user increases the value of C1 the pulse width increases. At C1 = .0001 the pulse width is 1 second. The user could have as easily increased the value of R1. The pulse width = R1 * C1. Resistor values can be changed to standard 5 % values by the up and down adjustors or by touching the input boxes and using keyboard entries. When finished the data file can be Emailed to your base station for access by any spreadsheet or text editor.

This program is setup for the LM 555 timer and is an approximate operation. The output might be used for a bounce free switch or other applications. There are many other applications but these will give an understanding of the basic chip. Look at the Help, Glossary and the actual chip configuration screens for reference.
This program can be used with other device driver programs. As with all complicated computer programs the user is responsible for verification, application and use.