Low-distortion Audio-range Oscillator

back tracking a bit... concept.....

a F to V converter (DC) driving a pot(s) which forms the R part of a varying freq filter. Doesnt have to be precision freq - not digital... just an octave above fundamental freq ( 2H and >) Can be switched in range with same circuit which switches the freq gen.

Does that spur any ideas?


THx-RNMarsh

Seems like going backwards a bit but won't an out of balance dif stage generate hoards of 2ndH. The Tcell IC Bob used for the PLL might be ideal for this. In fact you can build a 4Q multiplier out them. $1.95 item.
 
No, I haven't really thought of doing that, but it sure would be convenient if the auto-tune circuitry could be made in such a way that it would not compromise distortion.

Just as in a THD analyzer, two variable must be auto-tuned using quadrature versions of the error. First, and most obviously, the amplitude for nulling. Secondly, however, there needs to be some adjustment of phase for higher-frequency measurements where the HF rolloff of the amplifier under test causes some phase lag.

Cheers,
Bob

A band pass filter might be ideal for rocking the phase. By tuning slightly above or below fundamental you can swing the phase +/- a few degrees. Might be able to do it with passives. The phase reverses at resonance at a rate proportional to Q.
 
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Sure but you still have to tune it in. How to auto track?

I believe AD has a measurement IC (network analyzer) that might be able to do this.
The output from the sampler is IQ.

The oscillator and the lockin amplifiers are synced to the same master clock.

Master clock has outputs at the fundamental and as many harmonics as you can cancel. Fundamental output is fed via gain control and filtered by just below oscillator resonator. That output resonator has variable gain/attenuator controlled by input feed and has as low as an output impedance as possible. The harmonic cancelators are attenuated and fed into the output. Then the lock in amplifiers check the harmonics and make the adjustments required. All "oscillators" are really D/As.
 
Seems like going backwards a bit but won't an out of balance dif stage generate hoards of 2ndH. The Tcell IC Bob used for the PLL might be ideal for this. In fact you can build a 4Q multiplier out them. $1.95 item.

still thinking in big chunks ---- a bal output with 0 and -180 degree outputs.... and a pot to select anywhere between the two phase extreams.... used to keep in cancellation the harmonics in the output... PLL still needed.


THx-RNMarsh


Note I find several errors creeping into the measurements systems I have on hand from my personal free equipment rental supply...... 5 of them. each a different problem/solution. I did retune the generator for lowest thd on my system..... new Gen output is 1.93v rms.

The ranges of accuarcy in these low levels is the A-P 2722 (poor 2H recovery), and the ShibaSoku 725D (internal grounding/leakages) and then the best one - the unit made for Panasonic -- VP 7722A. The Panasonic seems to have addressed all the minor issues and annoyances of the others. Here is what I can get with it. Note no cancellation is being used external to the gen/analyzer --->


David's gen with VP7722A.JPG

This is after a week of fussing around with grounding, isolation ETC and various analyzers residual funnies..... The Panasonic monitor output for 0dBV is -10dBv. I havent corrected for it in the photo.


THx-RNMarsh
 
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Hi David,
Improved oscillators are out there cheaply these days. You can get a double oven type 10 MHz oscillator and set that up on a PCB. Feed it into your counter for an instant upgrade. The types that can be disciplined have a tuning voltage input, and there are DIY circuits out there that can take a 1 pps signal to control your master oscillator. That way you have the very low jitter of an x-tal oscillator, and the accuracy of a GPS locked source. A lot less expensive than the upgraded frequency reference option was at the time from HP (and even now from Keysight). If you can find a GPS timing receiver used, that and an antenna is all you need to completely solve your dilemma. Complete GPS timing solutions were in the $200 ~ $300 range, including timing antenna. There were some brand new systems for sale of a Lucent / Symetricom brand that had a receiver and back up frequency reference in case the primary reference went down. They used 5 MHz oscillators, but all you need is a frequency doubler to solve that issue. They also include a 1 pps output. You would need to provide a power supply (+24 VDC I think) to operate it. A gel cell would provide power over a short interruption. These use ovens, so the initial current draw is a few amperes, then drops to about 1/2 amp I think. I plan to run my heaters off a large gel cell, and the receivers (and oven electronics) from another supply to keep that stuff up all the time if I can. It will take a couple hours from a cold start for these systems to begin closing on a very accurate 10 MHz output. Sometimes as long as a week to get into the area where the frequency error is in the 10 exp-12 or so range. That is pretty darned close, enough for most of our uses. Only a time nut ( 🙂 ) would go for tighter accuracy (and they do). I'll also be running a stand alone HP ovenized oscillator for use as a sanity check. I can manually tune it every so often.

-Chris
 
Hi David,
Improved oscillators are out there cheaply these days. You can get a double oven type 10 MHz oscillator and set that up on a PCB. Feed it into your counter for an instant upgrade. The types that can be disciplined have a tuning voltage input, and there are DIY circuits out there that can take a 1 pps signal to control your master oscillator. That way you have the very low jitter of an x-tal oscillator, and the accuracy of a GPS locked source. A lot less expensive than the upgraded frequency reference option was at the time from HP (and even now from Keysight). If you can find a GPS timing receiver used, that and an antenna is all you need to completely solve your dilemma. Complete GPS timing solutions were in the $200 ~ $300 range, including timing antenna. There were some brand new systems for sale of a Lucent / Symetricom brand that had a receiver and back up frequency reference in case the primary reference went down. They used 5 MHz oscillators, but all you need is a frequency doubler to solve that issue. They also include a 1 pps output. You would need to provide a power supply (+24 VDC I think) to operate it. A gel cell would provide power over a short interruption. These use ovens, so the initial current draw is a few amperes, then drops to about 1/2 amp I think. I plan to run my heaters off a large gel cell, and the receivers (and oven electronics) from another supply to keep that stuff up all the time if I can. It will take a couple hours from a cold start for these systems to begin closing on a very accurate 10 MHz output. Sometimes as long as a week to get into the area where the frequency error is in the 10 exp-12 or so range. That is pretty darned close, enough for most of our uses. Only a time nut ( 🙂 ) would go for tighter accuracy (and they do). I'll also be running a stand alone HP ovenized oscillator for use as a sanity check. I can manually tune it every so often.

-Chris

Since I work for a cable services company. The cable and connectors are free.

You mentioned running the oven off cells. Is that the complete unit or does the supply to just the heating system effect things?
I think it's just a stable temperature that is required. But you are expert.
 
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