Chapter 5
Oscillators
Department of Telecommunications
Faculty of Electrical and Electronics Engineering
Ho Chi Minh city University of Technology
Dr. Cuong HuynhTelecommunications DepartmentHCMUT 1
ELECTRONIC CIRCUITS FOR COMMUNICATION
Chapter 5
Oscillators
Reference:
[1] Smith, Jack, Modern Communications Circuits, Second Edition, McGraw Hill,
1998.
[2] Razavi, RF Microelectronics, Prentice Hall, 2 edition, 2011
Square wave
Sawtooth wave
At a specific frequency f0
T jω0 A jω0 β jω0 1
At this frequency, the closed loop gain;
A jω0
A f jω0
1 A jω0 β jω0
Vf SelectiveNetwork
(f)
In phase
Vf Vo
Av
Noninverting
amplifier
Feedback
circuit
Aβ 1
|Vout/Vin| is very small and The phase shift from the |Vout/Vin| dinimishes ∠(Vout/Vin)
∠(Vout/Vin) remains around -90° input to the output is thus approaches +90°
equal to 180°
Can the circuit above
Dr. Cuongoscillate if its input and
HuynhTelecommunications output are shorted? – No--
DepartmentHCMUT 16
2. of
Cascade Conditions
Two Tunedfor Oscillation
Amplifiers – Loop
in Feedback Gain
Loop
We recognize that the circuit provides a phase shift of 180 °with possibly adequate gain
(gmRp) at ω0. We simply need to increase the phase shift to 360 °.
Assuming that the circuit above (left) oscillates, plot the voltage waveforms at X and Y.
Wave form is shown above (right). A unique attribute of inductive loads is that they can provide
peak voltages above the supply. The growth of VX and VY ceases when M1 and M2 enter the
triode region for part of the period, reducing the loop gain.
𝐼(𝑗𝑋𝐶 + 𝑗𝑋𝐿)=0
Resonance condition:
ZA + ZB = 0
RA + RB = 0
XA + XB = 0
Dr. Cuong HuynhTelecommunications DepartmentHCMUT 18
2. Conditions for Oscillation – Negative Resistance
One-Port View of Oscillators
In practice the negative resistance concept is applied by breaking a
candidate oscillator circuit into two parts, which are associated with
the impedances ZA and ZB.
Most oscillators consist of a single active device, so when the circuit
is divided into two parts, one part will contain only passive
components. This part will exhibit an impedance with positive real
part.
In order for oscillations to occur in the circuit, the part containing the
active device must have an impedance with a negative real part.
Resonance condition:
ZA + ZB = 0
If an active circuit replenishes the energy lost in each period, then the
oscillation can be sustained.
In fact, we predict that an active circuit exhibiting an input resistance of -Rp
can be attached across the tank to cancel the effect of Rp.
R2 Z p
T s As β s 1
Z Z
R1 p s
where;
R
Zp
1 sRC
and; 1 sRC
Zs
sC
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3. Wien-bridge
Wien-bridgeOscillator
Oscillator
Hence;
R2
T s 1
1
R1 3 sRC 1 /sRC
Substituting for s;
R2
T j 1
1
R1 3 jRC 1/jRC
For oscillation frequency f0;
R2
T j0 1
1
R1 3 j0 RC 1/j0 RC
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3. Wien-bridge
Wien-bridgeOscillator
Oscillator
Wien-bridge Oscillator
Since at the frequency of oscillation, T(j) must be
real (for zero phase condition), the imaginary
component must be zero;
1
j0 RC 0
j0 RC
Which gives us;
1
0
RC
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3. Wien-bridge
Wien-bridgeOscillator
Oscillator
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4. Phase-Shift Oscillator
1
fr
2 6 RC
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4. Phase-Shift
3.2 Phase-ShiftOscillator
Oscillator
Phase-Shift Oscillator
- C R2
R
- C v2 -
C v1 + v2 v3
vi + v1 + vo
R R
vo R2
A( s )
3
v3
R
sRC sRC
v1 vi v3 vi
1 sRC 1 sRC
3
sRC
2
sRC v3
( s)
v2 vi
1 sRC vi 1 sRC
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4. Phase-Shift
3.2 Phase-ShiftOscillator
Oscillator
Phase-Shift Oscillator
Loop gain, T(s):
3
R2 sRC
T ( s ) A( s ) ( s )
R 1 sRC
Set s=jw
R2 j RC
3
T ( j )
R 1 j RC
R2 ( j RC )( RC ) 2
T ( j )
R 1 3 2
R 2
C 2
j RC 3 2
R 2
C 2
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4. Phase-Shift
3.2 Phase-ShiftOscillator
Oscillator
Phase-Shift Oscillator
To satisfy condition T(jwo)=1, real component must
be zero since the numerator is purely imaginary.
1 3 2 R 2C 2 0
the oscillation frequency: 1
0
3RC
Apply wo in equation:
R2 ( j / 3)(1/ 3) R2 1
T ( jo )
R 0 ( j / 3) 3 (1/ 3) R 8
To satisfy condition T(jwo)=1
R2 The gain greater than 8, the circuit will
8 spontaneously begin oscillating & sustain
R oscillations
30
4. Phase-Shift
3.2 Phase-ShiftOscillator
Oscillator
Phase-Shift Oscillator
1 R2
fo 29 The gain must be at least
2 6 RC
29 to maintain the
R oscillations
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Circuit Models for BJT and FET
Hybrid-pi equivalent circuit for bipolar junction transistor (BJT)
𝑉𝑇 𝛽 𝐼𝐶𝑄
𝑟𝜋 = 𝑔𝑚 =
𝐼𝐶𝑄 𝑉𝑇
Cut-off Frequency
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Circuit Models for BJT and FET
Hybrid-pi equivalent circuit for MOSFET transistor
Cut-off Frequency
33
Circuit Models for BJT and FET
Example: Common-emitter amplifier with tuned output
34
5. Colpitts and Hartley – Oscillators
RF oscillators are usually made using one amplifier/transistor
accompanying with a feedback network consisting of 3 elements Z1, Z2, Z3.
(a) Topology of one class of oscillator circuits. (b) Same as (a), redrawn to show the feedback path from output to
input through Z3.
C Note: For small-signal analysis we can model
the transistor as shown in this figure. Note that
this is a simplified version of the hybrid-pi
B
model for the transistor. The passive elements of
the model (e.g., r⇡, C⇡, Cμ, etc.) can be lumped
E into the external impedances Z1, Z2, Z3.
Simplified hybrid-pi model of transistor
To find the open loop gain of this circuit, we break the loop at a convenient point and
terminate that point in the impedance that it sees when the loop is closed.
36
5. Colpitts and Hartley – Oscillators
Oscillator Analysis using Loop Gain
Since the output of Z3 normally looks into Z1 when the loop is closed, we terminate
the loop with Z1 as shown:
Oscillation condition:
A𝑙o =1
𝐙𝟏 + 𝐙𝟐 + 𝐙𝟑 + 𝐠𝐦𝐙𝟏𝐙𝟐 = 0
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5. Colpitts and Hartley – Oscillators
Oscillator Analysis using Negative Resistance
Z3
Zin
Zin = Z1 + Z2 + 𝑔𝑚Z1Z2
B C
+
Z1 vbe gmvbe Z
2
-
E
𝐙𝟏 + 𝐙𝟐 + 𝐙𝟑 + 𝐠𝐦𝐙𝟏𝐙𝟐 = 0
It is the same as the condition resulting from the loop gain method !
38
5. Colpitts and Hartley – Oscillators
Colpitts, Hartley Oscillatior Analysis
Oscillation condition:
𝐙𝟏 + 𝐙𝟐 + 𝐙𝟑 + 𝐠𝐦𝐙𝟏𝐙𝟐 = 0
Some useful insights can be gained if we assume for this moment that:
Z1 and Z2 are purely reactive, i.e., Z1 = jX1, Z2 = jX2.
We allow Z3 to have a non-zero (positive) real part (Z3 = R + jX3).
Then:
𝐑 + 𝐣 𝐗𝟏 + 𝐗𝟐 + 𝐗𝟑 − 𝐠𝐦𝐗𝟏𝐗𝟐 = 𝟎
𝐗𝟏 + 𝐗𝟐 + 𝐗𝟑 = 𝟎
𝐑 − 𝐠𝐦𝐗𝟏𝐗𝟐 = 𝟏
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5. Colpitts and Hartley – Oscillators
Colpitts, Hartley Oscillatior Analysis
g XX
For oscillation to occur: A𝑙o = m 1 2
=1
R+j(X1+X2+X3)
𝐴𝑙𝑜 =1
The phase angle of Alo must be zero at some frequency
It indicates that:
gmX1X2
X1 + X2 + X3=0 and =1
R
At least one reactance must be capacitance (negative)
X1 and X2 must be of same type and X3 must be of opposite type
40
5. Colpitts and Hartley – Oscillators
Colpitts Oscillator
The Colpitts oscillator is a type of oscillator that uses an
LC circuit in the feed-back loop.
The feedback network is made up of a pair of tapped
capacitors (C1 and C2) and an inductor L to produce a
feedback necessary for oscillations.
These frequencies of oscillation are simply the resonant frequencies of the networks
that result when the transistor is removed from the circuits.
42
5. Colpitts and Hartley – Oscillators
Colpitts, Hartley Oscillatior Analysis
The values of gm obtained in previous equations are the values
necessary for the circuit to support steady-state oscillations. We
will denote these values by gm,ss.
In practical applications the transistor is biased to set the
transconductance to a value somewhat larger, e.g. a factor of 2 to
5 larger, than gm,ss.
Setting gm > gm,ss causes the loop gain at o to be larger than 1 by
the factor gm/gm,ss. One reason for doing this is to ensure that
oscillations start reliably even if component values change
slightly.
Setting Alo (at o) > 1 means that the oscillations will not be
maintained at a steady state; rather, they will grow in amplitude.
43
5. Colpitts and Hartley – Oscillators
Colpitts, Hartley Oscillatior Analysis
Growth will proceed until the active device is no longer
operating in the “small-signal” mode. As the oscillation
grows, eventually the amplitude of the oscillation will be
limited by nonlinear effects.
In large signal condition, nonlinear operation reduce the gain
of the active device. This is called gain saturation, and the
effect can be modeled as a decrease in the transconductance,
gm, and hence a decrease in the loop gain.
As the amplitude of the oscillation grows, the
transconductance is decreased to the point where the
magnitude of the loop gain is 1.
At this point steady-state oscillation will be maintained.
44
5. Colpitts and Hartley – Oscillators
Colpitts, Hartley Oscillatior Analysis
𝐙𝟏 + 𝐙𝟐 + 𝐙𝟑 + 𝐠𝐦𝐙𝟏𝐙𝟐 = 0
𝐙𝟏 + 𝐙𝟐 + 𝐙𝟑 + 𝐠𝐦𝐙𝟏𝐙𝟐 = 0
leads to:
𝐑𝟏 + 𝐑𝟐 + 𝐑𝟑 + 𝐠𝐦(𝐑𝟏𝑹𝟐 - X1X2) = 0
𝐗𝟏 + 𝐗𝟐 + 𝐗𝟑 + 𝐠𝐦(𝐑𝟏𝑿𝟐 + R2X1) = 0
46
5. Colpitts and Hartley – Oscillators
Common-Collector, Common-Base Colpitts Oscillator
Zin
48
5. Colpitts and Hartley – Oscillators
MOSFET Colpitts Oscillator
49
5. Colpitts and Hartley – Oscillators
Example - Common-collector Colpitts Oscillator
50
5. Colpitts and Hartley – Oscillators
Example - Common-collector Colpitts Oscillator
51
5. Colpitts and Hartley – Oscillators
Example - Common-collector Colpitts Oscillator
In practice it is useful to choose C1 >> C, C2 >> Co.
This ensures that the external components swamp the internal
capacitances of the transistor, thereby minimizing the circuit’s
dependence on variations in the internal transistor capacitances.
It is also useful to choose C1 and C2 to be large enough so that
1/(C1) << r, 1/(C2) << Re. This causes Z1 and Z2 to be
dominated by the external capacitances, thereby minimizing
dependence on r (which depends on bias current and transistor
) and losses in r and Re.
In view of these considerations, in the following analysis we
shall make the following replacements:
C1 + C C1 and C2 + Co C2.
52
5. Colpitts and Hartley – Oscillators
Example - Common-collector Colpitts Oscillator
It is now useful to make some approximations in order to simplify
the analysis.
We assume that the impedances of the capacitances C1 and C2 are
small compared to r and Re, respectively. In other words, define
Q1 = C1 r and Q2 = C2Re. We assume that Q1>> 1 and Q2>> 1.
Then Z1 and Z2 can be transformed using a high-Q parallel to
series
transformation, i.e.:
53
5. Colpitts and Hartley – Oscillators
Example - Common-collector Colpitts Oscillator
The condition for steady-state oscillation is Zin + Z3 = 0, or
𝐙𝟏 + 𝐙𝟐 + 𝐙𝟑 + 𝐠𝐦𝐙𝟏𝐙𝟐 = 0
The real part of this equation is
r =/gm
The term involving -4 may be neglected provided that:
2C1C2rRe>>1, or if Q1Q2 >>1 .
The steady-state transconductance can be written as follows:
54
5. Colpitts and Hartley – Oscillators
Example - Common-collector Colpitts Oscillator
The steady-state transconductance can be written as follows:
which leads to
with
55
5. Colpitts and Hartley – Oscillators
Some Practical Colpitts Oscillator
56
5. Colpitts and Hartley – Oscillators
Some Practical Colpitts Oscillator
57
6. Crystal Oscillator (Reading)
58
7. Voltage Control Oscillators - VCO
VCO is an electronic oscillator specifically designed to be
controlled in oscillation frequency by a voltage input using a
varactor or varicap.
The frequency of oscillation, is varied with an applied DC voltage.
Ideal
Vcont
Varactor characteristic
60
7. Voltage Control Oscillators - VCO
Colpitts VCO
61
7. Voltage Control Oscillators - VCO
Example: VHF VCO for TV tuner
62
Oscillators
Design a Colpitts oscillator operating at 200 MHz using an
FET in a common gate configuration, including the effect
of a lossy inductor. First derive equations for the resonant
frequency and condition required for sustaining oscillation
for an inductor with loss. Use these results to find the
required capacitances, assuming an inductor of
15 nH with a Q of 50, and a transistor with gm = 20 mS and
Ro = 1/Go = 200 .
Determine the minimum value of the inductor Q required
to sustain oscillations.
63
Oscillators
HW: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 11, 16
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