This version is outdated by a newer approved version.
This version (05 Mar 2019 12:58) was approved by Antoniu Miclaus.The Previously approved version (26 Oct 2018 12:35) is available.
This version (05 Mar 2019 12:58) was approved by Antoniu Miclaus.The Previously approved version (26 Oct 2018 12:35) is available.This is an old revision of the document!
Table of Contents
Activity: The Hartley Oscillator
Objective:
Oscillators come in many forms. In this lab activity we will explore the Hartley configuration which uses a taped inductor divider to provide the feedback path.
Background:
The Hartley Oscillator is a particularly good circuit for producing fairly low distortion sine wave signals in the RF range, 30kHz to 30MHz. The Hartley configuration can be recognized by its use of a tapped inductor divider (L1 and L2 in figure 1). The frequency of oscillation can be calculated in the same way as any parallel resonant circuit, using:
Where L = L1 + L2
Figure 1 shows a typical Hartley oscillator. The frequency determining parallel resonant tuned circuit is formed by L1, L2 and C1 and is used as the collector load impedance of the common base amplifier Q1. This gives the amplifier a high gain only at the resonant frequency. This configuration of the Hartley oscillator uses a common base amplifier, the base of Q1is biased to an appropriate DC level by resistor divider R1 and R2 but is connected directly to an AC ground by C3. In the common base mode the output voltage waveform at the collector, and the input signal at the emitter are in phase. This ensures that the fraction of the output signal from the node between L1 and L2, fed back from the tuned collector load to the emitter via the coupling capacitor C2 provides the required positive feedback.
Figure1 Basic Hartley Oscillator
C2 also forms a low frequency time constant with the emitter resistor R3 to provide an average DC voltage level proportional to the amplitude of the feedback signal at the emitter of Q1. This provides automatic control of the gain of the amplifier to give the closed loop gain of 1 required by the oscillator. The emitter resistor R3 is not decoupled because the emitter node is used as the common base amplifier input. The base is connected to AC ground by C3, which will provide a very low reactance at the oscillator frequency.
Pre Lab Simulations
Build a simulation schematic of the Hartley oscillator as shown in figure 1. Calculate values for bias resistors R1 and R2 such that with emitter resistor R3set to 1 KΩ, the collector current in NPN transistor Q1 is approximately 1 mA. Assume the circuit is powered from a +10V power supply. Be sure to keep the sum of R1 and R2 ( total resistance greater than 10 KΩ) has high as practical to keep the standing current in the resistor divider as low as practical. Remember that C3 provides an AC ground at the base of Q1. Set base decoupling capacitor C3 and output AC coupling capacitor C4 to 0.1uF. Calculate a value for C1 such that the resonate frequency, with L1 set equal to 1 uH and L2 set to 10 uH, will be close to 750 KHz. Perform a transient simulation. Save these results to compare with the measurements you take on the actual circuit and to include with your lab report.
Materials:
ADALM2000 Active Learning Module
Solder-less breadboard, and jumper wire kit
1 - 2N3904 NPN transistor
1 - 1 uH inductor
1 - 10 uH inductor
1 - 100 uH inductor
1 - 1 nF capacitor ( C1 optional values as listed below )
2 - 0.1 uF capacitors ( marked 104 )
1 - 0.01 uF capacitor ( marked 103)
1 - 1 KΩ resistor
Other resistor, capacitors and inductors as needed
Directions:
Build The Hartley Oscillator shown in figure 2 using your solder-less breadboard. Pick standard values from your parts kit for bias resistors R1 and R2 such that with emitter resistor R3set to 1 KΩ, the collector current in NPN transistor Q1 is approximately 1 mA. The frequency of the oscillator can be from around 500 KHz to 2 MHz depending on the values chosen for L1, L2 and C1. Start with L1 = 10 uH and L2 = 100 uH. This oscillator circuit can produce a sine wave output in excess of 10 Vpp at an approximate frequency set by the value chosen for C1. After experimenting with various values for C1 change L1 = 1 uH and L2 = 10 uH.
Figure 2 Hartley Oscillator
Hardware Setup:
The green squares indicate where to connect the ADALM2000 module AWG, scope channels and power supplies. Be sure to only turn on the power supplies after you double check your wiring.
Figure 3 Hartley Oscillator breadboard circuit
Procedure:
Having finished construction the Hartley oscillator check that the circuit is oscillating correctly by turning on both the + and - 5 V power supplies and connecting one of the oscilloscope channels to the output terminal. It may be found that the value of R3 is fairly critical, producing either a large distorted waveform or an intermittent low or no output. To find the best value for R3, it could be replaced by a 1 KΩ potentiometer for experimentation to find the value that gives the best wave shape and reliable amplitude.
A plot example using R1 = 10KΩ, R2 = 1KΩ, R3 = 100Ω and C1 = 4.7nF is presented in the figure below.
Figure 4 Hartley Oscillator plot
Questions:
Measure the peak to peak output voltage of the output. Measure the DC ( average ) level of the output waveform at the collector of Q1 and on the other (output) side of AC coupling capacitor C4. Measure the period (time T) of the output waveform and its frequency (1/T). Compare this measured frequency to what you calculated by .
Fill in the table below with the measured frequency for other C1 values. Use the values in the table as suggested options but try to include as many different values as possible using series and parallel combinations of the capacitors supplied in your parts kit. Any of the C1 optional values shown below should give reliable oscillation.
| C1 Options | L1 = 10uH L2 = 100uH | L1 = 1uH L2 = 10uH |
|---|---|---|
| Value | Frequency | Frequency |
| 1nF | ||
| 2.2nF | ||
| 4.7nF | ||
| 10nF |
Lab Resources:
- Fritzing files: hartley_osc_bb
For Further Reading:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hartley_oscillator
Return to Lab Activity Table of Contents.
university/courses/electronics/comms-lab-hartley-osc.1551787080.txt.gz · Last modified: 05 Mar 2019 12:58 by Antoniu Miclaus