ECE306

Lab 6

Sine wave oscillators

05/10/16

LAB 6 SINEWAVE OSCILLATORS

PRELAB ASSIGNMENT
1. Read Sedra and Smith [1] Sections 13.1, 13.2.1-13.2.2 before coming to the lab.
2.For the Wien bridge oscillator in Figure 6 of this lab, calculate the values of o and R2 needed for
oscillation using the component values given and assume R1 = 10K.
3.For the Wien bridge oscillator in Figure 6, calculate the impedance of C S at 0.
4. For the Phase-shift oscillator in Figure 3, calculate R2 and 0 for oscillation using the component values
given.

LABORATORY INSTRUCTIONS
The purpose of this experiment is to explore the design of sine wave oscillators. A sine wave oscillator is
basically a rudimentary function generator. Thus, we will, in effect, be exploring the basic principles of the
design of function generators. Two different oscillator designs will be studied: the Wien bridge oscillator and
the Phase shift oscillator. Both of these designs rely on the principle of utilizing positive feedback to produce
unstable circuit behavior.

Positive feedback
Figure 1 shows the basic block diagram for a positive feedback configuration. The gain of the feedforward
network is A(s), and the gain of the feedback network is .

V (s)
S

A(s)

+
VF

Vo (s)

B(s)

Figure 1: Basic block diagram for positive feedback

The gain of this block diagram is given in equation 1.

A f (s)

VO (s)
A(s)

VS (s) 1 A(s)(s)

(1)

Notice that the denominator can become zero, which would cause the transfer function to be infinite. Thus
the system could have a non-zero output with zero input amplitude. In such a case, the system is said to be
unstable. This occurs when the loop gain, L(s), is:

6.1

ECE306

Lab 6

Sine wave oscillators

05/10/16

A f (s)

L(s) A(s)(s) 1 which results in

(2)

The A(s)(s) product plays a key role in oscillator design and is called the loop gain.
Since positive feedback causes instability, systems are usually designed to avoid positive feedback. But in
the case of an oscillator, unstable behavior is desired to generate the oscillation. Thus, some amount of
positive feedback is normally used in the design of oscillators. In fact, a sine wave oscillator can be
constructed by designing a circuit such that the loop gain is unity.
For oscillation to occur the loop gain must be exactly one. Remember that the loop gain is a function of
frequency; therefore both,
L(s) 1

and L(s) 0 N360

(3)

are required for oscillation. Oscillation will occur at a frequency such that the above two conditions are met.
Both sine wave oscillators investigated in this experiment consist of two separable parts. The A(s) network will
be the amplifier part, and the (s) network will be the frequency determining part. It is not always possible to
do this, but for both oscillators in this experiment it is possible.

Wien bridge oscillator

Figure 2 shows the Wien bridge oscillator. The A(s) gain network is the inverting gain section of the
op-amp. The (s) feedback network is the section between Va and Vo .
R 2

Va

C P
8 .2 n

C S

8 .2 n

Vo

10K

R 1

2 X.XK

U 1A
LF356

R S

10K

R P
10K

Figure 2: The Wien bridge oscillator

The magnitude and phase characteristics of A(s) are given by equation 4.
A(s)

R2
and A(s) 180
R1

(4)

Since oscillation occurs when L = 1 from Eq. 2 and 3 above the magnitude and phase characteristics of (s)
must be equivalent to:

6.2

ECE306

Lab 6

(s)

Sine wave oscillators

05/10/16

R1
and (s) 180 N360
R2

(5)

This will happen for one value of R2 and at one frequency.

In the lab, perform each of the numbered steps.
1. Connect the circuit shown in Figure 6 (shown at the end of this document). Note the 2 diodes and 4
resistors connected to the power supply rails and op-amp output that have been added are for amplitude
control. Use a 25K variable resistor for R2. Adjust R2 so that the circuit oscillates and V2 is sinusoidal.
Record the value of R2 and the frequency of oscillation, f 0. Sketch V2. Change CS= CP = 4.7 nF. Measure
and record the new f o and R2.

Phase shift oscillator

Figure 3 shows the Phase shift oscillator .

R 6

47K
R 2

C 5
0 .1 u F
Cer.

7
U 1B

V+
nc

3K

C 1

C 2

C 3

C 4

10nF

10nF

10nF

10nF

R 1

+15

100K

U 1A
LF 356

R 7
2 .0 K

R 3
3K

R 4
3K

R 5
3K

V-

C 6
0 .1 u F
Cer.

-1 5

Figure 3: The A network of a phase shift oscillator is an inverting amplifier

The A(s) network is the section between V1 and V2 as shown in Figure 4. The (s) network is the
section between V2 and V1 as shown in Figure 5.
R 2

Cer.

V1
-

3K

2
R 1

100K

U 1A
LF 356

R 7
2 .0 K

C 1

C 2

C 3

C 4

10nF

10nF

10nF

10nF

+
V2

V2

R 3
3K

R 4
3K

R 5
3K

Figure 4: A(s) network

Figure 5: (s) network.

6.3

V1

R 1
3K

ECE306

Lab 6

Sine wave oscillators

05/10/16

Analysis of the Phase shift oscillator is similar to the analysis of the Wien bridge oscillator. The magnitude
and phase of the A network must be determined. Then the magnitude and phase of the network must be
selected so that the loop gain is exactly one.
2. Build the circuit shown in Figure 3. Use something close to 3K for the resistors R1, R3, R4 and R5 and
something close to 10nF for C1-C4. IMPORTANT Dont put in R6 yet!!! Use a variable resistor for R2. Adjust
R2 so that the circuit oscillates and V2 is sinusoidal. You may have to put in R6 to get enough gain to achieve
oscillation. Record the value of R2 + R6 and the frequency of oscillation. Capture V2. Measure the phase
shift at each node of the phase shift circuit.
3. Connect the function generator to the phase shift network as shown in Figure 5. Find the frequency for
which the phase shift of the phase shift network is 180 o.

POST LAB QUESTIONS

1. Compare the measured values of fo and R2 to the values you calculated for the Wien bridge
oscillator.
2. You re-measured fo and R2 after changing capacitors In step 1 of the experiment. Explain the
changes in theses two values.
3. In your own words, describe why the circuit in Figure 2 will oscillate. Calculate the theoretical
value of R2 that will cause the circuit to oscillate, and compare it with the measured value. Calculate
the theoretical frequency of oscillation f0, and compare it with the measured value.
4. In your own words, describe why this circuit shown in Figure 3 will oscillate. Derive the theoretical
value of R2 that will cause the circuit to oscillate, and compare it with the measured value. Derive
the theoretical frequency of oscillation f 0, and compare it with the measured value. Also compare the
measured frequency of oscillation with the measured frequency for which the phase shift of the
phase shift network is 180 o.

6.4

ECE306

Lab 6

Sine wave oscillators

05/10/16
+15

+15
D 1

R P
10K

V-

C 4
0 .1 u

C P
8 .2 n

C S

-1 5

8 .2 n

R 1

10K

R S

V+
nc

3K

C 3
0 .1 u

7
U 1B

R 3

1N 4148

10K

LF 356
U 1A
6

R 4
1k

R 5

R 2

XX .X K

1k

Ohmega = 1/(RC)
D 2

Resistors in Ohms
Capacitors in Farads

1N 4148

Oscillation occurs when R2 is a little more than 2 * R1

R 6
3K
-1 5

Figure 6
[1]

A. S. Sedra and K. C. Smith, Microelectronic circuits, Fifth edition. Oxford 2004.,

6.5