From: Archimedes' Lever on
On Mon, 14 Jun 2010 11:15:00 -0700, Jim Thompson
<To-Email-Use-The-Envelope-Icon(a)On-My-Web-Site.com> wrote:

>
>Class-A implies _linear_, does it not? Or do we have a Larkin
>definition for today ?:-)
>
> ...Jim Thompson
What a lark.
From: dagmargoodboat on
On Jun 14, 1:15 pm, Jim Thompson <To-Email-Use-The-Envelope-I...(a)On-My-
Web-Site.com> wrote:
> On Mon, 14 Jun 2010 10:50:58 -0700 (PDT), dagmargoodb...(a)yahoo.com
> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> >On Jun 14, 12:08 pm, Jim Thompson <To-Email-Use-The-Envelope-I...(a)On-
> >My-Web-Site.com> wrote:
> >> On Mon, 14 Jun 2010 09:49:09 -0700 (PDT), dagmargoodb...(a)yahoo.com
> >> wrote:
> [snip]
>
> >> >         Vcc = +5v
> >> >    --+--------------+------+--
> >> >      |              |      |
> >> >      |              |     .-.
> >> >      |              |     | | e.s.r. = 1 ohm
> >> >      |              |     | |
> >> >      |              |     '-'
> >> >      |              |      |
> >> >      |              |      |_ ||
> >> >      |              |       _)||
> >> >     .-.            ---  L1a _)||
> >> > Rb  | |         C1 ---  1mH _)||
> >> > 47k | |         1uF |       _)||
> >> >     '-'             |       _)||
> >> >      |              |     *|  ||
> >> >      |              '---+--'  ||
> >> >      |    R1     D1     |     ||
> >> >      |   220r  schottky |     ||
> >> >      +--/\/\/----|>]----+     ||
> >> >      |                  |     ||
> >> >      |     .------------'     ||
> >> >      |   |/                   ||
> >> >      +---|    Q1              ||
> >> >      |   |>. 2n3904           ||
> >> >      |     |               *  ||
> >> >  C2 ---    +----------------. ||
> >> > 1uF ---    |           L1b  _)||
> >> >      |     |         100nH  _)||
> >> >      |     |               |
> >> >     ===    |              ===
> >> >            |
> >> >            '--------------------> 5KHz output
>
> >> >Cheers,
> >> >James Arthur
>
> >> [snip LTspice Schematic]
>
> >> James,  How can you call it "class-A" when the emitter current is
> >> _not_linear_, _not_linear_, _not_linear_, _not_linear_ !!
>
> >True, the emitter current isn't linear, but it is continuous and non-
> >zero, so I call that "class-A."
>
> >> All you've done is use a Schottky bypassing the C-B junction...
> >> otherwise it's identical.
>
> >That makes a big difference.  It prevents Q1 saturating and from
> >conducting b-c.  And, without it Q1 conducts in reverse mode during
> >negative peaks, making the i(c) not just discontinuous, but reversing
> >in direction.  That loads the tank, obviously.
>
> "Obviously"?

Yeah, if Q1 sucks energy out of the tank, that loads the tank.

> Q1 doesn't conduct in reverse with your values, but no
> Schottky... the current is always out of the emitter... though it does
> get awfully close to zero: -376uA and -12.5mA peak.

Huh. LTSpice says Q1 does conduct in reverse, a nasty little 5mA
spike's worth. The schottky feedback prevents that by cutting the
base bias enough to make sure the collector never gets that low.


> >> I liken such oscillators to how you push your kid on a swing set.
> >> Giving a "nudge" every cycle.
>
> >That's exactly how I think of them too.  A "nudge" each cycle (short
> >conduction cycle) is what I did first.  I call that "class-C."
>
> >> To be "class-A" you'd need to sit upon the top bars and _continuously_
> >> push and pull the ropes.
>
> >Or you can pull continuously, harder at some times, not as hard at
> >others.  That gives the swing position a d.c. bias, but is otherwise
> >the same, yes?
>
> Class-A implies _linear_, does it not?  Or do we have a Larkin
> definition for today ?:-)

I've always used "class-A" to mean the transistor conduction angle =
360º. Class-B means mostly conducting but sometimes 'off', and Class-
C means 'mostly off.'

--
Cheers,
James Arthur
From: Jim Thompson on
On Mon, 14 Jun 2010 12:27:57 -0700 (PDT), dagmargoodboat(a)yahoo.com
wrote:

>On Jun 14, 1:15�pm, Jim Thompson <To-Email-Use-The-Envelope-I...(a)On-My-
>Web-Site.com> wrote:
>> On Mon, 14 Jun 2010 10:50:58 -0700 (PDT), dagmargoodb...(a)yahoo.com
>> wrote:
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> >On Jun 14, 12:08�pm, Jim Thompson <To-Email-Use-The-Envelope-I...(a)On-
>> >My-Web-Site.com> wrote:
>> >> On Mon, 14 Jun 2010 09:49:09 -0700 (PDT), dagmargoodb...(a)yahoo.com
>> >> wrote:
>> [snip]
>>
>> >> > � � � � Vcc = +5v
>> >> > � �--+--------------+------+--
>> >> > � � �| � � � � � � �| � � �|
>> >> > � � �| � � � � � � �| � � .-.
>> >> > � � �| � � � � � � �| � � | | e.s.r. = 1 ohm
>> >> > � � �| � � � � � � �| � � | |
>> >> > � � �| � � � � � � �| � � '-'
>> >> > � � �| � � � � � � �| � � �|
>> >> > � � �| � � � � � � �| � � �|_ ||
>> >> > � � �| � � � � � � �| � � � _)||
>> >> > � � .-. � � � � � �--- �L1a _)||
>> >> > Rb �| | � � � � C1 --- �1mH _)||
>> >> > 47k | | � � � � 1uF | � � � _)||
>> >> > � � '-' � � � � � � | � � � _)||
>> >> > � � �| � � � � � � �| � � *| �||
>> >> > � � �| � � � � � � �'---+--' �||
>> >> > � � �| � �R1 � � D1 � � | � � ||
>> >> > � � �| � 220r �schottky | � � ||
>> >> > � � �+--/\/\/----|>]----+ � � ||
>> >> > � � �| � � � � � � � � �| � � ||
>> >> > � � �| � � .------------' � � ||
>> >> > � � �| � |/ � � � � � � � � � ||
>> >> > � � �+---| � �Q1 � � � � � � �||
>> >> > � � �| � |>. 2n3904 � � � � � ||
>> >> > � � �| � � | � � � � � � � * �||
>> >> > �C2 --- � �+----------------. ||
>> >> > 1uF --- � �| � � � � � L1b �_)||
>> >> > � � �| � � | � � � � 100nH �_)||
>> >> > � � �| � � | � � � � � � � |
>> >> > � � === � �| � � � � � � �===
>> >> > � � � � � �|
>> >> > � � � � � �'--------------------> 5KHz output
>>
>> >> >Cheers,
>> >> >James Arthur
>>
>> >> [snip LTspice Schematic]
>>
>> >> James, �How can you call it "class-A" when the emitter current is
>> >> _not_linear_, _not_linear_, _not_linear_, _not_linear_ !!
>>
>> >True, the emitter current isn't linear, but it is continuous and non-
>> >zero, so I call that "class-A."
>>
>> >> All you've done is use a Schottky bypassing the C-B junction...
>> >> otherwise it's identical.
>>
>> >That makes a big difference. �It prevents Q1 saturating and from
>> >conducting b-c. �And, without it Q1 conducts in reverse mode during
>> >negative peaks, making the i(c) not just discontinuous, but reversing
>> >in direction. �That loads the tank, obviously.
>>
>> "Obviously"?
>
>Yeah, if Q1 sucks energy out of the tank, that loads the tank.
>
>> Q1 doesn't conduct in reverse with your values, but no
>> Schottky... the current is always out of the emitter... though it does
>> get awfully close to zero: -376uA and -12.5mA peak.
>
>Huh. LTSpice says Q1 does conduct in reverse, a nasty little 5mA
>spike's worth. The schottky feedback prevents that by cutting the
>base bias enough to make sure the collector never gets that low.

LTspice uses short-cuts to raise simulation speed. PSpice shows no
such spike.

>
>
>> >> I liken such oscillators to how you push your kid on a swing set.
>> >> Giving a "nudge" every cycle.
>>
>> >That's exactly how I think of them too. �A "nudge" each cycle (short
>> >conduction cycle) is what I did first. �I call that "class-C."
>>
>> >> To be "class-A" you'd need to sit upon the top bars and _continuously_
>> >> push and pull the ropes.
>>
>> >Or you can pull continuously, harder at some times, not as hard at
>> >others. �That gives the swing position a d.c. bias, but is otherwise
>> >the same, yes?
>>
>> Class-A implies _linear_, does it not? �Or do we have a Larkin
>> definition for today ?:-)
>
>I've always used "class-A" to mean the transistor conduction angle =
>360�. Class-B means mostly conducting but sometimes 'off', and Class-
>C means 'mostly off.'

Whatever ;-)

...Jim Thompson
--
| James E.Thompson, CTO | mens |
| Analog Innovations, Inc. | et |
| Analog/Mixed-Signal ASIC's and Discrete Systems | manus |
| Phoenix, Arizona 85048 Skype: Contacts Only | |
| Voice:(480)460-2350 Fax: Available upon request | Brass Rat |
| E-mail Icon at http://www.analog-innovations.com | 1962 |

The only thing bipartisan in this country is hypocrisy
From: Jim Thompson on
On Mon, 14 Jun 2010 13:34:18 -0700, Jim Thompson
<To-Email-Use-The-Envelope-Icon(a)On-My-Web-Site.com> wrote:

>On Mon, 14 Jun 2010 12:27:57 -0700 (PDT), dagmargoodboat(a)yahoo.com
>wrote:
>
>>On Jun 14, 1:15�pm, Jim Thompson <To-Email-Use-The-Envelope-I...(a)On-My-
>>Web-Site.com> wrote:
>>> On Mon, 14 Jun 2010 10:50:58 -0700 (PDT), dagmargoodb...(a)yahoo.com
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> >On Jun 14, 12:08�pm, Jim Thompson <To-Email-Use-The-Envelope-I...(a)On-
>>> >My-Web-Site.com> wrote:
>>> >> On Mon, 14 Jun 2010 09:49:09 -0700 (PDT), dagmargoodb...(a)yahoo.com
>>> >> wrote:
>>> [snip]
>>>
>>> >> > � � � � Vcc = +5v
>>> >> > � �--+--------------+------+--
>>> >> > � � �| � � � � � � �| � � �|
>>> >> > � � �| � � � � � � �| � � .-.
>>> >> > � � �| � � � � � � �| � � | | e.s.r. = 1 ohm
>>> >> > � � �| � � � � � � �| � � | |
>>> >> > � � �| � � � � � � �| � � '-'
>>> >> > � � �| � � � � � � �| � � �|
>>> >> > � � �| � � � � � � �| � � �|_ ||
>>> >> > � � �| � � � � � � �| � � � _)||
>>> >> > � � .-. � � � � � �--- �L1a _)||
>>> >> > Rb �| | � � � � C1 --- �1mH _)||
>>> >> > 47k | | � � � � 1uF | � � � _)||
>>> >> > � � '-' � � � � � � | � � � _)||
>>> >> > � � �| � � � � � � �| � � *| �||
>>> >> > � � �| � � � � � � �'---+--' �||
>>> >> > � � �| � �R1 � � D1 � � | � � ||
>>> >> > � � �| � 220r �schottky | � � ||
>>> >> > � � �+--/\/\/----|>]----+ � � ||
>>> >> > � � �| � � � � � � � � �| � � ||
>>> >> > � � �| � � .------------' � � ||
>>> >> > � � �| � |/ � � � � � � � � � ||
>>> >> > � � �+---| � �Q1 � � � � � � �||
>>> >> > � � �| � |>. 2n3904 � � � � � ||
>>> >> > � � �| � � | � � � � � � � * �||
>>> >> > �C2 --- � �+----------------. ||
>>> >> > 1uF --- � �| � � � � � L1b �_)||
>>> >> > � � �| � � | � � � � 100nH �_)||
>>> >> > � � �| � � | � � � � � � � |
>>> >> > � � === � �| � � � � � � �===
>>> >> > � � � � � �|
>>> >> > � � � � � �'--------------------> 5KHz output
>>>
>>> >> >Cheers,
>>> >> >James Arthur
>>>
>>> >> [snip LTspice Schematic]
>>>
>>> >> James, �How can you call it "class-A" when the emitter current is
>>> >> _not_linear_, _not_linear_, _not_linear_, _not_linear_ !!
>>>
>>> >True, the emitter current isn't linear, but it is continuous and non-
>>> >zero, so I call that "class-A."
>>>
>>> >> All you've done is use a Schottky bypassing the C-B junction...
>>> >> otherwise it's identical.
>>>
>>> >That makes a big difference. �It prevents Q1 saturating and from
>>> >conducting b-c. �And, without it Q1 conducts in reverse mode during
>>> >negative peaks, making the i(c) not just discontinuous, but reversing
>>> >in direction. �That loads the tank, obviously.
>>>
>>> "Obviously"?
>>
>>Yeah, if Q1 sucks energy out of the tank, that loads the tank.
>>
>>> Q1 doesn't conduct in reverse with your values, but no
>>> Schottky... the current is always out of the emitter... though it does
>>> get awfully close to zero: -376uA and -12.5mA peak.
>>
>>Huh. LTSpice says Q1 does conduct in reverse, a nasty little 5mA
>>spike's worth. The schottky feedback prevents that by cutting the
>>base bias enough to make sure the collector never gets that low.
>
>LTspice uses short-cuts to raise simulation speed. PSpice shows no
>such spike.
>
>>
>>
>>> >> I liken such oscillators to how you push your kid on a swing set.
>>> >> Giving a "nudge" every cycle.
>>>
>>> >That's exactly how I think of them too. �A "nudge" each cycle (short
>>> >conduction cycle) is what I did first. �I call that "class-C."
>>>
>>> >> To be "class-A" you'd need to sit upon the top bars and _continuously_
>>> >> push and pull the ropes.
>>>
>>> >Or you can pull continuously, harder at some times, not as hard at
>>> >others. �That gives the swing position a d.c. bias, but is otherwise
>>> >the same, yes?
>>>
>>> Class-A implies _linear_, does it not? �Or do we have a Larkin
>>> definition for today ?:-)
>>
>>I've always used "class-A" to mean the transistor conduction angle =
>>360�. Class-B means mostly conducting but sometimes 'off', and Class-
>>C means 'mostly off.'
>
>Whatever ;-)
>
> ...Jim Thompson

You distracted me... Where's the "AGC" ?:-)

...Jim Thompson
--
| James E.Thompson, CTO | mens |
| Analog Innovations, Inc. | et |
| Analog/Mixed-Signal ASIC's and Discrete Systems | manus |
| Phoenix, Arizona 85048 Skype: Contacts Only | |
| Voice:(480)460-2350 Fax: Available upon request | Brass Rat |
| E-mail Icon at http://www.analog-innovations.com | 1962 |

The only thing bipartisan in this country is hypocrisy
From: John Larkin on
On Mon, 14 Jun 2010 12:27:57 -0700 (PDT), dagmargoodboat(a)yahoo.com
wrote:

>> Q1 doesn't conduct in reverse with your values, but no
>> Schottky... the current is always out of the emitter... though it does
>> get awfully close to zero: -376uA and -12.5mA peak.
>
>Huh. LTSpice says Q1 does conduct in reverse, a nasty little 5mA
>spike's worth. The schottky feedback prevents that by cutting the
>base bias enough to make sure the collector never gets that low.

Right; the schottly is a more pure AGC mode. The reverse emitter
conduction depends on the inverse beta of the transistor. If the model
includes inverse beta, when the collector dips down to close to
ground, and the c-b junction forward biases, it essentially flips
ends: collector becomes emitter, emitter becomes collector, emitter
current flows upwards.

ftp://jjlarkin.lmi.net/LC_YDx.gif

Either way, the base cap gets discharged.

You can force this to work class-C if you jack around with the
transformer ratio, and use a small base cap, but that's not the way I
originally described the circuit.

Maybe I'll try moving the feedback into the base circuit, one of these
days.

Cute circuit.

John