Self-starting performance of astable-transistor-multivibrator circuits

Tests are described which have been carried out to investigate the self-starting performance of the simple saturating transistor-astable-multivibrator circuit under different conditions, on connection of the d.c. supply to the circuit. These tests reveal that failure to start is controlled by several complex interacting factors. In general, high-gain transistors are more prone to failure to start than low-gain transistors in any given circuit. A theoretical discussion of the results obtained is included.