Abstract
This thesis presents a reasonably simple analytical and computational model for the self-limiting low-frequency transistor oscillators. The experimental design consists of a single-transistor Colpitts circuit biased from a current sink (a constant-current source) and particular attention is given to the methods which were first described in two papers by K. K. Clarke in 1966. The stability criterion for the self-limiting and the collector saturation limiting aspects of a BJT transistor oscillator circuit is discussed, and explicit expressions for the amplitude of oscillations are obtained by using the validity of Ebers-Moll equations at large-signal level. A theoretical model has also been developed to illustrate the features of an JG FFT transistor oscillator. The characteristics of this model for the self-limiting and the drain limiting are discussed in comparison with the experimental circuit performance. Further research for high-frequency oscillator analysis has been suggested and discussed in detail. Throughout the thesis, it has been qualitatively illustrated how one can design a desirable transistor oscillator circuit for a specific output voltage by knowing only the load conductance.