Pre-Lab Design and Calculations - 5 | Experiment No. 6: Design and Characterization of Oscillators and Current Mirrors | Analog Circuit Lab
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5 - Pre-Lab Design and Calculations

Practice

Interactive Audio Lesson

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Wien Bridge Oscillator Design

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0:00
Teacher
Teacher

Today, we're going to design a Wien Bridge oscillator. Who can tell me the importance of selecting the right capacitor and resistor values?

Student 1
Student 1

It's important for setting the frequency of the output signal.

Teacher
Teacher

Correct! The frequency can be calculated with the equation f0 = 1/(2πRC). If I choose a capacitor of 0.1 μF, how do we find R for a target frequency of 1 kHz?

Student 2
Student 2

We rearrange the formula to R = 1/(2πf0C). So, for f0 = 1000 Hz and C = 0.1 μF, we need to calculate R.

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! What do you calculate R to be?

Student 3
Student 3

Approximately 1591.5 Ω!

Teacher
Teacher

Good job! And when we round to a standard value, which resistor would we choose?

Student 4
Student 4

1.6 kΩ seems to be a good choice!

Teacher
Teacher

That's right! Let's summarize today's findings. We derived the correct resistor value based on capacitor selection to ensure that we achieve our target frequency.

LC Oscillator Design

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0:00
Teacher
Teacher

Now, let's talk about the Colpitts oscillator. How does it differ from the Wien Bridge oscillator?

Student 1
Student 1

The Colpitts uses an LC tank circuit instead of an RC network!

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! And for our design, if we want to target a frequency of 100 kHz, how do we start?

Student 2
Student 2

We select an inductor, then calculate the necessary capacitor values from the frequency equation.

Teacher
Teacher

Spot on! What's our start value for the inductor?

Student 3
Student 3

Let's choose L = 1 mH.

Teacher
Teacher

Great choice! Now calculate the equivalent capacitance Ceq needed for f0 = 100 kHz.

Student 4
Student 4

Using the formula, Ceq = 1/(4π²f0²L), we find it to be about 2.53 nF.

Teacher
Teacher

Fantastic! To ensure we can satisfy the gain condition, how would you select C1 and C2?

Student 1
Student 1

We need to satisfy the hfe condition, so we aim for a ratio where C2 is ten times C1.

Teacher
Teacher

Awesome! Remember, if the gain is not adequate, we may not achieve oscillation!

BJT Current Mirror Design

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0:00
Teacher
Teacher

Now, let's move on to the BJT current mirror. What role do the matched transistors play in this circuit?

Student 2
Student 2

They ensure that the output current mirrors the reference current.

Teacher
Teacher

That's right. Can anyone explain how to calculate the reference resistor we need?

Student 3
Student 3

The equation is IREF = VCC / RREF - VBE, and we rearrange for RREF to find its value.

Teacher
Teacher

Well done! If I have a target IREF of 1 mA, what value would you expect for RREF with a VCC of 12V?

Student 1
Student 1

It would be roughly 11.3 kΩ!

Teacher
Teacher

Excellent! How do we verify the accuracy of IOUT once the circuit is constructed?

Student 4
Student 4

We can measure IOUT with a DMM while varying the load.

Teacher
Teacher

Perfect! In summary, we discussed designing the BJT current mirror, emphasizing the significance of transistor matching and calculating the reference current.

Introduction & Overview

Read a summary of the section's main ideas. Choose from Basic, Medium, or Detailed.

Quick Overview

This section outlines the pre-lab design and calculations needed for oscillator and current mirror experiments.

Standard

In this section, we focus on the design and calculation processes necessary for the implementation of Wien Bridge and LC oscillators, as well as the fabrication of a simple BJT current mirror. The discussion includes theoretical backgrounds, design steps, component selection, and tunned characteristics for stable oscillation.

Detailed

Pre-Lab Design and Calculations

The pre-lab design and calculations center on the methodologies needed to prepare for experiments involving sinusoidal oscillators and current mirrors. Two primary designs are outlined: the Wien Bridge oscillator and an LC oscillator (specifically the Colpitts variant), along with the design of a simple BJT current mirror.

Objectives

  1. Wien Bridge Oscillator: Targeting a frequency of 1 kHz, students will select appropriate resistor and capacitor values, ensuring that they meet Barkhausen criteria for oscillation. Key calculations involve the choice of resistance (R) and capacitance (C), confirming desired oscillation frequency with the formula:

\[f_0 = \frac{1}{2\pi RC} \]

  1. LC Oscillator (Colpitts): For a target frequency of 100 kHz, the design process entails selecting inductor and capacitor values that determine the resonant frequency, adjusting parameters based on the feedback network according to the desired gain condition for the BJT used.
  2. Current Mirror: The design and characterization of a simple BJT current mirror focusing on maintaining a desired reference current involves using matched transistors, calculating necessary resistor values, and understanding the implications of the Early effect on output resistance.

The provided methodologies specify components needed, theoretical background, and practical considerations necessary to achieve stable oscillation and current mirroring, highlighting the significant properties for successful circuit performance.

Audio Book

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Wien Bridge Oscillator Design

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5.1. Wien Bridge Oscillator Design

Given Parameters:
● Target Frequency (f0 ): 1 kHz
● Active Device: LM741 Op-Amp
● Supply Voltage: +/- 15V

Design Steps:
1. Choose R and C for Frequency:
- f0 = 2πRC1
- Let's choose a standard capacitor value first. A common choice for audio frequencies is C=0.1μF=100nF.
- Now, calculate R:
R = 2πf0 C1 = 2π(1000Hz)(0.1×10−6F) = 6.283×10−4 Ω ≈ 1591.5Ω.
- Choose Standard Resistor Value for R: 1.6kΩ (or 1.5kΩ or 1.8kΩ). Let's use 1.6kΩ.
- If R=1.6kΩ and C=0.1μF, the theoretical frequency will be:
f0 = 2π(1600Ω)(0.1×10−6F) ≈ 994.7Hz. (This is close to 1 kHz).
- So, for the Wien Bridge network, R1 = R2 = R = 1.6kΩ, and C1 = C2 = C = 0.1μF.

  1. Design Op-Amp Gain Stage:
    • The Op-Amp gain must be at least 3.
    • AV = 1 + Ri/Rf. We need 1 + Ri/Rf ≥ 3 ⟹ Ri/Rf ≥ 2.
    • To allow oscillations to start, a slight margin is often added, so let's aim for a gain slightly greater than 3, e.g., 3.1 or 3.2.
    • Let's choose Ri = 10kΩ. Then Rf = 2 × 10kΩ = 20kΩ.
    • Choose Standard Resistor Values for Gain Stage: Ri = 10kΩ, Rf = 22kΩ.
    • Summary of Components for Wien Bridge Oscillator:
    • Op-Amp: LM741
    • Resistors for Wien Network: R1 = 1.6kΩ, R2 = 1.6kΩ
    • Capacitors for Wien Network: C1 = 0.1μF, C2 = 0.1μF
    • Resistors for Gain Stage: Ri = 10kΩ, Rf = 22kΩ
    • (Optional: For amplitude stabilization, e.g., small signal diodes in anti-parallel across Rf).
  2. Chunk Title: LC Oscillator (Colpitts) Design
  3. Chunk Text: ### 5.2. LC Oscillator (Colpitts) Design

Given Parameters:
● Target Frequency (f0 ): 100 kHz
● Active Device: NPN BJT (BC547)
● Supply Voltage: VCC = 12V

Design Steps:
1. BJT Biasing:
- Target IC = 1mA, VCE = 6V.
- RE = 1.8kΩ, RC = 3.9kΩ.
- R1 = 82kΩ, R2 = 22kΩ.
- Bypass Capacitor CE = 10μF (at RE).
- Input Coupling Capacitor Cin = 0.1μF.
- Output Coupling Capacitor Cout = 0.1μF.

  1. Design LC Tank Circuit for Colpitts:
    • f0 = 2πLCeq, where Ceq = C1 + C2.
    • Let's choose an inductor first. Say L = 1mH.
    • Calculate Ceq:
      Ceq = (2πf0)²L = (2π×100×10³)²×1×10^{-3}
    • Recalculate f0 with chosen values: f0 = 2π(1mH)(2.45nF).
    • Summary of Components for Colpitts LC Oscillator:
      • BJT: BC547
      • Biasing Resistors: R1 = 82kΩ, R2 = 22kΩ, RC = 3.9kΩ, RE = 1.8kΩ
      • LC Tank: L = 1mH, C1 = 2.7nF, C2 = 27nF.
  2. Chunk Title: Simple BJT Current Mirror Design
  3. Chunk Text: ### 5.3. Simple BJT Current Mirror Design

Given Parameters:
● Transistors: Two matched NPN BJTs (BC547)
● Supply Voltage: VCC = 12V
● Target Reference Current (IREF ): 1mA

Design Steps:
1. Calculate RREF:
- IREF = RREF * (VCC - VBE).
- RREF = IREF * (VCC - VBE) = 1mA * (12V - 0.7V) = 11.3kΩ.
- Choose Standard Resistor Value for RREF: 11kΩ.

  1. Expected Output Current (IOUT):
    • Ideally, IOUT ≈ IREF.
    • Considering base currents:
      IOUT = IREF * (1 + 2/β).
    • Summary of Components for Simple BJT Current Mirror:
      • Transistors: Q1, Q2 (BC547, matched)
      • Reference Resistor: RREF = 11kΩ.

Detailed Explanation

No detailed explanation available.

Examples & Analogies

No real-life example available.

Definitions & Key Concepts

Learn essential terms and foundational ideas that form the basis of the topic.

Key Concepts

  • Oscillation: The process of an electronic circuit generating a periodic waveform.

  • Resonant Frequency: The frequency at which a circuit responds most strongly, dependent on inductance and capacitance.

  • Current Matching: The ability of a current mirror to replicate the reference current accurately without deviation.

Examples & Real-Life Applications

See how the concepts apply in real-world scenarios to understand their practical implications.

Examples

  • An example of a Wien Bridge oscillator generating a 1 kHz sine wave using R = 1.6 kΩ and C = 0.1 μF.

  • A Colpitts oscillator using an inductor of 1 mH and capacitors C1 = 2.7 nF, C2 = 27 nF to resonate at approximately 100 kHz.

Memory Aids

Use mnemonics, acronyms, or visual cues to help remember key information more easily.

🎵 Rhymes Time

  • In oscillators, we use RC and LC, to create waves that roam so free!

📖 Fascinating Stories

  • Once upon a time in a land of circuits, oscillators sprung to life, each making waves in their own unique way, whether it be the bright and lively Wien, or the steady Colpitts, all united in the quest for frequency.

🧠 Other Memory Gems

  • Remember: 'Wien Works Oscillation Naturally' to recall that Wien Bridge Oscillators sustain oscillation naturally with their unique configurations.

🎯 Super Acronyms

BOSS

  • Barkhausen Oscillation Stability Success – key factors for ensuring oscillators function correctly.

Flash Cards

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Glossary of Terms

Review the Definitions for terms.

  • Term: Oscillator

    Definition:

    An electronic circuit that generates a repetitive signal, such as a sine wave, without requiring an external input.

  • Term: Barkhausen Criteria

    Definition:

    Two conditions for sustained oscillations: the loop gain magnitude must be equal to or greater than 1, and the total phase shift must be 0 degrees or a multiple of 360 degrees.

  • Term: Wien Bridge

    Definition:

    A type of sinusoidal oscillator that uses a specific feedback network to generate sine waves.

  • Term: LC Oscillator

    Definition:

    An oscillator where the resonant frequency is determined by an inductor-capacitor tank circuit.

  • Term: Current Mirror

    Definition:

    An electronic circuit that produces a current that is stable and mirrors a reference current established by another device.