These devices provide two independent timing circuits of the NE555, SA555, or SE555 type in each package.
These circuits can be operated in the astable or the monostable mode with external resistor-capacitor (RC)
timing control. The basic timing provided by the RC time constant can be controlled actively by modulating the
bias of the control-voltage input.
The threshold (THRES) and trigger (TRIG) levels are normally two-thirds and one-third, respectively, of VCC.
These levels can be altered by using the control-voltage (CONT) terminal. When the trigger input falls below
trigger level, the flip-flop is set and the output goes high. If the trigger input is above the trigger level and the
threshold input is above the threshold level, the flip-flop is reset and the output is low. The reset (RESET) input
can override all other inputs and can be used to initiate a new timing cycle. When the reset input goes low, the
flip-flop is reset and the output goes low. When the output is low, a low-impedance path is provided between
the discharge (DISCH) terminal and ground (GND).
The NE556 is characterized for operation from 0°C to 70°C. The SA556 is characterized for operation from
–40°C to 85°C, and the SE556 is characterized for operation over the full military range of –55°C to 125°C.