The 4017 Decade Counter Projects

How it Works:

1. Pin 16 is a positive power supply and pin 8 is a ground.

2. Pin 13 has Clock enabled pins to control the clock. When it is 0 logic, the clock is enabled and the counter advances one count for each clock pulse. When the input is 1 the clock input is stopped and the counter does nothing even when a clock pulse arrives.

3. Pin 14 is the clock. If it triggers “one count” it moves the output to the next pin in line. 

4. Pin 15 is the reset pin. Normally, it is 0. When it is 1, the counter is reset to 0.

5. Pins 1-7 and 9-11 are the decoded output pins. The active count pin goes high and all others remain low.

For more information on Integrated Circuits and the 4017 Decade Counter, check out our page on Integrated Circuits.

The LEDs will flash until 4017’s pin 14 no longer gets input from pin 3 and will settle on a “random” set of lit LEDs. When the LEDs are positioned in the shape of the layout to the right, you can use that output to create a dice face. Each time the button is pressed the LEDs will randomly show a roll of one through six.

How it Works

1. Pressing the button allows the polarized capacitor to connect to ground which allows it to charge. When you let go of the button, the polarized capacitor begins discharging into the base of the PNP.

2. When the PNP’s base has electric pressure on it, the flow of electricity through it stops. This allows the nonpolarized capacitor to drain into the 555 timer’s pins. During this time, output from pin 3 is high making the LEDs flash.

3. When the capacitor is empty, the output from pin 3 is low which causes pin 3 to be low. This low output into pin 14 on the 4017 stops the count.

4. When the count stops on the 4017, the LEDs stop flashing and the 4017 pins stay high or low based on the random timing the clock stops. 

5. The reason the LEDs aren’t flashing constantly before you press the button is because the oscillator chip is resetting itself when the output from pin 3 into pin 14 starts high. 

For more information on Integrated Circuits and the 4017 Decade Counter, check out our page on Integrated Circuits.

How it Works

1. Clock Generation with 555 Timer (IC1):

• The first 555 Timer (IC1) is configured as an astable multivibrator to generate a clock signal.

• This clock signal is fed into the clock (pin 14) of the 4017 IC.

• The frequency of the clock signal determines the speed at which the music plays.

2. Counting Sequence with 4017 (IC2):

• The 4017 Decade Counter is used to sequentially activate its ten output pins (Q0 to Q9) in response to each clock pulse.

• Connect the Q0 to Q9 outputs to different resistors, each leading to the base of a transistor.

• As the 4017 counts, each transistor allows current to pass through it, activating different musical notes.

3. 555 Timer for Note Generation (IC3):

• The second 555 Timer (IC3) is configured in astable mode to generate a square wave for each musical note.

• Connect the output of each transistor (from step 2) to the control voltage (pin 5) of IC3.

• The changing control voltage adjusts the frequency of IC3, producing different musical notes.

Circuit Adjustments and Customization:

1. The values of resistors, capacitors, and potentiometers in the timing circuits of the 555 Timers can be adjusted to achieve the desired musical notes and tempo.

2. Experiment with different resistor and capacitor combinations to customize the tune played by the music box.

3. Variable Resistor for Pitch Control:

• Include a variable resistor (potentiometer) in the circuit to control the pitch of the music.

• Adjusting the potentiometer changes the resistance in the timing circuit of the second 555 Timer, thereby altering the pitch of the generated notes.

How it Works

1. Clock Generation with 555 Timer (IC1):

• The 555 Timer (IC1) generates a clock signal for the 4017 IC.

• The clock signal will control the spinning motion of the "roulette wheel."

2. Decade Counter for Number Sequence:

• Connect the 4017 Decade Counter to 10 LEDs representing the roulette numbers (0 to 9).

• The 4017 will sequentially activate the output pins, simulating the spinning motion and indicating the winning number.

3. Button to Start Spin:

• Use a push button to initiate the spinning sequence.

• Pressing the button triggers the start of the clock signal, causing the 4017 to cycle through its outputs rapidly, simulating the roulette wheel spinning.

4. Displaying the Result:

• When the button is released, the 4017 gradually slows down and stops on a specific output.

• The corresponding LED indicates the winning roulette number.

5. Reset Functionality:

• Implement a reset mechanism to prepare the circuit for the next spin.

Customization and Considerations:

• Speed Control: Adjust the clock frequency to control the speed of the "spin." You can do this by adjusting the value of the non-polarized capacitor.

• LED Animation: Use LEDs in a circular or linear pattern to create a visual spinning effect.

• Sound Effects: Enhance the experience with simple sound effects for the spinning wheel.