SHORT PAPER

State variable synthesis of single resistance

controlled grounded capacitor oscillators using only
two CFOAs

S.S. Gupta
R.Senani

Indexing terms: Sinusoidal oscillators, Current feedback amplifiers

only two capacitors) oscillator can, in general, be char-

Abstract: The authors have previously presented acterised by the following autonomous state equation
a state variable synthesis approach to derivation (SE):
of current feedback op-amp (CFOA) based
single-resistance-controlled oscillators (Senani and
Gupta, 1997). An extension of the previous
approach is presented to facilitate the derivation From the above, the characteristic equation (CE):
of a number of new SRCO circuits which require
no more than two CFOAs.
+
s2 - (all + a 2 2 ) s ( a n a 2 2 - 4 1 2 4 2 1 ) = 0 (2)
gives the condition of oscillation (CO) and frequency of
oscillation (FO) as:

A state variable synthesis approach has been presented

CO : (U11 + u22) =0 (3a)
recently [l], which makes it possible to evolve current FO WO = J(a11az2 - a12a21)(3b)
feedback op-amp (CFOA) based single-resistance-con- The proposed methodology involves: (i) a selection of
trolled oscillators (SRCO) systematically. The circuits the parameters uij, i = 1, 2; j = I , 2, in accordance with
derived in [I] provide noninteracting single resistance the required features (e.g. noninteracting controls for
controls (SRC) for condition of oscillation (CO) as well FO and CO through separate resistors), (ii) conversion
as frequency of oscillation (FO) and use both grounded of the resulting SEs into node equations (NE) and
capacitors (GC) which are attractive for well-known finally, (iii) constitution of a physical circuit from these
reasons [l]. The circuits derived in 111, however, require NEs.
three or more CFOAs. As outlined in [l], different circuits are expected to be
It is curious to observe that, although a large number generated by making different choices of parameters
of single-CFOA-based oscillator circuits have been a l l , a12,a21and a22. For noninteractive controls of CO
evolved in recent literature [2-61, any single CFOA- and FO, let us assume that CO is to be controlled by
oscillator circuit possessing all the properties intended RI (independent of R2) and FO is to be controlled by
herein (namely, (i) noninteracting SRC controls of both R2 (independent of R I ;with the third resistor R3 featur-
CO and FO (ii) use of both grounded capacitors and ing in both CO and FO). These conditions lead to the
(iii) use of only a minimum possible resistors (i.e. following requirements:
three)) has not been discovered up until now. It is
( a ) The expression (all + az2) should either not have
therefore, believed that at least two CFOAs are needed
terms containing R2 or they should be cancelled out.
to synthesise SRCOs with the above-mentioned fea-
Thus, in (all + a2J, there should be two terms left with
tures.
opposite signs involving RI and R3.
The object of this paper is therefore, to present an
extension of the approach presented in [l] (as envisaged ( b ) Similarly, to have FO independent of R I , the
therein) which facilitates the derivation of a number of expression (411a22- a12a2])should either not have the
new SRCO circuits which, while possessing all the terms containing R1 or they should be cancelled out.
above mentioned properties, require no more than two Thus, FO should be a function of resistors R2 and R3
CFOAs. only (along with C1 and C2).
Recall that a canonic second order (i.e. employing Consider now the following cases.
0IEE, 1998 Case I: If we choose a l l = 0, to satisfy the requirements
IEE Proceedings online no 19981667 (a) and (b),we must have a difference term in a22 of the
Paper received 29th April 1997 form (1/C2)(l/R3 - l/Rl). Here, the product alla22 = 0
S S Gupta is at 7/5, Sector I, Pushp Vihar, New Delhi 110 017, India suggests that a12a21 should be -1/(C1C2R2R3).Here, a12
R Senani is with the Linear Integrated Circuits Lab, Division of Elec- can be taken as l/(C1R2)or l/(C1R3).The latter choice
tronics and Communication Engineering, Delhi Institute of Technology, of a I 2requires three or more CFOAs to realise an oscil-
Old I G Block, Kashmere Gate, Delhi 110 006, India lator circuit and hence will not be considered here.
IEE Proc.-Circvit.r Devices Syst., Vol. 145, No. 2, April 1998 135
Hence, a21 is fixed as -1/(C2R3). The resulting matrix
thus takes the following form:
Implementation of these NEs results i n the SRCO
shown in Fig. 2, which is distinctly different from the
oscillator circuit of Fig. 1.
The CO and FO corresponding to the above are as fol- Node transposition (AT): Observe that, in the circuit of
lows: Fig. 1 nodes a and a' are at the same potential. Also,
RI = RS (5) the currents entering into nodes a and a' are equal. It
therefore follows that the NEs will remain unchanged
fo = 1/27d(R2R3CIC2) (6) even if connections at a and a' are interchanged. This
operation will henceforth be referred to as node trans-
The above choice of parameters results in the following position.
NEs: Thus, NT is applicable to the node pair a-a' in the
circuit of Fig. 1 as well as in that of Fig. 2.
(7)
Case 11: Let us choose a l l = -l/(CIR1) and a22 =
1/(C2R3). The product alla22suggests that the product
a12a21should be -(l/C1C2)(1/(R1R3) + 1/(R2R3)).Here,
a12can be (l/C1)(l/RI + l/R2) or -1/(C,R3). The latter
Implementation of eqns. 7 and 8 leads to the circuit of choice is rejected for reasons mentioned in case I.
Fig. 1. Note, that in this circuit, CO is controlled by Hence, a21is fixed as -1/(C2R3). The matrix lead by this
R1 and FO is controlled by R2, choice is given below:

The CO, FO and NEs for this case are given by:
C1RI = C2R3 (12)

Fig. 1 Synthesis of SRCO based upon matrix [ A ] of eqn. 4 The circuit implementation of eqns. 14 and 15 is shown
Each CFOA is characterised by i, = 0 , v, = vy. i7 = 1, and vIv = vi in Fig. 3, whereas its ST-version is shown in Fig. 4. In
case of the circuit of Fig. 3, NT is possible between
nodes a and a'; however, N T does not apply for the
structure of Fig. 4.

Fig.3 SRCO bused upon matrix [ A ] of eqn. I I

Fig.2 Synthesis of SRCO based upon ST of matrix [ A ] of eqn. 4

Before proceeding further, it is necessary to outline

two transformations applicable to the CFOA circuits
generated by the proposed approach.
Sign transposition ( S T ) : It can be verified that, even if
all the elements of matrix [A] are multiplied by -1, the
resulting CE remains the same, and so do CO and FO.
However. this results in different NEs, which in the
present case, after some rearrangement, can be written
as :

(9) Fig.4 SRCO bused upon STofmutvix [A/ of eqn. I 1

136 IEE Proc.-Circuits Devices Syst., Vol. 145, No. 2,April 1998
Cuse 111. If we take u l , to be a function of R2 also, for cuits possessing the desired type of tuning laws in
example, a l l = (l/CI)(- l/Rl - 1/R2 + l/Rq) then, in which CO is independently adjustable with R I , whereas
order that. with C1 = C,, the terms corresponding to R2 FO is noninteractingly controllable with R,.
cancel in (all + u2,), the element U,, has to be li(CzR2). In this context, note that, whereas the circuits of
The product a11u22suggests that the product a12u21 Figs. 5 and 6 do require C1 = C, to achieve the
should be (l/ClC,)(-l/(&,R2) - l/(R,2)) which means u I 2 intended decoupling of CO and FO, no such conditions
can be either (l/C,)(l/~, + 1/R2) or -1/(ClR2). As in are needed in case of the circuits of Figs. 1-4. Also, the
earlier cases, the latter khoice is not of interest and is circuit of Fig. 6 can easily provide a current mode out-
rejected. Thus, a I 2 = I(I/C~)(~/R~ + 1/R2) fixes the put by ungrounding terminal ‘p’ and connecting it to a
choice of u21 as -l/(C2R2). The resulting matrix, thus, is load resistor R,.
written as: The following other features, of the circuits evolved
here, are worth noticing:
Grounded resistor controls: SRC control of FO through
a grounded resistor makes it easier to incorporate
FET-based voltage controlled resistors (VCR) thereby
An oscillator based upon the matrix [A] of eqn. 16 will leading to VCO realisations, whereas SRC control of
have CO as: CO through a grounded resistor is desirable from the
viewpoint of easy incorporation of amplitude stabilisa-
tionicontrol circuitry. The circuits of Figs. 1, 3 and 4
which reduces to RI = ,R3,
for C1 = C,. On the other provide FO control through grounded R,, whereas that
hand, FO is given by: of Fig. 2 provides only the control of CO through a
grounded resistor R I . The circuit of Fig. 1, however,
fo = 1/274~2R3CIC2) (18) provides controls of CO and FO through separate
The above choice of parameters results in the following grounded resistors R I and RZ, respectively, and is,
NEs: therefore, superior to all other SRCOs from this view-
point.
ESf;.ct of z-pin parasitic cupucitunces: In case of the cir-
cuits of Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 5 , the z-pin parasitic capaci-
tances can be merged with the main external
capacitances and hence, these parasitics do not affect
The implementation of above NEs results in the circuit the circuit behaviour in any way. On the other hand, in
shown in Fig. 5 wherkas its ST-version is shown in the remaining circuits of Figs. 4 and 6, where only one
Fig. 6. It may be ncted that, in this case, N T is appli- capacitor is connected to z-terminal, it is noted that the
cable to node pairs u k ‘ and h-h‘ in the circuit of parasitic capacitance at the z-terminal of the second
Fig. 5, whereas it is applicable to only one node pair CFOA is shorted out and made ineffective by the z-ter-
e-e’ in case of the circuit of Fig. 6. mina1 being connected to ground (as in Fig. 6) or vir-
tual ground (as in Fig. 4).
Design of active-R SRCOs: Out of all the circuits pre-
sented here, those of Figs. 1 , 2, 3 and 5 facilitate the
realisation of active-R SRCOs by incorporating z-pin
internal parasitic capacitances (typically 4.5-5.5pF) in
place of the external capacitors C1 and C2 (similar to
the techniques employed in [6-81). The circuits of Figs.
4 and 6 may also provide this feature by accounting y-
I terminal parasitic capacitance of the second CFOA.
Fig.5 SRCO Imed upon r d t r m ( A ] of cqn 16 Finally, it may be mentioned that, out of the six
SRCOs derived here, that of Fig. 2 has been published
earlier in [7]; as Far as is known, all the remaining five
SRCOs are new. Also, the circuits presented here do
not exhaust all possible SRCOs which could be made
from two CFOAs, three resistors and two GCs. Based
upon a systematic generation of all possible forms of
matrix [A], a complete catalogue of two-CFOA-three-
resistors-two-GC SRCO circuits has been generated
and is currently being investigated. Details of this
work, including experimental and simulation studies,
will be forwarded for publication at a later date.

References

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IEE Pro( -Cirtuitc Device\ S y ~ t b‘ol 145 N o 2 A p d 1998 137

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138 IEE Pvoc.-Ciucuit.r Devices Syst.. Vol. 145, No. 2, April 1998