In this module you will learn about oscillators, which are circuits that generate a periodic waveform to perform timing, control, and communications functions. Oscillators can found in most analog and digital systems. They require a form of positive feedback where a portion of the output signal is fed back to the input in a way that causes it to reinforce itself and thus sustain a continuous output signal. Oscillators are designed to produce a controlled oscillation with one of two basic methods: the unity-gain method used with feedback oscillators and the timing method used with relaxation oscillators.
Different types of oscillators produce various types of outputs including sine waves, square waves, triangular waves and sawtooth waves.
After completing this module you should be able to: