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osilator

An osilator is a device or circuit that generates an oscillating electrical signal, typically without an external periodic input. In many contexts the term is synonymous with oscillator, though osilator may reflect older usage or non-English spellings. The output is a periodic waveform such as sine, square, or triangle.

Principle: most electronic oscilators rely on feedback from a nonlinear element and a source of energy to

Common types include RC oscillators for lower frequencies and good waveform purity; LC oscillators for radio-frequency

Selected circuits frequently referenced in osilator design include Colpitts, Hartley, phase-shift RC, Wien bridge, and crystal

Applications span clock generation and timing for microprocessors, local oscillators in radios, signal generators and test

See also:

- oscillator

- Barkhausen criterion

- Wien bridge oscillator

- Colpitts oscillator

- Crystal oscillator

- Ring oscillator

- Phase-locked loop

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sustain
motion.
The
loop
gain
and
phase
must
satisfy
the
Barkhausen
criterion
to
maintain
oscillation,
with
the
frequency
set
by
a
resonant
element
in
the
feedback
path.
This
resonant
element
can
be
a
resistor-capacitor
network,
an
inductor-capacitor
tank,
or
a
quartz
crystal,
among
others.
applications;
and
crystal
oscillators
for
high-frequency
stability.
Voltage-controlled
oscillators
(VCOs)
vary
their
frequency
with
an
input
control
signal,
and
ring
oscillators
use
a
chain
of
inverters
in
integrated
circuits
to
produce
rapid
oscillations.
oscillators.
Each
offers
different
advantages
in
frequency
range,
stability,
and
waveform
quality.
equipment,
and
reference
signals
in
phase-locked
loops
and
communication
systems.