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Are oscillators always non linear?

From linear systems theory, self-excited sustained oscillations are only possible by means of a marginally s
poles are located exactly on the imaginary axis. However, such a situation is a impossibility in the real worl
parameter deviations would cause the system to go either stable or unstable. And if it goes unstable, than
would reach any kind of physical limitation (for instance, saturation) that would make it lose its linearity pro

However, reading about oscillators circuits using opamps, I don't really know where is the non linearity. For
phase-shift oscillator non linear (taken from Opamps for everyone)? How can I know it?

Thanks!

op-amp oscillator signal-theory control-theory

6 Answers