Tuned Oscillators Circuits: LC Oscillators
Tuned oscillators use a parallel LC resonant circuit (LC tank) to provide
the oscillations.
The frequency selection network −
(Z1, Z2 and Z3) provides a phase Av Ro
~
shift of 180o
Output voltage is developed +
across Z2 and feedback voltage is
developed across Z1 .
2 Z1 Z2 1
The amplifier provides additional
Z3
Zp
shift of 180o
There are two common types:
Colpitts—The resonant circuit is an inductor and two capacitors.
Hartley—The resonant circuit is a tapped inductor or two inductors
and one capacitor.
1 C1C2
Colpitt Oscillator ωo = CT =
LCT C1 + C2 C2
R
BJT output is developed across C1
and feedback voltage is developed
across C2 .
L
C1
Each capacitor causes 90o phase shift
hence total 180o phase shift.
Feedback fraction β C2
β=
C1
Hartley Oscillator R L2
1
ωo = L1 C
( L1 + L2 )C β=
L2
L1
Tuned Oscillators Circuits: LC Oscillators
Av Ro Z1
~ V f = β Vo = Vo
Z1 + Z 3
+
Vf Z1 Z2 Vo Z p = Z 2 //( Z1 + Z 3 )
Z 2 ( Z1 + Z 3 )
Z3 =
Zp Z1 + Z 2 + Z 3
For the equivalent circuit from the output
Ro Io
+ − AvVi Vo Vo − Av Z p
= or =
+ Zp Vo Ro + Z p Z p Vi Ro + Z p
− −AvVi
−
Therefore, the amplifier gain is obtained,
Vo − Av Z 2 ( Z1 + Z 3 )
A= =
Vi Ro ( Z1 + Z 2 + Z 3 ) + Z 2 ( Z1 + Z 3 )
4
Tuned Oscillators Circuits: LC Oscillators
The loop gain, − Av Z1Z 2
Aβ =
Ro ( Z1 + Z 2 + Z 3 ) + Z 2 ( Z1 + Z 3 )
If the impedance are all pure reactances, i.e.,
Z1 = jX 1 , Z 2 = jX 2 and Z 3 = jX 3
The loop gain becomes, Av X 1 X 2
Aβ =
jRo ( X 1 + X 2 + X 3 ) − X 2 ( X 1 + X 3 )
The imaginary part = 0 only when X1+ X2+ X3=0
It indicates that at least one reactance must be –ve (capacitor)
X1 and X2 must be of same type and X3 must be of opposite type
With imaginary part = 0, − Av X 1 Av X 1
Aβ = =
X1 + X 3 X2
For Unit Gain & 180o Phase-shift, X2
Aβ = 1 ⇒ Av =
X1 5
LC Oscillators
Aβ =
− Av Z1Z 2 C2
Ro ( Z1 + Z 2 + Z 3 ) + Z 2 ( Z1 + Z 3 ) R
Colpitt Oscillator L
Z1=1 / jωC1 ; Z2= 1 / jωC2 ; Z3=jωL
C1
− Av
Aβ =
j (ω 2 LC1C2 − C2 − C1 ) Ro − (ω 2 LC2 − 1)
2
For Barkhausen Criterion Aβ=1, imaginary part = 0, ω LC1C2 − C2 − C1 = 0
2 C2 + C1 1 C 2 + C1
ω = = 1 1 where ⇒ CT =
LC1C2 LCT f = C1C 2
2π LC T
At this frequency βA=1, − Av C C2
1= 2
Av = (ω LC2 − 1) = 1 β=
− (ω 2 LC2 − 1) C2 C1
6
LC Oscillators
− Av Z1Z 2
Aβ =
Ro ( Z1 + Z 2 + Z 3 ) + Z 2 ( Z1 + Z 3 ) R L2
Hartley Oscillator C
Z1=jωL1 ; Z2= jωL2 ; Z3=1/jωC
L1
− Av (ω 2 L1L2 )
Aβ =
j (ωL1 + ωL2 − 1 / ωC ) Ro − (ωL1 + 1 / ωC )
For Barkhausen Criterion Aβ=1, imaginary part = 0,
1
ωL1 + ωL2 = 1 / ωC ω=
( L1 + L2 )C
At this frequency βA=1, L2 L1
Av == β=
L1 L2 7
Crystal Oscillators
Piezoelectric crystals are those materials which start vibrating under
the application of ac voltage and vibration frequency is equal to the
applied voltage. This effect is known as piezoelectric effect. Some
examples are quartz, tourmaline, Rochelle Salt...etc.
In Crystal Oscillator, piezoelectric crystal is used in feedback network
in place of RC or LC circuit.
Each crystal has a natural frequency which is given by
K Where K is a constant depends on the cut
f = t : thickness of the crystal
t
Extremely thin crystal may break due to vibrations which puts the
limit to the frequency obtainable. Crystal oscillator can be used in
the frequency range of 25kHz to few hundred MHz.
The frequency of CO changes by less than 0.1% due to temperature
or other changes.
8
Crystal Oscillators
In order to use the crystal in an electronic circuit, it is placed between
two metal plates. The arrangement then forms the capacitor with crystal
as a dielectric (electrostatic capacitor).
A piezoelectric crystal exhibit electromechanical resonance
characteristics.
The resonance properties are characterized by large inductance L, a
very small series capacitance C, and small series resistance R to make Q
factor (Q = ωoL / R) very high.
Generally Cp >> C
Piezoelectric crystals act like resonant circuits.
9
Crystal Oscillators
Since the Q factor is very high, we may neglect R.
Z 3 ( Z1 + Z 2 )
Z ( jω ) = Z 3 //( Z1 + Z 2 ) =
Z1 + Z 2 + Z 3
Z1=jωL ; Z2=1/jωC ; Z3= 1/jωCp ;
1
1 ωP =
Where ωs = LCCP
LC (C + CP )
The crystal has two resonant frequencies:
(1) Series resonant frequencies at ωs
(2) Parallel resonant frequencies at ωP
10
Crystal Oscillators
Series resonant condition Parallel resonant condition
If we use the crystal in place of series LC circuit, the oscillator will
operate at frequency ωs and If the crystal is used in place of parallel LC
circuit, the oscillator will operate at frequency ωP
The series and parallel resonant frequencies are very close, within 1%
of each other.
11
Frequency Stability
The frequency stability of an oscillator is defined as
1 dω
⋅ ppm/ o C
ωo dT ω = ωo
Use high stability capacitors, e.g. silver mica, polystyrene,
or teflon capacitors and low temperature coefficient
inductors for high stable oscillators.
Amplitude Stability
• In order to start the oscillation, the loop gain is usually
slightly greater than unity.
• LC oscillators in general do not require amplitude
stabilization circuits because of the selectivity of the LC
circuits.
• In RC oscillators, some non-linear devices, e.g. zener
diodes or Ar bulb can be used to stabilized the amplitude.