LAB REPORT
Experiment No: 07
Experiment Name: Design and Study of a Colpitts Oscillator using
Transistor
Course Title: Electronic Circuits II Lab
Course Code: EEE 2104
Section: 01
Submitted to:
Md. Shahjalal, PhD
Assistant Professor
School of Science & Engineering
ULAB
Submitted by:
Name: Md. Shahriyer Islam Ohim
ID: 231016009
Department: EEE
Semester: 4th (Spring 2024)
Submission Date: 17th March, 2024
OBJECTIVE:
To Design and Study a Colpitts Oscillator using a Transistor.
THEORY:
The Colpitts oscillator is a type of LC (inductor-capacitor) oscillator circuit that generates
sinusoidal waveforms. It was invented by Edwin H. Colpitts in 1918 and is commonly used
in radio frequency (RF) applications. The oscillator relies on a combination of inductance and
capacitance to produce sustained oscillations.
The basic Colpitts oscillator circuit consists of the following components:
Fig 1. Colpitts oscillator
Tank Circuit (LC Circuit): This is the core of the oscillator and comprises an inductor (L)
and two capacitors (C1 and C2). The capacitors are connected in series, and the junction
between them is used as the output.
Active Device: An active device, usually a transistor (bipolar junction transistor or field-
effect transistor), is used for amplification and feedback. The transistor is typically
configured in a voltage-divider (for BJT) or common-source (for FET) mode.
Power Supply: The oscillator requires a DC power supply to bias the active device.
Working Principle:
Start-up: The oscillator begins operation when power is supplied. The tank circuit (L, C1,
and C2) stores energy, and the active device amplifies the signal.
Feedback: The feedback for the oscillator is provided through a voltage divider formed by
the capacitors (C1 and C2). The amplified signal is fed back to the tank circuit.
Oscillation Frequency: The oscillation frequency of the Colpitts oscillator is determined by
the values of the inductor and capacitors and is given the denominator end
1
f=
2 π √ Ceq L
Sustained Oscillations: The feedback from the active device sustains oscillations in the tank
circuit and the circuit produces a continuous sinusoidal waveform at the output.
Applications: Colpitts oscillators find applications in RF signal generation, signal
modulation, and radio transmitter circuits due to their ability to generate stable oscillations at
relatively high frequencies.
APPARATUS:
BC547 transistor,
Inductor
Resistors,
Capacitors
Power supply,
Oscilloscope.
CIRCUIT DIAGRAM:
Figure 02: Colpitts Oscillator using BC547 Transistor
PROCEDURE:
1. Use Proteus or other circuit modeling software to model the Colpitts oscillator circuit.
2. Assemble the circuit using the Figure 2 schematic as a guide.
3. As directed, use a BC547 transistor in the circuit.
4. Use an oscilloscope connected to the circuit to record the output signal.
5. To see the analog response of the output signal, use an oscilloscope probe.
6. To study the frequency components of the output signal, do a Fourier transform on
them.
7. Use the relevant formula to get the output signal's frequency (f), then compare it to
the frequency components derived from the Fourier transformation in step 6.
RESULTS:
Figure 03: Output Oscillating Waveform Figure 04: Analog Response Showing
Output Voltage
Figure 05: Fourier Response
The signal generated in the output has a maximum frequency component of 22 kHz, as seen
by the fourier response graph.
CALCULATION:
Given that,
Inductance, L1 = 1mH
Capacitance, C3 = C4 = 0.1μF
C3C4
Equivalent Capacitor, Ceq = ( )
C3 +C 4
0.1uF ×0.1 uF
=( )
0.1 uF+ 0.1uF
= 0.05 µF
Again,
We know that,
1
f=
2 π √ Ceq L
1
=
2 π √ 0.05 ×10−6 ×1 ×10−3
= 22.5 kHz
PRECAUTIONS:
1. Check the connections before giving the power supply.
2. Observations should be done carefully.
REFERENCES:
1. Electronic Devices & Circuit theory bt [Link], L. Nashelsky
2. Microelectronic Circuits by Adel S. Sedra, Kenneth C. Smith
DISCUSSION:
We found that the output signal of our experiment, which used a software reproduction of the
Colpitts oscillator circuit, had a substantial frequency component at 22 kHz. Nonetheless,
theoretical projections indicated a little elevated frequency of 22.507 kHz. Theoretical and
simulated frequencies can differ, and these differences can be caused by simulation settings,
parasitic elements, model accuracy, and component tolerances. In spite of these differences,
the oscillator generated RF oscillations as expected. It would be beneficial for future
experiments to adjust circuit parameters and consider real-world problems in order to
improve agreement between simulation and theory.
In conclusion, the design and study of the Colpitts oscillator using a transistor provided
hands-on experience in RF oscillator design and practical circuit implementation. The
experiment highlighted the importance of component selection, circuit layout, and parameter
optimization in achieving stable and reliable oscillations suitable for various applications in
electronics and communications.