From: Andrew Holme on
What is this oscillator configuration called?

It seems to have some good and useful features: easy to control XTAL drive
level; operates in series resonant mode; differential square-ish wave output
with fast rise time; very good amplitude stability versus supply voltage
variation; no relaxation mode if crystal removed; no need to tune-out C0
holder capacitance; simple single-point power-supply decoupling.

What are the disadvantages? Two active devices = more noise? But the
Butler and Driscoll circuits use two active devices. No LC frequency
selectivity to force XTAL onto correct harmonic? But that could be added...

TIA

LTSpice .ASC file:

Version 4
SHEET 1 928 744
WIRE -80 -160 -128 -160
WIRE 48 -160 0 -160
WIRE 96 -160 48 -160
WIRE 224 -160 176 -160
WIRE 48 -112 48 -160
WIRE 48 0 48 -32
WIRE -128 48 -128 -160
WIRE -16 48 -128 48
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WIRE -128 128 -128 48
WIRE 224 128 224 48
WIRE -16 176 112 48
WIRE -16 176 -64 176
WIRE 112 176 -16 48
WIRE 160 176 112 176
WIRE -128 272 -128 224
WIRE 32 272 -128 272
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WIRE 352 480 352 432
WIRE -128 608 -128 560
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SYMATTR Value 5
SYMBOL npn 160 128 R0
SYMATTR InstName Q1
SYMATTR Value 2N3904
SYMBOL npn -64 128 M0
SYMATTR InstName Q2
SYMATTR Value 2N3904
SYMBOL current 352 480 R0
WINDOW 123 0 0 Left 0
WINDOW 39 0 0 Left 0
SYMATTR InstName I2
SYMATTR Value SINE(0 1e-3 10e6 0 0 0 10)
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SYMATTR InstName L1
SYMATTR Value 0.0253303
SYMATTR SpiceLine Rpar=1e300
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SYMATTR Value 20
SYMBOL res 192 -176 R90
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SYMATTR InstName R2
SYMATTR Value 1k
SYMBOL res 16 -176 R90
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SYMATTR InstName R3
SYMATTR Value 1k
SYMBOL cap 96 256 R90
WINDOW 0 0 32 VBottom 0
WINDOW 3 32 32 VTop 0
SYMATTR InstName C0
SYMATTR Value 5p
SYMBOL res 208 464 R0
SYMATTR InstName R4
SYMATTR Value 3k3
SYMBOL res -144 464 R0
SYMATTR InstName R5
SYMATTR Value 3k3
TEXT 16 600 Left 0 !.tran 1m




From: Andrew Holme on

"Andrew Holme" <ah(a)nospam.com> wrote in message
news:_gWCn.13199$fO7.7783(a)newsfe22.ams2...
> What is this oscillator configuration called?
>
> It seems to have some good and useful features: easy to control XTAL drive
> level; operates in series resonant mode; differential square-ish wave
> output with fast rise time; very good amplitude stability versus supply
> voltage variation; no relaxation mode if crystal removed; no need to
> tune-out C0 holder capacitance; simple single-point power-supply
> decoupling.
>
> What are the disadvantages? Two active devices = more noise? But the
> Butler and Driscoll circuits use two active devices. No LC frequency
> selectivity to force XTAL onto correct harmonic? But that could be
> added...
>
> TIA
>
> LTSpice .ASC file:
>
> Version 4
> SHEET 1 928 744
> WIRE -80 -160 -128 -160
> WIRE 48 -160 0 -160
> WIRE 96 -160 48 -160
> WIRE 224 -160 176 -160
> WIRE 48 -112 48 -160
> WIRE 48 0 48 -32
> WIRE -128 48 -128 -160
> WIRE -16 48 -128 48
> WIRE 224 48 224 -160
> WIRE 224 48 112 48
> WIRE -128 128 -128 48
> WIRE 224 128 224 48
> WIRE -16 176 112 48
> WIRE -16 176 -64 176
> WIRE 112 176 -16 48
> WIRE 160 176 112 176
> WIRE -128 272 -128 224
> WIRE 32 272 -128 272
> WIRE 224 272 224 224
> WIRE 224 272 96 272
> WIRE -128 384 -128 272
> WIRE -80 384 -128 384
> WIRE 32 384 0 384
> WIRE 112 384 96 384
> WIRE 224 384 224 272
> WIRE 224 384 192 384
> WIRE 224 432 224 384
> WIRE 352 432 224 432
> WIRE -128 480 -128 384
> WIRE 224 480 224 432
> WIRE 352 480 352 432
> WIRE -128 608 -128 560
> WIRE 224 608 224 560
> WIRE 352 608 352 560
> FLAG 48 0 0
> FLAG 224 608 0
> FLAG 352 608 0
> FLAG -128 608 0
> SYMBOL voltage 48 -128 R0
> WINDOW 123 0 0 Left 0
> WINDOW 39 0 0 Left 0
> SYMATTR InstName V2
> SYMATTR Value 5
> SYMBOL npn 160 128 R0
> SYMATTR InstName Q1
> SYMATTR Value 2N3904
> SYMBOL npn -64 128 M0
> SYMATTR InstName Q2
> SYMATTR Value 2N3904
> SYMBOL current 352 480 R0
> WINDOW 123 0 0 Left 0
> WINDOW 39 0 0 Left 0
> SYMATTR InstName I2
> SYMATTR Value SINE(0 1e-3 10e6 0 0 0 10)
> SYMBOL ind -96 400 R270
> WINDOW 0 32 56 VTop 0
> WINDOW 3 5 56 VBottom 0
> SYMATTR InstName L1
> SYMATTR Value 0.0253303
> SYMATTR SpiceLine Rpar=1e300
> SYMBOL cap 96 368 R90
> WINDOW 0 0 32 VBottom 0
> WINDOW 3 32 32 VTop 0
> SYMATTR InstName C1
> SYMATTR Value 10f
> SYMBOL res 208 368 R90
> WINDOW 0 0 56 VBottom 0
> WINDOW 3 32 56 VTop 0
> SYMATTR InstName R1
> SYMATTR Value 20
> SYMBOL res 192 -176 R90
> WINDOW 0 0 56 VBottom 0
> WINDOW 3 32 56 VTop 0
> SYMATTR InstName R2
> SYMATTR Value 1k
> SYMBOL res 16 -176 R90
> WINDOW 0 0 56 VBottom 0
> WINDOW 3 32 56 VTop 0
> SYMATTR InstName R3
> SYMATTR Value 1k
> SYMBOL cap 96 256 R90
> WINDOW 0 0 32 VBottom 0
> WINDOW 3 32 32 VTop 0
> SYMATTR InstName C0
> SYMATTR Value 5p
> SYMBOL res 208 464 R0
> SYMATTR InstName R4
> SYMATTR Value 3k3
> SYMBOL res -144 464 R0
> SYMATTR InstName R5
> SYMATTR Value 3k3
> TEXT 16 600 Left 0 !.tran 1m
>
>
>

I think there is a trade-off between working-Q and drive level. The crystal
is in series with 2*re. The lower re, the higher Qw. Unfortunately,
reducing re means increasing Ie which increases drive. Nevertheless, quite
a reasonable compromise may be possible.


From: Jim Thompson on
On Sat, 1 May 2010 14:46:37 +0100, "Andrew Holme" <ah(a)nospam.com>
wrote:

>What is this oscillator configuration called?

Not a very good crystal oscillator... it's not linear.

If you want quality, do it this way...

http://analog-innovations.com/SED/XtalSeriesOsc.pdf

>
>It seems to have some good and useful features: easy to control XTAL drive
>level; operates in series resonant mode; differential square-ish wave output
>with fast rise time; very good amplitude stability versus supply voltage
>variation; no relaxation mode if crystal removed; no need to tune-out C0
>holder capacitance; simple single-point power-supply decoupling.
>
>What are the disadvantages? Two active devices = more noise? But the
>Butler and Driscoll circuits use two active devices. No LC frequency
>selectivity to force XTAL onto correct harmonic? But that could be added...
>
>TIA
>
>LTSpice .ASC file:
>
>Version 4
>SHEET 1 928 744
>WIRE -80 -160 -128 -160
>WIRE 48 -160 0 -160
>WIRE 96 -160 48 -160
>WIRE 224 -160 176 -160
>WIRE 48 -112 48 -160
>WIRE 48 0 48 -32
>WIRE -128 48 -128 -160
>WIRE -16 48 -128 48
>WIRE 224 48 224 -160
>WIRE 224 48 112 48
>WIRE -128 128 -128 48
>WIRE 224 128 224 48
>WIRE -16 176 112 48
>WIRE -16 176 -64 176
>WIRE 112 176 -16 48
>WIRE 160 176 112 176
>WIRE -128 272 -128 224
>WIRE 32 272 -128 272
>WIRE 224 272 224 224
>WIRE 224 272 96 272
>WIRE -128 384 -128 272
>WIRE -80 384 -128 384
>WIRE 32 384 0 384
>WIRE 112 384 96 384
>WIRE 224 384 224 272
>WIRE 224 384 192 384
>WIRE 224 432 224 384
>WIRE 352 432 224 432
>WIRE -128 480 -128 384
>WIRE 224 480 224 432
>WIRE 352 480 352 432
>WIRE -128 608 -128 560
>WIRE 224 608 224 560
>WIRE 352 608 352 560
>FLAG 48 0 0
>FLAG 224 608 0
>FLAG 352 608 0
>FLAG -128 608 0
>SYMBOL voltage 48 -128 R0
>WINDOW 123 0 0 Left 0
>WINDOW 39 0 0 Left 0
>SYMATTR InstName V2
>SYMATTR Value 5
>SYMBOL npn 160 128 R0
>SYMATTR InstName Q1
>SYMATTR Value 2N3904
>SYMBOL npn -64 128 M0
>SYMATTR InstName Q2
>SYMATTR Value 2N3904
>SYMBOL current 352 480 R0
>WINDOW 123 0 0 Left 0
>WINDOW 39 0 0 Left 0
>SYMATTR InstName I2
>SYMATTR Value SINE(0 1e-3 10e6 0 0 0 10)
>SYMBOL ind -96 400 R270
>WINDOW 0 32 56 VTop 0
>WINDOW 3 5 56 VBottom 0
>SYMATTR InstName L1
>SYMATTR Value 0.0253303
>SYMATTR SpiceLine Rpar=1e300
>SYMBOL cap 96 368 R90
>WINDOW 0 0 32 VBottom 0
>WINDOW 3 32 32 VTop 0
>SYMATTR InstName C1
>SYMATTR Value 10f
>SYMBOL res 208 368 R90
>WINDOW 0 0 56 VBottom 0
>WINDOW 3 32 56 VTop 0
>SYMATTR InstName R1
>SYMATTR Value 20
>SYMBOL res 192 -176 R90
>WINDOW 0 0 56 VBottom 0
>WINDOW 3 32 56 VTop 0
>SYMATTR InstName R2
>SYMATTR Value 1k
>SYMBOL res 16 -176 R90
>WINDOW 0 0 56 VBottom 0
>WINDOW 3 32 56 VTop 0
>SYMATTR InstName R3
>SYMATTR Value 1k
>SYMBOL cap 96 256 R90
>WINDOW 0 0 32 VBottom 0
>WINDOW 3 32 32 VTop 0
>SYMATTR InstName C0
>SYMATTR Value 5p
>SYMBOL res 208 464 R0
>SYMATTR InstName R4
>SYMATTR Value 3k3
>SYMBOL res -144 464 R0
>SYMATTR InstName R5
>SYMATTR Value 3k3
>TEXT 16 600 Left 0 !.tran 1m
>
>
>

...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 Sat, 1 May 2010 14:46:37 +0100, "Andrew Holme" <ah(a)nospam.com>
wrote:

>What is this oscillator configuration called?
>
>It seems to have some good and useful features: easy to control XTAL drive
>level; operates in series resonant mode; differential square-ish wave output
>with fast rise time; very good amplitude stability versus supply voltage
>variation; no relaxation mode if crystal removed; no need to tune-out C0
>holder capacitance; simple single-point power-supply decoupling.
>
>What are the disadvantages? Two active devices = more noise? But the
>Butler and Driscoll circuits use two active devices. No LC frequency
>selectivity to force XTAL onto correct harmonic? But that could be added...
>
>TIA


The crystal is working in series mode. I think it sees a lot of
equivalent circuit series impedance, effectively in series with the
internal 20 ohm thing, so Q will be low.

The small-signal emitter impedances are around 30 ohms, so you have
roughly 60 right there, but in fact only one transistor is on at a
time, so it's really a lot higher. It may be oscillating a bit off the
actual series resonance point.

I'd expect relatively bad stability and phase noise compared to a
circuit that puts the series-mode xtal into a lower impedance loop.

Cute circuit. It has all the virtues you mentioned.

Spice is rotten for analyzing xo's. You can't easily measure frequency
to PPM resolution, and even if you could you'd need to run such
absurdly small time steps to get usable accuracy, the sim would run
for days. You can do good XO stuff using frequency domain analysis,
but not for nonlinear circuits like this one.

I mostly buy packaged oscillators these days. Simplifies life.

John



From: MooseFET on
On May 1, 6:46 am, "Andrew Holme" <a...(a)nospam.com> wrote:
> What is this oscillator configuration called?
>
> It seems to have some good and useful features: easy to control XTAL drive
> level; operates in series resonant mode; differential square-ish wave output
> with fast rise time; very good amplitude stability versus supply voltage
> variation; no relaxation mode if crystal removed; no need to tune-out C0
> holder capacitance; simple single-point power-supply decoupling.
>
> What are the disadvantages?  Two active devices = more noise?  But the
> Butler and Driscoll circuits use two active devices.  No LC frequency
> selectivity to force XTAL onto correct harmonic?  But that could be added...

The basic topology is that of the emitter timed multivibrator.

If you do something to reduce the gain to the point where the
transistors
remain nearly linear, you would have a type of Buttler oscillator.

At the lower gain value, the oscillator would be one of the better
designs
from the point of view of low harmonic content in the output and also
be
quite stable. When you have too much gain, this sort is really quite
crappy. The frequency of oscillation come unstuck from the series
resonance
point of the crystal.

Normally, the collector load would have a tuned circuit to select the
operating frequency. A couple of small Schottky diodes would do a
limiting circuit.