PACIFIC INSTITUTE 0F TECHNOLOGY

EXPERIMENT NO. 6
AIM
Study transistor phase shift oscillator and observe the effect of variation in R & C on
oscillator frequency and compare with theoretical value.
APPARATUS REQUIRED
Omega type ETB-24, Cathode Ray Oscilloscope 15MHz
THEORY
An oscillator is a type of feedback amplifier in which part of the output is fed back to input
through a feedback circuit. If the signal fed back is of proper magnitude and phase ,the circuit
produces alternating currents or voltages. The frequency of oscillation is determined by the
physical constants of the circuit. The type of feedback required for oscillations is called positive
feedback
Conditions for oscillation (Barkhausen criteria)
1. Magnitude of the loop gain must be atleast one (KAv =1)
2. Total phase shift around must be equal to 00 or 3600
RC Phase Shift Oscillator: The resistive/capacitive (RC) phase shift oscillator consists of a
common emitter amplifier with a RC phase shift network as a regenerative feedback network. A
common emitter amplifier introduces a 180o phase shift to the signal applied to its inputs. Since
the feedback required for an oscillator to sustain oscillation must be in phase or regenerative.
Thus the R.C. Phase shift network must provide additional 1800 phase shift to make an oscillator
and then the signal can be applied to the input of the emitter amplifier in phase. Normally, there
are at least three phase shift networks in the phase shift oscillator.

DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRONICS AND COMMUNICATION Page 1

 PACIFIC INSTITUTE 0F TECHNOLOGY

Fig 6.1 Phase shifting of R and C pairs

Consider the current I flow through both R and C. Then vector VR (also VO ) is in phase with I
while VC is 900 behind I , But Vi is the sum of VC and VO . Hence VO is degrees ahead of Vi
and represents a phase shifts of degrees.

Also VR or VO = IR VR orVO
VC = IXc = I/(1/c)
tan = VC / VR

tan = 1/ CR VC Vi

tan = 1/ 2fCR

For one R C section =600 then frequency f is given by:

f = 1/ 2CRtan 600

f = 1/ 2CR3

Thus for a phase shift of 1800, three such sections are required and by changing the values of R
or C or both simultaneously in each section, the frequency of oscillations can be changed.

When three RC sections are combined then f is smaller than the value indicated earlier. Thus
more accurately:

f = 1/ 2CR6

DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRONICS AND COMMUNICATION Page 2

 PACIFIC INSTITUTE 0F TECHNOLOGY

C1

C2

Fig 6.2 Circuit diagram RC Phase Shift

Practical Operation of the Phase Shift Oscillator
1. Transistor operates as an amplifier and is biased for Class A operation.
2. Resistor R1 provides the correct amount of base current to the transistor.
3. Resistor RL is the collector load resistor; it develops the output signal and is adjustable to
compensate for circuit variations.
4. First pair of Capacitor C and resistor R serve as the input side to the phase shifter, which
provides approximately 600 of phase shift. This is considered section 1.
5. Second pair of Capacitor C and resistor R also provides about 600 of the phase shift. This is
considered section 2.
6. Third pair of Capacitor C and resistor R form the output side of the phase shifter. R is also part
of the transistor bias stabilizing circuit. C and R also provide 600 of phase shift. This is
considered section 3.
7. Capacitor C2 and resistor Re are the emitter resistor and bypass capacitor. The bypass
capacitor prevents degeneration of the output signal.
8. Capacitor C1 is the output coupling capacitor to the next circuit. Capacitor C1 also functions
as a DC blocking capacitor.

DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRONICS AND COMMUNICATION Page 3

 PACIFIC INSTITUTE 0F TECHNOLOGY

PRACTICAL CIRCUIT DIAGRAM

Fig 6.3 Kit diagram of RC phase shift oscillator

PROCEDURE
1. Assemble the circuit of fig. ,by linking sockets(A) with (E) and(C) with (E). keep the
control marked(SELECT CAP.C) to 1000PF position.
2. Connect the mains lead of training board to the nearest mains sockets and keep the power
switch to ON position. Jewel light will glow. +9V D.C. supply is internally connected to
the sockets marked +9V and GND.
3. Connect the sockets marked (OUTPUT) to the Y-input of CRO.
4. Adjust the control marked (SET GAIN) to obtain a clean sine wave signal waveform on
the CRO.
5. Note the observed frequency of the output. Select the other values of CAP.C with the
band switch and note the observed frequency in each case. Compare the observed
frequency with the calculated frequency. The gain control may need to be adjusted when
value of CAP.C is changed.

DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRONICS AND COMMUNICATION Page 4

 PACIFIC INSTITUTE 0F TECHNOLOGY

OBSERVATION TABLE

S. Value of Cap.C Calculated frequency Observed frequency

No
f = 1/ 2CR6
1. 1000PF
2. 3300PF
3. 6600PF

RESULT
Thus we have studied the transistor phase shift oscillator and observed the effect of variation in
R & C on oscillator frequency and compare with theoretical value.
PRECAUTIONS
1.All the connections should be correct.
2.Transistor terminals must be identified properly.
3.Reading should be taken without any parallax error.

CONCLUSION
_
_
_
_

SAMPLE READING TABLE

S. Value of Cap.C Calculated frequency Observed frequency
No
f = 1/ 2CR6
1. 1000PF 2.9 KHz 2.5 KHz
2. 3300PF 0.9 KHz 1.0 KHz
3. 6600PF 0.4 KHz 0.5 KHz

DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRONICS AND COMMUNICATION Page 5

 PACIFIC INSTITUTE 0F TECHNOLOGY

VIVA QUESTIONS
1. What are the conditions of oscillations?
2. Give the formula for frequency of oscillations?
3. What is the total phase shift produce by the RC ladder network?
4. Whether the oscillator is positive feedback or negative feedback?
5. What are the types of oscillators?
6. What is the gain of RC phase shift oscillator?
7. What is the difference between damped oscillations undamped oscillations?
8. What are the applications of RC oscillations?
9. How many resistors and capacitors are used in RC phase shift network
10. How the Barkhausen criterion is satisfied in RC phase shift oscillator

DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRONICS AND COMMUNICATION Page 6