Multivibrator Operational Amplifier Circuit

Op amps can easily be used to make a multivibrator circuit with just a few additional components. Circuit is easy and calculations simple.

Op-amp Circuits Include:
Introduction Circuits summary Circuit design hints & tips Inverting amplifier Summing amplifier Non-inverting amplifier Inverting vs non-inverting circuits Variable gain amplifier High pass active filter Low pass active filter Bandpass filter Notch filter Comparator Schmitt trigger Multivibrator Bistable Integrator Differentiator Wien bridge oscillator Phase shift oscillator

Multivibrator oscillators are used in many circuits and they are simple to construct. It is possible to construct them using a couple of transistors, but it is also possible to construct a very simple multivibrator oscillator circuit using an operational amplifier. The circuit can be used in a variety of applications where a simple square wave oscillator circuit is required.

The use of an operational amplifier integrated circuit is ideal from many viewpoints. Although circuits can be made using just two transistors, operational amplifiers are also very cheap these days, and there is often little to choose in terms of cost.

In view of the fact that operational amplifiers are very cheap and easy to obtain, they are often preferred to transistors because the operational amplifier multivibrator will use less components and will therefore be easier to build, and therefore more convenient.

Multivibrator circuit

The multivibrator circuit is comparatively simple, requiring on op-amp section along with three resistors and one capacitor as shown below.

Operational amplifier multivibrator oscillator

The time period for the oscillation is provided by the formula:

T = 2 C R1 \log e (1 + \frac{R2}{R3})

Although many multivibrator circuits may be provided using simple logic gates, this circuit has the advantage that it can be used to provide an oscillator that will generate a much higher output than that which could come from a logic circuit running from a 5 volt supply. In addition to this the multivibrator oscillator circuit is very simple, requiring just one operational amplifier ( op amp ), three resistors, and a single capacitor.

Multivibrator circuit operation

The operational amplifier multivibrator circuit comprises two sections. The feedback to the capacitor is provided by the resistor R1, whereas hysterisis is provided by the two resistors R2 and R3.