Sheet

1 of 2

Derivation of Colpitts feedback capacitor values.

Iin

C1

Vin

RL

Zin
C2

Simplified schematic diagram showing the reflection amplifier part of the Colpitts
oscillator. The capacitor network of C1 and C2 would provide positive feedback from
the emitter to base.

Vin = Iin (XC 1 + XC 2 ) - Ib (XC 1 - XC 2 )

- (1)

0 = - Iin (XC 1 ) + Ib (XC 1 + hie )

- (2)

rearrange to give Ib and sub into equation (1) ie Ib =

Vin = Iin (XC 1 + XC 2 ) -

Iin .XC 1
(XC 1 - XC 2 )
(XC 1 + hie )

Vin = Iin .XC 1 + Iin .XC 2 -

Iin .XC 1
(XC 1 + hie )

and multiply out

Iin .XC 1
Iin .XC 1
.XC 1 +
.XC 2 x both sides by XC 1 + hie
(XC 1 + hie )
(XC 1 + hie )

Vin (XC 1 + hie ) = ( XC 1 + hie ) Iin .XC 1 + ( XC 1 + hie )Iin .XC 2 (XC 1 + hie ).

Iin .XC 1
I .XC 1
.XC 1 + ( XC 1 + hie ) in
.XC 2 and multiply out again.
(XC 1 + hie )
(XC 1 + hie )

Sheet
2 of 2

Vin (XC1 + hie) = I in XC12 + hie.I in .XC1 + XC1.I in .XC 2 + hie.I in .XC 2 - I in XC12 + XC1.I in .XC 2 .
Vin (XC1 + hie) = hie.I in .XC1 + XC1.I in .XC 2 + hie.I in .XC 2 + XC1.I in .XC 2 . Rearrange for I in
Vin (XC1 + hie) = I in [hie.(XC1 + XC 2 ) + XC1.XC 2 .I in (1 + )]
hie.(XC1 + XC 2 ) + XC1.XC 2 (1 + )
Vin
= Zin =
I in
XC1 + hie
If we assume that XC1 << hie then : Vin
hie.(XC1 + XC 2 ) + XC1.XC 2 (1 + )
hie.(XC1 + XC 2 ) XC1 .XC 2 (1 + )
= Zin =

+
I in
hie
hie
hie
Vin
XC1.XC 2 (1 + )
(1 + ) expand reactances : = Zin = XC1 + XC 2 +
Let gm =
hie
hie
I in

Vin
1
1
1
1
+
= Zin = gm.
+
.
as j2 = - 1 then
j .C1 j .C 2 j .C1 j .C 2
I in

Vin
= Zin =
I in

gm.

1
.C1 .C 2

Input impedance (negative)

j .[C1.C 2 (C1 + C 2 )]

Parallel combination of C1 & C2