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A DIY Square Wave Signal Generator with Pulse Width Modulation

This circuit is very simple and has a fantastic range of potential uses. The two potentiometers (variable resistors) allow the frequency and pulse width to be varied independently and without affecting each other like in the super simple signal generator.

By incorporating a rotary switch, the value of the timing capacitor (C1) can be adjusted. This allows the frequency to be adjusted over the full range that the 555 timer can support.

A separate chip (LM393) is used to control the pulse width so that it will not effect the frequency. The LM393 is a 'Low Power Low Offset Voltage Dual Comparator' The pot (VR2) is used as part of a voltage divider so that the voltage on the inverting input of the comparator can be smoothly varied. This voltage determines the pulse width of the final output signal.

Like this circuit? Check out our range of Pulse width modulation circuits.

Pulse Width Modulated Signal Generator

IC1	LM555
IC2	LM393
R1	10k
R2	10k
R3	2.2k
R4	10k
VR1	1M
VR2	10k
C1	47nF
C2	4.7nF
C3	470pF
C4	47pF
SW1	4 Pole Rotary

Since the pulse width is relative to the input voltage on the this input, it is possible to use the circuit in conjunction with a multitude of robotic interface boards. This signal can be used to drive a H-Bridge or power transistor which is ideal for varying the speed of a DC motor. We have some circuits based on this idea on the Cyber Circuits page. We also have a simple DIY version of this device here

Potential Uses Might Include:
DC Motor Speed Control Control
Boosting or Variable Dimming for LED's and Light Bulbs
Transformer or Ignition Coil Driver

This circuit was used in the Power Pulse Generator project as part of the Ignition Coil Driver

Comments and questions for DIY PWM Signal Generator

The information provided here can not be guaranteed as accurate or correct. Always check with an alternate source before following any suggestions made here.

Hazmat - Thursday, 29th June 2006 8:56pm - #87

Thanks for this circuit! It works soooo much better than any 555 circuit I've tried. I've tried all sorts of 555 circuits for PWM, inlcuding one that used 2 555's or a 556 chip.

This one wokred first time and provides exactly the frequency and duty cycle vairiability I needed for my motor speed controler.

timothy - Tuesday, 19th September 2006 1:13pm - #300

Can you tell me what pins on the LM393 chip correspond to the inputs for IC2 on the schematic?
Thanks

RMCybernetics - Tuesday, 19th September 2006 4:48pm - #301

This is the pinout for the LM393. It contains 2 comparators, you just need to use one of them. Note that the + and - inputs are inverted in the circuit diagram.

You can download the datasheet for the LM393 here.

Santa ( no Bike for you ) - Monday, 25th September 2006 7:27am - #325

Re :-timothy Tuesday, 19th September 2006 1:13pm
I think what Timothy wanted was the connection details. Same as you did for the LM555..
See Example.
EXAMPLE ONLY.. CHECK FOR THE CORRECT CONECTION..

Sunnyboy - Sunday, 8th October 2006 11:46pm - #391

Wow, I really like this Circuit! Ive been fidgeting with Squarewave generators quite some time, but never came up with the idea of simply using a comparator for duty cycle adjustment virtually independent from the frequency. Ive packed this neat gadget in a little case with a 9V Battery and added some extra IC life savers by using optocuplers before the outputjacks. Comes in very handy when playing around with HV stuff like TC. Santas schematic seems correct to me, but in the worst case, there are two comps on the chip, so dont panic (exept u fry the supply section^^).

BDSD - Tuesday, 10th October 2006 4:21pm - #404

I noticed in your design that there is no indication of where the output pin 3 would be connected, is this an oversight or is it because it's not necessary. Thanks for all your support.

RMCybernetics - Tuesday, 10th October 2006 4:33pm - #407

Nope its not neccesary. The signal going to the comparator is just from the charging and discharging capacitor.

Crispy - Wednesday, 22nd November 2006 3:25am - #489

I'm kind-of new to electronics analysis, and am trying to build one of these to drive an ignition coil, and the circuit seems pretty simple, but I'm the type of person that won't use something unless they understand how it works. As I said, most of this seems relatively simple, but I can't figure out what the purpose of R3 is. If someone could give a quick explanation, I'd be very grateful. Thanks.

RMCybernetics - Wednesday, 22nd November 2006 2:18pm - #498

R3 is used as a 'pull-up' resistor. It is neccesary to get a good output signal voltage relative to ground.
If it is not used the output signal will be too flat.

Andrew - Tuesday, 5th December 2006 3:12am - #566

I see a contradiction here: RMCybernetics said "Note that the + and - inputs are inverted in the circuit diagram," so shouldn't pins 2 and 3 be reversed in Santa's diagram???

RMCybernetics - Tuesday, 5th December 2006 8:59am - #567

No. Santas diagram is correct. It is just that the pinout diagram showing how it is arranged inside the DIL package shows the inverting input (-) above the non inverting one. Its just an easy thing to overlook because the symbol looks the same.

Brendon - Tuesday, 5th December 2006 7:16pm - #573

I have built this crcuit last night....I listened to it through headphones and it seems to work. I don't get much of a range when the rotary switch is set to C4 though - is that expected? Also, can you confirm what the freq. range of the circuit is (i.e 20hz to 20 Khz?) And will the circuit drive a 12inch loudspeaker? I want to try emulate those experiemnts in the video with the water/cornstarch mixture. Thank you.

RMCybernetics - Tuesday, 5th December 2006 8:49pm - #576

C4 is probably overkill really. The range is about about 0Hz to 125kHz, but the signal may start getting a little distorted at the top end.
You cant drive a large speaker with this circuit, but adding a transistor like in the Pulse controller will work.

Brendon - Wednesday, 6th December 2006 9:21pm - #581

Wow thats some range. Perhaps my circuit isn't working right then because even if I have VR1 (which should be the freq. right?) turned right down I get a fairly low freq. that sounds more like an outboard motor but I can't turn it right down to zero. And changing VR2 (the pulse width)just sort of makes the signal sound either more distroted or less distorted, so I just leave it mid way. Did you use LOG or LIN pots for this circuit? Its hard to know if its working right without hearing a working example of the circuit eh?

RMCybernetics - Thursday, 7th December 2006 1:31am - #582

Being given the wrong info makes it difficult too I guess :). Seems like yours is working fine. I used linear pots.

With the 47nF cap The low frequency end is 30Hz, You'll need capacitors in the uF range to get really low frequencies.

The circuit will even oscilate without a capacitor if there is enough parasitic capacitance elsewhere. I measured 222kHz, but the signal was quite small and not square.

Brendon - Thursday, 7th December 2006 3:47am - #583

Thanks. So what effect should turning the pulse width Pot have on the sound?

RMCybernetics - Thursday, 7th December 2006 9:58am - #584

The effect would be just as you described. It would only slightly alter the percieved sound. The pulse width function is important for using it with power control for motors, lights etc.

Andrew - Thursday, 7th December 2006 11:32pm - #585

Is it possible to add an LED to this circuit that blinks at the same frequency as the output? Would you be able to see it blink or would it be too fast? Also, when VR1 is set to zero is that the highest or lowest frequency, and when VR2 is set to zero is that the highest or lowest pulse width? Thanks for your help!

RMCybernetics - Friday, 8th December 2006 12:48am - #586

Yes you can add an LED to the output. You can just about see it blinking at the very lowest frequencies 30Hz. At higher frequencies the brightness would vary proportional to the pulse width.
It depends which pins you use on your pots for the direction.

Andrew - Friday, 8th December 2006 2:32am - #587

What I meant was if the pots were set to zero resistance. When VR1 is set to zero resistance is that the highest or lowest frequency, and when VR2 is set to zero resistance is that the highest or lowest pulse width? And would the LED go in line with the output or from the output to ground?

RMCybernetics - Friday, 8th December 2006 9:55am - #588

With VR1 set to 0 the frequency will be max.
VR2 can be set to 0 resistance at either end of its turns, but ot will always be 10k between 2 of its terminals. It's wired as a potential divider. If you turn it so that there is 0 resistance between R4 and the inverting input, pulse width will be maximum.

Thomas - Wednesday, 10th January 2007 11:00pm - #692

Hi RM. I made the Pulse width modulator and it seems to work fine... but I can't make sense of the frequency measurements I get. I did set the freq. at 1000 Hz (using a scope). When I check this with a DMM (red on output, black on ground of the pulse modulator), I get 20KHz. If I only have one lead (red/positive) on the "output" I get the right signal - why this?? Many thanks - Thomas

RMCybernetics - Thursday, 11th January 2007 12:29am - #693

The frequency measurment of many DMM's requires a reasonably high voltage input (>10V). Its interesting that it works with no ground reference. I just tried with a DMM I have with a frequency setting and the result is the same as you describe.

The scope will be the reliable reading, I guess your DMM isn't meant to be used for frequency in this way.

Thomas - Thursday, 11th January 2007 8:00pm - #697

Very strange indeed... the DMM manual says 1.0v rms minimum for the frequency counter, but from the scope I think I have 8v peak to peak - I use a 9v battery as source.

Thomas - Saturday, 20th January 2007 3:47pm - #709

Is there a way to make is run around 600KHz? On the 47pF capacitor setting (or without a capacitor -parasitic capacitance I suspect, as you mention above-) I go up to 200KHz . I'd like to use it to find the resonance of primary and secondary of my tesla coil, which resonance is around 600KHz... any ideas of how to achieve this? Many thanks

Thomas - Saturday, 20th January 2007 5:24pm - #710

Hello... Am using the circuit as a source to find the resonance frequency of primary and secondary of my Tesla Coil. At the 47pF setting (and also without any capacitor - must be parasitic capacitance) I get about 200kHz. Ideally I would need a range around 600kHz (calculated resonance frequency of my primary). Any ideas of how to modify your circuit to get that? A smaller capacitor (e.g. 4.7 pF at C4) still gives around 200kHz. Many thanks

RMCybernetics - Saturday, 20th January 2007 6:52pm - #713

Reducing the value of R1 may help. Try swapping it for a variable resistor, or just add one in parralel to it.

You could also try the Tesla Coil Tuner circuit. This goes up to around 450kHz.

Thomas - Saturday, 20th January 2007 7:24pm - #714

Added a potentiometer in // to R1. At combined values of 190 ohm I get about 340 kHz signal - then the signal just vanishes from the scope screen.

Thomas - Saturday, 20th January 2007 8:29pm - #715

Made the Tesla coil tester - but even by lowering C3 to 0.1 nF I get to a ceiling of about 500kHz!

Carl - Friday, 9th February 2007 5:05am - #754

Hi there. I'm planning to build your power pulse controller to run a dual ignition coil HV supply for an electric fence. There seems to be a problem though, you have forgotten to connect pin 4 of the 555 to Vcc in order for it to operate in Astable mode. I've simulated the circuit on Multisim 9 and it works very nicely. Thanx.

RMCybernetics - Friday, 9th February 2007 10:13am - #755

Not forgotten. There is no need to connect pin 4 for this circuit to oscillate

Problematic - Saturday, 17th February 2007 12:10pm - #782

Looking at the image I posted. Which pins should I connect to 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 on the schematics view. I have looked through the data sheets online, but I still don’t know which is which? Thank you BTW :D

RMCybernetics - Saturday, 17th February 2007 12:41pm - #784

You only need to use pins 1 2 3 4 and 8. See the post by Santa dated Monday, 25th September 2006 7:27am for the pinout.

ol'john - Tuesday, 20th February 2007 3:01pm - #803

before i go and try{?} building this circuit (or buying a complete one from you) i have a question on frequency: is it possible to get into the M or G frequencies with this device? judging from the posts i see here it does not appear so....
thank you

RMCybernetics - Tuesday, 20th February 2007 6:12pm - #804

No. This circuit will only work at low frequencies (i.e. audio frequencies). It will not work for RF.

hunter20 - Sunday, 18th March 2007 3:33pm - #913

if you had a lower copasitor and then instead of the rotary you could use a dip and then you would be able to go through the entire frequency range. i think this is right but tell me if i am right.

RMCybernetics - Sunday, 18th March 2007 3:38pm - #914

You can use any method you like for adjusting the timing capacitance.

Rob - Friday, 20th July 2007 8:33am - #1483

Hey everyone,

First off, great website. Second, im in the process of building this now, and i just put in LEDs between the dial and each capacitor. Will this have any negative effect on my circuit? Its really just for aesthetics, so when you turn the dial, the LED assigned to that certain capacitor lights up.

RMCybernetics - Friday, 20th July 2007 10:37am - #1484

Yes it will effect the performance. The LED will provide a path for current to flow between the capacitor terminals. It could prevent the capacitor from charging and discharging correctly which is essential for oscillation to occur.

Rob - Friday, 20th July 2007 9:05pm - #1485

Thanks for the advice, ill stick to the original circuit. Once again, thanks for the great website, and for dealing with all us electronics newbies :)

joe - Monday, 23rd July 2007 3:59am - #1492

hi i nead somthing that i can control the frequancy betwen 10khz and 30khz will this do that

RMCybernetics - Monday, 23rd July 2007 10:06am - #1493

Yes. It will go from 0 Hz to about 125 kHz. This circuit will also provide that range of frequencies.

THE NAME - Thursday, 9th August 2007 10:21pm - #1559

Can you tell me how high is the voltage and current from output? Can I use OPAmp 741 instead LM393 ?
Many thanks!!!

RMCybernetics - Thursday, 9th August 2007 10:28pm - #1560

The output should go almost as high as the supply voltage (9V in this case). A 741 is not suitable for a direct replacement. This is because the 741 is designed for a dual supply voltage (+v, -v, and GND). The 393 is used here because it will operate from a single supply and is able to swing its output almost fully between the rails.

bonkers - Friday, 10th August 2007 10:41pm - #1570

could you please tell me where the wiper on VR1 is suppose to go. it doesn't look connected, also can I use an lm339, can't find any 339's, what I'de like to do is have seperate inputs and outputs so I can overlap different frequencies if that makes since.
P.S. Love the site!

RMCybernetics - Saturday, 11th August 2007 3:56pm - #1574

VR1 represents a variable resistance. If you use a POT you would use an outer pin and the middle pin. The other pin would remain unconnected.
LM339 should work ok.

Albert Como - Monday, 1st October 2007 6:01pm - #1788

The performance (the frequency and stuff) is not affected by the supply voltage, right? I can run this off of 12 volts, correct?

Albert Como - Tuesday, 2nd October 2007 1:15am - #1794

Very interesting thing with this circuit. If I touch or touch any terminal of 10k pot, while headphones are hooked up, I hear people speaking in spanish. I'm not joking. This thing is a radio or something.

RMCybernetics - Tuesday, 2nd October 2007 1:50pm - #1795

Yes you can run from any voltage within the component manufacturers specified tolerances.

lol! That's a pretty interesting result. Part of the circuit must be coincidentally tuned to match the broadcast frequency of those Spanish people!

Tom Ferko - Friday, 5th October 2007 12:04am - #1836

Can you get back with me on this. I am wondering if I can use this simple circuit to power a water splitting device whereas water is broken down into hydrogen and oxygen.

Get back with me at: 65t@commcast.net

Thanks, Tom

RMCybernetics - Friday, 5th October 2007 1:14pm - #1842

The power pulse controller or a PWM-OC10A would be better.

Mark - Wednesday, 10th October 2007 2:03pm - #1894

Great Website. I have built this circuit and it works brilliantly. I use a 9V supply and I have notice the output voltage is between 8 and 9V, is it possible to bring the output voltage down to about 4.5V - 5V (oscilloscope reading) without effecting the PWM. I do have some success in doing this with a 78L05 Regulator on the output, which gives about 4.2V. I would prefer a better way as I don't think this is quite right. Thanks Mark.

RMCybernetics - Wednesday, 10th October 2007 2:19pm - #1895

This pwm circuit is almost identical to this except it drives a big transistor for switching larger loads. You can use a different MOSFET or smaller transistor if the IRF740 is overkill.
To make it switch a different voltage you would disconnect the load from V+, connect V+ to the input of your regulator, then connect the output of your regulator to the loads +ve termial.

Mark - Thursday, 11th October 2007 10:51am - #1915

Thanks RM for the info. Any idea which low power/smaller MOSFET I could use. Cheers.

RMCybernetics - Thursday, 11th October 2007 10:55am - #1916

That is totally up to you. Decide how much current and voltage you need to switch then look in a cataloge/shop for devices that will handle your requirements.

der strom - Monday, 15th October 2007 4:17pm - #1959

what does the end above R3 and the end way down at the bottom connect to in this circuit?

RMCybernetics - Monday, 15th October 2007 4:40pm - #1960

These are the 'power rails' The top line is connected to +ve, the bottom line is -ve. It does not matter which end.

John - Saturday, 27th October 2007 10:45am - #2059

u da man, I need what Stan Meyer made, 555 with frequency and width pots thanks runs off 12v dc 5 amp

Pumee - Wednesday, 31st October 2007 9:22am - #2091

Hi! I havent built this yet, becouse I have some questions. Is it possible to use it with 5V DC? Becouse I need TTL signals to drive an OEM laser device. And i also would like to use an optocoupler, at the output, ill have to use a resitor there do I? I mean a resitor which makes te good DC depending on the optcoupler(I decided to use 4N25)And after that i should use two Shmitt triggers?(becous it inverts). Id be really happy if you could help me, I need it for testing at our Lab. Thanks. Pumee from Hungary.

RMCybernetics - Wednesday, 31st October 2007 2:02pm - #2096

Yes it should run from 5V. You would just need a small resistor between output and your optocoupler to limit the current.

Pumee - Wednesday, 31st October 2007 2:36pm - #2098

Thank you very much, for your quick reply!!

Danny - Thursday, 8th November 2007 3:35pm - #2148

Excellent site you've got here!
How can I use a 555 noise maker kit from Maplin to drive an IRF740. The reason is to isolate the 555 circuit from the coil switching mosfet (and as a kit it's easy to build!).
I admit I am struggling with some fundamentals here but I assume the gate has to be grounded after it is pulsed in order to shut off the IRF740. How could this be done? I guess thats what the LM393 does but can I do it without?

Many thanks

RMCybernetics - Friday, 9th November 2007 2:47pm - #2152

I'm not sure about the maplin kit as I don't have a schematic or any parameters for it.
Yes there needs to be a path to ground from the gate pin because it is effectively a capacitor and it needs to discharge to switch off the MOSFET. The 393 will do this to a limited extent, but it is common to just place a resistor between the gate and GND to drain off any remaining charge on the gate.

Awsome High Voltage - Wednesday, 21st November 2007 12:13am - #2199

if you used this to power an ignition coil, could it power a tesla coil this size?

RMCybernetics - Wednesday, 21st November 2007 9:25pm - #2201

No. This is a signal generator only. It will not even power an ignition coil.

pikadude500 - Thursday, 22nd November 2007 5:41pm - #2204

i have already built a 555 timer circuit using a MOV and ablocking diode in series with the coil on the + input the - input is from an audio amplifying transistor it was working seemingly well although te hv was some how getting to the 555 it wasnt heating up neither was the transistor,but it is not working anymore... con you tell me what went wrong

RMCybernetics - Thursday, 22nd November 2007 6:02pm - #2206

This is a signal generator only. it will not drive coils directly.
Look at the ignition coil driver page for a circuit to drive coils.

Ward - Friday, 23rd November 2007 10:59pm - #2212

RM please help me understand why the LM393 (193) switches badly when saw tooth wave in from 555 is a slower frequency than say 65KHz? It only happens when input slope is too shallow. I would like to get down to 30KHz and still get clean PWM output.

If I try 100K R2, R4, and VR2 the effect is even worse. Any advice? The input saw tooth from 555 is clean. I zoomed in to limit file size. Thanks in advance.

Ward

RMCybernetics - Friday, 23rd November 2007 11:15pm - #2213

The low frequency should not be a problem. The circuit on this page will work from DC to hundreds of kHz.
Is your circuit somehow different such as a series capacitor on the 193's input?

Ward - Friday, 23rd November 2007 11:29pm - #2214

RM,

Circuit is same except R3 is 2K Vs 2.2K. It is on bread-board right now so I can play with it. I will try different components and report back if no ideas. Thanks.

Ward

Jon - Friday, 30th November 2007 4:05am - #2276

Where do I get a Rotary Switch like the one in the picture, and what are the specs of the rotary switch?

OutThere - Saturday, 8th December 2007 12:49am - #2316

Is this a negative offset circuit being the pulsating output is negative current?
If so would reversing the polarity on the battery cause the output to be pulsating positive current?(positive offset)?
Thanks

nicnic - Friday, 18th January 2008 6:41am - #2452

yey, it worked! thanks a lot! :D
bravo!

sparky - Wednesday, 16th April 2008 4:25am - #2722

firstly, awesome awesome website. very knowledgeable info. i would like to know how to calculate the 4 different capacitor values (C1 to C4). i am currently designing a magnetic arc controller and i need a square wave generator with PWM connection to a mosfet driver leading to 2 different mosfets switching low and high. i basically need to control the inductive coil for position, frequency mark space ratio and amplitude. thank you soo much for all this info.

Your name here - Thursday, 17th April 2008 1:05pm - #2728

You can use this online 555 calculator here

ELsimfy - Wednesday, 4th June 2008 9:40pm - #2798

Nice circuit & clever design. Thank you.
However a problem: In tuning the circuit I have found out that the frequency is not constant but is is varying, especially at low freq, i.e. at 20 Hz up to 10%. Already output freq. from 555 in not constant. All measured with DDM.
Any clue what's happening?

RMCybernetics - Friday, 6th June 2008 12:49am - #2802

Maybe some interference. Try adding some capacitors over the power supply terminals to suppress noise.

ELsimfy - Monday, 9th June 2008 8:35pm - #2809

Thanks. My switch was on the wrong side (on GND instead as above).

1.Another thing, for adjusting min and max level of duty cycle on needs to adjust 10K resistors on 393 input... a little inconvenient. I have connected upper end of 10K variable resistor to the pin 5 (threshold), which properly selects upper voltage level (about 2/3 Ucc) of comparator or min. duty cycle. Max. duty cycle (min voltage level aout 1/3 Ucc) still manually adjusted.
Any comment on that?

2. I found LOG variable resistors for freq. more linearly adjustable, especially for high freq.

Sam - Wednesday, 25th June 2008 12:25pm - #2871

Hi, I haven't build this yet. As per my memory.. the O/P is the third pin (555 IC), but in here it left unconnected. Can you explain little bit?

RMCybernetics - Thursday, 26th June 2008 2:28pm - #2872

The 555 output is a square wave. It would be usless to put the squarewave into the 393. The signal is taken from the timing capacitor which is triangle wave. The 393 compares the voltage of this wave to the voltage from the 10k pot to determine if the outut should go high or low.

Metzen - Wednesday, 16th July 2008 7:39pm - #2909

If you hook this to a 12v supply instead of 9v, will it work as expected or fry it?

If it will fry it, which components would need to be replaced to make it work with 12v? Likewise, which could be replaced to allow it to operate up to 20 or 30 amps?

Thanks!

RMCybernetics - Thursday, 17th July 2008 10:59am - #2912

12V will work fine.
If you want to switch large currents you need to use a large transistor on its output like in this circuit

Deutsch - Monday, 28th July 2008 10:37am - #2949

Hi, I built this circuit and everything seems to be fine. Frequency changes correctly and the pulse width seems to change correctly also, however, I am only getting around half voltage(4.5V) on the output. Does anyone have any ideas why that might be?

Ed Lipton - Sunday, 10th August 2008 1:48am - #2981

Hey Rm, Great site! Don't understand it all,,,,but great site and it drawwwws me in. Am just learning something new "electronic's"@ 53 years now. Can you PLEASE,,,,,, tell me, how I could hook this up to 12 volt DC "actually 13.5, charging"? I don't know that I would but seems that all these projects I find are based on low voltage DC. I am trying too do some thing's to increase M.P.G.'s and am looking at PWM's and Hydrogen ect, ect. So what is the easiest way to bring down voltage and have everything work?

RMCybernetics - Sunday, 10th August 2008 1:16pm - #2986

Deutsch,
I can only assume you mad a mistake in your wiring or that you have a faulty component.

Ed Lipton,
You can connect this direct to a 13.5V supply. The voltage limit is simply determined by the ratings of the two IC's. You can Google for the datasheet to get the max voltage of each.

Hamish - Thursday, 21st August 2008 9:09am - #3012

to test the wave generated would it be ok to plug this into the line in on a computer...

RMCybernetics - Thursday, 21st August 2008 12:45pm - #3013

No, You could damage your PC. You would need to find out the specifications of the line in port and then make sure your circuits output is adjusted to match.

packrat - Thursday, 21st August 2008 5:03pm - #3021

hi, this circuit is just what i've been looking for!
a couple of questions though, i need the output signal to be 5vdc,or ttl level, if i power the circuit with 5vdc as vcc will i need to change any of the resistor values? if so what are the changes?
thank you in advance, cary

RMCybernetics - Thursday, 21st August 2008 5:50pm - #3022

Both IC's should work from a 5V supply and you should not need to alter any resistor values.

packrat - Friday, 22nd August 2008 5:22pm - #3024

thank you for your prompt reply! this question had been asked before and answered two ways - run on 5vdc and use a 7805 to regulate the out-put didn't know which was right! I'm going to incorporate it in a circuit already at 5vdc and didn't really want to add another power supply!
thank you again for the reply and a GREAT site, cary

WARAFUL - Wednesday, 27th August 2008 9:03pm - #3046

I'm designing three phase induction motor speed controller this circuit includes 3 gate drives IR2111 that controlls the turning on and off of the Mosfets in the inverter.These gate drives are are fed from three phase PWM that icludes software program that i dont know, i'm wondering whether i can modify that with your square wave signal genarator with PWM ? and then create three of these these circuits.thanks

RMCybernetics - Friday, 29th August 2008 11:05am - #3053

No you would need a differnt circut for a three phase output.

waraful - Friday, 29th August 2008 1:04pm - #3054

what type of circuit may i use because i don't want to use the circuit that includes (DSP,MCU)plz, i'm only left with this part to complete my project.

Randy - Thursday, 9th October 2008 10:02pm - #3171

I was just wondering how short the pulses can be using this circuit. Like let's say I have a 10% duty cycle, how many microseconds would the pulse be. Is there anyway to tell?

RMCybernetics - Friday, 10th October 2008 10:12am - #3172

Well if your duty is 10% then the pulse duration depends upon the frequency. e.g. 1hz, 10% = 0.1 seconds

Randy - Friday, 10th October 2008 10:10pm - #3179

Thanks for the info. Makes sense to me now.

charlie - Monday, 13th October 2008 10:57pm - #3188

reference circuit -A DIY Square Wave Signal Generator with Pulse Width Modulation using (LM393)
can you use a tlc555 IC instead of 555
If so what component changes are needed
thank you

RMCybernetics - Wednesday, 15th October 2008 7:40am - #3189

It will work fine with no changes

packrat - Saturday, 1st November 2008 5:00pm - #3262

hi, would you please post the frequency ranges for each of the timing capacitors.
also which type pot(VR1) would give a more gradual adjustment for the frequency, audio or linear taper?

thank you for a great site and great circuits! packrat

RMCybernetics - Sunday, 2nd November 2008 2:13pm - #3270

220nF - 3Hz to 600Hz
47nF - 14Hz to 2.5kHz
10nF - 71Hz to 10kHz
1nF - 710Hz to 87kHz
470pF - 1.5kHz to 170kHz (after this point the pulse shape is significantly rounded)
100pF - 6kHz to 263kHz
47pF - 10kHz to 870kHz

Logarithmic pot is best for frequency

packrat - Sunday, 2nd November 2008 10:39pm - #3273

wow! THANK YOU!!! i was figuring them with a online 555 calculator, and thought i was doing something wrong. the range of difference on each capacitor just seemed too large.
is ther a way to make the frequency vary over a smaller amount? maybe change the value for VR1?
thank you again for your help. packrat

RMCybernetics - Monday, 3rd November 2008 12:26pm - #3274

The best way is to add a lower value pot in series with the 1M pot. You can then use this extra pot to fine tune the frequency selected by the main pot. The lower the value, the finer the tuning will be. e.g. Adding a 10k pot in series with the 1M pot will give you a dial which is 100 times more precise because the value is 100 times smaller.

packrat - Monday, 3rd November 2008 6:08pm - #3281

again thank you for helping a new to electronics old guy! i really only need between 2K to 40K frequency. is there a way to get that? thanks again for all your great help in this matter!!

RMCybernetics - Tuesday, 4th November 2008 9:59am - #3282

You would need to use a 1nF timing capacitor and then limit the range of resistance you can vary by adding a resistor in series with the pot. You would have to detirmine the values for those yourself.
e.g. Use a 1M pot, set the frequency to 40kHz then remove the pot and measure its resistance. Do the same at 2kHz. The first value you get would be the value for a resistor that you would place in series with a pot rated for the second value you got.

packrat - Tuesday, 4th November 2008 6:09pm - #3287

wow!!!!!!!! this is the explaination i have been looking for! all the so called experts on other sites make things out to be so "you don't know the 'handshake' so we can't tell you"
thank you for giving me the information i have been looking for!!!!!
packrat

packrat - Saturday, 8th November 2008 1:07am - #3304

hi, another dumb question . when using a resistor and pot as you suggested to limit the frequency, how would it be wired into the circuit? the resistor before the pot or after? in the schematic at the top of the page shouldn't the connection from the pot to pin6 of the 555 go to the pin 2(wiper) of the pot? i'm just an old guy trying to make sense of electronics.
thank you again for all your help and patience.

RMCybernetics - Saturday, 8th November 2008 8:02pm - #3309

Yes you would connect like you suggest, The symbol used just represents a varying resistance. The set resistor could be connected either side of the pot as it would make no difference.

dogy - Tuesday, 18th November 2008 5:51am - #3364

can I produce square wave with this generator?

RMCybernetics - Thursday, 20th November 2008 12:13am - #3375

Of course! The title of the article is "A DIY SQUARE WAVE Signal Generator with Pulse Width Modulation"

Aldrin - Monday, 1st December 2008 11:11am - #3407

Can i use Electrolitic capacitor replace for C1 c2 c3 c4? to drive a ignition coil?

RMCybernetics - Tuesday, 2nd December 2008 8:42pm - #3413

Yes but electrolyitics are generally a larger value and would therfore make your circuit osccillate at lower frequencies.

aldrin - Wednesday, 3rd December 2008 2:12am - #3415

thank you sir RM, i have now a coil driver... with a spark gap of 2 inch.. thanks a lot

willy - Friday, 23rd January 2009 11:04am - #3499

hello friends,

i'm confuse for the IC2 part..where to connect it to another part? where is the pin number for the IC2 ? unlike the IC1 part

on IC2[LM393] what is the meaning of + - sign ?

the IC2 part is LM393 which have 8 pins..

very thank's for anyhelp

RMCybernetics - Sunday, 25th January 2009 10:18pm - #3506

The info is already on this page. The plus and minus indicate the non-inverting and inverting inputs. You should google for basic information like this or read the component datasheet.

Gibs - Tuesday, 31st March 2009 11:06am - #3724

Hi RM,
I've built this circuit and it works as you stipulate. I observed that the higher I bring the frequency, rounder is the attack of the square wave output. Is there a way we can keep the full squareness of the wave at all frequencies? I've got to drive a 200 A mosfet.
Thanks, great site!

Shannon - Saturday, 18th April 2009 3:33am - #3765

How can i make this circuit into a function generator with a frequency counter ranging from 100Hz-999Hz with a LED readout?

Generator - Monday, 20th April 2009 9:26am - #3770

Hey, I built this circuit and the variable resistor on pin 6 and 7 doesn't seem to do anything, What it is supposed to do?

RMCybernetics - Wednesday, 22nd April 2009 1:16pm - #3773

Gibs,
This is due to capacitance in the components. This is especially apparent when driving a MOSFET becasue the gate pin is basically a capacitor.
To overcome this you need to drive the gate at a higher voltage using a transformer or a special MOSFET driver chip.

Shannon,
That is beyond the scope of this article. You would need to use a microcontroler for the frequency counter.

Generator,
That is for adjusting the frequency output.

Generator - Saturday, 25th April 2009 3:07am - #3782

Ahh, That's it, it was working except I was using a blown MOSFET :-P

Mark - Saturday, 23rd May 2009 8:17pm - #3826

What is the current output of the LM393? Is it suitable on its own to drive a couple small LEDs or should I just use the output to switch a small transistor? I'm talking 50-75ma at most.
Thanks

RMCybernetics - Sunday, 24th May 2009 2:24pm - #3828

It can drive some LED's diectly. If you find the datasheet for it, you can see exactly what its ratings are.

packrat - Tuesday, 16th June 2009 2:12am - #3908

is it possible to use both halves of the comparator lm393 with the single 555?

i would like to have a circuit that has one output at 10% duty cycle and the other at 75% duty cycle, but switching at the same time.

using the 555 to feed both sides of the lm393 would be the easy way to do this. but will it work?

thank you for all your help!! packrat

RMCybernetics - Tuesday, 16th June 2009 9:39am - #3909

Yes, it should work. Just wire the second comparator as the first one and link the inputs together.

packrat - Tuesday, 16th June 2009 5:28pm - #3913

WOW!! this is just what i need.

thank you for a really GREAT site and all the help you give us electronics newbies.

again thank you, packrat

yonray - Friday, 19th June 2009 8:45pm - #3920

please could you tell me how do you connect this circuit to a load, i see the output wire coming from the LM393 IC, what about the two end wires?

RMCybernetics - Monday, 22nd June 2009 9:42pm - #3928

Load goes between output and GND.

James - Sunday, 5th July 2009 3:58pm - #3963

Is this the most suitable circuit if the input 'source' voltage/current is ranging and potentially minimal to 100's of volts? I want to drive (oscillate) a secondary coil but seem to be burning out my other circuits and transistors.
Also...do you sell these already assembled?
Thanks!!

RMCybernetics - Sunday, 5th July 2009 5:14pm - #3964

No, this circuit only works upto 15V and is not suitable for driving coils. You need something more pwowerful and with some protection against voltage spikes.
We sell such circuits, our PWM-OCX range.

condor469 - Thursday, 25th February 2010 4:28am - #4268

great job .. i was reading your manual and in it you said this circuit can be used with a capacitor attached VCO between the inputs of a ignition coil. can you explain how it works? and do I need a third circuit to do this?

RMCybernetics - Friday, 26th February 2010 10:23am - #4269

I'm not sure what you are referring to. Can you quote it please.

Cabral - Thursday, 9th September 2010 3:24am - #4426

Good night! Congratulations on the site! I'm intending to use this circuit in a dielectric to produce ozone! I already have a similar circuit, but with an astable comum.Penso with PWM that I have more spark output and therefore higher production of ozone in the dielectric! I wonder if you can tell me until a frequency coil automotive (bosch) stand before exploding, and can explode if over-frequency or not! Also like to know what is the maximum stress that can bring this same coil before it starts blowing! I'm waiting and thank you very much any information! Big hug from Brazil!

Cody - Sunday, 1st January 2012 1:09am - #4702

What type of capacitor are you using in this diagram? And does it matter that I am using higher capacitance rated in the micro farads in this project?

RMCybernetics - Wednesday, 4th January 2012 11:17am - #4706

Any type will work. Larger capacitance will cause a lower frequency.

cory - Wednesday, 15th February 2012 3:01am - #4743

hi, im wanting to use this circuit to drive a LM1949 injector driver. i want to drive the circuit with 12-14volts?(instead of 9) and i assume the output to the lm1949 will be a similiar voltage as the circuit input? do you see any reason why i couldnt use this as above? would i have to use one circuit for every lm1949? or will this drive more than one at a time? also im wanting to add another 555 before the circuit to preset the on time of the circuit. if i use a circuit for every lm1949(i want to use 4) do i need a timer for every one as well? much appreciated cory

RMCybernetics - Saturday, 18th February 2012 3:50pm - #4747

That voltage should be fine. You can also use the output for driving several injector drivers together.