The configuration of NAND gate inverters shown is one of many ways to create an astable multivibrator : a two-state device which is not stable in either state. If we start with point A high, then that high voltage charges the capacitor and after a time characteristic of the time constant RC will reach the threshold for switching A low and B high. Then the charging process will reverse until the transition back to the original state occurs. This circuit can be constructed from half of an IC7400 quad NAND gate.

In response to a positive trigger pulse the monostable multivibrator or "one-shot" will produce a single output pulse of length tdetermined by the value of the resistor and capacitor. The non-retriggerable one-shot will not respond to further trigger pulses which happen during its pulse length.