CHAPTER 5

OSCILLATOR
CONCEPTS

YOU WILL LEARN..

Describe the principles of oscillator circuits based on
Barkhausen Criterion

Analyze and several types of oscillator circuits such

as RC, LC and RLC oscillator circuits

Note: I will use both the notes & this Powerpoint slide, sometimes will
be referring to the pdf notes in some derivations

From d.c to a.c oscillation signals

Oscillators convert dc to ac.

Oscillators use positive feedback.
An amplifier will oscillate if it has positive feedback and
has more gain than loss in the feedback path.

BARKHAUSEN CRITERION

FAQS ON OSCILLATION
An oscillator cant start unless gain (A) is
greater than feedback fraction ().

OSCILLATION: FAQS SO FAR..

Oscillators convert dc to ac.
Oscillators use positive feedback.
An amplifier will oscillate if it has positive feedback
and has more gain than loss in the feedback path.

PHASE SHIFT OSCILLATOR

When common-emitter amplifiers are used as
oscillators, the feedback circuit must provide
o
a 180 phase shift to make the circuit oscillate.

A
180
o

180 + 180 = 360 = 0

In-phase

180

Figure 5.2

Out-of-phase

Figure 5.3

EXAMPLE 1

Figure 5.4

WIEN BRIDGE OSCILLATOR

The Wien bridge oscillator can produce a lowdistortion sine wave output.
A Wien bridge oscillator operates at the resonant
frequency of its lead-lag network.
The gain of some oscillator circuits must be reduced
after oscillations begin to avoid clipping.
Since common emitter amplifiers produce a phase
inversion, a second phase inversion is required for
positive feedback.
RC networks can provide a 180 degree phase shift at
the desired frequency of oscillation.

Vout

A
Sinusoidal oscillators have positive
feedback at only one frequency.

out

in

in

fosc
Feedback

phase

+ 90o
o

out
o
- 90
lead-lag
feedback network

fosc

frequency

WIEN BRIDGE OSCILLATOR USING

OP-AMP

A must be > 3 for oscillations to start. After that, A

must be reduced to avoid driving the op amp to VSAT.

WIEN BRIDGE OSCILLATOR

EXAMPLE 2
For the given oscillator circuit,
a) determine the frequency of oscillation
b) determine whether the inverting amplifier has enough
capability to ensure oscillation

SOLUTION

L-C OSCILLATOR

COLPITTS OSCILLATOR

JFET COLPITTS OSCILLATOR

HARTLEY OSCILLATOR

BJT HARTLEY OSCILLATOR

LRC OSCILLATOR
CRYSTAL OSCILLATOR (XTAL)

Quartz crystals replace LC tanks when

frequency accuracy is important.
The fundamental frequency (series resonance) is
controlled by the quartz slab or quartz disk
thickness.
Higher multiples of the fundamental are called
overtones.
The electrode capacitance creates a parallel
resonant frequency which is slightly higher.
Typical frequency accuracy is measured in parts per
million (ppm).

Packaged oscillators contain a quartz crystal and the

oscillator circuitry in a sealed metal can.

Practical use of XTAL in

generating frequency

SO FAR WE LEARNT THAT

Oscillators can be RC controlled by using
phase-shifts.
Oscillators can be LC controlled by using
resonance.
Oscillators can be crystal controlled by using
resonance or overtones.

CONCLUSION
Oscillators convert dc to ac and use positive feedback.
An amplifier will oscillate if it has positive feedback and
has more gain than loss in the feedback path.
Sinusoidal oscillators have positive feedback at only one
frequency.
RC networks can provide a 180 degree phase shift at the
desired frequency of oscillation (Phase-shift oscillator).
A lead-lag network produces a phase shift of 0 degrees at
only one frequency (Wien Bridge oscillator).
Other types of oscillators: LRC oscillator (tuned circuitColpitts, Hartley), XTAL.

FINAL EXAM PREPARATION

STUDY ALL TOPICS 1-5 (can you still recall?)
DO LOTS OF EXERCISES
PRACTICE DRILL OF FINAL EXAM USING PAST
YEAR QUESTIONS
STUDY FROM LAB ASSIGNMENTS & QUIZZES