The Phase-Shift Oscillator:

The following figure shows the circuit diagram of the phase-shift oscillator. Oscillation occurs at
the frequency where the total phase shift through the three RC feedback circuits is 180°. The
inversion of the op-amp itself provides the another 180° phase shift to meet the requirement for
oscillation of a 360° (or 0°) phase shift around the feedback loop.
Rf

+V
C1 C2 C3
0V
Vo

R1 R2 R3
-V

The feedback circuit in the phase-shift oscillator is shown in the following figure. In the
derivation we assume,

R1 = R2 = R3 = R and C1 = C2 = C3 = C

C C C

R Vo
Vi I1 R I2 R I3

Using mesh analysis we have,

(R + 1 / jωC)I1 − RI 2 = Vi ... ... (1)
− RI1 + (2R + 1 / jωC)I 2 − RI 3 = 0 ... ... (2)
− RI 2 + (2R + 1 / jωC)I 3 ... ... (3)

In order to get V0, we must solve for I3 using determinants:

( R + 1 / j ωC ) −R Vi
−R (2R + 1 / jωC) 0
0 −R 0
I3 =
(R + 1 / jωC) −R 0
−R (2R + 1 / jωC) −R
0 −R ( 2 R + 1 / j ωC )
R 2 Vi
=
[ ]
(R + 1 / jωC) (2R + 1 / jωC) 2 − R 2 − R 2 (2R + 1 / jωC)
 V0 RI 3 R3
= =
Now,
Vi Vi [ ]
(R + 1 / jωC) (2R + 1 / jωC) 2 − R 2 − R 2 (2R + 1 / jωC)
3
R
=
(R + 1 / jωC)(2R + 1 / jωC) − R 2 (R + 1 / jωC) − R 2 (2R + 1 / jωC)
2

1
=
(1 + 1 / jωRC)(2 + 1 / jωRC) − (1 + 1 / jωRC) − (2 + 1 / jωRC)
2

1
=
(1 + 1 / jωRC)(4 + 4 / jωRC − 1 / ω 2 R 2 C 2 ) − (3 + 2 / jωRC)
1
=
(4 + 4 / jωRC − 1 / ω R C + 4 / jωRC − 4 / ω 2 R 2 C 2 − 1 / jω3 R 3 C 3 ) − 3 − 2 / jωRC)
2 2 2

1
=
(1 − 5 / ω R C + 6 / jωRC − 1 / jω3 R 3 C 3 )
2 2 2

1
= ... ... (4)
(1 − 5 / ω R C ) − j(6 / ωRC − 1 / ω3 R 3 C 3 )
2 2 2

For oscillation in the phase-shift amplifier, the phase shift through the RC circuit must be equal to
180°. For this condition to exist, the j term must be 0 at the frequency of oscillation ω0.
⇒ 6 / ω0 RC − 1 / ω30 R 3 C 3 = 0
6ω 02 R 2 C 2 − 1
⇒ =0
ω30 R 3 C 3
⇒ 6ω 02 R 2 C 2 − 1 = 0

1
⇒ ω02 =
6R 2C 2
1
⇒ ω0 =
RC 6
1
⇒ f0 =
2πRC 6

Now, from the equation (4) we have,

V0 1 1
= =−
Vi (1 − 5x 6) 29
The negative sign results from the 180° inversion by the circuit. Thus, the value of voltage gain by
the RC circuit is,
V0 1
=
Vi 29

To meet the greater-than-unity loop gain requirement, the closed-loop voltage gain of the op-amp
must be greater than 29.

So, Rf ≥ 29 R3
Exercise: