A monostable multivibrator, also known as a "one-shot multivibrator," is a type of electronic circuit that has two distinct stable states but spends most of its time in one stable state and only briefly transitions to the other state in response to an external trigger. The word "monostable" itself indicates that this circuit has only one stable state.
The primary purpose of a monostable multivibrator is to produce a single pulse or time-delayed output in response to an input trigger signal. When triggered, the circuit switches from its stable state to the other state for a specific time period, and then automatically returns to its original stable state.
The basic construction of a monostable multivibrator typically involves two cross-coupled elements, such as transistors or operational amplifiers, with capacitors and resistors connected to form a feedback network. The external trigger signal initiates the switching process and determines the duration of the output pulse. The time duration of the output pulse is determined by the values of the components used in the circuit.
Monostable multivibrators find various applications in electronics, such as pulse generators, timers, debouncing circuits, and pulse-width modulation (PWM) generation, among others. They are often used in situations where precise timing control or the generation of single, well-defined pulses is required.