Generates very low-distortion sine waves up to 1V RMS

No thermistors required - No settling time

 

Parts:

P1_____________10K  Log. Potentiometer (Dual-ganged)
P2______________2K2 Linear Potentiometer

R1,R2,R4,R5_____3K3 1/4W Resistors
R3,R6_________820R  1/4W Resistors
R7_____________10K  1/2W Trimmer Cermet
R8_____________22K  1/4W Resistor
R9_____________Photo resistor (any type)
R10_____________8K2 1/4W Resistor
R11,R12,R14,R15_3K3 1/4W Resistors
R13_____________2K7 1/4W Resistor
R16--R20________3K3 1/4W Resistors
R21____________56K  1/4W Resistor
R22____________68K  1/4W Resistor
R23_____________1K  1/4W Resistor

C1,C6_________220pF  63V Polystyrene Capacitors
C2,C7___________8n2  63V Polyester Capacitors
C3,C8__________82nF  63V Polyester Capacitors
C4,C9_________150nF  63V Polyester Capacitors
C5,C10________680nF  63V Polyester Capacitors

D1--D4______1N4148   75V 150mA Diodes
D5_____________LED    5mm. Red

IC1,IC2_____NE5532   Low noise Dual Op-amps
IC3__________TL084   Quad BIFET Op-Amp

SW1__________2 poles 3 ways rotary switch

Comments:

Producing low-distortion sine waves, this oscillator operates over the range 16 to 22000 Hz. The circuit is based on two articles that have appeared earlier in Wireless World - Roger Rosens' "Phase -Shifting Oscillator", February 1982 pp. 38-41, and J. L. Linsley Hood's "Wien-Bridge Oscillator with low harmonic distortion" from May 1981 pp. 51-53.
This design features the simplicity of the Rosens' circuit but avoids the use of a thermistor. Instead, oscillator stability is controlled by means of a common photo-resistor driven by a LED, as suggested in the Linsley Hood article.
There is no settling time when the oscillator's frequency is changed and no bouncing of the output waveform. Use of an expensive and sometimes difficult to obtain thermistor is avoided.

Technical data:

Output voltage:

Sine wave, 1V RMS max.

Total harmonic distortion @ 1V RMS output:

 Frequency  Reading
      100Hz = 0.0035%
      300Hz = 0.0028%
       1kHz = 0.002 %
       3kHz = 0.002 %
      10kHz = 0.001 %

Notes:

• Any common photo-resistor and 5mm. red LED can be used, provided they are in close contact and enclosed in a light-proof small box. I used the metal screen of a small IF transformer for AM transistor radios sealed with black insulating tape.

• The 10K trimmer must be set to obtain a 1V RMS output.

• The circuit must be supplied by a + and - 15V dual regulated supply. Common 7815 and 7915 regulator ICs should be used for this purpose.

This circuit was awarded with publication in ELECTRONICS WORLD "Circuit Ideas", February 2003 issue, page 38.