Frequency Divider Circuit

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Introduction

In a digital logic circuit, the frequency divider circuit is one of the fundamental circuits. As the name implies, it divides the frequency. The clock input is divided by the specified value by the Frequency Divider component, which generates an output. Thus, in this tutorial, we are going to make a “Frequency Divider Circuit”

The circuit’s job is to split or drop the high-frequency signal’s frequency to get the lower frequency signal for a frequency signal. Along with 555 timer IC, the circuit uses CD4017 to split the frequency. It’s the IC that allows ten decoded outputs and enables to count from zero to ten. CD4017 is a CMOS decade divider or counter, having 10 output pins.

Hardware Required

S.no	Component	Value	Qty
1.	IC	NE555 Timer	1
2.	Decade Counter Divider IC	CD4017	1
3.	Voltage Regulator IC	LM7805	1
4.	Potentiometer	50KΩ	1
5.	Switch 3 way	–	1
6.	LED	–	2
7.	Capacitor	0.1uF	1
8.	Resistor	330Ω, 10KΩ, 33KΩ	2, 1, 1
9.	Battery	9V	1
10.	Electrolytic Capacitor	10uF	1

Circuit Diagram

Working Explanation

In this frequency divider circuit, we utilized a 555 timer IC to generate an input frequency signal. We placed a 10k resistor between VCC and pin 7 of the 555 Timer IC. Then we connected resistor R3 and a 50k Potentiometer between pins 7 and 6. Pin 2 is shorted to pin 6, and the 4.7uF capacitor is connected to pin 2 or 6. Pin 1, pin 4, and pin 8 are all directly wired to the ground. We associate the output pin of this 555 timer with the clock pin of 4017 counter IC via a 330ohm resistor and LED D. Thus this LED shows the input signal presence.

The frequency is divided into the 4017 Counter IC. A switch is used for frequency selection. A 220 Ohm resistor connects the LED to pin 2 of IC 4017, displaying the split frequency. Meaning, that depending on the switch position, LED D1 blinks at frequency f, and LED D2 blinks at frequency f/2 or f/4. A 7805 IC is used to manage the voltage.