Wein Bridge Oscillator Circuit

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 C2R2 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 R 4 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 Q 1,
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 Q 2. 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
1. Provides a stable low distortion sinusoidal output over a wide range of frequency.
2. The frequency range can be selected simply by using decade resistance boxes.
3. The frequency of oscillation can be easily varied by varying capacitances C 1 and
C2 simultaneously. The overall gain is high because of two transistors.
Disadvantages
1. The circuit needs two transistors and a large number of other components.
2. The maximum frequency output is limited because of amplitude and the phase-shift
characteristics of amplifi

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Wein Bridge Oscillator Circuit

The amplifier voltage gain, A R3 + R4 / R4 = R3 / R4 + 1 = 3

Wien Bridge Oscillator – Working

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