Title: Voltage controlled oscillator having equally controlled current source and current sink

Abstract: The VCO circuit includes means for varying the potential across an inverting stage of a ring oscillator for changing its frequency of oscillation, while maintaining the quiescent point of the stage output centered between the two operating voltages powering the circuit. A current source is connected between the more positive of the two operating voltages and the positive voltage terminal of the stage and a current sink is connected between the more negative of the two operating voltages and the negative voltage terminal of the stage. The current supplied by the current source and the current drawn by the current sink are proportional to an input control voltage and are equal in magnitude. The oscillator stage is biased in the linear portion of its transfer characteristic and provides a conduction path between the current source and the current sink.

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Inventors: Dingwall, Andrew G. F. (Bridgewater, NJ, US)
Rosenthal, Bruce D. (Mountain View, CA, US)

Application Number: 783657
Filing Date: 1977-04-01
Publication_date: 1978-02-07
Assignee: RCA Corporation (New York, NY)
Primary Class(es): 331/57 331/108B, 331/108C, 331/108D, 331/117R, 331/117FE, 331/177R
Other Classes:
US Patent Ref:

3878482	Apr, 1975	Schow, Jr.	331/108.
3904988	Sep, 1975	Hsiao	331/108.
3931588	Jan, 1976	Gehweiler	331/57.

Other Refs:
Primary Examiner: Grimm, Siegfried H.
Assistant Examiner:
Attorney: Christoffersen; H., Schanzer; H. I.