Astable

adjectiveStandard termElectronics

A circuit configuration that continuously alternates between states without settling.

An astable circuit has no stable resting state and continuously transitions back and forth between two voltage levels. This behavior creates a continuous train of square waves. It forms the basis of many free-running oscillators, blinkers, and simple clock generators.

Heard on the job

Wire the 555 timer in an astable configuration so it generates a continuous one kilohertz square wave.