Frequency Sweep With 555 Timer

555 timer stands out as the go-to IC for most of the DIY needs and hacks. I have been using the 555 timer for quite some time and boy, it is so powerful.

But, I would like to share with the community on how to transform the 555 timer from generating mere square waves of required frequency, to generating frequency sweeps.( I call it the 'Sweep Mode' )

( PC: Epof345456 )

Step 1: How Does a 555 Timer Work ?

I feel like its best to give a quick review on how the 555 timer works before we move on to the frequency sweep. This is so as to make sure we are all in the same page.

The tutorial video is one of the best ones out there to understand the 555 timer in my opinion. Please do watch it.

Step 2: The Frequency Sweep

The schematic to the circuit that I used to make the frequency has been given in the figure. It is rather pretty simple and abuses the fact that the we can control the two comparators separately.

Step 3: Video Demonstration

This is the demonstration of the working of the circuit. When the push button is pressed, the frequency sweep begins. By changing the values of C1,C2, R1 and R2, the frequency sweep range can be altered.

Have fun!