The Engineering Projects

What is 555 Timer?

Hello friends, i hope you all are fine and enjoying. Today i am going to share a new tutorial in which I am gonna explain What is 555 timer? We all know about 555 timer, which is an 8-pin IC (integrated circuit), most commonly used in electronic projects, built now a days. As you can see fron its name that it is a timer and designed to generate PWM.

In today's tutorial i am going to explain, what's hidden inside this 555 timer IC and what is 555 timer. A 555 timer is a much compatible electronic device and the biggest feature of this IC is that it able to work on both analogue and digital techniques. Now if we simply consider the output of the 555 timer then, at any particular time, this timer has only 1 definite state. Which means at any time, it will be either ON or OFF. It is not possible that its output is ON and OFF simultaneously. A new invention of 555 timer has also been discovered which is named as 556 timer. 556 is in fact a Dual version of 555 timer and it contains 2 555 timers in a single IC. 556 is a 14 pin IC. Now you will think that 555 timer is a pin IC and as i said that 556 contains two 555 timers then, it should have 16 pins. The answer to this question is that, when two 555 timers are connected to each other then the VCC and GND of both ICs is made common so, we have 14 pins instead of 16. Now let's move towards the basic theme of our tutorial. In this tutorial i will be explain the steps, the pin configuration of 555 timer, It's different modes and project applications.

Internal Design of 555 Timer

Before going into details of what is 555 timer, let's first come to the internal design of a 555 timer. The outer shape of the 555 timer may look like very simple but there is a complex mechanism hidden inside that small IC. A 555 timer contains 25 transistors, 15 resistors and 2 diodes, which are connected to each other in a very complex manner. An interesting thing to know here is that all these components are embedded on a single small silicon chip. Some other series of 555 timers are also available in market like NE555 timer, which we commonly use in our engineering or electronic projects. And the second series is SE555.  SE555 series was designed for military purposes. These operating temperature ranges of both NE555 ans SE555 are given below as:

• NE555 is mostly used for basic level projects and such high level accuracy is not demanded in it so it is capable to operate from 0 ~ 70 degree Celsius.
• SE555 was designed for military applications and it is used in those projects where high precision is required. The operating temperature of this IC is -55 ~ +125 degree Celsius.

Pin configuration of 555 Timer

Let's have a look at pin configuration to know what is 555 timer. As I described earlier that 555 timer has total 8 pins. As i described that 555 timer is a multipurpose IC and it is capable to perform variable function. So through some proper arrangement of connections, we can made this IC to do different tasks. Now i will explain the every pin no. and its purpose so that we know the answer to our main question what is 555 Timer ??? :)

1. The pin designated as pin#1 is GND pin. This pin is used to provide reference voltage or ground to 555 timer.
2. The pin designated as pin#2 is TR pin. It is used for triggering of 555 timer. The operating voltages of 555 timer is 4.5V ~ 15V. When the operating voltages exceeds 5V then, the 555 timer triggers and it generated output or we can say that now it has crossed that limit above which it will generate output.
3. The pin designated as pin#3 is the output pin of 555 timer. Through this pin, the output of 555 timer goes to the external circuit. The output depends on the purpose for which you are using 555 timer. For example if you are using your 555 timer to generate PWM then its output will vary. Sometimes it will go High and some time it will go Low.
4. The pin designated as pin#4 is Reset pin of 555 timer. If you look closely on the first feature image of the tutorial then, you yourself will understand that it is a NOT function. Which means that in order to reset the 555 timer you will have to give '0' at that pin and after the compliment it will become High and 555 timer will 'Reset' .
5. The pin#5 of 555 is 'CTRL' pin. It is in fact a control pin of 555 timer. This pin gives us the direct access to the internal voltage divider of the 555 timer, which is fabricated inside that small silicon chip. We can divide the voltages according to our output requirements.
6. The pin#6 is named as 'THR' pin of the 555 timer. For the supply voltages, 555 timer has kept a reference value for them. For example when the supply voltages exceeds 5 volts then, the this pin becomes activated and the 555 timer starts to generate output or it sends data to its output pins.
7. Pin#7 is named as 'DIS' of the 555 timer. This pin is in fact the discharge pin of 555 timer and used to discharge the capacitors between intervals. This pin has the biggest advantage when, we are generating PWM through 555 timer.
8. The last pin is pin#8 and it is designated as 'VCC' . This is the supply pin of 555 timer. Source is connected at this pin and as i have already explained that the supply voltages range for 555 timer is 4.5V ~ 15V, but generally it triggers above 5 volts.

Modes of Operation - What is 555 Timer ???

In order to know what is 555 Timer, we should have a look at its modes of operation. 555 timer has 3 major modes of operations. All these modes have there own applications and advantages. All the 3 modes are explained in below:

Astable Mode of 555 timer:

From the name of this mode 'astable mode', you can understand that, in this mode, we don't have any stable output of 555 timer. While operating in this mode, the output will be continuously fluctuating and we will be obtaining a square wave form on the output pin of the 555 timer. To operate the 555 timer in Astable mode, you will have to draw the following circuit, which is shown in the image below:

• Astable mode is also used to flash lamps and leds. A very similar project named as Sequential LED blinking using 555 timer has also been uploaded by our team. In that project 555 timer was again being used in astable mode.

Monostable Mode of 555 timer:

In this mode of operation the 555 timer gives only one output pulse in addition to the intentional trigger input. For example if you will press the button then, 555 timer will produce a output pulse and its length remains constant until you again press the button and the 555 timer will generate another pulse. The circuit to use 555 timer in monostable mode is shown in the image given below:

• Monostable mode of 555 timer has wast application. In this state it is used as a timer, touch switches.
• The biggest example of this mode is to generate PWM. If you recall one of my previous tutorial which was Angle control of servo motor using 555 timer, then at that stage we were using a 555 timer to generate a PWM and through this PWM, we were controlling the angle of micro servo motor.
• This mode is also used for capacitive measurement and also for missing pulse detection.

Bistable Mode of 555 timer:

The third and the last mode of operation of 555 timer is to use it in bistable mode. This thing is understood from its name 'Bistable' which means this circuit will have 2 stable states, which we are going to control. The circuit diagram to operate a 555 timer in bistable state is shown in the image given below:

• The above shown circuit is of bistable mode of 555 timer.
• As you can see in the above figure, we have 2 push buttons. One is connected to 'THR' pin and the other is connected to 'TRIG' pin of 555 timer.
• When we will press the 'TRIG' button, which means that we have connected the trigger state to ground and its state has become LOW. By doing that the output of 555 timer will become High.
• On the other hand, when i will press the 'RESET' button then 'THR' pin of 555 timer will be grounded and the output of 555 timer will become LOW.
• In this way we have made the 555 timer to work in 2 different states and that's why it is called Bistable mode of operation of 555 timer.

If you wanna read more about 555 Timer then you must check below simulations on 555 Timer:

• Traffic Light Control using 555 Timer.
• Servo Motor Control using 555 Timer.
• LED Dimming using 555 Timer.
• Relay Control using 555 Timer.

Alright friends, that was all from today's post. I hope you have learned something new today and have got your answer for our first question what is 555 timer and if you have any questions then please ask in comments and i will try my best to resolve the issue. Till next tutorial Take Care !!! :)

Getting Started with Arduino Software

Hello friends, i hope you all are fine and enjoying in life. On a friends request, today i am going to share a new tutorial which is 'Getting Started with Arduino Software'. Previously i have uploaded a large no of project tutorials made on 555 timers and some MATLAB based Simulations. Now we are going to touch the next level and from now on we will work on mostly projects containing Arduino microcontroller.

To get started with Arduino microcontroller, we first need to learn the operating software of Arduino microcontroller. This tutorial is very informative and i will be using Arduino software 1.0.5. It is a very basic level software and very easy to learn. IF you have already worked on Arduino software then you don't need to go through it. This tutorial is only for begineers who have just bought the Arduino board and don't know wht to do with it. :)

This software is very user friendly. There are two versions of Arduino software available on theArduino official site. One isexe file which you need to install in your computer. While the second version is a simple rar file and you don't have to install the 'exe' file in your computer. You only copy the software at a particular folder and when you double click on it, it automatically starts to run. I will be explaining this tutorial in various parts. We will see all the options available in main menu and their functioning. Now i think we should move towards the actual working of the software and see how it woks and what are its control parameters.

Getting Started with Arduino Software

• First of all copy the Arduino software folder where you can easily access it. For example, copy the folder on desktop of your computer.
• Double click the folder and the next window will show all the sub-folders, which contains the libraries, hardware tools, references and all other things.

Note:

• If you haven't bought your Arduino UNO yet, then you can buy it from this reliable source:

• That window is also shown in the image given below:

• The above image is showing all the sub-folders and and the Ardunio running application.
• The above folder is showing the examples, drives, hardware, libraries, references, tools of the Arduino software.
• When you will double click on the icon named as 'ardunio' then arduino software will start to run.
• The next window which will open is shown in the image given below:

• A very important thing to note is that when we write code in Arduino software window then, it is called a sketch.
• This software automatically gives the name to the code, which you are going to write.
• For example i have open the command window of Arduino software, then it saves every sketch with that particular date on which you are gonna write that sketch.
• Since today is May 13, 2015 and this software has automatically saved the sketch with today's date.
• Now coming towards menu bar, we have 5 options. I will explain all of them one by one.

File Menu Description

• When you will single click the 'File' button then, a new window will open which is shown in the image given below:

• This list is showing all the components which are encoded in 'File' button.
• First option is 'new' and it will open a new window or new sketch. Next is 'open' and it will open the file or sketch which you will select and will try to open in Arduino software.
• Next options are 'sketch book' and 'examples'. When you will click the examples button then it will open the Arduino libraries.
• The Arduino libraries are shown in the inage given below:

• This option will give all of the Arduino libraries. Arduino libraries are very useful in learning the basic code of Arduino.
• For starters, you can go to the first option which is, '01. Basics' and it will give you some libraries of that projects which are very easy to understand.
• You can simply click on any option and the code will automatically load into Arduino software.
• Next options are 'close', 'save' , 'save as'. These options are very simple and every user is aware of these options.
• Next option is 'upload'. It is very important option and it will load the particular code into Arduino sketch file.
• Next option is of 'upload using programmer'. This option uploads the code into Arduino sketch which is written in some other software.
• Next option is of 'page setup'. It gives you the options about alignment of the page and what size of sketch you want to keep.
• Then comes the 'print' option and 'preferences'. When you will click on  'Preference' option then a new window will open and this window is shown in the image given below:

• This window will open and it will be showing sketckbook location. where you wish to save all your sketches. We will give it location only once and afterwards it will automatically save the file at that particular location.
• You can also select the language, in which Arduino sketch will be written and the font size can also be selected.
• This option also gives the check flag. For example either you want to update or Arduino software version or you tends to use the existing software and many other options.
• The last option in file menu is 'Quit'. By clicking on this option, Arduino software will close and the sketch which is running at that particular time will stop.

Edit Menu Description

• After file menu then comes the 'Edit' menu. When you will single click on that icon then, a new window will open, containing all the options which are ancoded in 'Edit' menu.
• That new window is shown in the image given below:

• The first 2 options in Edit menu are 'Undo' and 'Redo'. If accidentally something goes wrong then, you will press undo button and problem will be eliminated.
• Redo is the opposite of Undo option.
• Next options are 'cut' and 'copy'. Nearly all users are aware of their functions.
• The next option is 'copy from forum'. It will copy the sketch from a particular forum and will automatically save it into sketch window of Arduino software.
• The very option is 'copy as HTML'. This option is used at that place where, you want to upload your sketch or code.
• After writing you sketch, you just single click on this button and it will automatically convert the sketch language into HTML language and then you can easily upload it.
• Next option is of 'paste'. You copy the sketch from some other folder and you can 'paste' it in this sketch menu. and you can easily compile it.
• Next to paste option we have 'select all' option. Once you click on this option and the whole sketch will be selected. It's upto you either you want to copy it or whatever you want to do with the sketch.
• The next option is very important which is 'comment/un-comment'. For those people who have done the coding before and are aware of the basics it is a simple options.
• You bring the curser to any particular line and when you will first click on this button then, it will be commented. Which means physically this line is written in the code but logically it has no importance anymore.
• to avail this particular line, you will again click on that particular line and then it will be 'un-comment'.
• After un-commenting the line, now you can use it in code.
• Next option is 'increase indent', by single clicking on this option you will observe that the width of blinking curser has been increased.
• This is also very interesting feature in looking and also very beneficial for those people who have a little weak eye-side.
• And if you are not comfortable with this feature then, don't worry we also have a secondary feature for it.
• Then you will click on the next option named as 'Decrease indent' and it will automatically decrease the width of the curser and it will start to look like as before.
• The next option is very interesting and it is to find anything within your sketch.
• When you will click on that option, a new window will open which is shown in the image given below:

• In this window you can see that we have no of options. First bar is of find.
• Write in the first bar whats actually you want to find.
• And if you think something has gone wrong and you want to make changes in your code, you just simply write that things in 'replace with' menu and the whole code will be changed accordingly.
• Next options in the edit menu are 'find next' and 'find previous'. When you write something in find menu and the software finds it for you.
• Now if you want to find what's written next to those lines, you just simply click on that options and it will show whats next to that thing in sketch.
• Similarly you can also find whats written previous to that thing in our sketch.

Sketch Menu Description

• After edit menu we have 'Sketch Menu' in the list. When you will click on that option then, a new window will open which is shown in the image given below:

• In sketch menu we have total 4 options.
• The first option is 'verify/compile'. If you have written a code and when you will click on this option, it will verify the whole code and it will compile it and if there is no error then, the sketch will start running.
• Next option is of show sketch folder. By clicking on that icon, we will access that particular folder in which sketch has been saved.
• Next option is of 'Add file' and if you want to add any particular file in your sketch, you just simply click on that option and that file will be added in your sketch.
• The last option in sketch menu is very very important and it will enables you to 'import library' into your sketch.
• When you will click on that button then, a new window will open which is shown in the image given below:

• As you can see in the above shown image that in this software there are a large no of built in libraries and if you need to import any library in your sketch then, you can easily import it.

Tools Menu Description

• The next option in the main menu is 'Tools'. In order to explore it you just simply click on it and a new window will open, which is shown in the image given below:

• The very first option in 'sketch menu' is auto format and it will automatically give format to the sketch.
• Next are Archive Sketch, Fix encoding and reload.
• The most important option in tools menu is 'select board'. By clicking on this option a new window will open which is shown in the image given below:

• You can see that we have a large no of options available here .
• Its your choice to choose that Arduino board which you are going to use in your project.
• Next option is of programmer and when you will click on this button then a new window will open, which is shown in the image given below:

• You can see from here we can select that which type of programmer we are going to use in our project.
• The default setting for this version is AVRISP, as shown in the above image.
• The last option in tools menu is Burn Boothloader and the beauty of Arduino software is that it is capable to burn the code into its micro controller itself and no external burner is required for this purpose.

Help Menu Description

• This is the last option in menu and when you will click on it then a new window will open which is shown in the image given below:

• The help menu of Arduino software is very user friendly and it gives you ease to learn the software and to do something new.
• You can see that the very first option is 'getting started' and when you will click this option it will guide you about the features of the Arduino software. How we are going to use it and what are its basics?
• Other options are also related to help and are much informative, if you are writing a particular sketch and at any stage if you don't know what to do the next then, don't worry, Help will guide at every step.
• Now coming towards next menu, which is below the main menu, it has 5 major icons, which are shown in the image given below:

• In the above image you can see that, we have 5 major icons.
• The icon numbered a '1' is of 'verify'. After writing the whole code, you just simply click on that icon and it will verify the whole sketch and if there is any error then it will also generate error.
• The icon numbered as '2' is to upload the sketch into your micro controller.
• The icon numbered as '3' is of 'New'. By clicking on that icon a new menu will open and it will allow you to write a new sketch in it.
• The icon numbered as '4' is of 'open'. When you wish to open a existing file in your present code, you just simply click on that.
• The icon numbered as '5' is of 'save'. When you have written a particular sketch, you simply click on that and that sketch will be saved automatically.
• The last icon which is numbered s '6' is of serial monitor and after writing the whole code you just simply click on that and it will monitors the whole sketch thoroughly step by step.
• if any error will present at any stage then it will generate error.

Alright friends, that was all from today's post. Today's tutorial was very informative so i conclude that you hve learned something new today. Till next tutorial Take Care !!! :)

Traffic Signal Control using 555 Timer in Proteus ISIS

Hello Friends, i hope you all are fine and enjoying. Now i am going to share my new project tutorial which is Traffic Signal Control using 555 Timer. Up till now i have uploaded a no. of projects using 555 timer and i have got much appreciation from my friends, for some 555 timer based projects like How to use Capacitive Touch Sensor in Proteus ISIS, Sequential LED Blinking using 555 Timer and many more.

Now i am going to share another application of 555 Timer and here we will be using a shift register (4017) next to 555 timer to implement Traffic Signal Control circuit. 4017 is a SERIAL IN PARALLEL OUT shift register. Data enters in a serial manner into register and it leaves the register in parallel manner. 4017 is a 10-bit shift register and it needs a clock pulse to shift data from serial input pin to parallel output pins. Now we need a device which can provide continuous clock pulse to Shift Register. Clock pulse is generated either from Micro-controllers or some sort of timers. Here we will be using 555 Timer to generate clock pulse. It is a very easy project to understand and also very simple to implement. These type of projects are generally designed by the Engineering students in their First or Second semester. Now i am done with the theory of the circuit and now lets move towards the designing of the project.

You can also download the complete simulation of the above described project by simply clicking on the button given below:

Traffic Signal Control using 555 Timer in Proteus ISIS

• First of all place all the components in your proteus workspace,as shown in the image below:

• Threshold voltage for 555 Timer is 5 volts, and when voltages exceeds this level, 555 timer triggers and it generates a output pulse at its output pin which is ‘Q’ pin.
• In this project, we will be using a battery of 12 volts as supply voltages.Positive pin (+) of source is connected to Vcc pin of 555 Timer and the Negative pin (-) is connected to GND pin of 555 timer.
• Pin#3 of 555 timer is connected to CLK pin of shift register and this pin is the data input pin of shift register. Through this pin, 555 timer send data to shift register.
• At output pins of shift register we have connected 3 Leds, RED, YELLOW and GREEN. Same colors which are used in Traffic Signals.
• RED led is connected to output pin#12.  YELLOW LED has 2 parallel inputs that are pined at pin#10 and pin#11 respectively. Diodes are connected the way of inputs to block reverse currents. YELLOW led will glow if any of the input will be HIGH.
• GREEN led has 4 parallel inputs connected at pin# 1,5,6,9 respectively. GREEN led has to blink for longer time, that's why we have connected multiple inputs to it. GREEN led will keep on glowing as along as any of the input will be HIGH.
• If you connected all the components in their exact position and all the connections are OK, then the final circuit will look like as shown in the image below:

• Now if you look the above circuit closely then, you will observe that we have connected high valued capacitor (47uf) in the way of trigger pin of 555 timer.
• The purpose of capacitor is to produce lag in the clock generated by 555 Timer.
• Now when you will play the simulation then LED will start to glow in periodic manner. First RED led will blink, then YELLOW led will glow and in the end GREEN led will start to glow.
• All these stages are shown in the image given below:

• As you can see that state#1 represents the "STOP" state, which means that traffic has to stop.
• State#2 represents "GET READY" state and it means get ready to GO but you are not allowed to go yet.
• State#3 represents "GO" state, in which traffic is allowed to Go.

Alright friends that was all for today's project. It was a very simple tutorial and most of its portion have been explained in previous tutorials. So i haven't explain it in much detail. But still if you have any problem then, don't feel shy to ask in the comments. Till next tutorial Take Care !!! :)

Relay Control Using 555 Timer in Proteus ISIS

Hello friends, I hope you all are fine and enjoying yourself. Today I am going to share my new project tutorial which is Relay Control Using 555 Timer in Proteus ISIS. We all know about relays that are used for automatic switching and are magnetically connected while electrically insulated. If you don't know much about relays then I think you should first read What is a Relay? in which I have given a detailed overview of relays and where are relays used? After reading this post you will have a good grip over relay and today's post will be piece of cake for you. Relays are mostly used with some microcontrollers like Arduino or PIC Microcontroller. You might also wanna have a look at traffic Signal Control using 555 Timer, which is good if you are interested in learning 555 Timer.

Now in today's project, it can be understood from its name (Relay Control Using 555 Timer in Proteus ISIS), that we are going to operate and control a Relay through 555 Timer. First of all, if we define the relay, then we can say that 'Relay is an Electrical switch which operates Mechanically'. You should also check this Relay Simulation in Proteus to know how it works. Although some relays operate automatically but since we are working on a very basic project and we will be controlling the relay from an external mean and for this, we will use a mechanical switch. The mechanical switch is in fact a button and we can turn it ON or OFF according to our own choice. It is a very simple and easy project and most of its contents have been described in the earlier tutorials. So, I am not going into much detail and without wasting any time, let's move towards the Hardware of the circuit. But it's my personal advice, try to do design this relay control using the 555 timer project yourself and get to know the practical applications of the 555 Timer in person. You can also download the complete simulation of above described tutorial by simply clicking on the button given below:

Download Project Files

Where To Buy?
No.	Components	Distributor	Link To Buy
1	555 Timer	Amazon	Buy Now
2	LEDs	Amazon	Buy Now
3	Resistor	Amazon	Buy Now

Relay Control Using 555 Timer in Proteus ISIS

• First of all place all the components in your Proteus workspace as shown in the image given below:

• Now connect supply voltage (+5 volts)  to Vcc pin of 555 Timer.
• At the output pin of 555 Timer, which is pin # 3, we will connect our load. By load we mean a 5 volts relay and a simple DC motor is connected next to the relay.
• As I told you earlier that we are using a manual relay, so a simple push Button is also connected between pin # 3 and relay.
• If you have connected all the electronic components in their exact place, then the final simulation will look like as shown in the image given below:

• If you notice the image closely, then you will observe that a Diode is also connected in parallel with the relay coil.
• A Relay contains a coil. When the voltage source is applied across one end of the Relay and the other end is connected to the ground, then the relay gets energized. And when we remove the source voltages then, it still remains energized and the stored charge tends to flow the reverse current.
• The reason to connect the Diode is that it blocks the reverse current and only allows the forward current to pass through it.
• Now run the simulation, if the button is kept in the OFF state then, the voltage will appear across the Relay but it will not operate. To run the load, which is Motor, in this case, we will have to turn the switch ON. This can be seen in the image given below:

• As you can see in the above image, when the switch was in an ON state, the relay gets no signal and doesn't operate. As we move the switch from ON state to OFF state, the relay gets the signal and it starts to operate the load.
• Now after reading today's post, you must have a look at Relay Interfacing with Microcontroller which is an advanced tutorial and the benefit of a microcontroller is that now you can control your relay any way you want.
• Other exciting tutorials on 555 Timer include Seven segment Control using 555 timer and Servo Motor Control using 555 Timer.
• I have created a small video for this tutorial in which I have shown how to do relay control using 555 Timer, I hope you are gonna like it:

Alright, Friends that was all for today's tutorial about relay control using a 555 timer. I hope, I have conveyed something new today. If you have any questions, then don't hesitate to ask in the comments and I will try my best to resolve them. Follow us through email to get the tutorial straight in your inbox. Till the next tutorial, Take care and Be Safe !!! :)

Seven Segment Display Using 555 Timer in Proteus ISIS

Hello friends, hope you all are fine and enjoying. Yesterday I got a mail from a friend, and he requested me to explain a tutorial about Seven Segment Display. So today, I am going to share my new project tutorial which is Seven Segment Display using 555 Timer in Proteus ISIS. It is a very simple project to understand Modern Digital Electronics.

As you all know, now a days all the Digital Display’s uses Seven Segment Display. So first of all let’s have a little introduction about Seven Segment Display. How they are fabricated and how their LED’s glow in such a beautiful manner? Seven Segment Display (SSD) is the form of electronic device, used to display decimal numbers. Seven Segment Displays are commonly designed in Hexagonal shape but according to our project’s requirement we can also design them in some other shapes like rectangle, triangle, trapezoid etc. Seven Segment Displays may uses LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY (LCD) or LIGHT EMITTING DIODE (LED) for each display segment. In Seven Segment Display all the positive terminals (Anode) or all the negative terminals (Cathode) are brought together to a common pin and such arrangements are known as “Common Anode” or “Common Cathode” arrangement. In this project we will be using Common Cathode arrangement and Hexagonal shape of Seven Segment Display. A simplest form of Seven Segment Display is shown in the image below:

From the above shown image, we can see that we have total 7 LEDs and we will make them glow in such a scheme that the final image will look like a Numerical number. Now if you recall one of our previous project tutorial which was Sequential LED Blinking using 555 Timer, In that project, we are using a 555 Timer in collaboration with a Shift Register. 555 timer continuously provides clock to the Shift Register and Shift Register gives data to its output pins in parallel manner. In today's project, we are also going to use the same concept. We will use a 555 Timer which will continuously provide clock to Shift Register it will enable it's pin accordingly. We can gather this whole information into a single table and also the sequence in which LED's will blink. Such table is called TRUTH TABLE and it is shown in the image given below:

In the above image, '1' means ON state and '0' means OFF state of a particular LED of Seven Segment Display. Above was a little introduction of Seven Segment Display and now, lets move towards Hardware and see How this beautiful display is actually formed.

You can download the complete simulation of above project by simply clicking on the image given below:

Download Seven Segment Display Project Using 555 Timer

Seven Segment Display Using 555 Timer

• First of all place all the components in your proteus workspace, as shown in the image given below:

• First of all 555 Timer is installed, after that a Shift Register is added. 555 Timer will give clock to the Shift Register. Since we are using common cathode arrangement. So, the 7 input pin of SSD  are connected to the output pins of Shift Register and the common cathode pin is connected to circuit's main cathode. If you have placed all the components in their exact positions and all the connections are OK. then, the resultant simulation will look like as shown in the image below:

• Now if you look closely at the upper portion of the image then, you will notice that i have added 2 buttons in the circuit. Left Button in Button # 1 and Right Button is Button # 2.
• If both the Buttons are kept open and when you will run the simulation then, numerical values will start to come on seven segment display. you can also see it in the below image:

• Now the switching of button # 1 includes a very interesting feature. First of all play the simulation and Digits will start to run on Seven Segment Display and at any stage when you will press Button # 1 then Seven segment display will vanish but counting will keep on going in the back. And when you will open the Button#1 again then it will show that digit, up-to which counting have reached. Below is a very interesting feature included:

• During State#1 when Seven Segment Display was showing digit no.2 , we pressed button#1 then, display vanished which can be seen in the state#2. After that when we re-opened the switch#1 then, Seven segment display didn't show the digit no.3 but it shows digit # 8. and this thing can be seen at state#3.
• Now moving forward, the function of switch # 2 is very simple and easy. During simulation running, when we will press the Button # 2 at any instant then, display will immediately stop at that point. So, we can say that this project can also be used as stop watch and button # 2 controls the stop watch. It can also be seen in the image below:

Seven Segments Displays have a large no of applications. Some of them are listed below:

1. Digital Clocks.
2. Electronic Meters.
3. Basic Calculators.
4. Electronic Devices to Display Numerical Values. (Generally 14-segments or 16-segments display is used to display full alphanumeric values).

Alright friends, that’s all for today, I hope I have conveyed some knowledge and helped you people in some way. If you have some queries, then ask in comments. Subscribe us via email to get these tutorials straight in your inbox. Till next tutorial, take care and be safe !!! :)

LED Blinking using 555 Timer

Hello friends, hope you all are fine and having fun. Today I am going to share my new tutorial which is Sequential LED Blinking Using 555 Timer in Proteus ISIS. If you recall our one of previous tutorials, which was ‘Multiple LED Flashing Project Using 555 Timer in Proteus ISIS’, but in today’s tutorial we are going to take the same concept to a next level and we are going to make the LEDs blink in either ascending or descending order.

It is a very simple tutorial like the previous one, but the only change is, in this project we have added a Shift Register (4017) next to 555 Timer. 4017 is a Serial IN Parallel OUT Shift Register, which means, at input port it takes data in Serial manner and at output port it will give data in Parallel manner. All types of register needs a clock pulse to operate and this clock is provided by Timers or Micro controllers. In this project we will be using 555 Timer to generate clock pulse. 555 Times gives clock pulse at pin # 3 abbreviated as ‘Q’ pin. And this clock pulse is given at pin # 14 of Shift Register abbreviated as ‘CLK’ pin. Shift Register (4017) has total 15 pins. 2 input pins, 10 output pins. Input data is given at pin # 13, which is called ‘Enable’ pin and register shifts the data sequentially at its output pins. Shift register has 10 output pins which means it is a 10-bit shift register, which means it executes 10-bit data simultaneously. Now dear friends, let’s move towards the hardware of the project but as you know, practice makes a man perfect. Try to do it with your own hand so that, you get to know the practical applications of electrical components in person.

Dear friends, you can also Download the complete simulation of the Sequential LED Blinking Project using 555 Timer, by pressing on the button given below. So, let's get started with Sequential LED Blinking using 555 Timer in Proteus ISIS.

Download Sequential LED Blinking Project Using 555 Timer

Sequential LED Blinking using 555 Timer in Proteus ISIS

• Weare gonna design a Project named LED Blinking using 555 Timer so let's first have a look at its block diagram.

• Threshold voltage for 555 Timer is 5 volts, and when voltages exceeds this level, 555 timer triggers and it generates a output pulse at its output pin which is ‘Q’ pin.

• While designing the circuit, First of all 555 Timer will come, secondly Shift Register (4017) will be connected with it and at the end we will plug LED's. The complete circuit flow diagram is shown in figure below:

• Now coming towards the designing of the project, first of all, place the components in your Proteus workspace, as shown below in image:

• Now Output pulse from 555 Timer is connected to input ‘CLK’ pin of Shift Register.
• Since the register being used is 10-bit, and its outputs are Q0~Q9. The pins Q0~Q5 are connected to LED's D6~D1 respectively.
• After that Register output pin Q6 is also connected to LED (D2) and it becomes parallel with Q4. Now LED, (D2) has 2 parallel inputs and it becomes HIGH (turns ON) if any of the two Inputs is HIGH.
• Next we connect the Register output pin Q7 to LED (D3) and then it becomes in parallel with Q3. After doing that LED, (D3) has 2 parallel inputs and it becomes HIGH, if any of the 2 inputs is HIGH.
• After doing that, now we connect register’s output pin (Q8) to LED (D4) and then it also becomes in parallel with Q2, and LED will start glowing if any of the 2 inputs will be HIGH.
• Now at the end, we connect Q9 to LED (D5), and then it becomes in parallel with Q1. Now D5 has 2 inputs (Q9 &Q1) and LED will glow if any of the 2 inputs will be HIGH.
• Now at the end, If you have connected all the components in exact order, and all the connections are OK then, the exact simulation will look like as shown below:

• Now if we run the Proteus simulation and observe it closely, then we will see that, 555 Timer is continuously generating PWM and the Shift Register set’s its output ports HIGH from Q0~Q9 respectively.
• First of all Register’s output pin # Q0 becomes HIGH and it send signal to LED (D6) and LED will start glowing. You can also observe this phenomenon in the image given below:

• Then pin # Q1 becomes HIGH and it send signal to LED (D5) and D5 starts glowing. This can be observed in the figure given below:

• Then register's output pin Q2 becomes HIGH and sends signal to LED (D4) and D4 starts glowing. This can also be observed in the figure given below:

• Then Register's output pin Q3 becomes HIGH and send signal to LED (D3) and this LED starts glowing. This stage can be seen in the figure given below:

• Then Register's pin Q4 becomes HIGH and sends signal to LED (D2) and this LED (D2) starts glowing. This process is shown in the image given below:

• And in the next step, Register gets its pin # Q5 HIGH and send signal to LED (D1) starts to glow. This process can be seen in this figure:

• This process keeps on going and when the Register;s next pin becomes HIGH, which is Q6, then it again sends signal to LED (D2) and it starts to glow, and so D3,D4,D5 will glow respectively, and this sequence of LED's blinking will continue, until you stop it manually or by yourself.
• In the beginning, when LED's Started to blink from Left to Right which was (D6 to D1) , this sequence is called Forward Sequence.
• After that, LED's started to blink from Right to Left which was (D1 to D6), this sequence is called Reverse or Backward Sequence.
• We can summarize this whole sequence into a tabular shape, and this table is given in the figure below:

• This process keeps on going and LED's keeps on glowing in a beautiful sequence. These type of projects are generally used for decoration purposes.

• So, that's all about Sequential LED Blinking Using 555 timer.

Alright friends, that's all from this post. I hope now you can easily design LED Blinking using 555 timer Project. In the coming tutorials, we will discuss something new regarding 555 Timer applications. Until than, Take Care and Be Safe !!! :)

Angle Control of Servo Motor using 555 Timer in Proteus ISIS

Hello friends, hope you all are fine and enjoying. Today we are going to share our new project’s tutorial which is Angle Control of Servo Motor using 555 Timer in Proteus ISIS. It is a very simple but a bit technical project. This project has various applications both in industry and in small educational projects.

Servo motor is a DC operated motor and it is available in various sizes and powers. Generally the servo motor used in basic projects, is named as micro servo motor. It is of small size and low power rating. But as I stated earlier that it needs dc supply to operate but it also needs a continuous pulse train to operate and this pulse is commonly generated by some sort of timers or micro controllers. Since my today’s project tutorial (Angle Control of Servo Motor using 555 Timer in Proteus ISIS) is of basic level so, we will be using 555 timer to generate the continuous pulse train or PWM. Now let’s move towards hardware but dear friends, always remember that to become a technical person, you must have to perform technical work by yourself.

Angle Control of Servo Motor using 555 Timer in Proteus ISIS

• First of all, place the components in your Proteus workspace, as shown below in image.

• A 555 timer is an 8 pin IC. Pin # 6 is called threshold pin and for 555 timer threshold level is 5 volts.

• So, 555 timer will trigger above 5 volts and it will generate output which can be collected from pin # 3 represented as ‘Q’ which is output pin of 555 timer.
• After that the output pulse is sent to servo motor through a Transistor which is BC547.
• BC547 is basically a NPN transistor and the pulse signal is sent to servo motor through its Emitter.
• The full angle deflection of servo motor is from -180 degrees to +180 degrees. It can’t rotate through full 360 degrees. Now it’s your own choice that either you want to rotate the motor at one particular angle or at multiple angles or to get full rotation.

• Since in this tutorial (Angle Control of Servo Motor using 555 Timer), we are going to get full deflection of motor so, we have inserted 2 switches in the circuit. The complete circuit will look like:

• Switch # 1 will rotate the servo motor to 180 degrees in anti-clockwise direction. We will press the button only once and when the motor completes its rotation, it will automatically stop.

• After that if we press the switch # 2, then it will rotate the servo motor in clockwise direction and again after completing the angle, motor will again stop.

• If you have connected the components in correct order and when you will run it, the exact simulation will look like as shown:

• Sonow, if you have a close look on the above two iages then you can see in theState # 1 image I have pressed the left button and the servo motor is moved to -90 degree, this -90 is also mentioned in the green LEDbox just below servo motor.
• And in State # 2, I have pressed the right button and thus the motor is moved to +90 degrees. That's how it will work.
• You can Download the simulation of Angle Control of Servo Motor Project Using 555 Timer in Proteus ISIS, by clicking on below button:

Download Angle Control of Servo Motor Project using 555 Timer

Alright Friends, that's all for today, In the coming posts, we will discuss few more such projects. Till than, take care and be safe !!! :)

LED Dimming Project Using 555 Timer in Proteus ISIS

Hello friends, hope you all are enjoying and having fun. In today's tutorial we are gonna see how to design a LED Dimming Project using 555 Timer in Proteus ISIS. In our previous tutorials we have seen how to design Multiple LED Flasher Project using 555 Timer in Proteus ISIS and also Single and Double LED Flasher Project using 555 Timer in Proteus ISIS, in which we have seen how to flash Single and Multiple LED's using 555 Timer in Proteus ISIS. In today's post i am gonna extend the same concept and we will see how to design a LED Dimming Project Using 555 Timer in Proteus ISIS.

It is a quick and very simple tutorial and it elaborates how to control the Intensity of LED using 555 Timer in Proteus ISIS. It's a very simple project and the complete project is given at the end for download but again as i always say try to design it by yourself so that you get some knowledge out of it. It's a very simple project and these type of projects are designed by Engineering students in their First semester and are really a good start in learning electronics. If you have any queries regarding this project then feel free to ask and i will try me best to resolve them. So, let's get started with implementation of LED Dimming Project using 555 Timer in Proteus ISIS.

LED Dimming Project Using 555 Timer in Proteus ISIS

• 555 timer is a well known IC used in timing Projects and it is the most widely used IC before micro controllers.
• In our previous projects we have seen how to flash a single or multiple LED's but today we are going one step ahead and we are gonna learn How to Control the Intensity of LED using 555 timer in Proteus ISIS.
• So. first of all, open your  Proteus software and include the below components into its work space.

• After adding these components, now we need to design the circuit diagram.
• So, design a circuit diagram of LED Dimming Project using 555 Timer as shown below:

 

• If you look closely at the project then you will see that it is similar to one of our project titled Sequential LED Blinking Project with 555 Timer in Proteus ISIS.
• In this project we will control the intensity of LED through 555 timer.
• These kind of projects are also used for Decoration purpose and the beauty of this system is that we can change the Dimming rate of LED and we can control it our self.
• Now we are done with the Designing of the project and let's run its Proteus simulation.
• When you run the Proteus simulation and if everything is alright then the LED pattern will be like:

• The above figure shown the three states of the project.
• State # 1 shows the OFF state of LED, State # 2 shows that LED has started to glow and State # 3 shows that LED is glowing with full intensity.
• After that the loop starts again from State #1 to State # 3, unless you keep running the Proteus Simulation.
• You can download the simulation of LED Dimming project using 555 Timer by clicking on below button:

Download Project Simulation

That's all for today, in the coming post we will discuss few more such projects. Till than take care !!! :)

,

Multiple LED Flasher Project using 555 Timer in Proteus ISIS

Hello friends, hope you all are enjoying and having fun. In today's tutorial, we are gonna see How to design a Multiple LED Flasher Project using 555 Timer in Proteus ISIS. In our previous tutorial we have seen How to design a LED Flasher Project with 555 Timer in Proteus ISIS, in which we have flashed single and double LEDs. In today's post, I am gonna extend that previous tutorial and will see How to flash multiple LEDs with 555 Timer in Proteus ISIS.

Its quite a quick tutorial, as I don't have much material on it and its also quite simple so no much explanation is required. The complete project is given at the end for download but again as I always mention, try to design it by yourself, so that you get some knowledge out of it.This type of projects are normally designed by engineering students in their first or second semesters and are really a good start in learning electronics. IF you have any questions related to this project then ask in comments and I will try my best to resolve them. So, let's get started with implementation of multiple LED Flasher Project using 555 Timer in Proteus ISIS.

Multiple LED Flasher Project using 555 Timer in Proteus ISIS

• 555 Timer is well known IC used in timing projects and its the most widely used IC before microcontrollers.
• In our previous project we have flashed one and two LEDs using 555 Timer which was quite simple and easy and today we are gonna go a little advance and will flash multiple LEDs using 555 Timer.
• So first of all, open your Proteus software and include the below components into its workspace.

• After adding these components, now we need to design the circuit diagram.
• So, design a circuit diagram of Multiple LED FLasher Project using 555 Timer as shown below:

• If you have a look at the above figure closely and compare it with the previous project of 2 LED Flasher with 555 Timer in Protes ISIS then you can have the idea that its simple an extended version of that project.
• I haven't done anything but simply added LEDs in parallel to those 2 LEDs and give it a beutiful form so that it look attractive.
• These kinds of projects are normally used for decoration where you need to set some pattern for LEDs and make them blink.
• So, now we are done with the designing of our project so let's run the PRoteus Simulation.
• When you run the Proteus Simulation, and if everything's gone fine then these LEDs will start flashing as shown in the below figure:

• The above figure shows the three states of this project.
• State # 1 shows the OFF state of this project while State # 2 and 3 are the ON states, these LEDs will keep on flashing as long as the simulation is running.
• You can download the Proteus simulation of Multiple LED Flasher Project using 555 Timer by clicking on the below button:

Download LED Flasher Project using 555 Timer

That's all for today, I hope I have conveyed some knowledge and helped in some way. It was a quite an easy project that's why I haven't explained much but if you have some querries then ask in comments. Subscribe us via email to get these tutorials straight in your inbox. Till next tutorial, take care !!! :)

Display ADC value on LCD using Arduino

Hello friends, hope you all are fine and having good life. In today's project, we will see how to display ADC value on LCD using Arduino in Proteus ISIS. Its quite a simple project in which we are gonna measure the voltage of ADC pins and then will display them over to LCD. The microcontroller I am using in this project is Arduino. The simulation is designed in Proteus ISIS. IF you are working on PIC Microcontroller then you should have a look at How to Display ADC value on LCD using PIC Microcontroller in Proteus ISIS.

Arduino has 10 bit ADC pins so whenever you apply voltage on these pins it will give you a value ranging from 0 to 1023 depending on the voltage provided. One can easily get this value using a simple function in Arduino analogRead(); but the real problem is to convert this analog value into the actual voltage present on the pin. Suppose you are using A0 pin of arduino and you are providing 3.3V over to this pin, now when you use this analoagRead() function then it will give you some value say 543, but you wanna know what's the actual voltage at this pin which is 3.3V so now converting this 543 to 3.3 is a bit tricky part. It's not difficult but involves a little calculations, which I am gonna cover today in detail. Before going any further, make sure you have already installed the Arduino Library For Proteus, if not then first do it because without this library you won't be able to use Arduino board in Proteus. So, let's get started with How to Display ADC value on LCD using Arduino.

Display ADC value on LCD using Arduino in Proteus ISIS

I have divided this tutorial on How to Display ADC value on LCD using Arduino in few steps, follow these steps carefully and if you get into some trouble then ask in comments and I will try my best to resolve them, all the materials are provided at the end of step 1 for download but I suggest that you design your own so that you do mistakes and learn from them. Moreover, you should also have a look at these Arduino Projects for Beginners. Anyways, let get started:

Step1: Circuit Designing in Proteus

• First of all, I have designed a circuit in Proteus for Displaying ADC value on LCD using Arduino.
• In this circuit, I have used two transformers which I have named as Potential Transformer and Current Transformer. I am supplying 220V to these transformers which is then converted into 5V.
• I have set the turn ratio of these transformers such that they give maximum 5V at the output.
• Now,rest of the circuit is simple, I have just connected the LCD with Arduino so that we could display these ADC value over to LCD.

Note:

• Before connecting any pin to ADC, make sure that the output should be less than 5V. Otherwise, there's a chance that the pin burnt out.
• If you don't know about LCD then read Ciruit Designing of LCD with Arduino in Proteus.
• You should also download this New LCD Library for Proteus.

• Here's the circuit diagram of displaying ADC value on LCD using Arduino in Proteus ISIS:

• You can download the Proteus Simulation and the Arduino hex file for Displaying ADC value on LCD using Arduino by clicking on below button:

Download Proteus Simulation and Arduino Hex File

• It's quite simple and self explanatory. After designing the circuit diagram, now let's move to second step, which is code designing for Displaying ADC value on LCD using Arduino.

Step 2: Arduino Code Designing

• Now copy the below code and paste it into Arduino software. Compile your code and get the Arduino hex file.
• If you dont know How to get the hex file from Arduino then read Arduino Library for Proteus, I have explained it in detail there.

#include <LiquidCrystal.h>
#define NUM_SAMPLES 10

int sum = 0;
unsigned char sample_count = 0;
float voltage = 0.0;

LiquidCrystal lcd(12, 11, 5, 4, 3, 2);
const int PT = A0;
const int CT = A1;
float Cur;
float Vol;
float Power;

void setup() {
// set up the LCD's number of columns and rows:
lcd.begin(20, 4);
// Print a message to the LCD.
lcd.setCursor(6,1);
lcd.print("Welcome To");
lcd.setCursor(5,2);
lcd.print("Energy Meter");
//delay(5000);
lcd.clear();

Constants();
}

void loop() {
lcd.setCursor(0, 2);
ShowVoltage(9, 0, PT);
Vol = voltage;
ShowVoltage(9, 1, CT);
Cur = voltage;
Power = Vol * Cur;
lcd.setCursor(7,2);
lcd.print(Power);
}

void Constants()
{
lcd.setCursor(0,0);
lcd.print("Voltage: ");
lcd.setCursor(0,1);
lcd.print("Current: ");
lcd.setCursor(0,2);
lcd.print("Power: ");
lcd.setCursor(14,0);
lcd.print("V");
lcd.setCursor(14,1);
lcd.print("A");
lcd.setCursor(12,2);
lcd.print("W");
}

void ShowVoltage (int x,int y, unsigned int value)
{
while (sample_count < NUM_SAMPLES)
{
sum += analogRead(value);
sample_count++;
delay(10);
}

voltage = ((float)sum / (float)NUM_SAMPLES * 5.015) / 1024.0;
lcd.setCursor(x, y);
lcd.print(voltage);
sample_count = 0;
sum = 0;
}

• The code is quite simple and self explanatory, the only difficulty is in ShowVoltage function. In this function, I have first taken an average of 10 ADC values and after that I have applied a simple formula over it and then it will start start giving the voltage value which I have simply displayed over the LCD.
• Now everything's done, so Get your Hex File from Arduino Software and let's check the results whether it displayed ADC value on LCD using Arduino or not

Step 3: Result

• We have designed the electronic circuit in Proteus and have also designed our code and uploaded the hex file in Arduino.
• Now press start button and you will see something like this:

• Now if you compare the voltages in voltmeter and on LCD, you can see they are exactly the same. You can check the value of variable resistor and the values in LCD will also change as the voltage in voltmeter change.

That's all for today, hope I have conveyed some knowledge today and now you can easily Display ADC value on LCD using Arduino. In the next post we will explore more Arduino features. Till then take care and have fun !!! :)