Latest Oscillators Articles and Videos

This article explores how combining signal and noise power reveals how the FM system’s output SNR scales with carrier…

This article explores how combining signal and noise power reveals how the FM system’s output SNR scales with carrier amplitude and modulation index.

Bob Yannes built a three-voice analog synthesizer onto one die in 1982, and its imperfect filter became the signature…

Bob Yannes built a three-voice analog synthesizer onto one die in 1982, and its imperfect filter became the signature sound of an era.

Explore how frequency-modulated waves resist interference. We break down the demodulator architecture and derive the…

Explore how frequency-modulated waves resist interference. We break down the demodulator architecture and derive the exact output signal power for a sinusoidal message.

Envelope detection is simple, but that simplicity has a noise-performance cost. Here’s how much SNR conventional AM…

Envelope detection is simple, but that simplicity has a noise-performance cost. Here’s how much SNR conventional AM gives up compared to its coherent counterparts.

Signetics packed a VCO and phase detector into one 14-pin part, turning a daunting feedback technique into something an…

Signetics packed a VCO and phase detector into one 14-pin part, turning a daunting feedback technique into something an ordinary engineer could build.

Using a graphical approach, we show that coherent SSB demodulation leaves the input and output SNR unchanged, then…

Using a graphical approach, we show that coherent SSB demodulation leaves the input and output SNR unchanged, then compare its noise performance to DSB-SC and baseband systems.

Visualizing how correlated and uncorrelated signals combine offers an intuitive look at power transformation. See how…

Visualizing how correlated and uncorrelated signals combine offers an intuitive look at power transformation. See how this difference boosts baseband power to double the output SNR.

In this article, we'll learn how to calculate the noise power and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of a double-sideband…

In this article, we'll learn how to calculate the noise power and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of a double-sideband suppressed-carrier communication system.

The EX-423 adds four-point crystal mounting, ultra-high vacuum housing, and MIL-STD-202 to Microchip's EX-421 EMXO lineup.

The EX-423 adds four-point crystal mounting, ultra-high vacuum housing, and MIL-STD-202 to Microchip's EX-421 EMXO lineup.

Whether designing modulation schemes or modeling entropy, engineers are still guided by Hartley's principle that…

Whether designing modulation schemes or modeling entropy, engineers are still guided by Hartley's principle that information can and must be measured.

The MEMS-based oscillator delivers less than 1 nanosecond of time synchronization accuracy for AI clusters.

The MEMS-based oscillator delivers less than 1 nanosecond of time synchronization accuracy for AI clusters.

This article explores the operation of the Gilbert-cell phase detector for both small and large signals.

This article explores the operation of the Gilbert-cell phase detector for both small and large signals.

Learn how using a pole-zero loop filter improves PLL performance and design flexibility over the simpler lag filter.

Learn how using a pole-zero loop filter improves PLL performance and design flexibility over the simpler lag filter.

In this article, we analyze the steady-state errors and Bode plots for a second-order PLL with a simple, first-order loop filter.

In this article, we analyze the steady-state errors and Bode plots for a second-order PLL with a simple, first-order loop filter.

Learn how adding a lowpass loop filter to a PLL with a single integrator impacts both the frequency-domain and…

Learn how adding a lowpass loop filter to a PLL with a single integrator impacts both the frequency-domain and time-domain response.

With an eye on aerospace and defense applications, SiTime designed the new oscillator—announced today—with…

With an eye on aerospace and defense applications, SiTime designed the new oscillator—announced today—with multi-layer reliability for GNSS receivers.

In this article, we'll use the linearized model of a first-order PLL to understand its response to a simple input change.…

In this article, we'll use the linearized model of a first-order PLL to understand its response to a simple input change. We'll then use Matlab simulations to visualize the signals.

In this article, we'll use a nonlinear mathematical model to improve our understanding of how a first-order PLL locks to a signal.

In this article, we'll use a nonlinear mathematical model to improve our understanding of how a first-order PLL locks to a signal.

In this article, we'll solidify our understanding of the reactance modulator and Armstrong modulator circuits by working…

In this article, we'll solidify our understanding of the reactance modulator and Armstrong modulator circuits by working through a series of design problems.