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TRAINERS
Since
23
Years

STABILIZED OSCILLATORS
MODULE
MODEL-OSC100

More
than
2000 SIGMA TRAINERS
Trainers AHMEDABAD (INDIA)
 CHAPTERS

1. To study theory and Circuit of Hartley Oscillator

2. To study theory and Circuit of Colpitt’s Oscillator
3. To study theory and Circuit of Wein Bridge Oscillator
4. To study theory and Circuit of RC Phase Shift Oscillator

EXPERIMENTS

1. To Construct Hartley Oscillator Circuit

2. To Construct Colpitt’s Oscillator Circuit
3. To Construct Wein Bridge Oscillator Circuit
4. To Construct RC Phase Shift Oscillator Circuit

2
 INTRODUCTION

This trainer has been designed with a view to observe characteristics of Oscillators

SPECIFICATIONS

1. The complete circuit is printed on a single P.C.B.

2. All parts are soldered on single pin tag for easy replacement.

3. Explanation, Observation, Alignment and adjustment of Internal and external controls is possible due to
Single P.C.B.

4. Easy identification of different parts is possible at a glance.

5. Easy measurement of voltages and observation of waveforms at any Point. Test Points are provided on
P.C.B.
6. A manual having practical detail is provided with the board.

7. Built-in Power supply : +9V at 200mA IC Regulated & short circuit protected

8. Power requirement : 230V, 50Hz AC.

9. Standard Accessories : 1. A manual having practical details.

2. Patch Cords.

3
 CHAPTER-1

THEORY OF HARTLEY OSCILLATOR

L-C OSCILLATORS

C-R sine-wave oscillators are useful for generating signals ranging from a few hertz up to several tens or
hundreds of kilohertz. L-C oscillators, on the other hand, are useful for generating signals from a few tens of
kilohertz to hundreds of megahertz. An L-C oscillator consists, in essence, of an amplifying device that gives
significant gain between input and output, and an L-C network that provides frequency-selective feedback
between the output and input terminals of the amplifier. Because of the inherently high Q or frequency
selectivity of L-C networks, L-C oscillators usually produce reasonably pure sine-wave outputs, even when the
loop gain of the circuit is far greater than unity. Many different versions of the L-C transistor oscillator are in
common use as follows:

1. Tuned Collector Feedback Oscillator

2. Hartley Oscillator
3. Colpitt’s Oscillator
4. Clapp Oscillator

Requirement of an Oscillator

Every Oscillator consists of the following parts :-

1. Internal amplifier
2. Feedback network or negative resistance property, and
3. Amplitude limiting device

1. INTERNAL AMPLIFIER

An oscillator is essentially an amplifier with infinite voltage gain. The voltage gain of the amplifier is made
infinite by proper feed back or by inclusion of suitable negative resistance device.

2. FEED BACK DEVICE

Any amplifying device is capable of generating oscillations if a proper fraction of an output voltage is feed
back into an input, in proper phase, to reinforce the input energy. Such an amplifier is known as feed back
amplifier. When an external input is withdrawn i.e. all the input is provided by tapping from an output, the
device operates as an oscillator. Fig. 1. demonstrates the feed back principle. The expression for over all gain of
a closed loop circuit using positive feed back is

Figure 1 Positive Feedback Circuit

4
 A
Afb = ---------- ....... (1)
(1-Aβ)

If Aβ >, 1, we say that the circuit is unstable, because the overall gain approaches infinity, and can have a
finite output voltage when no input voltage in present. There are many factors which tend to complicate the
operation, `β' can be frequency dependent and also varied with transistor operating point, since it is usually a
function of input or output impedances. For sinusoidal oscillators, the term "A" must equal unity with a phase
angle of 0, 2Ω, 4Ω ... at only one frequency. In practice "A" is designed to be slightly larger than one, but the
operating point will shift in such a way, to limit the value to unity.

3. AMPLITUDE LIMITING

If the value of the return ratio `AΩ ' drops below unity, the circuit would cease oscillations. Since temperature
change, age and operating point change can affect the gain, the value of `AΩ ' could drop below unity, if no
allowance is made for these effects. The normal procedure than is to design for value of `AΩ ' greater than unity,
realizing that the nonlinear ties in the circuit will automatically limit this value to the required value. In general
the greater the value of AΩ, the greater will be the amplitude of output voltage, and a greater distortion will be
present in the signal. Because the variation of `A' with operating point is a very complicated non-linear
relationship, so it is extremely difficult to derive quantitative design equations.

FREQUENCY STABILITY

The frequency of oscillation of the circuit of Fig.2., is a function only of `L' and `C'. A non ideal amplifier will
posses input and output impedances which effect the frequency of oscillation. As these impedance change with
operating point and temperature, the frequency will change. Some oscillators are designed to be accurate to a few
cycles at frequencies of megacycles while other can tolerance a drift of a few percent of the oscillating
frequency. If the resonant circuit which controls the oscillating frequency has a very high Q, the frequency
stability will be better.

HARTLEY OSCILLATOR

Figure Shows simple variation of the Figure, this being known as a Hartley Oscillator. Its collector load
inductor L1 is tapped roughly 20 percent down from its lop, and the circuit’s positive supply rail is connected to
this point; L1 thus gives an auto transformer actions, action, in which the signal voltage appearing at the top of
L1 is 180˚ out of phase with that at its low (Q1 collector) end. The signal from the top of the coil is coupled to
the base (input) of Q1 via C2, and the circuit thus oscillates at a Centre frequency determinated by the L-C
values.

Figure 2 -Hartley Oscillator

5
 CHAPTER-2

THEORY OF COLPITT’S OSCILLATOR

L-C OSCILLATORS
C-R sine-wave oscillators are useful for generating signals ranging from a few hertz up to several tens or
hundreds of kilohertz. L-C oscillators, on the other hand, are useful for generating signals from a few tens of
kilohertz to hundreds of megahertz. An L-C oscillator consists, in essence, of an amplifying device that gives
significant gain between input and output, and an L-C network that provides frequency-selective feedback
between the output and input terminals of the amplifier. Because of the inherently high Q or frequency
selectivity of L-C networks, L-C oscillators usually produce reasonably pure sine-wave outputs, even when the
loop gain of the circuit is far greater than unity. Many different versions of the L-C transistor oscillator are in
common use as follows:

5. Tuned Collector Feedback Oscillator

6. Hartley Oscillator
7. Colpitt’s Oscillator
8. Clapp Oscillator

Requirement of an Oscillator

Every Oscillator consists of the following parts :-

1. Internal amplifier
2. Feedback network or negative resistance property, and
3. Amplitude limiting device

1. INTERNAL AMPLIFIER
An oscillator is essentially an amplifier with infinite voltage gain. The voltage gain of the amplifier is made
infinite by proper feed back or by inclusion of suitable negative resistance device.

2. FEED BACK DEVICE

Any amplifying device is capable of generating oscillations if a proper fraction of an output voltage is feed
back into an input, in proper phase, to reinforce the input energy. Such an amplifier is known as feedback
amplifier. When an external input is withdrawn i.e. all the input is provided by tapping from an output, the
device operates as an oscillator. Fig. 1. Demonstrates the feed back principle. The expression for over all gain of
a closed loop circuit using positive feed back is

Figure 1 Positive Feedback Circuit

6
 A
Afb = ---------- ....... (1)
(1-Aβ)

If Aβ >, 1, we say that the circuit is unstable, because the overall gain approaches infinity, and can have a
finite output voltage when no input voltage in present. There are many factors which tend to complicate the
operation, `β' can be frequency dependent and also varied with transistor operating point, since it is usually a
function of input or output impedances. For sinusoidal oscillators, the term "A" must equal unity with a phase
angle of 0, 2Ω, 4Ω ... at only one frequency. In practice "A" is designed to be slightly larger than one, but the
operating point will shift in such a way, to limit the value to unity.

3. AMPLITUDE LIMITING
If the value of the return ratio `AΩ ' drops below unity, the circuit would cease oscillations. Since temperature
change, age and operating point change can affect the gain, the value of `AΩ ' could drop below unity, if no
allowance is made for these effects. The normal procedure than is to design for value of `AΩ ' greater than unity,
realizing that the nonlinear ties in the circuit will automatically limit this value to the required value. In general
the greater the value of AΩ, the greater will be the amplitude of output voltage, and a greater distortion will be
present in the signal. Because the variation of `A' with operating point is a very complicated non-linear
relationship, so it is extremely difficult to derive quantitative design equations.

COLPITT’S OSCILLATOR

Figure 2 Colpitt’s Oscillator

The oscillator action depends on some kind of `common signal’ tapping point being made into the tuned circuit,
so that a phase-splitting autotransformer action is obtained in Hartley. This tapping point does not have to be
made into the actual tuning coil, but can be made into the tuning capacitor, as in the Colpitt’s oscillator circuit
shown in Figure with the component values shown, this particular circuit oscillates at about 37kHz.

7
 CHAPTER-3

THEORY OF WEIN BRIDGE OSCILLATOR

Oscillator Basics:

Transistor oscillator circuits are usually designed to generate fairly pure sine-wave outputs. Two basic
requirements must be satisfied to make such an oscillator, as shown in Figure 1.

First, the output of the amplifying device (A1) must be fed back to its input via a frequency selective network
(A2) in such a way that the sum of the amplifier feedback network phase shifts equals zero degrees (or 360º) at
the desired oscillation frequency, i.e. so that xº+ yº = 0º (or 360º). Thus, if the transistor stage generates 180º of
phase shift between input and output, an additional 180º of phase shift must be introduced by a frequency-
selective network connected between input and output in order to meet the first requirement of as sine-wave
oscillator.

The second requirement is that the gain of the amplifying device must exactly counter the losses of the
frequency-selective feedback network at the desired oscillation frequency, to give an overall system gain of
precisely unity, e.g. A1 x A2 = 1. If the gain is less than unity the circuit will not oscillate, and if greater than
unity it will be over-driven and will generate distorted (non-sinusoidal) waveforms.

The frequency-selective feedback network usually consists of either a C-R or L-C filter or of a tuned
transformer or a crystal filter.

Figure 1 Positive Feedback Circuit

8
Block Diagram of Wein Bridge Oscillator

Figure 2 shows the block diagram of Wein Bridge Oscillator. The Wein network comprises R1-C1 and R2-C2,
Which normally have their values `balanced' so that C1 = C2 = C, and R1 = R2 = R.

AMP Output

X3 R1
Non Inverting
Amplifier f0= 1/6.28xRxC
C1

Feedback
Wein Network
R2 C2

Fig.2

The phase shifts of this balanced Wein network are very frequency sensitive; the shift is negative at low
frequencies, positive at high ones, and is zero at a `Centre' frequency of 1/(6.28CR), at which the network has an
Attenuation factor of three. Thus, the balanced Wein network can be made to oscillate by connecting a non-
inverting x 3 high-input - impedance amplifier between its outputs and input terminals, as shown in the diagram.

In practice, variable-frequency Wein oscillators are best built using op-amps or other linear ICs, in conjunction
with automatic-gain-control feedback systems, and many circuits of this type are in fact published in other
volumes of the circuits manual series.

Figure 3 shows the practical circuit of Wein Bridge Oscillator based on two transistors amplifier. Here Q1 and
Q2 are both wired as low-gain common-emitter amplifiers. Q2 gives a voltage gain slightly greater than unity and
uses Wein network resistors R1 as its collector load, and Q1 present high input impedance to the output of the
Wein network and has its gain variable via RV1. With the component values shown the circuit oscillates at about
1 Khz; in use, RV1 should be adjusted so that a slightly distorted output sine wave is generated.

9
Fig. 3 Practical 1 KHz Wein Oscillator

10
 CHAPTER-4

THEORY OF R-C PHASE SHIFT OSCILLATOR

Oscillator Basics:

Transistor oscillator circuits are usually designed to generate fairly pure sine-wave outputs. Two basic
requirements must be satisfied to make such an oscillator, as shown in Figure 1.

First, the output of the amplifying device (A1) must be fed back to its input via a frequency selective network
(A2) in such a way that the sum of the amplifier feedback network phase shifts equals zero degrees (or 360º) at
the desired oscillation frequency, i.e. so that xº + yº = 0º (or 360º). Thus, if the transistor stage generates 180º of
phase shift between input and output, an additional 180º of phase shift must be introduced by a frequency-
selective network connected between input and output in order to meet the first requirement of as sine wave
Oscillator.

The second requirement is that the gain of the amplifying device must exactly counter the losses of the
frequency-selective feedback network at the desired oscillation frequency, to give an overall system gain of
precisely unity, e.g. A1 x A2 = 1. If the gain is less than unity the circuit will not oscillate, and if greater than
unity it will be over-driven and will generate distorted (non-sinusoidal) waveforms.

The frequency-selective feedback network usually consists of either a C-R or L-C filter or of a tuned
transformer or a crystal filter.

Figure 1 Positive Feedback Circuit

R-C Phase Shift Oscillator

Figure 2 shows the practical circuit of one of the crudest types of C-R sine-wave oscillator, the so-called
`phase-shift' type. Here, Q1 is wire as a common-emitter amplifier and has its output (collector) signal fed back
to its input (base) via a three-stage C-R ladder network, essentially comprising C1-R1, C2-R2, and C3-R3.

11
 Each C-R stage of the ladder generates a phase shift between its input and output; the size of shift varies with
frequency, and has a maximum value of 90º. The ladder's total phase shift equals the sum of the three stage
shifts, and in Figure 2 (in which C1=C2=C3=C, and R1 = R2 = R3 = R) equals 180º at a frequency of 1/14 CR
since the transistor stage itself generates a phase shift of 180º, the circuit oscillates at this frequency. The three-
stage ladder has an attenuation factor of 29 at the oscillation frequency, and the gain of the Q1 stage must be
adjusted (via RV1) to counter this signal loss and give and overall circuit gain of unity if stable sine-wave
generation if to be obtained. In practice, the Figure 2 circuit oscillates at about 800Hz, and RV1 should, to
ensure stable operation, be adjusted to that a slightly distorted sine wave is generated; the amplitude of the
output signal can be varied via RV2.

Fig-2 800 Hz phase-shift oscillator circuit

The simple phase-shift oscillator circuit has the advantage of simplicity, but it has poor gain stability and its
operating frequency can not easily be varied (unless a three-gang R or C component is used).

12
 EXPERIMENT-1

To Construct Hartley’s Oscillator Circuit

AIM: -
To construct Hartley Oscillator and observe its characteristics

Procedure:

1. Connect the circuit as shown in Connection diagram 1.

2. Connect frequency counter at the output terminals and observe frequency reading, it will be 250KHz,
18Vpp sinewave.

3. Rotate gang condenser and observe variation in frequency.

4. Observe the output waveforms on C.R.O.

Conclusion:

The Characteristics Of Hartley oscillator understood.

13
 EXPERIMENT-2

To Construct Colpitt’s Oscillator Circuit

AIM: -
To construct Colpitt’s Oscillator and observe its characteristics

Procedure:

1. Connect the circuit as shown in Connection diagram 1.

2. Connect frequency counter at the output terminals and observe frequency reading, it will be190KHz,
5Vpp sinewave.

3. Observe the output waveforms on C.R.O.

Conclusion:

The Characteristics Of Colpitt’s oscillator understood.

14
 EXPERIMENT-3

To Construct Wein Bridge Oscillator Circuit

Aim:

To construct Wein Bridge Oscillator and observe its characteristics

Procedure:

1. Connect the circuit as shown in Connection diagram 1.

2. Connect frequency counter at the output terminals and observe frequency reading, it will be 2KHz,
3Vpp sinewave.

3. Observe the output waveforms on C.R.O.

Conclusion:

The Characteristics Of Wein Bridge oscillator understood.

15
 EXPERIMENT-4

To Construct R-C Phase Shift Circuit

Aim:

To construct R-C Phase Shift Circuit and observe its characteristics

Procedure:

1. Connect the circuit as shown in Connection diagram 1.

2. Connect frequency counter at the output terminals and observe frequency reading, it will be 750Hz,
6Vpp sinewave.

3. Observe the output waveforms on C.R.O.

Conclusion:

The Characteristics Of R-C Phase shift oscillator understood.

16
CONNECTION DIAGRAM 1
17