tv OSCILLATORS AND TIMERS Courtesy Hewlett-Packard Company @ CHAPTER OUTLINE 10-1 The Oscillator 10-2 Feedback Oscillator Principles 10-3 Sinusoidal Oscillators 10-4 Relaxation Oscillator Principles 5 The 555 Timer as an Oscillator 10-6 The 555 Timer as a One-Shot 7 A System Application @ CHAPTER OBJECTIVES © Describe the basic operating principles for all oscillators Explain the operation of feedback oscillators Describe and analyze the operation of basic RC sinusoidal feedback oscillators Describe and analyze the operation of basic relaxation oscillators Use a 555 timer in an oscillation application Use a 555 timer as a one-shot device ‘Apply what you have learned in this chapter to a system application oo cov KEY TERMS Feedback oscillator Relaxation oscillator Positive feedback Wien-bridge oscillator Phase-shift oscillator Voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) Astable multivibrator Q One-shot COOCOULUC SB CHAPTER INTRODUCTION Oscillators are circuits that generate a periodic waveform to perform timing, control, or communication functions. They are found in nearly all electronic systems, including analog and digital systems, and in most test instruments such as oscilloscopes and function generators. Oscillators require a form of positive feedback, where a portion of the output signal is fed back to the input in a Way that causes it to. reinforce itself and thus sustain a continuous output signal. Although an external input is not “strictly necessary, many oscillators use an “external signal to control the frequency or to synchronize it with another source. Oscillators are designed to produce a controlled oscillation with one of two basic methods: the unity-gain method used with feedback oscillators and the timing method used with relaxation oscillators. Both will be discussed in this chapter. Different types of oscillators produce various types of outputs including sine waves, square waves, triangular waves, and sawtooth waves. In this chapter, several types of basic oscillator Circuits using an op-amp as the gain element are introduced. Also, a very popular integrated Circuit, called the 555 timer, is discussed. I A SYSTEM APPLICATION The function generator shown in Figure 10-37 is a good illustration of a system application for oscillators. The oscillator is a major part of this particular system. No doubt, you are already familiar with the use of the signal or function generator in your lab. As with most types of systems, a function generator can be implemented in more than one way. The system in this chapter uses circuits with which you are already familiar without some of the refinements and features found in many commercial instruments. The system reinforces what you have studied and lets you see these circuits “at work” in a specific application. For the system application in Section 10-7, in addition to the other topics, be sure you understand Q How RC oscillators work Q How a zero-level detector works Q How an integrator works Visit THE COMPARTON WEBSITE [Study Aids for This Chapter Are Available at http:/Avww.prenhall.com/floyd512 Ml OSCILLATORS AND TIMERS 10-1 & THE OSCILLATOR An oscillator is a circuit that produces a periodic waveform on its output with only thei supply voltage as a required input. A repetitive input signal is not required but is some times used to synchronize oscillations. The output voltage can be either sinusoidal or now sinusoidal, depending on the type of oscillator. Two major classifications for oscillator are feedback oscillators and relaxation oscillators. After completing this section, you should be able to O Describe the basic operating principles for all oscillators O Explain the purpose of an oscillator Q Discuss two important classifications for oscillators 2 List the basic elements of a feedback oscillator Types of Oscillators Essentially, all oscillators convert electrical energy from the de power supply to periodic waveforms that can be used for various timing, control, or signal-generating applications A basic oscillator is illustrated in Figure 10-1. Oscillators are classified according 10 tk technique for generating a signal. de supply voltage FIGURE 10-1 The basic oscillator concept showing three common types of output waveforms, Feedback Oscillators One type of oscillator is the feedback oscillator which retums a fraction of the output signal to the input with no net phase shift, resulting in a reinfore- ment of the output signal. After oscillations are started, the loop gain is maintained at 1) to maintain oscillations. A feedback oscillator consists of an amplifier for gain (cither a discrete transistor or an op-amp) and a positive feedback network that produces phase shill and provides attenuation, as shown in Figure 10-2. Relaxation Oscillators A second type of oscillator is the relaxation oscillator. Ar: laxation oscillator uses an RC timing circuit to generate a waveform that is generally square wave or other nonsinusoidal waveform. Typically, a relaxation oscillator uses Schmitt trigger or other device that changes states to alternately charge and discharge act pacitor through a resistor. Relaxation oscillators are discussed in Section 10-4.