You are on page 1of 3

Frequency Stability of Oscillators

In oscillators, the frequency of oscillations remains constant over a long interval of time.
Frequency stability is a measure of the degree to which the desired frequency is achieved.
The closure will be the output to a constant frequency if the frequency stability is better.

The oscillation frequency depends on various features of the circuit such as various
components, supply voltages, stray elements, characteristic parameters of active devices,
etc. Frequency instability or variations of the desired output frequency may be caused by
variations in the external circuit elements or by device characteristics. In transistor
oscillators such as a Hartley oscillator or Colpitts oscillators, the frequency of oscillations is
not stable during long time operation. This is because the capacitance existing at the base-
collector junction in reverse biased condition is dominated at high frequencies and hence it
affects the capacitor in tank circuit.

Also, due to change in temperature, the values of frequency dominating components like
transistor, inductor, resistor, and capacitor also changes.

The variation of the frequency with temperature is given by

S wo T = (Δw / wr) (ΔT / Tr)

Where wr and Tr are the desired frequency and the operating temperature respectively.
Δw and ΔT are change in frequency and change in temperature respectively.

The frequency stability can be given as

Sw = dθ/dw

A small frequency change in a desired frequency introduces the phase shift which is
indicated as dθ. Hence the oscillator will be more stable if the circuit gives a larger value of
dθ/dw.

The frequency stability can be improved by enclosing the oscillator circuit in a constant
temperature chamber and by using zener diodes in the circuit to maintain the constant
voltage. A loading effect is reduced by coupling the oscillator circuit to the load loosely, or
with the use of a circuit having a low output impedance and a high input impedance.

Amplitude Stability of Oscillators

The amplitude stability measures the amount by which the actual output amplitude varies
from desired output amplitude in an oscillator. With the increase in the gain of the
amplifier, the amplitude of the waveform is change.
The gain value is also changes due to the oscillator circuit components, and hence the
amplitude. To keep the gain constant, various gain control techniques are used so that
amplitude stability is maintained.

Another factor for variation of the amplitude is the supply voltage. The amplitude of the
waveform changes with change in the supply voltage. For maintain the good amplitude
stability, voltage regulators are used.

Factors Affecting the Stability of Oscillator

The stability of the oscillator includes both amplitude and frequency stabilities which
depends on various factors. By considering the above discussed points in the listed form,
we get following factors.

Operating Point

In case of transistorized oscillators, the changes in the device or transistor parameters


(which are varied depends on the operation on non-linear portion) affect the stability of
oscillator. Since the transistor is selected in such way that it operate in linear region of its
characteristics.

Circuit Components

The values of circuit components like inductor, capacitor, and resistors are depend on the
temperature. If the values of these components varied, there will be drift in the frequency
of oscillations.

Inter-Element Capacitances

A transistor consists of inter element capacitance, i.e., the collector to emitter capacitor. If
the value of this capacitor changes the oscillations frequency is also changing, hence the
stability of the oscillator. This effect can be neutralized by placing swamping capacitor
across the offending elements.

Power Supply

The variation in the DC supply voltage affects the oscillator frequency. This can be avoided
by using regulated power supply.

Output Load

The Q-factor of the tank circuit depends on the output load and hence any change in load
causes the change in frequency of the oscillation. For tuned oscillators, the frequency
stability is proportional to the Q of a tuned circuit.
Factors affecting the frequency stability of an oscillator
The ability of an oscillator to maintain a constant frequency of oscillation is called as frequency stability.
There are following factors affect the frequency stability which are given below,
o Operating point of the active device: The Q-point of the active device i.e., transistor is so chosen as to
confine the circuit operations on the linear portion of its characteristic. Operations on non-linear portion vary the
parameters of the transistor which, in turn, affects the frequency stability of the oscillator.
o Inter-element capacitances: Any changes in the inter element capacitances of a transistor particularly the
collector to emitter capacitances cause changes in the oscillator output frequency, Thus affecting its frequency
stability. The effect of changes in inters element capacitances, can be neutralized by adding a swamping
capacitor cross the offending elements the added capacitance being made part of the tank circuit.
o Power supply: Changes in the DC operating voltages applied to the active device shift the oscillator’s
frequency. This problem can be avoided by using regulated power supply.
o Temperature variations: Variations in temperature cause changes in transistor parameters and also changes
the values of resistors, capacitors and inductors used in the circuit. Since such changes take place slowly, they
cause a slow change in the oscillator output frequency.
o Output load: A change in the output load may cause a change in the Q-factor of the LC tuned circuit thereby
affecting the oscillator’s output frequency.
o Mechanical vibrations: Since such vibrations changes the values of circuit elements, they result in changes of
oscillator frequency. This instability factor can be eliminated by isolating the oscillator from the source of
mechanical vibrations.

You might also like