Oscillator topology allows 4-to-1 output frequency ratio

Engineers commonly tag as state-of-the-art any VCO that can cover one octave. This Design Idea, however, uses a novel topology to an oscillator to allow a 4-to-1 ratio in output frequency. The circuit achieves a higher tuning range due to a series-connected LC (inductive-capacitive) tank circuit as compared to other designs that use a parallel-LC connection. Wide frequency swings that are well beyond the capabilities of the best hyperabrupt varactor are made possible by the architecture of the oscillator. To prevent the parasitic capacitances of other components from limiting the output frequency, the LC tank alone sets this frequency. The circuit works well at its frequency extremes, unlike standard oscillators.

At first glance, the central structure of the oscillator resembles two transistors that form a latching silicon-controlled-rectifier (SCR) structure (Figure 1). The structure is similar to that of a thyristor, but you add degeneration resistors that keep the circuit in a linear mode of operation. The resistors make the gain of this SCR smaller than one, and it is DC-stable. The series-tuned tank circuit increases the gain beyond one at the resonant frequency, causing the circuit to oscillate. No auxiliary components are necessary for oscillation, and the node between the inductor and the capacitor is free of other connections, meaning that only the varactor you use as the capacitor determines the tuning range. The frequency varies as the square root of the tuning elements. To change the frequency by a factor of two, you need a fourfold variation of the tuning capacitance.



Unlike a parallel-LC tank, the resonant current passes through the active element and is, therefore, limited. This limit in turn means that the AC voltage appearing across the tuning components is small—typically, less than 100mV. The small signal reduces the effects of circuit nonlinearity and the impact of the self-biasing effects of the signal on the varactor. You can use control voltages as small as 0.3V across the varactor. If you use a 1μH inductor, the circuit still oscillates with capacitor values of 4.7pF-4.7μF—a ratio of 106 to 1.

For the detailed design, move the LC tank to the emitter of PNP transistor Q2 (Figure 2). The lower speed of the PNP creates greater phase difference and encourages oscillation. Connect L2 and C2 at a common power point on the power rail, emphasizing the criticality of the layout in this part of the circuit. The oscillator “senses” the tuned circuit through C2 and C4, and anything inside that loop adds uncontrolled parasitics to L2. These parasitics would compromise the automatic-gain-control (AGC) action and degrade the performance and accuracy of the oscillator.



Q1 and associated components implement the AGC. A parallel-LC oscillator tolerates clipping of the signal, but this series-LC circuit degenerates into a multivibrator if you allow the signal to grow so large that it clips. The AGC servo action has the added advantage of producing uniform output amplitude. Use D5 to create a 0.6VDC bias. R11 and R12 form a voltage ladder that creates a DC-bias voltage close to the forward-voltage drop of Schottky diode D6. This bias allows D6 to work as a more perfect rectifier of the small output signal. C8 integrates the rectified signal into a DC voltage proportional to the amplitude of the circuit’s output. Apply this DC signal to IC1, the AGC amplifier, through a filter comprising R15 and C8. The op amp servo-controls the filtered DC signal against the A-CTRL input-amplitude signal you send to the circuit. This signal allows you to set output amplitude at 0 to 1V.

In this example, the output amplitude is 0.9V. The frequency range extends from 35-140MHz, a 1-to-4 ratio—twice that of conventional high-performance VCOs—and requires a fourfold increase in the capacitance ratio. The overall capacitance ratio is 1 to 16, exactly that of the varactor itself. At the lowest (Figure 3) and highest (Figure 4) frequencies of the output range, the quality of the sine wave remains excellent, thanks to AGC action.