Relaxation Oscillator

Definition: A relaxation oscillator is basically a non-linear oscillator that has the

ability to generate a non-sinusoidal periodic waveform at its output. Such as
triangular wave, square wave etc. These are also known as non-sinusoidal
waveform generators.

A relaxation oscillator operates in such a way that it generates oscillations by

charging the capacitor and quickly discharging it after attaining a pre-determined
threshold voltage.

The figure below will help you to understand the conceptual idea of the relaxation
oscillator:

Here we can see a capacitor is placed that stores the energy supplied by the
external source in one phase and releases that particular energy in another
phase.

Basically, at the time of charging of the capacitor, the bulb connected to the
circuit does not get illuminated. But at the time of discharging of the capacitor,
the bulb starts flashing for a time period determined by the RC time constant.

This operating principle is adopted by the relaxation oscillator.

In this section, we will discuss UJT relaxation oscillator that uses a unijunction
transistor in its circuit. And an op-amp relaxation oscillator that generates a
square wave at its output.
UJT Relaxation Oscillator
The figure below represents the basic circuit diagram of UJT relaxation oscillator:

Here we can clearly see that the circuit is composed of a unijunction transistor
and a capacitor which gets charged through resistor R1 and gets discharged
through resistor R2.

The externally supplied voltage to the circuit is VBB.

Let us now move further to understand how a UJT relaxation oscillator provides a
non-sinusoidal waveform at its output.

When the interbase supply voltage VBB is supplied to the circuit. Then the
capacitor present in the circuit starts charging through resistor R1. At the time of
charging of the capacitor, the voltage present across the capacitor shows an
exponential increase until a peak voltage is achieved. This peak voltage is
indicated as Vp.
Once the capacitor voltage reaches Vp, the UJT present in the circuit gets on.
And as the UJT turns on, the capacitor now starts discharging through the
resistor R2 present in the circuit.

So, the discharging current flowing through the resistor R2 generates a voltage
spike.

The figure below represents the voltage waveforms across the capacitor C and
resistor R2:

At the time of the capacitor discharging the voltage across it drops to VV. Thereby
cutting off the device. Once the cut off state is reached, the capacitor again starts
charging thereby causing the repetitive cycle to take place.

This repetitive cycle of charging and discharging of the capacitor

produces sawtooth waveform across it.

It is to be noted here that when UJT is off, the output voltage will be 0. As at this
particular interval the applied voltage charges the capacitor hence output voltage
will be zero.

Due to this relaxing state of the oscillator, it is termed as the relaxation oscillator.
So, the frequency of oscillations of the oscillator relies on the charging and
discharging of the capacitor.

Op-amp Relaxation Oscillator

An op-amp relaxation oscillator is basically a square wave generator. Here also
the frequency of oscillations is determined by the charging and discharging of the
capacitor.

The figure below represents the op-amp relaxation oscillator:

The circuit generates a square wave at its output. As we can see that the circuit
is composed of a capacitor, an op-amp, resistors and 2 zener diodes.

Here, the op-amp comparator utilizes positive feedback in order to increase the
amplifier gain. The high gain of the op-amp causes the output of the op-amp to
switch rapidly between one level to another.

The positive feedback provided to the op-amp fed some part of the output to the
non-inverting input terminal.

Also, the capacitor voltage Vc is provided to the inverting terminal of the op-amp.
The input voltage Vin is given as

Vin = Vc – β Vout

When an input voltage Vin is positive then the output voltage will be Vout = -
VZ1 while when the input voltage Vin is negative then the output voltage will
be Vout = +VZ2.

Let for a particular time the input at the terminal of the op-amp is negative or less
than 0. So, in this case, the output generated will be Vout = +VZ2. This causes the
voltage at the non-inverting input terminal to be β VZ2.

Hence the capacitor starts charging exponentially with VZ2. Till the time VC is
equal to β VZ2, the voltage at the output will remain at VZ2. Now, the output of the
comparator gets reversed to -VZ1. This causes the charging of the capacitor with -
VZ1. Thereby causing the transition from -VZ1 to +VZ2.

So, here also, the charging and discharging phenomenon of the capacitor
determines the time period of the output waveform.

The figure below shows the output and capacitor voltage waveform for op-amp
relaxation oscillator:
The circuit of op-amp relaxation oscillator is also known as an astable
multivibrator, as the circuit holds 2 quasi-stable states. Hence, the signal
performs the transition between 2 states. Thereby generating the square wave
signal at the output.

Applications of Relaxation Oscillator

These are used to produce internal clock signalling in any digital circuits. These
also find applications in thyristor triggering circuits, in oscilloscopes as well as
television receivers etc.