Linear crystal oscillator with amplitude control and crosstalk

Abstract

A series-feedback crystal oscillator has a crystal element in series with a buffer amplifier. The oscillator maintains a linear oscillation signal by using an amplitude control circuit to hold the oscillation signal to a certain level at which distortion, clipping, or saturation does not occur. A control signal indicative of the amplitude of the oscillation signal linearly multiplies the oscillation signal to control the amplitude of the oscillation signal. Shunt capacitance across the crystal is compensated for by connecting a compensating capacitor to the same input terminal of the buffer amplifier as is connected the crystal. A compensating signal, which is equal in amplitude but opposite in phase to the signal passing through the shunt capacitance of the crystal is fed to the input terminal of the buffer amplifier to cancel the effect of the shunt capacitance. A noninverted tracer signal is injected in the feedback loop and passes through the shunt capacitance. An inverted tracer signal passes through the compensating capacitor to cancel the noninverted tracer signal through the shunt capacitance and thereby compensate for the shunt capacitance of the crystal. Interfering crosstalk signals from one crystal oscillator circuit which are coupled into a second crystal oscillator circuit are reduced by feeding an oppositely phased interfering signal into the second crystal oscillator circuit.