CHAPTER 4:

OSCILLATOR
EMT 283/3 : Analog Electronic II

Objectives

Describe the operating principle of an

oscillator
Analyze the operation of RC and LC
feedback oscillators
Describe and analyze the operation of
relaxation oscillator

Introduction

Oscillator is a circuit that produces a

periodic waveform on its output with
only the dc supply voltage as an input.
The output voltage can be either
sinusoidal or non-sinusoidal, depending
on the type of oscillator.
Two major classification for oscillators
are feedback oscillators and
relaxation oscillators.

Introduction

An oscillator is a circuit that produces a repetitive

signal from a dc voltage.

The feedback oscillator relies on a positive

feedback of the output to maintain the
oscillations.

The relaxation oscillator makes use of an RC

Sine wave
timing circuit to generate a non-sinusoidal
signal
such as square wave
Square
wave
Sawtooth
wave

Types of Feedback
Oscillators
RC Feedback oscillators

1.

Wien Bridge
Phase-Shift

LC Feedback oscillators

2.

Hartley
Colpitts
Crystal

Feedback Oscillator

In a feedback oscillator, a fraction of

the output is returned with no net phase
shift.

If the feedback circuit

returns the signal out of
phase, an inverting
amplifier produces
positive feedback.

Out of phase

Vf

Av

Inverting
amplifier

Feedback
circuit

Vout

Basic principles for

oscillation

An oscillator is an amplifier with positive

feedback.

Ve Vs V f (1)
V f Vo (2)

Vo AVe AVs V f AVs Vo

(3)

Basic principles for

oscillation
Vo AV e

AVs V f AVs Vo
Vo AV s AVo

1 A Vo AV s

The closed loop gain is:

Vo
A
Af

Vs 1 A

Basic principles for

oscillation

In general A and are functions of

frequency and thus may be written as;

Vo
A s
Af s s
Vs
1 A s s

A s s is known as loop gain of the

feedback circuit.

Basic principles for

oscillation
WritingT s the
sgain
becomes;
A sloop
A s
Af s
1 T s

Replacing s with j

A j
A f j
1 T j

and

T j A j j

Basic principles for

oscillation

At a specific frequency f0

T j0 A j0 j0 1

At this frequency, the closed loop gain;

A j0
A f j0
1 A j0 j0
will be infinite, i.e. the circuit will have finite
output for zero input signal - oscillation

Basic principles for

oscillation

Thus, the condition for sinusoidal

oscillation of frequency f0 is;

A j0 j0 1

This is known as Barkhausen criterion.

The frequency of oscillation is solely
determined by the phase characteristic of
the feedback loop the loop oscillates at
the frequency for which the phase is zero.

Basic principles for

oscillation

The feedback oscillator is widely used

for generation of sine wave signals.
The positive (in phase) feedback
arrangement maintains the oscillations.
The feedback gain must be kept to unity
to keep the output from distorting.

Basic principles for

oscillation

Design Criteria for

Oscillators
1.

2.

The magnitude of the loop gain must be

unity or slightly larger
A 1 Barkhaussen criterion
Total phase shift, of the loop gain must
be Nx360 where N=0, 1, 2,

Oscillators with RC
Feedback Circuits

RC feedback is used in various lower

frequency sine-wave oscillators.

RC feedback oscillators are generally

limited to frequencies of 1 MHz or less.

The types of RC Feedback oscillators

that we will discuss are the Wien-bridge
and the phase-shift

The Wien-bridge Oscillator

It is a low frequency oscillator which

ranges from a few kHz to 1 MHz.

The basic Wienbridge uses the

lead-lag network
to select a specific
frequency that is
amplified. The
voltage-divider
sets the gain to
make up for the
attenuation of the
feedback network.

Voltage Divider

Lead-Lag network

Wien-bridge Oscillator

The loop gain for the oscillator is;

T s A s s

R
1 sRC

where;Z
p

and; Z 1 sRC
s

sC

R2

1
R1

Zp

Z Z
s
p

Equation (1)

Equation (2)

Wien-bridge Oscillator

Combine Equation (1) and (2) to get an

expression for the loop gain function;

R2
1

T s 1

R1 3 sRC 1 /sRC

Substituting for s = j;

R2
T j 1
R1

1
3 jRC 1/jRC

For oscillation frequency f0;

R2
1
T j0 1

R1 3 j0 RC 1/j0 RC

Wien-bridge Oscillator

Since at the frequency of oscillation,

T(j) must be real (for zero phase
condition), the imaginary component
1
must be zero;

j0 RC

j0 RC

Which gives us; 1

RC

Wien-bridge Oscillator

From the previous equation;

R2
T j0 1
R1

3 j0 RC 1/j0 RC

the magnitude condition is;

R2
1 1
R1

1

3

R2

2
or R
1

To ensure oscillation, the ratio

R2/R1 must be slightly greater than

Wien-bridge Oscillator

With the ratio;

R2
2
R1
then;
R2
K 1
3
R1
K = 3 ensures the loop gain of unity
oscillation

K > 3 : growing oscillations

K < 3 : decreasing oscillations

Example
Design the weinbridge circuit to
oscillate at
fo=800kHz.
Assume R =
R1=10k.

Phase-Shift Oscillator

The phase shift oscillator utilizes three

RC circuits to provide 180 phase shift
that when coupled with the 180 of the
op-amp itself provides the necessary
feedback to sustain oscillations.
The gain must be at least 29 to
maintain the oscillations.
The frequency of resonance for the this
type is similar to any
1 RC circuit oscillator:

fr

2 6 RC

Phase-Shift Oscillator

sRC
v1
vi
1 sRC
v2

vo R2
sRC

v3
vi A( s )
v3
R
1 sRC
3
2
v3
sRC
sRC
(s)

vi
vi
1 sRC
1 sRC

Phase-Shift Oscillator

Loop gain, T(s):

R2 sRC
T ( s ) A( s ) ( s )

R 1 sRC
Set s=jw

R2
T ( j )

T ( j )

jRC

1 jRC

R2
( jRC )(RC ) 2

2 2 2
2 2 2
R 1 3 R C jRC 3 R C

Phase-Shift Oscillator

To satisfy condition T(jwo)=1, real component

must be zero since the numerator is purely
imaginary.1 3 2 R 2C 2 0
the oscillation frequency:
1

3RC

Apply wo in equation:

The gain greater

than 8, the circuit
will spontaneously
begin oscillating &
sustain oscillations

( j / 3 )(1 / 3)
R2
R2
T ( jo )

R 0 ( j / 3 ) 3 (1 / 3)
R

To satisfy condition T(jwo)=1

R2
8
R

1

8

Phase-Shift Oscillator

1
fo
2 6 RC

Conditions for
oscillation with the
phase-shift oscillator
is that if all Rs and
Cs are equal, the
amplifier must have
a gain of at least 29
to make up for the
attenuation of the
feedback circuit. This
R2 meansThe
that
R2must
/R be
gain
29
at least 29 to
R 29.
maintain the
oscillations

Example
Rf

0V

C1

C2

C3
Vout

+
R1

R2

R3

(a)Determine the value of Rf necessary for

the circuit to operate as an oscillator.
[R1 = R2 = R3 = 10k and C1=C2 = C3=
0.001F]
(a)Determine the frequency of oscillation

LC Feedback Oscillators

Use transistors and LC tuned circuits or

crystals in their feedback network.
For hundreds of kHz to hundreds of MHz
frequency range.
Examine Colpitts, Hartley and crystal
oscillator.

Colpitts Oscillator

Feedback Circuit

The Colpitts oscillator is a

type of oscillator that uses
an LC circuit in the feedback loop.

The feedback network is

made up of a pair of tapped
capacitors (C1 and C2) and
an inductor L to produce a
feedback necessary for
oscillations.

The output voltage is

developed across C1.

The feedback voltage is

developed across C2.

Colpitts Oscillator
Vf

Av

Vout

Out

In

I
C1

C2

Vf

Vout

LC feedback oscillators use

resonant circuits in the
feedback path. A popular LC
oscillator is the Colpitts
oscillator.
It uses two series capacitors
in the resonant circuit. The
feedback voltage is
developed across C1.
The effect is that the tank
circuit is tapped. Usually C1
is the larger capacitor
because it develops the

Colpitts Oscillator

KCL at the output node:

Vo Vo
Vo
g mVgs
0
1
1
R
sL
sCvoltage
1
divider produces:sC 2

- Eq
(1)

sC2

Vgs
Vo - Eq
1

(2)
sL

substitute
sC2eq(2) into

eq(1):

1

Vo g m sC2 1 s LC2
sC1 0
R

Colpitts Oscillator

Assume that oscillation has started, then

Vo0
s 2 LC
1

s 3 LC1C2

Let s=j

s C1 C2 g m 0
R

1 2 LC 2
g m
j C1 C2 2 LC1C2 0
R
R

both real & imaginary component must be

1
- Eq
zero
o

Imaginary component:

C1C2

L
C1 C2

(3)

Colpitts Oscillator

both real & imaginary component must

be zero
2

1
real component: LC 2
R

gm

Combining Eq(3)
C2 and Eq(4):
C1

- Eq
(4)

gm R

The magnitude of the g

to initiate oscillations
C2spontaneously:

g m R

C1

Colpitts Oscillator

1
The resonant frequency is found
by
fr
2 LCT
C1C2
Where, CT
C1 C2
Recall that the total capacitance of two series
capacitors is the product-over-sum of the
individual capacitors. Therefore,
1
fr

C1C2
2 L

C
1
2

Example

For the Colpitts oscillator in Figure above, assume

parameters of L=1H, C1 and C2=1nF and R=4k.
Determine the oscillator frequency and the required
value of gm.
Is this value of gm reasonable for a MOSFET? Why?

Hartley Oscillator

The Hartley oscillator is

almost identical to the
Colpitts oscillator.

The primary difference is

that the feedback
network of the Hartley
oscillator uses tapped
inductors (L1 and L2) and
a single capacitor C.
C

One advantage of a
Hartley oscillator is that it
can be tuned by using a
variable capacitor in the
resonant circuit.

Hartley Oscillator

the analysis of Hartley oscillator is

identical to that Colpitts oscillator.
the frequency of oscillation:
1
o
L1 L2 C

Condition for oscillation:

g m R L1 / L2

Crystal Oscillator

Most communications and digital applications

require the use of oscillators with extremely
stable output.
output Crystal oscillators are invented to
overcome the output fluctuation experienced by
conventional oscillators.

Crystals used in electronic applications consist

of a quartz wafer held between two metal plates
and housed in a package as shown in Fig. (a)
and (b).

Crystal Oscillator

Piezoelectric Effect

The quartz crystal is made of silicon oxide (SiO2)

and exhibits a property called the piezoelectric

When a changing an alternating voltage is applied

across the crystal, it vibrates at the frequency of
the applied voltage. In the other word, the
frequency of the applied ac voltage is equal to the
natural resonant frequency of the crystal.

The thinner the crystal, higher its frequency of

vibration. This phenomenon is called piezoelectric
effect.

Crystal Oscillator

Characteristic of Quartz
Crystal

The crystal can have two resonant

frequencies;

One is the series resonance

frequency f1 which occurs when XL
= XC. At this frequency, crystal
offers a very low impedance to the
external circuit where Z = R.

The other is the parallel resonance

(or antiresonance) frequency f2
which occurs when reactance of
the series leg equals the
reactance of CM. At this frequency,
crystal offers a very high
impedance to the external circuit

R
L
C

CM

Crystal Oscillator

The crystal is connected as a series

element in the feedback path from
collector to the base so that it is excited
in the series-resonance mode

BJT
FET

Crystal Oscillator

Since, in series resonance, crystal impedance is the

smallest that causes the crystal provides the largest
positive feedback.

Resistors R1, R2, and RE provide a voltage-divider

stabilized dc bias circuit. Capacitor CE provides ac
bypass of the emitter resistor, RE to avoid degeneration.

The RFC coil provides dc collector load and also prevents

any ac signal from entering the dc supply.

The coupling capacitor CC has negligible reactance at

circuit operating frequency but blocks any dc flow
between collector and base.

The oscillation frequency equals the series-resonance

1 by:
frequency of the crystal and is given

fo

2 LCC

Unijunction (UJT) Relaxation

Oscillator

The unijunction
transistor can be used in
what is called a
relaxation oscillator as
shown by basic circuit as
follow.

The unijunction oscillator

provides a pulse signal
suitable for digital-circuit
applications.

Resistor RT and capacitor

CT are the timing
components that set the
circuit oscillating rate

UJT

UJT Relaxation Oscillator

Unijunction Oscillator

The oscillating frequency is calculated as

follows:

1
fo
RT CT ln1 / 1

where, = the unijunction transistor

intrinsic stand- off ratio

Typically, a unijunction transistor has a

stand-off ratio from 0.4 to 0.6

Summary

Oscillator is an electronic circuit that produces a

periodic waveform on its output with only the dc
supply voltage
Positive feedback is the return of a portion of the
output signal to the input such that it reinforces and
sustain the output.
Sinusoidal feedback oscillator operate with positive
feedback
Relaxation oscillator use an RC timing circuit
The two conditions for positive feedback are the phase
shift around the feedback loop must be 0o and the
voltage gain around the feedback loop must equal 1

Summary

For initial startup, the voltage gain around the

feedback loop must be greater than 1
Sinusoidal RC oscillator include the Wien bridge and
phase shift.
Sinusoidal LC oscillator include the Colpitts, Hartley and
Crystal controlled.
The feedback signal in a Colpitts oscillator is derived
from a capacitive voltage divider in the LC circuit
The feedback signal in a Hartley oscillator is derived
from a inductive voltage divider in the LC circuit
Crystal oscillator are the most stable type of feedback
oscillator

Key Formulas
Wien-bridge positive
feedback attenuation
Wien-bridge resonant frequency

Phase- shift feedback attenuation

Phase- shift oscillator frequency

Colpitss, Hartley approximate

resonant frequency

Vout 1

Vin 3

1
0
RC
1
B
29

1
fo
2 6 RC
1

fr

C1C2

C
1
2

2 L

Exersices

If the voltage gain of the amplifier

portion of an oscillator is 80, what must
be the attenuation of the feedback to
sustain the oscillation.
Calculate the resonant frequency of a
lead-lag circuit with the following values:
R1=R2=6.2k and C1=C2=0.02F

Exersices

Design a phase-shift oscillator for a frequency

of 800 Hz. The capacitors are to be 10 nF. Draw
a circuit for this oscillator.
In the Hartley Oscillator, L2 =0.4mH and
C=0.004F. If the frequency of the oscillator is
120kHz, find the value of L1.
In a transistorized Hartley oscillator, the two
inductances are 2mH and 2H, while the
frequency is to be changed from 950kHz to
2050kHz. Calculate the range over which the
capacitor is to be varied.

The end of this chapter

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your time hearing my
lecture