Experiment 7: The Hartley Oscillator

Purpose and Discussion

The purpose of this simulation is to demonstrate the characteristics and operation of a Hartley oscillator.
The Hartley oscillator is characterized by the inductive voltage divider made up of L1 and L2. This
feedback voltage is used to sustain the oscillations. Once again, the parallel LC resonant circuit is
responsible for the oscillator frequency.
As with other LC oscillators, the Barkhausen criteria must be met in order for oscillation to take place.
Specifically the gain from input to output must be one and the net phase around the loop must be zero. In
the design in Figure 7-1, the BJT must have a voltage gain greater than the ratio L1 /L2 in order to sustain
oscillations. In other words, the gain of the BJT must make up for the attenuation created by the feedback
fraction:
L2 1 Li
B= Since AvB>1, then Av > =
L1 B L2

Parts
DC 12 V Supply
Transistor: Ideal BJT
Resistors: 500 , 10 k
Inductor: virtual 0.5 mH, 2.5 mH
Capacitor: virtual 1 F

Test Equipment
Oscilloscope

Formulae
Frequency of Oscillation
1
Fc=
2 RC 6

Gain
L1
Av >
L2

Total Inductance
L = L1 + L2
Procedure

1. Connect the circuit components illustrated in Figure 7-1.

2. Double-click the Oscilloscope to view its display. Set the time base to 200 s/Div and Channel A to
2V/Div. Select Auto triggering and DC coupling.
3. Select Simulate/Interactive Simulation Settings, and select Set to Zero for Initial Conditions.
4. Start the simulation. The oscillator may take a few seconds to stabilize. Measure the frequency of
oscillation.
5. Compare with theoretical calculations. fc = 3kHz measured fc= 2.9kHz calculated
6. Stop the simulation and place a Spectrum Analyzer on the workspace.
7. Connect the output lead of the oscillator to the input of the Spectrum Analyzer. Double-click on the
Spectrum Analyzer to open its window.
8. Press Set Span, set Span = 10 kHz, Center = 5 kHz and Amplitude = Lin and click Enter.
9. Restart the simulation. When the oscillator has stabilized, drag the red marker to the position of the
spectrum line observed. Note the frequency in the lower left corner of the spectrum analyzer window.
fc = 3kHz measured(spectrum)
10. Calculate the gain of the circuit and verify that it is greater than 1/B.
Av = 5
11. Calculate the value of L2 that is required to obtain oscillations of 3.5 kHz. Replace existing simulated
component values by double-clicking on the component of interest. Run the simulation to verify your
results.
L = 2.07mH
L2 = 2.07mH 0.5mH
L2 = 1.57mH

Expected Outcome

Additional Challenge
Re-design the circuit of Figure 7-1 to lower the gain to 10. This lower gain will result in a more
predictable oscillator. Replace existing simulated component values by double-clicking on the component
of interest. Run the simulation and compare the output data with expected theoretical values.
RESULTS