Transistor toggle by NPN and PNP - how is it build?

Question

I want to toggle between 2 devices using one GPIO 3.3v pin and powering them with 5v.

I thought about using an NPN and PNP transistor, tying up the base and collector/emitter to 5v power supply. If the GPIO pin goes HIGH or LOW, switch trough either transistor.

So far, I have tried a lot to get it work somehow. But i do not seem to be able to have either the NPN or PNP transistor not be triggered to a degree somehow.

I am too embarrassed to show any of these noob tries, and just want to ask you guys for Ideas how to approach that problem. Am I going a completely wrong way with this?

Is thinking of it like a Y switch wrong?

Thanks für input on this very confusing matter.

EDIT: Some basic Idea, without any resistors (since they are part of my problem: I con't find out, where to place them and how strong.) Placed on my breadboard to get started with LEDs ...

One LED should be ON while the switch is pressed, then should switch to the other if pressed.

Edit 2: Thank you for all your amazing additions to the post. It will probably take me some time to look up all terms and try to understand the explanations :) So please bear with me.

(btw: Only screenshot - CircuitLab shows me a CSRF Error when trying to register :/ )

Answer 1

Expanding on Tony Stewart's answer which should work for 3.3 V logic, the circuit below will work on 5 V logic as well.

Figure 1. One GPIO pin can drive two LEDs. Source: 1 GPIO, multiple LEDs.

How it works

• When the output is switched low, current will flow from the positive supply via R1 and the L1, green, to the output pin. L1 will illuminate. L2, red, will be shorted out and will be dark.
• When the output is switched high, current will flow from the pin through R2 and L2. The red LED will illuminate and the green will be dark.
• If the output is tri-stated (wired as an input or disconnected by program control) a current will flow through R1, L1, R2, L2 and both LEDs will glow dimly. On a 3.3 V device the voltage wouldn’t be high enough to illuminate both LEDs significantly so they would appear dark.

Answer 2

What you are doing is correct as long as you are driving the gpio (and add R2)

If you let the GPIO float then both leds will try to light. As long as you drive it either high or low it works. This is not great on 3.3V, as you can only get 2.6V to run the LED off the NPN - it will run a red led OK, but gets marginal for green when supply tolerances are considered.

^{simulate this circuit – Schematic created using CircuitLab}

This arrangement suits your original question of using the 5V. It works switching LED's or something else with a minimum ON voltage, but it is not a clean switching arrangement as Q2 runs off Q1.

^{simulate this circuit}

Answer 3

High side switching when the input doesn't go that high is tricky, and your requirement that there be no leakage current through the load makes it trickier.

I using only NPN and PNP it took me 5 transistors to do it

^{simulate this circuit – Schematic created using CircuitLab}

Answer 4

There isn't a very simple arrangement - you wind up with 3 bjt,5R, or 1pnp,2R,1PFet.

A single invertor package might do. If you use HC or AC invertors, then use the GPIO as an open drain, R5 pulls the GPIO up above the 3.3V until the protection diode conducts i.e. you get 4V on the GPIO, and the 5V invertors will be fully turned on

^{simulate this circuit – Schematic created using CircuitLab}

Another fantastically versatile component is the analog switch. 74HC4053 triple SPDT would do this for you...

^{simulate this circuit}

Answer 5

^{simulate this circuit – Schematic created using CircuitLab}

Choose R based on R1=(3.3-Vf)/If -33 If R is negative it just means you cannot drive as much current.

for Red Vf=2.0 @ 10mA , R1=100 Ohms
for White Vf=3.1 @ 20mA , R1=0 Ohms and If ~10mA ( similar for Green Blue, R=0V)

33 Ohms is my estimate of your GPIO Vol/Iol=RdsOn. You can change by verifying with your device spec, usually found near the back of 600 page spec. ARM devices are usually 3.3V and 25 Ohms while 5V CPU's are ~ 50 Ohms . This characteristic is "loose" +/-50% worst case over all devices and over temperature but adequate for this application.

Your BJT design would burn out both Base emitters in series across 3.3V with a typical limit << 2V total.