555 Timer Component Optimizer

Allows users to calculate the optimal electronic components to select for desired 555 timer circuit behavior.

There are many timers available on the web for calculating the behavior characteristics of 555 timer circuits, but these do not take into consideration the solution of these equations with a particular desired behavior and constrained, available set of components.

This package performs simple optimization to achieve a timing circuit as close to the desired behavior as possible using a defined set of electronic components.

Note: At the moment only astable circuits are supported http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/555_timer_IC#Astable

Usage

Timing behaviors are solved by time high and time low rather than simple frequency alone.

Mode 1: Set Pool of Available Components

This method is meant for selecting from a set of available components to best fit/achieve a particular timing behavior.

from optimize_555.opt import optimize
target_high = 42 #42 seconds
target_low = 15 #15 seconds
R1,R2,C,time_high,time_low = optimize(target_high, target_low)

optimize also accepts explicitly defined sets of resistors and capacitors through parameters called R_set and C_set.

from optimize_555.opt import optimize_free
target_high = 42 #42 seconds
target_low = 15 #15 seconds
R_set = [100, 1e3, 10e3, 1e6]
R1,R2,C,time_high,time_low = optimize_free(target_high, target_low, R_set=R_set)

The above example defines 4 possible resistors values. The R_set and C_set lists should be ordered for proper optimization.

Mode 2: Absolute Limits on Component Range

This method is meant for identifying a specific set of values for a particular timing behavior within some range of allowable values. The exact components will be procurred or constructed later.

from optimize_555.opt import optimize_free
target_high = 42 #42 seconds
target_low = 15 #15 seconds
R1,R2,C,time_high,time_low = optimize_free(target_high, target_low)

optimize_free also takes a set of optional parameters R_range and C_range, which define the minimum and maximum values for resistors and capacitors. For example to explicitly define a resistor value range between 100 Ohms and 1 MOhm.

R_range = (100, 1e6)
R1,R2,C,time_high,time_low = optimize_free(target_high, target_low, R_range, C_range)

DISCLAIMER

I take no responsibility for fried circuits, toxic fumes inhaled by burning out components, hurt feelings, broken dreams, or anything else that may happen through the use of this application.

Use of this software is done at your own risk. I make no warranties about the software's quality, performance, and accuracy.

Notes

On brute force optimization

Most of the minimization functions that exist within scipy's optimization module do not strictly respect bounded optimization. Overreaching bounds in this problem could result in undesired capacitor values or even negative numbers. The problem space itself is not all that large and can therefore easily be crunched by brute force.

TODO

• More optimization options
• Real Integer Programming support
• Memoization?
• Web interface for demos
• SI unit support