Electronics: How Does an Oscillator Work?
Oscillators are circuits that produce waveform outputs from a direct input current. This back-and-forth movement is usually at a set frequency, making oscillators useful for a variety of applications in electronic equipment like watches, radio receivers and computers.
Other People Are Reading
-
Energy States
-
All oscillators switch between two different energy states. Electronic circuits switch between magnetic and electrical energy states. An induction coil generates magnetic energy, while the capacitor produces electric energy in a charge and discharge process.
Resonance
-
When an oscillator frequency matches a set signal, it boosts the carrier signal while ignoring all other frequencies. This is the case in a car radio, where the signal is boosted when the oscillator reaches resonance.
-
Boost of Energy
-
Due to loss of energy as a result of friction, oscillators may lose oscillation amplitude. Oscillators require extra energy input to compensate for these energy losses as a result.
-
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Uhrenpendel image by Marem from Fotolia.com
