Oscillator

An oscillator is a circuit, which produces a periodic signal without any input signal. y Oscillators are extensively used in both receiver and transmitter paths. They are used to provide the local oscillation for the mixers for up and down conversion.
y

Classification
Based on the output waveform y Based on the circuit component y Based on the range of operating frequency y Based on whether feedback is used or not
y

Application of Oscillators
y

Oscillators are used to generate signals, e.g.

Used as a local oscillator to transform the RF signals to IF signals in a receiver; Used to generate RF carrier in a transmitter Used to generate clocks in digital systems; Used as sweep circuits in TV sets and CRO.

Rc phase shift oscillator

y

In a RC Oscillator the input is shifted 180o through the amplifier stage and 180o again through a second inverting stage giving us "180o + 180o = 360o" of phase shift which is the same as 0o

Circuit diagram

Design
F= 647.59Hz y f = 1 / 2 RC 6 y 647.59Hz =1 / 2 (10K ) (X) 6 y C= 0.01 F
y

output
y

Waveform:

Wien bridge oscillator

y

Wien bridge oscillator circuit

Advantages
Provides a stable low distortion sinusoidal output over a wide range of frequency. y The frequency range can be selected simply by using decade resistance boxes. y The frequency of oscillation can be easily varied by varying capacitances C1 and C2 simultaneously. The overall gain is high because of two transistors.
y

Disadvantages
The circuit needs two transistors and a large number of other components. y The maximum frequency output is limited because of amplitude and the phase-shift characteristics of amplifier
y

LC oscillator
Circuit using elements L and C is called tank circuit or oscillatory circuit. y Frequency range(200khz upto few ghz) y f = 1 / 2 RC
y

Oscillator type
Hartley oscillator y Colpitts oscillator
y

Hartley oscillator
The Hartley oscillator is an electronic oscillator circuit that uses an inductor and a capacitor in parallel to determine the frequency y It is made up of the following: y Two inductors in series, which need not be mutual y One tuning capacitor
y

Frequency Range
y

The Hartley oscillator is designed for generation of sinusoidal oscillations in the R.F range (20 KHz - 30 MHz).

Hartley oscillator circuit

Design
y

Advantages
The frequency may be adjusted using a single variable capacitor y The output amplitude remains constant over the frequency range
y

Application
y

The Hartley oscillator was extensively used on all broadcast bands including the FM 88-108MHz band

Colpitts oscillator
y

The Armstrong and the Hartley oscillators have a tendency to be unstable in frequency because of junction capacitance. In comparison, the COLPITTS OSCILLATOR has fairly good frequency stability, is easy to tune, and can be used for a wide range of frequencies

Colpitts oscillator circuit

Design
y

Advantage
Good wave purity y Fine performer at high frequency y Good frequency stability y Wide operation range 1 to 60 MHz
y