Latest Oscillators Technical Articles

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Building a One-Shot Multivibrator with an ESP32 Terminal Display:  A Radio Shack Classics Circuit Remix

In this hands-on project, we will update a 1980s version of a one-shot (monostable multivibrator) circuit by giving it a modern, colorful output while also examining the circuit's operation.

3 days ago by Don Wilcher

Analyzing Oscillator Frequency in an LTspice Negative Voltage Charge Pump

Continuing our in-depth look at a simple SPICE circuit that can generate a negative supply voltage, we’ll consider the effect of oscillator frequency on the system’s performance parameters.

June 18, 2023 by Robert Keim

Improving ADC SFDR Using Dithering for Communication System Applications

Learn more about dithering, namely improving the spurious-free dynamic range (SFDR) of an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) that exhibits differential nonlinearity (DNL) errors.

May 21, 2023 by Dr. Steve Arar

Understanding Limitations to Increasing SFDR in High-speed ADCs

Learn about two nonlinearity sources, spurious-free dynamic range (SFDR), and SNR (signal-to-noise ratio) in analog-to-digital converters (ADCs).

April 30, 2023 by Dr. Steve Arar

Creating a DCO-based Audio Synthesizer With an Arduino Nano

In this project, learn to create a digitally-controlled oscillator or DCO-based audio synthesizer with an Arduino Nano or an Arduino Uno.

April 09, 2023 by Darby Hewitt

Reducing Quantization Distortion Via Subtractive and Non-subtractive Dithering

Learn how dithering can suppress both harmonic and non-harmonic spurs and two different types of dithering systems: subtractive and non-subtractive topologies.

February 24, 2023 by Dr. Steve Arar

Digital Square Wave Generator Design Via a Ring Oscillator, 555 Timer, and Arduino

Learn about digital square wave generators using a ring oscillator, a 555 timer-based oscillator, and an Arduino-generated square wave oscillator.

December 11, 2022 by Nicholas St. John

What is Dithering? Using Dithering to Eliminate Quantization Distortion

Learn how dithering can be added to a signal to improve the performance of an analog-to-digital conversion system by eliminating quantization error and distortion.

December 04, 2022 by Dr. Steve Arar

Op Amp and Transistor-based Analog Square Wave Generator Design

Analog oscillator circuits are commonly used to create square wave clock signals for the timing of synchronous circuits. This article covers the theory, design, and key features of analog square wave generators.

November 13, 2022 by Nicholas St. John

Piezoelectric Accelerometers With Integrated Electronics Piezoelectric (IEPE)

Learn about piezoelectric accelerometers with integrated electronics piezoelectrics (IEPEs), namely an IEPE's voltage mode, charge mode, and dynamic range.

May 29, 2022 by Dr. Steve Arar

How to Measure the Drive Level of a Quartz Crystal

Learn why the drive level of your quartz crystal oscillator is important and several methods for how to measure it.

June 21, 2021 by Dr. Steve Arar

Examining the Negative Resistance of a Quartz Crystal Oscillator

This article discusses how we can examine the oscillator circuit to make sure that it has sufficient “negative resistance” or “oscillation allowance”.

June 18, 2021 by Dr. Steve Arar

Understanding the Operation of Quartz Crystal Oscillators

In this article, we’ll try to develop a deeper insight into the operation of a quartz crystal oscillator.

June 07, 2021 by Dr. Steve Arar

Characterizing Frequency Deviations of Quartz Crystals: Frequency Tolerance, Frequency Stability, and Aging

Learn about some of the most important characteristics of quartz crystal frequency deviations.

May 30, 2021 by Dr. Steve Arar

LVDT Demodulation: Rectifier-Type vs. Synchronous Demodulation

Learn how two methods of demodulation compare: synchronous demodulation and rectifier-type demodulation. Here we discuss each method's advantages, drawbacks, and appropriate applications.

May 23, 2021 by Dr. Steve Arar

An Introduction to Switched-capacitor Circuits

In this series of articles, we’ll discuss one of the fundamental building blocks of analog IC design: the switched-capacitor circuit.

April 21, 2021 by Jake Hertz

What Is the Power Spectrum of Quantization Noise?

Our series on quantization noise begins with a clarification of the framework the author used to determine the scope of his investigation into quantization noise.

March 07, 2021 by Wes Brodsky

Adding a Low-pass Filter to an ADC Model and DAC Modeling

In the final part of this series on modeling ADCs, we discuss one more model and also briefly cover DAC models.

March 02, 2021 by Wes Brodsky

Modeling ADCs Using Effective Number of Bits (ENOB)

Learn about the concept of ENOB (effective number of bits) and how it can be used in modeling data converters in system simulations.

February 26, 2021 by Wes Brodsky

How Should Data Converters Be Modeled for System Simulations?

This article launches a series exploring the question of how to model data converters for system simulations.

February 25, 2021 by Wes Brodsky