Oscillators and Timers
Circuits that generate periodic waveforms — sine, square and triangle — and set the timing of digital systems.
An oscillator turns DC power into a repeating signal. Harmonic oscillators produce sine waves using a frequency-selective feedback network; relaxation oscillators charge and discharge a capacitor between thresholds to produce square or triangle waves.
Sub-topics (6)
Barkhausen Criterion
Sustained oscillation needs a loop gain of exactly one with zero (or 360°) phase shift.
RC Oscillators
Phase-shift and Wien-bridge oscillators produce low-frequency sine waves using resistors and capacitors.
LC Oscillators
Colpitts and Hartley oscillators use inductor–capacitor tanks to generate RF sine waves.
Crystal Oscillators
Quartz crystals vibrate at an extremely stable frequency — the clock of every microcontroller.
555 Timer
The famous 8-pin timer IC — monostable pulses, astable square waves and much more.
Phase-Locked Loop
A feedback system that locks an oscillator to a reference — for frequency synthesis and clock recovery.
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