NEC3109 Experiment No. 6 Comm. Systems Lab.

INTRODUCTION
Oscillators
Oscillators are used as AC signal sources. They convert DC power supplied by
a DC power supply, into an AC signal. Oscillators generate both sinusoidal and
nonsinusoidal continuous output signal waveforms maintaining a desired
frequency within design limits. Undesired oscillations are known to occur in
circuits that are not designed to oscillate. Thus, an overall understanding of
the basic principles of oscillators can aid in their prevention.

Oscillators require a gain of one from input to output and the phase around
the feedback loop must, in all cases, equal zero. The above requirements
satisfy the Barkhausen criteria. The input power supplied by the DC source is
also required for self-sustaining oscillations. Oscillators must not only deliver
power to the load, but they themselves consume power inherently.
Oscillators must also provide positive feedback and gain. Gain must be
provided in order to make up for circuit attenuations. Small start-up voltages
are supplied to the oscillator input terminals which are amplified and are
required to launch the oscillations. In practice, these voltages are provided by
surges resulting when the DC supplies are first turned on. In Multisim, these
initial small starting voltages are simulated.

Experiment 6a: The Phase Shift Oscillator

Purpose and Discussion

The purpose of this simulation is to demonstrate the characteristics and

operation of a phase shift oscillator. Figure 6a-1 uses a third order high-pass
RC network feedback loop for its particular oscillator circuit design. As is the
case with all oscillators, the Barkhausen criteria specifying a required 360

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NEC3109 Experiment No. 6 Comm. Systems Lab.

degree phase shift from input to output and a total gain of one must be
adhered to in the design of a phase shift oscillator. In
Figure 6a-1, the inverting op amp provides a phase shift of 180 degrees. The
RC network must provide an additional 180 degrees for a total phase shift of
zero degrees. Each section provides approximately 60 degrees of this
requirement. The filter portion consisting of the RC network introduces an
attenuation that the op-amp must match in gain in order to achieve an overall
gain of one.

The minimum gain required of the op-amp so that it sustains oscillations is 29.
Keeping the gain as close to 29 as possible will prevent the peaks of the
waveform from being driven into the non-linear region. This will minimize
clipping of the sinusoidal output.

Parts
DC Supplies: +10 V, -10 V
Opamp: 741-DIV
Resistors: 10 kΩ (3), 1 MΩ potentiometer
Capacitor: 10 nF (3)

Test Equipment
• Oscilloscope
• Spectrum Analyzer

FORMULA

Frequency of Oscillation

Eqn. 6a-1

in order to sustain oscillations Eqn. 6a-2

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NEC3109 Experiment No. 6 Comm. Systems Lab.

PROCEDURE

Figure 6a -1 Experimental Circuit

1. Connect the circuit components illustrated in Figure 6a-1.

2. Double-click the oscilloscope to view its display. Set the time base to 2
ms/Div, Channel A to 2V/Div and Channel B to 200mV/Div.

3. Select Simulate/Interactive Simulation Settings, and select Set to Zero for

Initial Conditions.

4. Start the simulation and measure the frequency of oscillation.

5. Stop the simulation and place a Spectrum Analyzer on the workspace and
connect its input to the output lead of the oscillator.

6. Double-click to open the Spectrum Analyzer window.

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NEC3109 Experiment No. 6 Comm. Systems Lab.

7. Press Set Span. Set Start = 0 kHz, End = 1 kHz, Amplitude = LIN and Range =
2V/DIV. Click Enter.

8. Restart the simulation. When the oscillator has stabilized, drag the red
marker to the position of the spectrum line observed. Note the frequency in
the lower left corner of the Spectrum Analyzer window.
fc = __________________.

9. Adjust the potentiometer to the point where oscillation just begins.

Measure the value of the potentiometer resistance at this point and complete
the table below.

10. Open the Oscilloscope window. Measure and note the phase shift at the
oscilloscope inputs.

Data for Experiment 6a

Table 6a-1

Measured Value Calculated Value

Frequency (Hz)

Rf/R at point where

oscillations begin

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NEC3109 Experiment No. 6 Comm. Systems Lab.

Expected Outcome

Figure 6a-2 Oscilloscope Display of Initial PSO Oscillations

Additional Challenge

For the circuit of Figure 6a-1 calculate the value of C required to provide a
frequency of oscillation of 900 Hz. Replace existing simulated component
values by double-clicking on the component of interest. Run the simulation
and compare the output data with expected theoretical values.

Experiment 6b: The Hartley Oscillator

Purpose and Discussion

The purpose of this simulation is to demonstrate the characteristics and

operation of a Hartley oscillator. The Hartley oscillator is characterized by the
inductive voltage divider made up of L1 and L2. This feedback voltage is used
to sustain the oscillations.

Once again, the parallel LC resonant circuit is responsible for the oscillator
frequency. As with other LC oscillators, the Barkhausen criteria must be met

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NEC3109 Experiment No. 6 Comm. Systems Lab.

in order for oscillation to take place. Specifically the gain from input to output
must be one and the net phase around the loop must be zero. In the design in
Figure 6b-1, the BJT must have a voltage gain greater than the ratio L1 /L2 in
order to sustain oscillations. In other words, the gain of the BJT must make up
for the attenuation created by the feedback fraction:

Parts
DC 12 V Supply
Transistor: Ideal BJT
Resistors: 500 Ω, 10 kΩ
Inductor: virtual 0.5 mH, 2.5 mH
Capacitor: virtual 1 μF

Test Equipment
• Oscilloscope

FORMULA

Frequency of Oscillation
1
fc = Eqn.6b-1
2 ( L1 + L2 )C

Gain Eqn. 6b-2

L
Av  1
L2
Total Inductance
Eqn. 6b-3

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NEC3109 Experiment No. 6 Comm. Systems Lab.

Procedure

Figure 6b-1 Experimental circuit

1. Connect the circuit components illustrated in Figure 6b-1.

2. Double-click the Oscilloscope to view its display. Set the time base to 200
μs/Div and Channel A to 2V/Div. Select Auto triggering and DC coupling.

3. Select Simulate/Interactive Simulation Settings, and select Set to Zero for

Initial Conditions.

4. Start the simulation. The oscillator may take a few seconds to stabilize.
Measure the frequency of oscillation.

5. Compare with theoretical calculations.

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NEC3109 Experiment No. 6 Comm. Systems Lab.

fc = _______________measured = _______________calculated

6. Stop the simulation and place a Spectrum Analyzer on the workspace.

7. Connect the output lead of the oscillator to the input of the Spectrum
Analyzer. Double-click on the Spectrum Analyzer to open its window.

8. Press Set Span, set Span = 10 kHz, Center = 5 kHz and Amplitude = Lin and
click Enter.

9. Restart the simulation. When the oscillator has stabilized, drag the red
marker to the position of the spectrum line observed. Note the frequency in
the lower left corner of the spectrum analyzer window.
fc = ________________

10. Calculate the gain of the circuit and verify that it is greater than 1/B.

11. Calculate the value of L2 that is required to obtain oscillations of 3.5 kHz.
Replace existing simulated component values by double-clicking on the
component of interest. Run the simulation to verify your results.

Expected Outcome

Figure 6b-2 Oscilloscope Display of Initial Hartley

Oscillations
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NEC3109 Experiment No. 6 Comm. Systems Lab.

Additional Challenge
Re-design the circuit of Figure 6b-1 to lower the gain to 10. This lower gain
will result in a more predictable oscillator. Replace existing simulated
component values by double-clicking on the component of interest. Run the
simulation and compare the output data with expected theoretical values.

Experiment 6c: The Colpitts Oscillator

Purpose and Discussion

The purpose of this simulation is to demonstrate the characteristics and

operation of a Colpitts oscillator. As is the case with other LC oscillators, the
Colpitts oscillator is used for higher frequencies, typically between 1 and 500
MHz. It is characterized by the capacitive voltage divider made up of C1 and
C2. This feedback voltage is used for the oscillations. Colpitts oscillators can
be designed using BJTs, FETs or JFETs. In the design illustrated in Figure 6-1,
the loading effect is greatly reduced as compared to a BJT design due to the
high input impedance at the gate.

As with other LC oscillators, the Barkhausen criteria must be met in order for
oscillation to take place. Specifically the gain from input to output must be
one and the net phase around the loop must be zero. In the design illustrated
in Figure 6c-1, the JFET must exhibit an absolute value of open circuit voltage
gain greater than or equal to the ratio C1/C2 in order to sustain oscillations. In
other words, the gain of the JFET must make up for the attenuation created
by the feedback fraction:

In order to vary the frequency of oscillation, L1 should be varied. If C1 or C2

were chosen instead, the feedback fraction B would be affected.

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NEC3109 Experiment No. 6 Comm. Systems Lab.

Parts
DC 12 V Supply
Transistor: Ideal N JFET
Resistors: 1 kΩ, 120 kΩ
Inductor: virtual 60 μH, 5.1 mH
Capacitor: virtual 22 pF, 180 pF

Test Equipment
• Oscilloscope
• Spectrum Analyzer

FORMULA

Frequency of Oscillation

Eqn. 6c-1

Gain

Eqn. 6c-2

Condition for Oscillation

Eqn. 6c-3

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NEC3109 Experiment No. 6 Comm. Systems Lab.

Procedure

Figure 6c-1

1. Connect the circuit components illustrated in Figure 6c-1.

2. Double-click the oscilloscope to view its display. Set the time base to 200
ns/Div and Channel A to 10V/Div. Select Auto triggering and DC coupling.

3. Select Simulate/Interactive Simulation Settings, and select Set to Zero for

Initial Conditions.

4. Start the simulation. When the oscillator has stabilized, measure the
frequency of oscillation.

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NEC3109 Experiment No. 6 Comm. Systems Lab.

5. Compare with theoretical calculations:

fc = _________________measured = _______________calculated

6. Stop the simulation and place a Spectrum Analyzer on the workspace.

7. Connect the output lead of the oscillator to the input of the Spectrum
Analyzer.

8. Double-click to open the Spectrum Analyzer window.

9. Press Set Span. Set Start = 10 kHz, End = 10 MHz, Amplitude = Lin and
Range = 2V/DIV. Press Enter.

10. Restart the simulation. When the oscillation has stabilized, drag the red
marker to the position of the spectrum line observed. Note the frequency in
the lower left corner of the Spectrum Analyzer window:
fc = ______________

11. Calculate L1 necessary to achieve a frequency of oscillation of 8 MHz.

Replace L1 by double-clicking on it and selecting Replace. Run the simulation
to verify your calculation.

12. Given that gm = 1.6 ms and rd = 12 kΩ, determine whether oscillations

will be sustained.

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NEC3109 Experiment No. 6 Comm. Systems Lab.

Expected Outcome

Figure 6c-2 Oscilloscope Display of Initial Colpitts Oscillator Oscillations

Additional Challenge
Re-design the circuit of Figure 6c-1 choosing values of C1 and C2 so that Avβ =
10 and the frequency of oscillation is approximately 3 MHz. Replace existing
simulated component values by double-clicking on the component of interest.
Run the simulation and compare the output data with expected theoretical
values.

Experiment 6d: The Clapp Oscillator

Purpose and Discussion

The purpose of this simulation is to demonstrate the characteristics and

operation of a Clapp oscillator. The Clapp oscillator is much like a Colpitts
oscillator with the capacitive voltage divider producing the feedback signal.
The addition of a capacitor C in series with the inductor L1 results in the
difference in the two designs and is what makes the Clapp Oscillator unique.
As with all oscillators, the Barkhausen criteria must be adhered to requiring a
total gain of one and a phase shift of zero degrees from input to output.

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NEC3109 Experiment No. 6 Comm. Systems Lab.

Ignoring the transistor capacitive effect between the base and collector, the
resonant frequency may be calculated using the equivalent capacitance:

But since C is typically much smaller than C1 and C2, the effects of C1 and C2
become negligible and:

As stated above, it is the addition of and the small value of C that creates the
Clapp oscillator’s unique characteristic of not being influenced by stray and
transistor capacitances which would otherwise alter the values of C1 and C2.

This results in a much more stable oscillator whose accuracy is dependable.

The range of frequency of operation is limited in a Clapp oscillator but
nevertheless, its reliability makes it a popular design. C1 and C2 may be
adjusted for optimum feedback. The frequency of oscillation is altered
through the adjustment of C.

Parts
DC 10 V Supply
Transistor: BJT 2N4401
Resistors: 20 kΩ, 3.9 kΩ, 1.2 kΩ
Inductor: 2.4 mH, 68 μH
Capacitor: 12 nF, 750 pF, 3.9 nF, 120 pF

Test Equipment
• Oscilloscope
• Spectrum Analyzer

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NEC3109 Experiment No. 6 Comm. Systems Lab.

FORMULA

Frequency of Oscillation

Eqn. 6d-1

Procedure

Figure 6d-1 Experimental circuit

1. Connect the circuit components illustrated in Figure 6d-1.

2. Double-click the Oscilloscope to view its display. Set the time base to 500
ms/Div and Channel A to 5 V/Div. Select Auto triggering and DC coupling. Set
to AC coupling.

3. Select Simulate/Interactive Simulation Settings, and select Set to Zero for

Initial Conditions. Check maximum time step and set to 3.6 e-008.

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NEC3109 Experiment No. 6 Comm. Systems Lab.

4. Start the simulation. The oscillator will require about 20 seconds to

stabilize. Measure the oscillation frequency. Calculate the value of C
necessary to achieve an oscillation frequency of 2 MHz. Change the value of C
by double-clicking on it and run the simulation to verify your results.

5. Compare data with theoretical calculations and complete Table 6d-1.

6. Stop the simulation and place a Spectrum Analyzer on the workspace.

7. Connect the output lead of the oscillator to the input of the Spectrum
Analyzer.

8. Double-click to open the Spectrum Analyzer window.

9. Press Set Span. Set Start = 1 MHz, End = 4 MHz, Amplitude = LIN and Range
= 1V/DIV. Press Enter.

10. Restart the simulation. When the oscillation has stabilized, drag the red
marker to the position of the spectrum line observed. Note the frequency in
the lower left corner of the Spectrum Analyzer window.
fc = ___________________

Expected Outcome

Figure 6d-2 Oscilloscope Display of Initial Clapp

Oscillations
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NEC3109 Experiment No. 6 Comm. Systems Lab.

Data for Experiment 6d

Table 6d-1
Measured Value Calculated Value
fc (step 2)
fc (step 2)

Additional Challenge
Replace C with a variable capacitor. Highlight C, right-click and choose delete.
Select a variable capacitor from the parts bin and set a value of 120 pF.
Highlighting, then pressing “a” or “A” will alter its capacitance ratio.
Determine the upper frequency limit possible through the varying of C.

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NEC3109 Experiment No. 6 Comm. Systems Lab.

BLANK SPACE FOR YOUR SOLUTION TO COMPUTATIONS AND

ADDITIONAL CHALLENGE
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NEC3109 Experiment No. 6 Comm. Systems Lab.

BLANK SPACE FOR YOUR SOLUTION TO COMPUTATIONS AND

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NEC3109 Experiment No. 6 Comm. Systems Lab.

EXPERIMENTAL DISCUSSION
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NEC3109 Experiment No. 6 Comm. Systems Lab.

EXPERIMENTAL DISCUSSION
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NEC3109 Experiment No. 6 Comm. Systems Lab.

CONCLUSION
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NEC3109 Experiment No. 6 Comm. Systems Lab.

REFERENCES (APA Format):

Books
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Internet Source
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NEC3109 Experiment No. 6 Comm. Systems Lab.

Instructor’s Initial: __________

Date: _____________________

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