Wien-Bridge Oscillator Circuits

By Darren De Ronde
May 15, 2002
Why Look At the Wien-Bridge?
It generates an
oscillatory output
signal without
having any input
source
Basics About the Wien-Bridge
Uses two RC
networks
connected to the
positive terminal to
form a frequency
selective feedback
network
Causes
Oscillations to
Occur
Basics About the Wien-Bridge
Amplifies the
signal with the two
negative feedback
resistors
Modification to Circuit
Analysis
The loop gain can
be found by doing
a voltage division
V
o
s ( ) V
1
s ( )
Z
2
s ( )
Z
1
s ( ) Z
2
s ( ) +

Analysis
The two RC
Networks must
have equal
resistors and
capacitors
Z
1
s ( ) R
1
s C
+
Z
2
s ( )
R
1
s C

R
1
s C
+
Analysis
Operational amplif ier gain
G
V
1
s ( )
V
s
s ( )
1
R
2
R
1
+
V
o
s ( ) V
1
s ( )
Z
2
s ( )
Z
1
s ( ) Z
2
s ( ) +

Need to find the Gain over the whole Circuit: Vo/Vs

V
o
s ( ) G V
s
s ( )
s R C
s
2
R
2
C
2
3 s R C + 1 +

Solve G equation for V1 and substitute in for above equ.

Analysis
T s ( )
V
o
s ( )
V
s
s ( )
s R C G
s
2
R
2
C
2
3 s R C + 1 +
We now have an equation for the overall circuit gain
T je
( )
j e R C G
1 e
2
R
2
C
2

( )
3 j e R C +
Simplifying and substituting jw for s
Analysis
In order to have a phase shif t of zero,
1 e
2
R
2
C
2
0
This happens at e = 1/RC When e = 1/RC, T(j e) simplif ies to:
T je
( )
G
3
If G = 3, oscillations occur
If G < 3, oscillations attenuate
If G > 3, oscillation amplify
Time
0s 0.2ms 0.4ms 0.6ms 0.8ms 1.0ms
V(R5:2)
-4.0V
0V
4.0V
G = 3
Time
0s 0.2ms 0.4ms 0.6ms 0.8ms 1.0ms
V(R5:2)
-4.0V
0V
4.0V
G = 2.9
Time
0s 100us 200us 300us 400us 500us 600us
V(R5:2)
-20V
0V
20V
G = 3.05
Ideal vs. Non-Ideal Op-Amp
Red is the ideal op-amp.
Green is the 741 op-amp.
Time
0s 0.2ms 0.4ms 0.6ms 0.8ms 1.0ms
V(R1:2) V(R5:2)
-4.0V
0V
4.0V
Making the Oscillations Steady
Add a diode
network to
keep circuit
around G = 3
If G = 3,
diodes are off
Making the Oscillations Steady
When output
voltage is
positive, D1
turns on and
R9 is switched
in parallel
causing G to
drop
Making the Oscillations Steady
When output
voltage is
negative, D2
turns on and
R9 is switched
in parallel
causing G to
drop
Results of Diode Network
Time
0s 0.2ms 0.4ms 0.6ms 0.8ms 1.0ms
V(D2:2)
-4.0V
0V
4.0V
With the use of diodes, the non-
ideal op-amp can produce steady
oscillations.
Frequency Analysis
By changing the resistor and
capacitor values in the positive
feedback network, the output
frequency can be changed.
R 10kO := C 1nF :=
e
1
R C
:= e 1 10
5

rad
sec
=
f
e
2 t
:= f 15.915kHz =
Frequency Analysis
Frequency
0Hz 10KHz 20KHz 30KHz 40KHz
V(D2:2)
0V
2.0V
4.0V
(15.000K,2.0539)
Fast Fourier Transform of Simulation
Frequency Analysis
Due to limitations of the op-amp,
frequencies above 1MHz are
unachievable.
Conclusions
No Input Signal yet Produces
Output Oscillations
Can Output a Large Range of
Frequencies
With Proper Configuration,
Oscillations can go on indefinitely