Clapp Oscillator Circuit

The Clapp oscillator shown in figure. is a refinement of the Colpitt’s oscillator. The single inductor found in the Colpitt’s oscillator is replaced by a series L-C combination. Addition of capacitor Ca in series with L improves the frequency stability and eliminates the effect of transistor parameters on the operation of the circuit. The op­eration of the circuit is the same as that of the Colpitt’s oscillator. As the circulating tank current flows through C1, C2 and C3 in series, the equivalent capacitance is

C = C1C2C3/C1C2 + C2C3 + C1C3

The frequency of oscillation is given as Capacitors C1 and C2 are kept fixed while ca­pacitor C3 is employed for tuning purpose.

In a Clapp oscillator C3 is much smaller than C1 and C2 As a result, the equivalent capacitance C is approximately equal to C3, and the frequency of oscillation is given as

F = 1/2∏√LC3

However, precaution is to be taken in selection of C3. If capacitor C3 is made too small, the L-C branch will not have a net inductive reactance and under such condition the circuit will refuse to oscillate.

In a Colpitt’s oscillator, the resonant frequency is affected by the transistor and stray capacitances because the capacitors Cr and C2 are shunted by the transistor and stray capacitances and so their values are altered. But in a Clapp oscillator, the transistor and stray capacitances have no effect on capacitor C3, so the oscillation frequency is more stable and accurate. This is the reason that Clapp oscillator is preferred over a Colpitt’s oscillator.

High frequency stability can further be obtained by enclosing the entire circuit in a constant temperature chamber and by maintaining the supply voltage constant with the help of a Zener diode.

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