Essential 555 IC
Design, Configure, and Create Clever Circuits
by Cabe Force Satalic Atwell
Version: P1.0 (April 2021)
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Table of Contents
Copyright 2021, The Pragmatic Bookshelf.
Early Praise for Essential 555 IC
Id recommend it to someone beginning in digital electronics, for sure. Having actual projects and troubleshooting is great. Having further tinkering is a big bonus.
Caleb Kraft |
Senior Editor, Make Community |
I like that the book does not make too many assumptions about the reader. I also like how the author provides a framework for the reader to expand upon each project to further their understanding.
Drew Fustini |
Engineer, OSH Park |
Acknowledgments
Id like to thank everyone who helped me to create this book, including Tammy Coron, Janet Furlow, Andy Hunt, Patrick Di Justo, and Dave Rankin at Pragmatic. Special thanks to tech editor Caleb Kraft.
I couldnt have made this book without Lydia, my wife, my love, my friend.
I dedicate this book to my son Remysomeone embarking down the road of building and learning.
Copyright 2021, The Pragmatic Bookshelf.
Preface
The venerable 555 Timer Integrated Circuit (IC) is a little chip of immense power. A half-century-old, this IC shines like a star in a sea of electronic components. Equipped with the 555 Timer, in combination with this tomb of knowledge, anything is possible, and nothing stands in the way.
Yes, the 555 Timer is like a little magical item. It can flash a light, make a noise, store data, play music and more. Its capabilities are limited only by imagination.
Rare is the knowledge to wield the 555 Timer. But, it is not exactly a rare magical item. Billions are made every year, and billions are used all around the world.
Whether you are a hobbyist, beginner or seasoned engineer learning how to use a 555 Timer is the real magic, and it can go a long way in your design life.
Who should read this book?
From beginner to novice to expert, everyone can benefit from knowing how to use 555 Timers to solve design problems. In just a few minutes, youll build your first project and see what the 555 can do. By the time you finish the book, youll be able to build interesting and useful 555 Timer circuits.
If youre a novice, already familiar with circuit building, this book gives you new tools, tricks and designs to lead you further down the road of your journey.
If you are a bit of an expert already, this book undoubtedly adds something new to your catalog of useful techniques.
Using the chip is fun, informative and insightful. Knowing the foundational use of the timer IC goes a long way in developing products, projects or fun toys.
Whats in this book?
This book is a collection of projects, through which every aspect of the 555 Timer IC is touched upon. The gradual cascading of complexity in each project further expands on the readers knowledge of and use of the 555 Timer.
How to read this book.
Feel free to skip around. Each chapter is a self-contained project. Although building the projects in order increases complexity as it goes on, in the way of easing into different features of the 555 Timer, but it isnt mandatory to do so.
I do think that going project by project comfortably eases the novice into building circuits, and refresh those who know at a reasonable pace. Each project is useful and benefits the readers understanding. The hands-on nature of the book translates into instant retention of the techniques.