Understanding multivibrator circuits and derivatives

[Richardcavell]

Hi everyone. I've been studying an astable multivibrator circuit, and I built one.

I don't really understand how all the voltages and currents go around the circuit. However, I do understand that it oscillates, that the output of each transistor is an input to the other, and that higher R/C values slow down the circuit. Is it sufficient that I understand those latter things and see the circuit as a black box, or do I really need to understand how the whole circuit works? If the latter is true, how can I best learn it? I have read all the web references I can find and I can't seem to follow where the voltages and currents are going.

My intention is that one day I would like to design circuits that can count, perform boolean operations, and incorporate AVR microcontrollers.

Richard

 

[audioguru]

If you learn about how transistors work then learn about how a resistor can charge and discharge a capacitor then you will understand how a two-transistors multivibrator circuit works.

Watch out! A few of the circuits on the web have the polarity of the capacitors backwards.

 

[crutschow]

If you intend to design circuits then you certainly need to know how the currents and voltages operate in a circuit, such as a multivibrator.