LED Blinking Circuit Design

0:51

Preparing Python Script Response.

Clarifying Circuit Values.

Calculating Timing for Script.

Creating the Python Script.

Creating the Python Script.

Here’s a simple Python script that emulates a 555 astable LED blinker by printing “LED ON/OFF” with timing derived from R1, R2, and C. Defaults target roughly 1 Hz with a typical 555 astable setup.

Python


#!/usr/bin/env python3
import time
import argparse

def main():
    parser = argparse.ArgumentParser(description="Emulate a 555 LED blinker by printing LED ON/OFF.")
    parser.add_argument("--r1", type=float, default=33000.0, help="R1 in ohms (default: 33000)")
    parser.add_argument("--r2", type=float, default=33000.0, help="R2 in ohms (default: 33000)")
    parser.add_argument("--c",  type=float, default=10e-6,    help="C in farads (default: 10e-6)")
    parser.add_argument("--on-label",  default="LED ON",  help="Text to print when LED is on")
    parser.add_argument("--off-label", default="LED OFF", help="Text to print when LED is off")
    args = parser.parse_args()

    # 555 astable equations:
    # t_high = 0.693 * (R1 + R2) * C
    # t_low  = 0.693 * R2 * C
    # f ≈ 1 / (t_high + t_low) = 1.44 / ((R1 + 2*R2) * C)
    t_high = 0.693 * (args.r1 + args.r2) * args.c
    t_low  = 0.693 * args.r2 * args.c
    period = t_high + t_low
    freq   = 1.0 / period if period > 0 else 0.0
    duty   = t_high / period if period > 0 else 0.0

    print("555 LED blink emulator")
    print(f"R1 = {args.r1:.0f} Ω, R2 = {args.r2:.0f} Ω, C = {args.c} F")
    print(f"t_high = {t_high:.3f} s, t_low = {t_low:.3f} s, period = {period:.3f} s")
    print(f"freq ≈ {freq:.3f} Hz, duty ≈ {duty*100:.1f}%")
    print("Press Ctrl+C to stop.\n")

    try:
        while True:
            print(args.on_label, flush=True)
            time.sleep(max(t_high, 0.0))
            print(args.off_label, flush=True)
            time.sleep(max(t_low, 0.0))
    except KeyboardInterrupt:
        print("\nStopped.")

if __name__ == "__main__":
    main()
Usage:
  • Save as blink.py and run: python blink.py
  • Optional: python blink.py --r1 33000 --r2 33000 --c 10e-6
  • Stop with Ctrl+C.
Share circuit values
Add finite cycles
Simulate pushbutton enable
Match LED polarity
Add noise/jitter
77 days

To get started, talk to Flux or create a New Document.

Documents

    Documents are markdown text files which describe project goals, capture details, or even simulation outputs.

    Assets

    No assets added.

    Modest Moccasin Teleporter

    Modest Moccasin Teleporter thumbnail
    Welcome to your new project. Imagine what you can build here.

    Properties

    flowchart TD BATT["9V Battery"] --> SW["SPST Switch"] --> VCC["+9V Rail"] VCC --> U1["555 Timer Astable"] U1 --> OUT["Blink Output"] OUT --> RLED["LED Resistor"] --> LED["Red LED"] --> GND["GND"] U1 --> RT["Timing Resistors"] --> CT["Timing Capacitor"] --> GND VCC --> CDEC["Decoupling Cap"] --> GND

    Pricing & Availability

    Distributor

    Qty 1

    Arrow

    $0.30–$0.69

    Digi-Key

    $5.22–$5.86

    LCSC

    $3.34

    Mouser

    $6.66

    TME

    $1.00

    Verical

    $14.41–$14.56

    Controls