Chapter 32
Oscillators

Basics of Feedback
Block diagram of feedback amplifier
Forward gain, A
Feedback, B
Summing junction, ∑
Useful for oscillators

Basics of Feedback
Op-amps
Inverting & non-inverting
Negative feedback 180°out of phase w/input
High input impedance
Low output impedance
Wide bandwidth
Stable operation

Basics of Feedback
Oscillators
Positive feedback
In-phase with input
Unstable

Basics of Feedback
Block diagram analysis

Basics of Feedback
Inverting amplifier

Relaxation Oscillator
Square wave generator
Composed of
Schmitt trigger comparator
Positive feedback
RC circuit to determine period

Relaxation Oscillator
Schmitt Trigger
R1 and R2 form a voltage divider
Portion of output applied at + input
Hysteresis: output dependent on input and previous value of input

Relaxation Oscillator
Schmitt Trigger
Hysteresis: upper and lower trip points
Can use a voltage follower for adjustable trip points

Relaxation Oscillator
Schmitt trigger

Relaxation Oscillator
Schmitt Trigger Relaxation Oscillator

Relaxation Oscillator
R1 and R2 voltage divider
Capacitor charges through RF
VC < +VSAT then C charges toward +VSAT
VC > –VSAT then C charges toward –VSAT

Relaxation Oscillator
Schmitt Trigger Relaxation Oscillator Equations

Wien Bridge Oscillator
For a sinusoidal oscillator output
Closed loop gain ≥ 1
Phase shift between input and output = 0° at frequency of oscillation
With these conditions a circuit
Oscillates with no external input
Positive feedback = regenerative feedback

Wien Bridge Oscillator
Regenerative oscillator
Initial input is small noise voltage
Builds to steady state oscillation
Wien Bridge oscillator
Positive feedback, RC network branch
Resistor branch establish amplifier gain

Wien Bridge Oscillator
Circuit

Wien Bridge Oscillator
Equations

Wien Bridge Oscillator
Another form of  Wien Bridge

Wien Bridge Oscillator
For a closed-loop gain, AB = 1
Op-amp gain ≥ 3
Improved circuit
Separate RF into 1 variable and 1 fixed resistor
Variable: minimize distortion
Zener Diodes: limit range of output voltage

Phase-Shift Oscillator
Three-section R-C network
≈ 60° per section
Negative FB = 180°
180° + (60° + 60° + 60°) = 360° = Positive FB

Phase-Shift Oscillator
Circuit

LC Oscillators
LC circuits can produce oscillations
Used for
Test and measurement circuits
RF circuits

LC Oscillators
Named after pioneer engineers
Colpitts
Hartley
Clapp
Armstrong

LC Oscillators
Colpitts oscillator
fs = series resonance
fp = parallel resonance
L-C network → 180° phase shift at fp

LC Oscillators

LC Oscillators
Equations

LC Oscillators
Hartley oscillator
Similar to Colpitts
L and C’s interchanged
Also have fs and fp

LC Oscillators

Crystal Oscillators
Quartz crystals
Mechanical device
Higher frequencies (>1 MHz)
Stability
Accuracy
Reliability
Piezoelectric effect

Crystal Oscillators
Electrical model
Both have  parallel and series resonance
Symbol
Quartz crystal
metal plates

Crystal Oscillators
Impedance varies with frequency
Square wave crystal oscillator circuit
Choose C1 and C2
Oscillation frequency between fs and fp

555 Timer
IC
Internal circuit

555 Timer
Usage
Monostable timing
Astable mode = relaxation oscillator
Trigger voltage
Control voltage
Threshold voltage
R-S flip-flop

555 Timer
Relaxation oscillator

555 Timer
Monostable Circuit (one-shot)
Trigger high → vout = low
Trigger low → vout = high

Voltage Controlled Oscillator-VCO
∆fout       ∆vin