Wein Bridge Oscillator is one of the mosttypesular type of oscillators used in audio and sub-audio frequency ranges (20 – 20 kHz). This type of oscillator is simple in design, compact in size, and remarkably stable in its frequency output. Furthermore, its output is relatively free from distortion and its frequency can be varied easily. However, the maximum frequency output of a typical Wien bridge oscillator is only about 1 MHz. This is also, in fact, a phase-shift oscillator. It employs two transistors, each producing a phase shift of 180°, and thus producing a total phase-shift of 360° or 0°.
Wein Bridge Oscillator Circuit
The circuit diagram of Wien bridge oscillator is shown in the figure below.
It is essentially a two-stage amplifier with an R-C bridge circuit. R-C bridge circuit (Wien bridge) is a lead-lag network. The phase’-shift across the network lags with increasing frequency and leads with decreasing frequency. By adding Wien-bridge feedback network, the oscillator becomes sensitive to a signal of only one particular frequency. This particular frequency is that at which Wien bridge is balanced and for which the phase shift is 0°.If the Wien-bridge feedback network is not employed and output of transistor Q2 is fedback to transistor Q1 for providing regeneration required for producing oscillations, the transistor Q1 will amplify signals over a wide range of frequencies and thus direct coupling would result in poor frequency stability. Thus by employing Wien-bridge feedback network frequency stability is increased.
In the bridge circuit R1 in series with C1, R3, R4 and R2 in parallel with C2 form the four arms.
This bridge circuit can be used as feedback network for an oscillator, provided that the phase shift through the amplifier is zero. This requisite condition is achieved by using a two stage amplifier, as illustrated in the figure. In this arrangement the output of the second stage is supplied back to the feedback network and the voltage across the parallel combination C2 R2 is fed to the input of the first stage. Transistor Q1 serves as an oscillator and amplifier whereas the transistor Q2 as an inverter to cause a phase shift of 180°. The circuit uses positive and negative feedbacks. The positive feedback is through R1 C1 R2, C2 to transistor Q1 and negative feedback is through the voltage divider to the input of transistor Q1. Resistors R3 and R4 are used to stabilize the amplitude of the output.
The two transistors Q1 and Q2 thus cause a total phase shift of 360° and ensure proper positive feedback. The negative feedback is provided in the circuit to ensure constant output over a range of frequencies. This is achieved by taking resistor R4 in the form of a temperature sensitive lamp, whose resistance increases with the increase in current. In case the amplitude of the output tends to increase, more current would provide more negative feedback. Thus the output would regain its original value. A reverse action would take place in case the output tends to fall.
The amplifier voltage gain, A R3 + R4 / R4 = R3 / R4 + 1 = 3
Since R3 = 2 R4
The above corresponds with the feedback network attenuation of 1/3. Thus, in this case, voltage gain A, must be equal to or greater than 3, to sustain oscillations.
To have a voltage gain of 3 is not difficult. On the other hand, to have a gain as low as 3 may be difficult. For this reason also negative feedback is essential.
Wien Bridge Oscillator – Working
The circuit is set in oscillation by any random change in base current of transistor Q1, that may be due to noise inherent in the transistor or variation in voltage of dc supply. This variation in base current is amplified in collector circuit of transistor Q1 but with a phase-shift of 180°. the output of transistor Q1 is fed to the base of second transistor Q2 through capacitor C4. Now a still further amplified and twice phase-reversed signal appears at the collector of the transistor Q2. Having been inverted twice, the output signal will be in phase with the signal input to the base of transistor Q1 A part of the output signal at transistor Q2 is fedback to the input points of the bridge circuit (point A-C). A part of this feedback signal is applied to emitter resistor R4 where it produces degenerative effect (or negative feedback). Similarly, a part of the feedback signal is applied across the base-bias resistor R2 where it produces regenerative effect (or positive feedback). At the rated frequency, effect of regeneration is made slightly more than that of degeneration so as to obtain sustained oscillations.
The continuous frequency variation in this oscillator can be had by varying the two capacitors C1 and C2 simultaneously. These capacitors are variable air-gang capacitors. We can change the frequency range of the oscillator by switching into the circuit different values of resistors R1 and R2.
The advantages and disadvantages of Wien bridge oscillators are given below:
Advantages
- Provides a stable low distortion sinusoidal output over a wide range of frequency.
- The frequency range can be selected simply by using decade resistance boxes.
- The frequency of oscillation can be easily varied by varying capacitances C1 and C2 simultaneously. The overall gain is high because of two transistors.
Disadvantages
- The circuit needs two transistors and a large number of other components.
- The maximum frequency output is limited because of amplitude and the phase-shift characteristics of amplifier.
19 Comments
very good explanation but this is same as the explanation given in prof:J.B.GUPTA [ELECTRONIC DEVICES AND CIRCUITS]
how can i make a derivation of frequency oscillator for the wein bridge oscillator r1=r2=r and r1≠r2 . can you show me how ?
Can you be more specific about appropriate resistor and capacitor values to use? We have built the circuit exactly with resistor values around 1k with no output or only a DC output, no oscillations are occurring anywhere in the circuit. Thanks.
plz explain the derive equation of wein bridge oscillator
AV=1+RF/Ri, as if we use op-amp ,and it is non inverting…
frequency expressiopn will gate from this expression,
f=1/2pirc
how to do its sensitivity analysis along with DC analysis? AC analysis if possible?
where is the expression for frequency
thanks for the circuit diagram every point is very clear.
thank u for the explanation…it was really very useful…
good explain
a v gud theory used in it.
Yeah, but at least someone drew it out as a bridge. Now to look at the other schematics with that in mind is good I think. A great article all-around for me at this time.
we have project about wien bridge oscillator for 1mhz .we wants find to values of components….please reply….
It is very useful for me.And i got clear knowledge about it.
will wein-bridge oscillator is posible with one transistor
it is really good and helpful……………… it helped me’ lot
Schema doesn’t link to clear and big schema? To small and blurry (R1,R2, R8, R9) Please using Gif is more clean for schema, Jpeg is for Image/photo
Right Click on the image and click “Open Link In New Tab” – U will get a bigger and clearer image.
its really fantastic.each and every point is very clear.but one thing is the content was not effective……….