UNIT II

FEEDBACK AMPLIFIERS & OSCILLATORS

FEEDBACK AMPLIFIERS: Feedback concept, types of feedback, Amplifier models: Voltage
amplifier, current amplifier, trans-conductance amplifier and trans-resistance amplifier, feedback
amplifier topologies, characteristics of negative feedback amplifiers, Analysis of feedback
amplifiers, Performance comparison of feedback amplifiers.
OSCILLATORS: Principle of operation, Barkhausen Criterion, types of oscillators, Analysis of
RC-phase shift and Wien bridge oscillators using BJT, Generalized analysis of LC Oscillators,
Hartley and Colpitts’s oscillators with BJT, Crystal oscillators, Frequency and amplitude
stability of oscillators.

1.1 Introduction:
Feedback Concept:
Feedback:
A portion of the output signal is taken from the output of the amplifier and is combined
with the input signal is called feedback.
Need for Feedback:
• Distortion should be avoided as far as possible.
• Gain must be independent of external factors.
Concept of Feedback:
Block diagram of feedback amplifier consist of a basic amplifier, a mixer (or) comparator,
a sampler, and a feedback network.

Figure 1.1 Block diagram of an amplifier with feedback

A – Gain of amplifier without feedback. A = X0 / Xi

Af – Gain of amplifier with feedback.Af = X0 / Xs
β – Feedback ratio. β = Xf / X0
X is either voltage or current.
1.2 Types of Feedback:
1. Positive feedback
2. Negative feedback
1.2.1 Positive Feedback:
If the feedback signal is in phase with the input signal, then the net effect of feedback will
increase the input signal given to the amplifier. This type of feedback is said to be
positive or regenerative feedback.

Xi=Xs+Xf

Af = = =

Af=

Here
Loop Gain: The product of open loop gain and the feedback factor is called loop gain.
Loop Gain = Aβ
If then Af =∞
Hence the gain of the amplifier with positive feedback is infinite and the amplifier gives
output signal without any input signal. Thus the positive feedback amplifier is called Oscillator.
Disadvantage of Positive Feedback:
• Increase the instability.
• Reduces bandwidth.
• Increase the distortion and noise.
1.2.2 Negative Feedback:
If the feedback signal is out of phase with the input signal, then the net effect of
feedback will decrease the input signal given to the amplifier and correspondingly the
 output signal is decreased. This type of feedback is said to be negative or degenerative
feedback.
Xi = X s - X f

Af = = =

Af=

Here
Advantages of Negative Feedback:
• Increase the bandwidth.
• It helps to modify the input and output impedance.
• Decrease the distortion and noise.
Disadvantage of Negative Feedback:
• Reduces the voltage gain.
 1.3 Effects of Negative Feedback:
• Stabilization of Gain
• Increase of Bandwidth
• Decreased Distortion
• Decreased Noise
• Increase in Input Impedance
• Decrease in Output Impedance
1.3.1 Stabilization of Gain:
An important advantage of negative voltage feedback is that the resultant gain of the
amplifier can be made independent of transistor parameters or the supply voltage
variations.

The gain of the amplifier with negative feedback is

Differentiating the above equation with respect to A,
= =
 Fractional change in amplifier with feedback.

Fractional change in amplifier without feedback.

Sensitivity

Sensitivity is defined as the ratio of percentage change in voltage gain with feedback to
percentage change in voltage gain without feedback.

Sensitivity = =

The reciprocal of sensitivity is called desensitivity D = . Stability of the amplifier

increase with the increase in desensitivity.
1.3.2 Increase of Bandwidth:
Bandwidth of the amplifier is the difference between upper cutoff frequency and lower
cutoff frequency. Gain-Bandwidth product of amplifier with and without feedback is
same.
Af X BWf = A X BW
Bandwidth would be increased by a factor .
Bwf = BW ( )
Cutoff frequencies with feedback

Af mid =

Af low =

Af high=

Lower Cutoff Frequency:

The relation between gain at low frequency and gain at mid frequency is

Alow =

Sub Alow value in this equation Af low =

 Af low = =

Dividing numerator and denominator by

Sub Af mid = and let fLf =

The lower cutoff frequency with feedback is

Lower cutoff frequency with feedback is less than the lower cutoff frequency without
feedback by a factor . Due to negative feedback low frequency response is
improved.
Upper Cutoff Frequency:
The relation between gain at high frequency and gain at mid frequency is

Ahigh =

Sub Ahigh value in this equationAf high=

Af high = =
 Dividing numerator and denominator by

Sub Af mid = and letfHf=

The upper cutoff frequency with feedback is

Upper cutoff frequency with feedback is greater than the upper cutoff frequency without
feedback by a factor . Due to negative feedback high frequency response is
improved.

Figure 1.3 frequency response of amplifier

Hence the bandwidth of the amplifier with feedback is greater than the bandwidth of
amplifier without feedback. Gain reduces with feedback.
1.3.3 Decreased Distortion
An amplifier with open loop voltage gain and a total harmonic distortion D. introducing
negative feedback will reduce the distortion to

Df =
1.3.4 Decreased Noise:
An amplifier with open loop voltage gain and several noises N. introducing negative
feedback will reduce the distortion to

Nf =
1.3.5 Increase in Input Impedance:
The negative voltage feedback increases the input impedance and decreases the output
impedance of amplifier. Such a change is profitable in practice as the amplifier can then
serve the purpose of impedance matching. An amplifier should have high input
impedance.
The input impedance with feedback is
Zif = Zi (
The input impedance with feedback is increased by a factor This is an
advantage, since the amplifier will now present less of a load to its source circuit.
1.3.6 Decrease in Output Impedance:
An amplifier should have low output impedance.
The output impedance with feedback is

Zof =

The output impedance with feedback is decreased by a factor This is an added

benefit of using negative voltage feedback. With lower value ofoutput impedance, the
amplifier is much better suited to drive low impedance loads.
1.4 Basic Feedback Topologies:
Depending on the input signal (voltage or current) to be amplified andform of the output
(voltage or current), amplifiers can be classified intofour categories. Depending on the
amplifier category, one of four types offeedback structures should be used.
(Type of Feedback) (Type of Sensing)
• Series (Voltage) Shunt (Voltage)
• Series (Voltage) Series (Current)
• Shunt (Current) Shunt (Voltage)
• Shunt (Current) Series (Current)
Figure 1.4 Voltage-mixing Voltage-sampling (series–shunt) topology;(Voltage Series)
 Figure 1.5 Current-mixing Current-sampling (shunt–series) topology;(Current Shunt)

Figure 1.6Voltage-mixing Current-sampling (series–series) topology;(Current Series)

Figure 1.7Current-mixing Voltage sampling (shunt–shunt) topology(Voltage Shunt)

1.5 Types of Negative Feedback:

• Voltage Series feedback
• Voltage Shunt feedback
• Current Series feedback
• Current Shunt feedback
1.5.1 Voltage Series feedback:
A block diagram of voltage series feedback is shown in figure. Here the input to the
feedback network is parallel with the output of amplifier. A fraction of output voltage through
the feedback network is applied in series with the input voltage of the amplifier.

• The shunt or parallel connection at the output reduces the output resistance Ro.
• The series connection at the input increases the output resistance Ri.
This amplifier is called voltage amplifier.

The voltage feedback factor is β =

Output Resistance with feedback (Rof):

For measuring output resistance RL is disconnected and Vs is set to zero. The external
voltage V applied across the output and the current I divided by V.

Rof =
Due to feedback input voltage Vf reduces the output voltage AVi which opposes V.

I= =

I=

Output resistance with feedback reduces by a factor

Input Resistance with feedback (Rif):
Input resistance with feedback is

Rif =

Apply KVL to input loop,

Vs = V i + V f
= Ii Ri + Vf
= Ii Ri + βVo
= Ii Ri + β Av Vi
= Ii Ri + β Av IiRi
= Ii Ri(1+ β Av)
Rif = = Ri(1+ β Av)

Input resistance with feedback increases by a factor

Example for voltage series feedback is Emitter follower (or) Common Collector Circuit.
1.5.2 Voltage Shunt feedback:
A block diagram of voltage shunt feedback is shown in figure. A fraction of output
voltage through the feedback network is applied in shunt with the input voltage of the
amplifier. It is also called as shunt derived, shunt fed feedback.
The feedback signal If is proportional to the output voltage. This type of amplifier is called

transresistance amplifier. The feedback factor is β =

Figure 1.10 Block diagram of voltage shunt feedback

The voltage shunt feedback provides a stabilized overall gain and decreases both input
and output resistances by a factor
Output Resistance with feedback (Rof):
For measuring output resistance RL is disconnected and Vs is set to zero. The external
voltage V applied across the output and the current I divided by V.

Figure 1.10 a Equivalent circuit of voltage shunt feedback

Rof =

Due to feedback input voltage Vf reduces the output voltage AVi which opposes V.

I= =

I=

Output resistance with feedback reduces by a factor

Input Resistance with feedback (Rif):
Input resistance with feedback is

Rif =

Apply KVL to input loop,

Is=Ii + If
= Ii +βVo
Vo= RM Ii
Is = Ii + β RM Ii
= Ii (1+ β RM)
Rif = =
 Input resistance with feedback decreases by a factor
Example for voltage Shunt feedback is Common Emitter amplifier circuit.
1.5.3 Current Series Feedback:
In current series feedback amplifier, the voltage developed is proportional to output
current. This is called current feedback even though feedback voltage and input voltage
subtracted. This type of amplifier is called trans conductance amplifier.

The feedback factor is β =

Output Resistance with feedback (Rof):

Apply KCL to output loop,

GMV i + I =

Sub Vi = -β Io

GM( -β Io)+ I =

I= +GM β Io

= - GM β I

I +GM β I =
 I (1 +GM β) =

= (1 +GM β)

Output resistance with feedback increases by a factor

Input Resistance with feedback (Rif):
Input resistance with feedback is

Rif =

Apply KVL to input loop,

Vs = V i + V f
= Ii Ri + Vf
= Ii Ri + βVo
= Ii Ri + β Av Vi
= Ii Ri + β Av IiRi
= Ii Ri(1+ β Av)
Rif = = Ri(1+ β Av)

Input resistance with feedback increases by a factor

Example for current series feedback is Common Emitter amplifier with un bypassed
emitter resistor circuit.

1.5.4 Current Shunt Feedback:

The current shunt feedback is also called series derived; shunt fed feedback. The shunt
connection at the input reduces the input resistance and the series connection at the
output increases the output resistance. This is called current amplifier.

The feedback factor is β =

Output Resistance with feedback (Rof):

Figure 1.14 Equivalent circuit of current shunt feedback

For measuring output resistance RL is disconnected and Vs is set to zero. The external
voltage V applied across the output and the current I divided by V.

Rof =

Due to feedback input voltage Vf reduces the output voltage AVi which opposes V.

I= –βA I=

I =
I =
I =

Output resistance with feedback increases by a factor

Input Resistance with feedback (Rif):

Input resistance with feedback is

Rif =
 Apply KVL to input loop,
Is = Ii + If
= Ii + βIo
Io = A Ii
Is = Ii + β A Ii
= Ii (1+ β A)
Rif = =

Input resistance with feedback decreases by a factor

Example for voltage Shunt feedback is Cascaded connection if two transistors with
second stage emitter connected to first stage base circuit.

Effect of negative feedback on amplifier characteristics:

Characteristics Current-series Voltage-series Voltage-shunt Current-shunt

Voltage gain Decreases Decreases Decreases Decreases

Bandwidth Increases Increases Increases Increases
Input resistance Increases Increases Decreases Decreases
Output resistance Increases Decreases Decreases Increases

1.5.5 Determining the Loo Gain:

Determining the loop gain is convenient to employ in spice simulation. An alternating
way for obtaining Aβ .

Aβ =

Aβ =

Aβ =

Vr =

Aβ = =

The system poles are roots of the denominator of H(s). The system zeros are roots of
the numerator of H(s).
1.6 Method of identifying feedback:
For analyzing feedback amplifier it is necessary to go through the following steps:
Step 1: Identify the topology(Type of feedback)
(a) To find type of sampling network:
(i) By shorting the output if feedback signal become zero, then it is called voltage
sampling.
(ii) By opening the output loop if feedback signal become zero, then it is called
current sampling.
(b) To find type of mixing network:
(i) If the feedback is subtracted from the external applied signal as a voltage it is
called series mixing.
(ii) If the feedback is subtracted from the external applied signal as a voltage it is
called series mixing.
Step 2: To find the input network:
(i) For voltage sampling, output voltage is made zero by shorting the output.
(ii) For current sampling, output current is made zero by shorting the output.
Step 3: To find the output network:
(i) For series mixing, input current is made zero by opening the input loop.
(ii) For shunt mixing, input voltage is made zero by shorting input loop.
Ensure the feedback is reduced to zero without altering the loading on the basic
amplifier.
Step 4: Optional.
Replace the each active device with its h parameter model at low frequency.
Step 5: Find gain without feedback or open loop gain A.
Setp 6: Find the feedback factor β = Xf / Xo
Step 7: From A and β, find D, Af, Rif, Rof and Rof’.
1.10 Problems:
1.An amplifier has open loop gain of 1000 and a feedback ratio of 0.04, if the open loop
gain changes by 10% due to temperature; find the percentage change in gain of the
amplifier with feedback.
A=1000, β=0.04, dA/A = 10%

dAf/ dA = dA/A

= = 0.25%

2.An amplifier has voltage gain with feedback of 100. If the gain without feedback
changes by 20% and the gain with feedback should not vary more than 2%. Determine
the values of open loop gain A and feedback ratio β
Af=100, dA/A = 20% , dAf /A = 2%

dAf/ dA = dA/A

2=2

=10

Af= =100

=100

A=1000
=10
=10

= 0.009

3.An amplifier has midband voltage gain of 1000 with fL =50Hz, fH =50KHz, if 5% of
feedback is applied then calculate gain, fL ,fH with feedback.

Af= = =19.6

fLf= = =0.98Hz

fHf= fH =50 X103 ( = 2.55 MHz

4.An amplifier has midband voltage gain of 125 and bandwidth of 250KHz. If 4%
negative feedback is introduced, find new bandwidth and gain. If the bandwidth is
restricted to 1MHz, find the feedback ratio.
A=125, BW=250KHz, =4% = 0.04
BWf=BW =250 X 103 X ( = 1.5 MHz

Af= = =20.83

BWf= BW
1 X 106 = 250 X 103 X (
β = 0.024 = 2.4%

5.An amplifier has voltage gain of 400 with fL =50Hz, fH =200KHz, and a distortion of
10% without feedback. Determine voltage gain, f1f , f2f and Df when negative feedback is
applied with feedback ratio of 0.01.

Af= = = 80

f1f = = = 10Hz

f2f = = = 1MHz

Df= = = 2%

6.Negative feedback amplifier has an open loop gain of 60000 and a closed loop gain
of 300. If the open loop upper cutoff frequency is 15KHz. Estimate the closed loop upper
cutoff frequency. Also calculate the total harmonic distortion with feedback if there is
10% harmonic distortion without feedback.
A =60000, Af = 300, fH =15KHz, D =10%

Af=

300 =

=200
= 199
β = 0.0033
fHf= fH = 15 X 103( = 3.015 MHz
 Df= = = 0.05%

7.For an amplifier with dominant pole compensation R1=50K, and C1=10pF.

Determine the fp1 and also calculate the value of Cx to change the original fp1 to
fD =3KHz.

fp1= = 318.3KHz

fD=

C1+Cx = 1.061 X 10-9

Cx=1.05 nF
8.For an amplifier with miller compensation has the break frequencies at
fp1=200KHz and fp2=1MHz without considering the effect of compensationg
capacitor. The amplifier has gm = 250 mA/V, C1=100pF and Co=10pF. Calculate
the compensating capacitor Cx required to change fp1 to 10 Hz using dominant
pole compensation and miller compensation.
Determine R1 and Ro

fp1=

200 KHz =

R1=7.598 KΩ

fp2=

1 MHz =

Ro=15.915 KΩ
Determine Cx with dominant pole compensation

fD=

10 =

Cx =2 pF
Determine Cx with miller compensation

fD=
10 =

Cx =500 pF
2.1 OSCILLATOR:

Oscillator is a circuit which is used to generate a periodic voltage without an A.C input
signal. To generate the periodic voltage, the circuit is supplied with energy from a d.c
source. An oscillator is an amplifier which uses positive feedback that generates an
output frequency without the use of an input signal.

Figure 2.1 Block diagram of Oscillator

The gain with positive feedback is given as

=1 then the gain with feedback is infinite.

2.1.1 Need of an Oscillator:

• High frequency oscillators are used in broadcasting.

• Microwave oven uses an oscillator.
• Used for induction heating and dielectric heating.
• Oscillators are circuits that generate periodic signals.
2.1.2 Classification:

1. According to waveform
• Sinusoidal Oscillator
• Relaxation Oscillator
2. According to mechanism
• Feedback Oscillator
• Negative Resistance Oscillator
3. According to frequency generated
• AFO(Audio Frequency Oscillator) – upto 20KHz
• RFO(Radio Frequency Oscillator) – 20KHz to 30MHz
• VHFO(Very High Frequency Oscillator) – 30MHz to 300MHz
 • UHFO(Ultra High Frequency Oscillator) – 300MHz to 3GHz
• MFO(Microwave Frequency Oscillator) – Above 3GHz
4. According to type of circuit used
• LC Oscillator
• RC Oscillator
• Crystal Oscillator
2.2 Condition for Oscillation:(Barkhausen Criterian)

• The magnitude of loop gain must be unity.

• The total phase shift around the closed loop is 00 or 3600.
Case 1:

When the total phase shift around the closed loop is 00 or 3600 and then the
output oscillates but the oscillations are growing type. The amplitude of oscillations goes
on increasing called over damping.

Case 2:

When the total phase shift around the closed loop is 00 or 3600 and then the
oscillations are with constant amplitude and desired frequency. This condition is
calledsustained oscillation.
Case 3:

When the total phase shift around the closed loop is 00 or 3600 and then the
output oscillates but the oscillations are decaying type. The amplitude of oscillations
decreases exponentially. This circuit work as an amplifier instead of oscillator called
under damping.

2.3 General form of LC Oscillator:

TheLC Oscillator is therefore a "Sinusoidal Oscillator" or a "Harmonic Oscillator" as it is

more commonly called. LC oscillators can generate high frequency sine waves for use in
radio frequency (RF) type applications with the transistor amplifier being of a Bipolar
Transistor or FET.

The active devices vacuum tube, transistor, FET and operational amplifier may be used
in the amplifier section. Z1, Z2, Z3 are reactive elements constituting the feedback tank
circuit.
Load Impedance ZL:

Voltage Gain without Feedback AV:

Feedback Factor β:

The frequency of oscillation for LC oscillator is

f=
Where:

L is the Inductance in Henries

C is the Capacitance in Farads

ƒr is the Output Frequency in Hertz

2.4 Hartley Oscillator:

In the Hartley Oscillator the tuned LC circuit is connected between the collector and
thebase of the transistor amplifier.

The feedback of the tuned tank circuit is taken from the centre tap of the inductor coil
oreven two separate coils in series which are in parallel with a variable capacitor, C as
shown.

• The Hartley circuit is often referred to as a split-inductance oscillator because coil L

is centre tapped. There is a 180 phase change in the voltage between the Base and
Collector and this along with the original 180 phase shift in the feedback loop
provides the correct phase relationship of positive feedback for oscillations to be
maintained.
• The amount of feedback depends upon the position of the "tapping point" of the
inductor. Resistors, R1 and R2 provide the usual stabilizing DC bias for the transistor
in the normal manner while the capacitors act as DC-blocking capacitors. Hartley
 Oscillator produces output amplitude which is constant over the entire frequency
range.
Analysis:

In Hartley oscillator Z1, Z2 are inductive reactance and Z3 is capacitive reactance. M is

mutual inductance between two inductors.

Z1 =jωL1+ jωM

Z2 =jωL2+ jωM

Z3 =1/jωC

Substitute the above values in general for of LC oscillator equation,

Frequency of Oscillation:

Equating the imaginary part of the above equation to zero.

Sub ω=2πf

Sustained Oscillation:

Equating the real part of the above equation to zero.

Substitute

If no mutual inductance,

2.5 Colpitt’s Oscillator:

The Colpitts Oscillator, named after its inventor Edwin Colpitts is another type of LC
oscillator design. Colpitts oscillator is the exact opposite of the Hartley Oscillator. The
two capacitors, C1 and C2 are placed across a common inductor, L as shown so that
C1, C2and L forms the tuned tank circuit the same as for the Hartley oscillator circuit.
 The advantage of this type of tank circuit configuration is that with less self and mutual
inductance in the tank circuit, frequency stability is improved along with a more simple
design.

• The frequency of oscillations for a Colpitts oscillator is determined by the

resonant frequency of the LC tank circuit
• The configuration of the transistor amplifier is of a Common Emitter Amplifier with
the output signal 180o out of phase with regards to the input signal. The
additional 180o phase shift require for oscillation is achieved by the fact that the
two capacitors are connected together in series but in parallel with the inductive
coil resulting in overall phase shift of the circuit being zero or 360o.
• Resistors, R1 and R2 provide the usual stabilizing DC bias for the transistor in
the normal manner while the capacitor acts as a DC-blocking capacitors.
Analysis:

In Colpitts oscillator Z1, Z2 are capacitive reactance and Z3 is inductive reactance.

Z1 =

Z2 =

Z3 =jωL
Substitute the above values in general for of LC oscillator equation,

Frequency of Oscillation:

Equating the imaginary part of the above equation to zero.

Sub ω=2πf

Sustained Oscillation:

Equating the real part of the above equation to zero.

Substitute

Application:

• It is widely used in commercial signal generators for frequencies between 1MHz and
500MHz.
• It is also used as a local oscillator in super heterodyne receiver.

2.10 RC Phase Shift Oscillator:

In a RC Oscillator the input is shifted 180o through the amplifier stage

and180oagainthrough a second inverting stage giving us "180o + 180o = 360o" of phase
shift which is the same as0o thereby giving us the required positive feedback. In other
words, the phase shift of the feedback loop should be "0".

• This resistor-capacitor feedback network can be connected as shown above to produce

a leading phase shift (phase advance network) or interchanged to produce a lagging
phase shift (phase retard network) the outcome is still the same as the sine wave
oscillations only occur at the frequency at which the overall phase-shift is 360o.
• If all the resistors, R and the capacitors, C in the phase shift network are equal in value,
then the frequency of oscillations produced by the RC oscillator.
 Figure 2.12 RC phase shift oscillator

Analysis:

Figure 2.13 Equivalent circuit

Apply KVL to the three loops,

Equ (1)

Equ (2)
 Equ (3)

Replacing jω =S and Writing the three equation in matrix form,

Apply S=jω
Divide numerator and denominator by

Replace

To get the frequency of oscillation equate the imaginary part to zero.

Sub

To get the condition for oscillation equate the real part to zero.
Sub α2=6

To have oscillation

The gain must be

Advantages:

• It is suitable for audio frequency only

• Circuit is simple to design
• It is a fixed frequency oscillator.
Disadvantages:

• By changing the values of R and C, the frequency of oscillation can be changed.

• Frequency stability is poor.

2.11 Wein Bridge Oscillator:

One of the simplest sine wave oscillators which use a RC network is the Wien Bridge
Oscillator.

• The Wien Bridge Oscillator is so called because the circuit is based on a frequency-
selective form of the Whetstone bridge circuit.
 • The Wien Bridge oscillator is a two-stage RC coupled amplifier circuit that has good
stability at its resonant frequency, low distortion and is very easy to tune making it a
popular circuit as an audio frequency oscillator.
• The output of the amplifier is fed back to both the inputs of the amplifier.
• One part of the feedback signal is connected to the inverting input terminal (negative
feedback) via the resistor divider network of R1 and R2 which allows the amplifiers
voltage gain to be adjusted within narrow limits.

Figure 2.14 Wein Bridge Oscillator

• The output of the amplifier is fed back to both the inputs of the amplifier. One part of the
feedback signal is connected to the inverting input terminal (negative feedback) via the
resistor divider network of R1 and R2 which allows the amplifiers voltage gain to be
adjusted within narrow limits.
• The other part is fed back to the non-inverting input terminal (positive feedback) via the
RC Wien Bridge network. The RC network is connected in the positive feedback path of
the amplifier and has zero phase shift a just one frequency.
• Also the voltage gain of the amplifier circuit MUST be equal to three "Gain =3" for
oscillations to start.
Analysis:

Z1 =
 Z2 =

For the balanced bridge condition R2=R1, C2=C1

Substituting S=jω

To get sustained oscillations equate the real part to zero.

Sub ω=2πf
Sub ω value in β equation

The gain of the Wein bridge oscillator is at least equal to 3 for oscillation to occur.

Advantages:

1. Provides a stable low distortion sinusoidal output over a wide range of frequency.
2. The frequency range can be selected simply by using decade resistance boxes.
3. The frequency of oscillation can be easily varied by varying capacitances C1 and
C2simultaneously. The overall gain is high because of two transistors.
Disadvantages:

1. The circuit needs two transistors and a large number of other components.
2. The maximum frequency output is limited because of amplitude and the phase-shift
characteristics of amplifier.
2.13 Crystal Oscillator:

One of the most important features of any oscillator is its frequency stability, or in other
words its ability to provide a constant frequency output under varying load conditions. Some
of the factors that affect the frequency stability of an oscillator include: temperature,
variations in the load and changes in the DC power supply.

• Frequency stability of the output signal can be improved by the proper selection of the
components used for the resonant feedback circuit including the amplifier but there is a
limit to the stability that can be obtained from normal LC and RC tank circuits.
• This piezo-electric effect is the property of a crystal by which an electrical charge
produces a mechanical force by changing the shape of the crystal and vice versa, a
mechanical force applied to the crystal produces an electrical charge.
 Figure 2.16 Crystal oscillator
• When a voltage source is applied to a small thin piece of quartz crystal, it begins to
change shape producing a characteristic known as the Piezo-electric effect. Examples
for crystals are Quartz, tourmaline, and Rochelle salt.
2.13.1 Quartz Crystal Oscillator:

• To obtain a very high level of oscillator stability a Quartz Crystalis generally used as the
frequency determining device to produce other types of oscillator circuit known generally
as a Quartz Crystal Oscillator, (XO).

Figure 2.17 Crystal symbol and Equivalent circuit

• Then, piezo-electric devices can be classed as Transducers as they convert energy of

one kind into energy of another (electrical to mechanical or mechanical to electrical).
• This piezo-electric effect produces mechanical vibrations or oscillations which are used
to replace the LC tank circuit in the previous oscillators.
Quartz crystal construction:

• The quartz crystal used in a Quartz Crystal Oscillator is a very small, thin piece or wafer
of cut quartz with the two parallel surfaces metalized to make the required electrical
connections. The physical size and thickness of a piece of quartz crystal is tightly
controlled since it affects the final frequency of oscillations and is called the crystals
"characteristic frequency". Then once cut and shaped, the crystal cannot be used at any
other frequency. In other words, its size and shape determines its frequency.

Figure 2.18 Y cut crystal X cut crystal

• The crystals characteristic or resonant frequency is inversely proportional to its physical

thickness between the two metalized surfaces.

The frequency of vibration is

jX =
 Figure 2.19 Resonance curve
• The slope of the reactance against frequency above, shows that the series reactance at
frequency ƒs is inversely proportional to Cs because below ƒs and above ƒp the crystal
appears capacitive, i.e.dX/dƒ, where X is the reactance.
• the reactance is inductive, otherwise the reactance is capacitive.

• A quartz crystal has a resonant frequency similar to that of a electrically tuned tank
circuit but with a much higher Q factor due to its low resistance, with typical frequencies
ranging from 4kHz to10MHz.

2.13.2 Colpitts Crystal Oscillator:

The design of a Crystal Oscillator is very similar to the design of the Colpitts Oscillator

we looked at in the previous tutorial, except that the LC tank circuit has been replaced by
a quartz crystal as shown below.
 Figure 2.20 Colpitts Crystal Oscillator

• These types of Crystal Oscillators are designed around the common emitter amplifier
stage of a Colpitts Oscillator. The input signal to the base of the transistor is inverted at
the transistors output. The output signal at the collector is then taken through
a180ophase shifting network which includes the crystal operating in a series resonant
mode. The output is also fed back to the input which is "in-phase" with the input
providing the necessary positive feedback.
• Resistors, R1 and R2 bias the resistor in a Class A type operation while resistor Re is
chosen so that the loop gain is slightly greater than unity.
• Capacitors, C1 and C2 are made as large as possible in order that the frequency of
oscillations can approximate to the series resonant mode of the crystal and is not
dependent upon the values of these capacitors.
• The circuit diagram above of the Colpitts Crystal Oscillator circuit shows that capacitors,
C1 andC2 shunt the output of the transistor which reduces the feedback signal.
Therefore, the gain of the transistor limits the maximum values of C1 and C2.
• The output amplitude should be kept low in order to avoid excessive power dissipation in
the crystal otherwise could destroy itself by excessive vibration.

2.13.3 Miller Crystal Oscillator:

In miller crystal oscillator, the crystal has two resonant frequencies. In between the
Series and parallel resonance frequency the reactance is inductive and the crystal act as
 inductor. One of the inductor is replaced by a crystal, it behave as miller oscillator. The
inter electrode capacitance of the transistor act as a capacitor to generate oscillator.

Figure 2.21 Miller Crystal Oscillator

2.13.4 Pierce Oscillator:

The Pierce oscillator is a crystal oscillator that uses the crystal as part of its feedback
path and therefore has no resonant tank circuit.

The frequency of oscillation

 Figure 2.22 Pierce Crystal Oscillator

• In this simple circuit, the crystal determines the frequency of oscillations and operates on
its series resonant frequency giving a low impedance path between output and input.
• There is a 180° phase shift at resonance, making the feedback positive. The amplitude
of the output sine wave is limited to the maximum voltage range at the Drain terminal.
• Resistor, R1 controls the amount of feedback and crystal drive while the voltage across
the radio frequency chokes RFC reverses during each cycle. Most digital clocks,
watches and timers use a Pierce Oscillator in some form or other as it can be
implemented using the minimum of components.

2.14 Frequency Stability of Oscillator:

The frequency stability of an oscillator is a measure of its ability to maintain a constant

frequency, over a long time interval. However, it has been found if an oscillator is set at a
particular frequency, it does not maintain it for a long period. The cause of change in
oscillation frequency or the factors affecting the stability of oscillator is given as under.

1. Operating point

The operating point of the active device i.e. bipolar transistor is selected in such a way
that its operation is nonlinear region, changes the values of device parameters which, in
turn affects the frequency stability of the oscillator.

2. Circuit Components

The values of circuit components (i.e. resistor, inductors and capacitors) change with the

variation in temperature. Since such changes take place slowly, they also cause a drift in

oscillator frequency.

3. Supply Voltage

The changes in DC supply voltage applied to the active device, shift the oscillator
frequency. This problem can be avoided by using a highly regulated power supply

4. Output Load

A change in the output load may cause a change in the Q factor of the tank circuit,
hereby causing a change in oscillator output frequency.
5. Inter element Capacitances

Any changing the inter element capacitances of a transistor (particularly collector to

emitter capacitance), cause changes in the oscillator frequency and thus affects the
frequency stability.

6. Stray Capacitances

The stray capacitances also affect the frequent stability of an oscillator. The effect of
changes in inter element capacitances can be neutralized by putting an additional
capacitor across the corresponding elements. However, it is difficult to avoid the effect of
stray capacitances.

7. The effective resistance of the tank circuit is changed when the load is connected.

The variation of frequency with temperature is given by,

SW, T =

The frequency stability is defined as SW=

is the phase shift introduced for a small change in frequency.

A frequency stability of one part in 104 can be achieved with LC circuits. For crystal
oscillators on the order of 105 can be achieved.
2.15 Problems: