Name1

Name2
12/2/10
ESE 319
Lab 6: Colpitts Oscillator
Introduction:
This lab introduced the concept of feedback in combination with bipolar junction
transistors. The goal of this lab was to first create a circuit that had known poles, and then
introduce feedback and view the effect on the frequency of the poles. When poles are selected at
interesting frequencies, the transistor will magnify that frequency by creating high gain. This socalled Colpitts Oscillator is the name of the circuit that takes no input (just a power source) and
produces a sinusoidal signal at the output. We will investigate the components needed to create
this system and what other parasitics effect the system.
Theory:
The idea of this oscillator comes from the idea of positive feedback, which is described
by Figure 6.1.
Figure 6.1: Positive Feedback

The system is described of having a closed loop gain of:

Acl ( j! ) =

Vo
A( j! )
=
Vi 1 " A( j! )

And so when we set the open loop gain A(j) = ej2n , n , we seemingly have some
instability, which causes the oscillation. In order to create this kind of reaction, we will first
describe the system in open-loop form, as shown in Figure 6.2.
Figure 6.2: Open Loop Colpitts Oscillator

From detailed node analysis, we find the open loop gain of this system to be:

And, like before, we want to set this gain |A(j)| = 1, and in doing so, we get a set of criteria to
satisfy our constraints. First, our oscillating frequency x is set by the equation:
And in order to have these poles sit on the j axis
(edge of instability), we also must have the condition:

We simplified this set up by first equating the capacitors (C1 = C2) (which is designated on
Figure 6.2 by just C), so that gmR = 1. In practice, however, since we do not control R
specifically (it consists of internal transistor resistances), we make gmR > 1 to ensure oscillation
startup, and note the gm = Ic /VT. Thus, by altering the bias current, we can make sure the system
oscillates. Furthermore, by changing L, we can guarantee a certain frequency within a certain
error.
The other components, such as RFC, R1, and R2 have to deal with the DC biasing only. We made
the RFC inductor high so it acts like an open circuit at DC, and short at high frequencies. We

picked a 100 mH inductor. For R1 and R2, we kept in mind that the DC current flowing down the
resistor network needed to be small, and so we picked R1 + R2 = 50 k.
Because R is in the range of > 25 k, we were safe to pick a bias current of greater than 1 mA.
gm = Ic /VT = .001/.025 = 40 mA/V, and so then gmR > 1.
To set a bias current of about 1 mA, we made the assumption that VBE of the transistor was
about .7 V, and setting RE = 1 k (small enough for high gain), VB = .7 + 1mA*1k = 1.7 V.
With Vcc being 12 V, the correct division of R1 and R2 to set this bias was R1 = 43 k and R2 = 7
k.
Finally, we wished to set an oscillating frequency of .5 MHz. We picked capacitors of C1 = C2 =
1 nF and the inductor(s) that gave us that frequency (via the formula above). We desired a 200
H inductor, but there are no inductors that custom value. So we used two 100 H (L1 and L2) in
series to create a 200 H inductor.
The summary of the components can be found in Table 6.1.
Table 6.1: Theoretical Component Values
Component
C1
C2
L1
L2
RE
R1
R2
RFC choke

Value
1 nF
1 nF
100 H
100 H
1 k
43 k
7 k
100 mH

We then set out to verify this design via Multisim simulation. We first tested for the DC biasing
of the circuit, as shown in Figure 6.3.
Figure 6.3: Multisim DC Bias with Theoretical Components

The bias current is higher than expected (1.069 mA). However, it still successfully allows the
transistor to work in forward-active mode, and so we continued forward. After verifying this
design, we closed the loop to find the frequency of oscillation. We measured at and Vo (which is
now connected to the base, and equals VB). This is shown in Figure 6.4.
Figure 6.4: Closed Loop Simulation with Theoretical Components

With the knowledge of the oscillating frequency at about 474 kHz (within 10% of .5 MHz), we
implemented a 400 mV peak-to-peak sinusoidal wave at the input Vi. We then measured the
open loop gain and phase at Vc and Vo, as shown in Figure 6.5.
Figure 6.5: Open Loop Simulation with Theoretical Components

Voltage at Collector vs Input:

Voltage at Output vs. Input

The gain of both of these outputs was about 6 V/V (2.5/.4), which is what gmR must equal (gain
for any common emitter amplifier with no Rc), while the both phases were slightly out of phase
with the input but only by small margins.

Finally, to make sure that the parasitics of the protoboard and scope probes would not alter the
oscillator further than a small error, we implemented some parasitic components on Multisim.
These include capacitors between adjacent rows and a capacitor-resistive load as a model of the
scope probe. We took the closed loop system and re-measured the oscillating frequency. This is
shown in Figure 6.6.
Figure 6.6: Closed Loop Parasitic Simulation

With the knowledge that the parasitics do not affect this system past a certain error (gain constant
and oscillating frequency still within 10% of .5 MHz), we moved on with implementing and
simulating with real components, as shown in Experimental Setup.
Experimental Setup:
We began by setting up the circuit according to the schematic seen in Figure 6.2 (in Theory),
and then measured the real values of these components. The values of the circuit components are
seen in Table 6.1.
Table 6.1: Circuit Component Values
Component

Nominal Value

Actual Value

R1

43 k

42.7656 k

R2

7 k

7.2457 k

RE

1 k

0.992 k

RFC

100 mH

105.1 mH

2 * 100 H = 200

201.9 H

C1

1 F

0.9971 F

C2

1 nF

1.006 nF

C3

1 nF

0.9983 nF

C4

1 F

1.05 F

The transistor used was the 2N3904. The Pin connection of the 2N3904 is given in Figure 6.7.
Figure 6.7: 2N3904 Pin Connections

We tested both the open loop gain at VB and Vo, and then closed the loop with feedback and
measured these two values again, as seen in Experimental Data.
Experimental Data:
After assembling the circuit on our protoboard we first verified the biasing. We found:
IC = 1.011 mA and IR1 = 0.242 mA
These values are close enough to our requirements and match the simulations, and are thus
acceptable.
We then put the circuit in the open loop configuration and took some measurements and also ran
a simulation. The actual measurements were taken with a function generator connected to the
input node of the circuit through a 1 F capacitor.
The schematic for the circuit is the same as that of the Multisim simulation and is seen in Figure
6.8.
Figure 6.8: Multisim Simulation of Open Loop Configuration

The frequency of the input sine wave was varied using the function generator and the output was
measured. The readings thus obtained are tabulated in Table 6.2.
Table 6.2: Open Loop Circuit Analysis

Frequency
(Hz)

Vi (V)

Vo (V)

Phase
(degrees)

Vo/Vi (V/V)

Gain (dB)

100000

0.125

2.563

96.5

20.504

26.23677186

250000

0.126

4.937

-40.6

39.18253968 31.86185164

400000

0.126

1.625

87.7

12.8968254

22.2096564

500000

0.125

10.44

83.52

38.43580971

600000

0.123

1.062

-80

750000

0.125

0.2937

-86.3

1000000

0.123

0.14

-114

8.634146341 18.72438811
2.3496

7.41987867

1.138211382 1.124458485

From these readings we may plot the Bode diagrams for the open loop configuration. These are
seen in Figure 6.9.
Figure 6.9: Open Loop Bode Plots

We also took a screenshot of the oscilloscope to record the form and shape of the output wave.
This is seen in Figure 6.10.
Figure 6.10: Oscilloscope Screen Capture

As it can be seen, the above figure compares quite well with the one seen in the simulation
(Figure 6.8). We also analyzed our simulation to obtain the simulated theoretical frequency
response of the system. This is seen in Figure 6.11.
Figure 6.11: Simulation Frequency Response

These too are seen to match the actual experimental results (Figure 6.9) fairly well.
We also confirm that for the open loop configuration self-oscillation will occur i.e. the gain from
input to output is greater than 1 when the phase shift is 0 degrees (The gain is 83.52 for a phase
shift of 2 degrees).
We then move on to testing the closed loop configuration.
The circuit schematic for the closed loop configuration is the same as the one for its multisim
simulation and is seen in Figure 6.12.
Figure 6.12: Multisim Simulation of Closed Loop Configuration

We then displayed the output Vo on the oscilloscope, as shown in Figure 6.13.

Figure 6.13: Vo from the Oscilloscope

As can be seen the circuit is oscillating at a frequency of 512.8 kHz. This compares reasonably
well with the value of 473.23 kHz from the simulation (Figure 6.12). Figure 6.14 shows us VC
and VO.
Figure 4.7: VO (1) and VC (2)

These two figures show that there is sizeable gain for the two points (VC being higher than VO)
and the two almost completely out of phase.
The experimental oscillation frequency is ~= 511 kHz, whereas the calculated oscillation
frequency is 500.384 kHz (calculated using actual component values).
We then reduce R2 till IC becomes 0.1 mA. R2 is now 2.764 k. The circuit continues oscillating
as before as seen in Figure 6.15 (albeit with a slightly lower gain and smaller phase difference).
Figure 6.15: Oscilloscope Screen Capture for IC = 0.1 mA

We continue to reduce R2 and find that we can reduce it to 0.942 k before the oscillations are
extinguished. At this point we have essentially reached IC = 0 A i.e. the cut-off point for the
transistor.
When in the closed loop configuration with IC = .1 mA is used we measure:
VC = 13.91 V and
VO = 9.688 V
And in the open loop we measure
VO = 525 mV.
We simulated this circuit again for the closed loop and open loop with R2 = 2.764 k, as seen in
Figures 6.16 and 6.17.
Figure 6.16: Closed Loop Simulation with R2 = 2.764 k

Figure 6.17: Open Loop Simulation with R2 = 2.764 k

Discussion:
In this lab we wished to see if we could amplify a frequency using this Colpitts Oscillator and
perpetuate it with positive feedback. First, however, we proved that the open loop had sizeable
gain at the desirable frequency. We chose this frequency, .5 MHz using specific LC components.
Our measurements (Figure 6.9) prove that there is a jump in gain around 500 kHz.
From that point, we closed the loop removed the signal source and found that amazingly we had
a high voltage sinusoid at the collector (14 V) and the output (9.9 V). The output voltage is lower

than the collector voltage because the LC filter between the two is passive, and so no voltage can
be gained there. Interestingly, the voltage of this sinusoid surpassed the power source of the
system (VCC = 12 V). This is because the positive feedback increases the voltage until it hits its
peak.
We found that the sinusoid had a frequency well within plausible error (511-500/500 = 2.2%) but
had lower voltage than simulated. We simulated a voltage of up to 20 V, but only measured a
voltage of 14 V. This most likely had to deal with the actual limitations of our real transistor as
well as the parasitic values embedded in the system. Also, we noticed that this closed loop output
jumped from high to lower voltages and vice versa in small periods of time. This is because of
the instability of the poles, and this could also play a part in not being able to have a constant
high voltage.
We also took note of the shape of the oscillations. They were not perfect sine waves, but
distorted with a base frequency of about 500 kHz. This is because other frequencies are being
amplified as well, causing a non-symmetrical output.
Finally, we proved that the oscillation would continue until we had almost no current flowing
through the transistor. While the open loop gain decreased, the closed loop gain did only slightly.
We needed gmR > 1 to startup the oscillation, so if we started Ic at 1 mA and decreased it slowly,
there would still be oscillation until cutoff, and in fact there was oscillation with still high gain
(~14 V). The simulations verified this fact.
To improve the system, we would need to one of a few things. First, we could obtain components
that are exact values needed to hit exact values for gmR and x (expensive). We could also try to
eliminate the parasitic capacitances and inductances in the protoboard and its wires, with items
such as Faraday shields and corrective reactive components. Lastly, we used many
approximations in our calculations of our oscillator. We unfortunately cannot account for all the
microscopic values in the system.
However, overall we created a steady high gain sinusoid at a pre-chosen frequency, so our
Colpitts Oscillator was a success.