OSCILLATOR

- isa circuit used to generate a periodic signal

- essentially an amplifier that produces its own input
**Oscillate – to fluctuate between two states or conditions
**Electrical Oscillation – a repetitive change in voltage or
current waveform
- used to create a sine wave, pulsed waveforms, saw tooth
waveforms and square waves
Applications: high-frequency carrier supplies, pilot supplies,
clocks an timing circuits

SELF-SUSTAINING OSCILLATORS – the changes in

waveform are continuous and repetitive occurring at a periodic
rate; FREE-RUNNING OSCILLATOR
TRIGGERED / ONE-SHOT OSCILLATORS – non-self-
sustaining, requiring external input signal or trigger to produce
change in the output waveform
FEEDBACK OSCILLATORS
- is an amplifier with feedback loop

In order for a circuit to function as an oscillator, it must satisfy

the Barkhausen Criteria:
1. The loop gain must be 1 
2. The loop phase must be a multiple of 360 degrees

4 Requirements for a Feedback Oscillator to work:

I. AMPLIFICATION
II. POSITIVE FEEDBACK
III. FREQUENCY DETERMINING COMPONENTS
(Resistors, Capacitors, Inductors or Crystals)
IV. POWER SOURCE
FEEDBACK OSCILLATORS

Output waveforms for three different values of loop gain

WIEN-BRIDGE OSCILLATORS
- RC phase-shift oscillator that uses both positive and negative
feedback
- relatively stable, low-frequency oscillator circuit that is easily
tuned
- commonly used in signal generators to produce frequencies
between 5Hz and 1MHz
WIEN-BRIDGE OSCILLATORS

• Uses two RC networks • Amplifies the signal with

connected to the
the two negative
positive terminal to form
a frequency selective feedback resistors
feedback network
• Causes oscillations to
Occur
LC OSCILLATORS
- utilize
LC tank circuits for the frequency-determining
components
LC OSCILLATORS
HARTLEY OSCILLATOR
- LC Oscillator that uses two series-connected coils and a
single capacitor
- Advantages of the Hartley oscillator include:
a. The frequency may be varied using a variable capacitor
b. The output amplitude remains constant over the
frequency range
c. Either a tapped coil or two fixed inductors are needed
- Disadvantages include:
a. Harmonic-rich content if taken from the amplifier and not
directly from the LC circuit.
- Application: All Broadcast bands including FM

(L1 + L2) C
LC OSCILLATORS
COLPITTS OSCILLATOR
- LC Oscillator that uses two capacitors and one inductor to
determine the frequency of oscillation

- Advantages of the Colpitts oscillator include:

a. Simplicity (needs only one inductor)

b. Robustness - has fairly good frequency stability, is easy to

tune, and can be used for a wide range of frequencies