Oscillator

Oscillator: an oscillation is a type of feedback amplifier in

which part of the output is feed back to the input via a
feedback circuit.
Tank circuit: a circuit which produces electrical oscillation of
any desired frequency is known as an oscillatory circuit or
tank circuit.
Requirements for an oscillator:
1. Magnitude of the loop gain at least 1.
2. Total phase ship within the loop must be 00
Cause of using positive feedback: for an oscillation circuit,
it is impossible to design without resistance. Because, of
resistance oscillation of the circuit die out within short
time. But we want a undamped oscillation. Here, positive
feedback circuit provide power so that the oscillation
cant die out. So, we get an undamped oscillation. This is
the reason of using positive feedback.
Different types of transistor oscillator:
1. Tune collector oscillator
2. Colpitts oscillator
3. Hartley oscillator
4. Phase shift oscillator
5. Wein bridge oscillator
6. Crystal oscillator

Tune collector oscillator:

It contains tuned circuit L1-C1 in the collector and hence the
name. the frequency of oscillations depends upon the
values of L1-C1 and is given by:
f0=

Circuit operation: When switch s is closed , collector current

starts increasing and charge the capacitor C1 .when this
capacitor is fully charged, it discharges through coil L1. This
oscillations induce some voltage in coil L2 by mutual
induction. The frequency of voltage in coil L2 is the same as
that of tank circuit but its magnetic depends upon the
numbers of turns of L2 and coupling between L1 and L2. The
voltage across L2 is applied between base and emitter and
appears in the amplified fromin the collector circuit, thus
overcoming the losses occurring in the tank circuit. The
number of turns of L2 and coupling between L 1and L2 are so
adjusted that oscillations across L2 are amplified to a level
just sufficient to supply losses to the tank circuit.

Colpitts oscillator: It uses two capacitors and placed across

a common inductor L and the center of the two capacitors
is tapped. The tank circuit is made up of C1 , C2 and L . the
frequency of oscillation is determined by the values of C1,
C2 and L and is given by,
f0=

Circuit operation: when the circuit is turned on, the

capacitors C and C are charged. The capacitors
discharged through L. the output voltage of the amplifier
appears across C1 and feedback voltage is developed
across C2. The voltage across it is 1800 out of phase with the
voltage developed.

Hartly oscillator: instead of using tapped capacitors, two

inductors L1 ,L2 and C and the centre of the inductor is
tapped as shown in fig,
Where, f0=

Circuit operation: when the circuit is turned on, the

capacitor is charged . when this capacitor is fully charged ,
it discharges through coil L1 and L2 setting up oscillations of
frequency determined. The output voltage of the amplifier
appears across L1 and feedback voltage across L2. the
voltage across L2 is 180 out of phase with the voltage
developed across L2. it is easy to see that voltage feedback
to the transistor provides positive feedback. A phase shift of
180 is produced by the transistor and a further phase shift of
180 is produced by L1-L2 voltage divider. In this way ,
feedback is properly phased to produce continuous
undamped oscillation.
Frequency stability: The ability of oscillator circuit to oscillate
at one exact frequency is known as frequency stabilities.
The best frequency stable- crystal.
Phase shift to oscillator:

1. It suffers from frequency instability and poor output

wave form.
2. It cannot be used low frequencies because
inductance and capacitance became bulky and
expensive.
Phase shift oscillator
#Construction:
A phase shift oscillator consists of an op-amp as the amplifying stage and three RC
cascaded networks as the feedback circuit.
#Drawbacks:
1. It suffers from frequency instability and poor output waveform.
2. It cannot be used at low frequencies because inductance and capacitance
became bulky and expensive.
#Circuit operation:
The feedback circuit provides feedback voltage from the output back to the input of
the amplifier. The op-amp is used in the inverting mode; therefore, any signal that
appears in the inverting terminal is shifted by 180 at the output. An additional

180 phase shift required for oscillation is provided by the cascaded RC networks. Thus
the total phase shift around the loop is 360 (or 0 ).

The frequency of oscillation of a phase shift oscillator isgiven by

fo

1
2 6 RC

#For a phase shift oscillator prove that

fo

RF
29
2 6 RC R1
1

Proof:
First consider the feedback circuit consisting of RC combinations of the phase shift
oscillator. For simplicity we use the Laplace transform again. Thus, the circuit is
represented in the S domain as shown in the figure. Let us determine
circuit.

Writing Kirchhoffs current law (KCL) at node V1 ( S )

Vo ( S ) V1 (S ) V1 (S ) V1 ( S ) V2 ( S )

1 / SC
R
1 / SC
Solving for V1 ( S )

V1 ( S )

Vo ( S ) V2 ( S )( RCS )
2 RCS 1

V f (S )
Vo ( S )

for the

Writing KCL at node V2 ( S )

V1 (S ) V2 ( S ) V2 ( S ) V2 ( S ) V f ( S )

1 / SC
R
1 / SC
Solving for V1 ( S )

V1 (S )
If

V2 ( S )(2 RCS 1)
V f (S )
RCS

R1 R in the circuit then I 7 0 A. This means that I 5 I 6 . Therefore using the

voltage divider rule,

Vf

R
V2 ( S )
R (1 / SC )

Or, V2

R (1 / SC )
V f (S )
R

Substituting the value of V2 ( S )

V1 ( S )

Vo (S )( RCS ) ( RCS 1)V f ( S )

2 RCS 1
2 RCS 1

Also substituting the value of V2 ( S )

V1 ( S )

V f (S )(2 RCS 1)( RCS 1)

( RCS )( RCS )

V f (S )

Equating

V f (S )
Vo ( S )

R 3C 3 S 3
B
( R 3C 3 S 3 6 R 2 C 2 S 2 5 RCS 1)

The op-amp part is redrawn below,

The voltage gain of op-amp is

Av

R
Vo ( S )
F
V f (S )
R1

For an oscillator Av .B 1

R 3C 3 S 3

1
Or, F 3 3 3
2 2 2
R1 ( R C S 6 R C S 5RCS 1)
Substituting S j

R
F
R1

jR 3 C 3 3 ( jR 3C 3 3 ) (6 R 2 C 2 2 ) ( j 5RC ) 1

Equating real parts

6 R 2 C 2 2 1 0

fo

1
2 6 RC

Equating imaginary parts

R
F
R1

jR 3 C 3 3 ( jR 3 C 3 3 ) ( j 5RC )

RF
29
R1
PROBLEM: Design the op-amp based phase shift oscillator so that f o 200 Hz
SOLVE:
We know that oscillation frequency f o

1
2 200 0.1 10 6 6

1
2 6 RC

3.25 K 3.3K

To prevent the loading effect of the amplifier because of RC network, it is necessary

that R1 10 R R1 10R 33K

RF 29 R1 29 33 957K 1M
PROBLEM: It is desired to design a phase-shift oscillator using an FET having
g m 5000s, rd 40 K and feedback circuit value of R 10 K . Select the value of C
for oscillator operation at 1 KHz and R D for A>29 to ensure oscillation action.
SOLVE: Oscillation frequency, f o

1
2 6 RC

C 6.5nF
A g m RL

RL 8 K
RD

( RD rd ) RL
10 K
rd

Crystal Oscillator

# Limitation of LC and RC oscillator:

1. As the circuit operates, it will warm up. Consequently the values of resistors
inductors, which are the frequency determining factors in LC and RC circuit, will
change with temperature .this causes change in frequency of the oscillator.

2. If any component in the feedback network is changed, it will shift the operating
frequency of the oscillator.
# in order to maintain constant frequency piezoelectric crystal is used in place of LC or
RC circuits. Oscillators of this type are called crystal oscillator. The frequency of a crystal
oscillator changes by less than 0.1% due to temperature and other changes.
#Piezoelectric crystal: Certain crystalline materials namely, Rochelle salt, quartz and
tourmaline exhibit piezoelectric effect, i.e when an a.c voltage is applied across them,
they vibrate at the frequency of the applied voltage. Conversely, when they are
compressed or placed under mechanical strain, they produce an a.c voltage. Such
crystals which exhibit piezoelectric effect are called piezoelectric crystal of the various
piezoelectric crystals; quartz is most commonly used because it is inexpensive and
readily available in nature.
Frequency of the crystal:
The natural frequency of the crystal is given by,
f=
Where k is a constant and t is the thickness of the crystal. It is clear that frequency is
inversely proportional to crystal thickness. The thinner the crystal, the greater its natural
frequency and vice versa. However extremely thin crystal may break because of
vibration.
#working of quartz crystal:
Crystal

In order to use crystal in electronic circuit, it is placed between two metal plates. The
arrangement then forms a capacitor with crystal as the dielectric. If an ac voltage is
applied across the plates the crystal will start vibrating at the frequency of the applied

voltage. If the frequency of the applied voltage is made equal to the natural frequency
of the crystal, response take place and crystal vibrations reach a maximum value. This
natural frequency is almost constant.

#Equivalent circuit of crystal:

1. When the crystal is not vibrating, it is equivalent to capacitance CM because it has
two metal plates separated by dielectric. This capacitance is known as mounting
capacitance.

CM

2. When a crystal vibrates, it is equivalent to R-L-C series circuit. The equivalent circuit of
vibrating crystal is R-L-C series circuit shunted by mounting capacitance CM.

Frequency response of the crystal:

1. At low frequencies the impedance of the crystal is controlled by extremely high
values of X cm and X c . In other words, at low frequencies the impedance of the
network and capacitive.
2. As the frequency is increased R-L-C branch approaches its resonant frequency.
At some definite frequency, the reactance X L will be equal to X c . The crystal
now acts as a series resonant circuit. For this condition impedance of the crystal
is very low, being equal to R. The frequency at which the vibrating crystal

behaves as a series-resonant circuit is called series resonant frequency. For this

condition impedance of the crystal is very low, being equal to R. the frequency
at which the vibrating crystal behaves as a series resonant circuit is called seriesresonant frequency.
3. At a slightly higher frequency, the net reactance of branch R-L-C becomes
inductive and equal to X cm
. The crystal act as a parallel-resonant circuit. For this
condition, the crystal offers a very high frequency. The frequency at which
vibrating crystal behaves as a parallel-resonant circuit is called parallel-resonant
frequency

fp

fp
4.

1
2 LCT

At frequencies higher than

short circuit.

CT
fp

C CM
C CM

, the value of

fp

X CM

is always higher than

fs .

drops and crystal acts as a

Transistor crystal oscillator:

The above circuit acts as a parallel tuned circuit. At parallel resonance, the
impedance is maximum. This means maximum voltage is developed across the C1 .
This in turn, will allow the maximum energy transfer through the feedback network

at f p . The feedback is positive. A phase shift of 180

is produced by the transistor.

A further phase shift is produced by the capacitor voltage divider. This oscillator
oscillates only at f p .

PROBLEM: calculate

fp

and

f s of the previous circuit.

SOLVE:

fs

CT

1
2 LC

1589 KHz

L 1H ,

C CM
9.99 10 3 pF
C CM

C 0.01 pF ,

1
1590 KHz
2 LC T

C M 20 pF

fp

#Explain the operation of Wein bridge oscillator

The above circuit shows Wein bridge oscillator in which Wein bridge circuit is connected
between the amplifier input and output terminal. The bridge has a series RC network in
one arm and a parallel RC network in adjoining arm. In the remaining two arms of the
bridge, resistors are connected.

The phase angle criterion for oscillation is that the total phase shift around the circuit
must be 0 . This condition occurs when the bridge is balanced, that is at resonance. The
frequency of oscillation,

fo

1
2RC

At this frequency the gain required for sustained oscillation,

Av

1
3 That is,

RF
3
R1

Or, RF 2R1

#For a Wein bridge oscillator prove that the amplifier gain is, Av 3 and RF 2R1 .
Proof:

First let us consider feedback circuit of the Wein bridge oscillator.

V f ( s)

Z p ( s )Vo ( s )
Z p ( s) Z s ( s)

Z p ( s) R

1
R

CS RCS 1

Z s ( s) R

V f ( s )

Vf
Vo

1
RCS 1

CS
CS

RCS Vo ( s)
( RCS 1) 2 RCS
RCS
R C S 3RCS 1
2

Now consider the op-amp part of the wein bridge oscillator

Av

Vo ( s )
R
1 F
V f (s)
R1

Requirement for oscillation is

( Av )( B) 1

(1

RF
RCS
)( 2 2 2
) 1
R1 R C S 3RCS 1

Put S j

(1

RF
)( jRC ) R 2 C 2 2 3 jRC 1
R1

Comparing real part

1 R 2 C 2 2 0

1
RC

fo

1
2RC

Imaginary part

RF
3 Av
R1

RF
2
R1

RF 2R1
(Proved)

#Example the Wein bridge oscillator so that f o 965Hz

SOLVE:
Let

C .05F C1 C 2
We know, f o

1
3.3K
2RC

Let R1 12K

RF 2 R1 24K
[Use a RF 50K potentiometer]

R R2 3.3K

Solution of Question 2007-2008

#For the following Hartley oscillator the component

valuesare:C=250pF,L1=1.5mH,L2=1.5mH and M=0.5mH.Calculate the oscillator
frequency fo.(2007)

LT=L1+L2+2M
=1.5+1.5+2*0.5
=4mH
fo =1/2(CLT)
=1/2*3.14*(250*10-12*4*10-3)
=159.236KHz
#Design BJT phase shift oscillator for 1KHz Oscillating frequency. Given Collector
resistance RC=1k.Assume all other parameters required.(2008)
Given,RC=1K,f=1KHz, We assume that the value of R is 100K
For BJT,
f= 1/2RC(6+4(RC/R))
so,C=1/2*3.14*100*103*103(6+4(1/100))
=6.5*10-10
=650pF,which nears to 680pF available in market.

The circuit is given below: