A
Artist
Guest
I have been tasked with designing a piezoelectric actuator driver at its
resonant frequency. This is to replace an arrangement where the sine
wave source is a function generator chip (the obsolete XR-2206) that
must be individually tweaked on a unit, by unit basis, to match the
crystalâs resonant frequency.
The crystal is used as an actuator to vibrate a mirror used in a laser
system. We have had systems come back from the field because the
function generatorâs sinewave frequency became too different for the
system to work.
My idea is to use the crystal itself as part of an oscillator circuit so
that frequency is always exactly the crystalâs resonant frequency. I
have prepared an abbreviated concept schematic that can be viewed here:
https://i.imgur.com/4eBFQuD.png
This is an op amp version of a Colpitts Oscillator.
RV2 adds energy to the crystal to sustain its oscillations. I do not
know right now its optimum value.
U1 controls the oscillation amplitude by controlling the voltage on the
op ampâs power supply lines. The circuit is designed to have a single
supply so two regulators need not be ganged together.
I am aware there should be more capacitors in the U! adjustable
regulator circuit, and ops amp circuits. U1 also needs protection diodes
to prevent it being back driven in by capacitors during power down. All
this has been removed for clarity.
U1 might have to be replaced with an adjustable DC DC Converter. I do
not know right now how much current the crystal will require.
The cable to the crystal might be as long as five feet.
My questions are whether this should work in principle, and whether
there are any bettor ways to do it.
resonant frequency. This is to replace an arrangement where the sine
wave source is a function generator chip (the obsolete XR-2206) that
must be individually tweaked on a unit, by unit basis, to match the
crystalâs resonant frequency.
The crystal is used as an actuator to vibrate a mirror used in a laser
system. We have had systems come back from the field because the
function generatorâs sinewave frequency became too different for the
system to work.
My idea is to use the crystal itself as part of an oscillator circuit so
that frequency is always exactly the crystalâs resonant frequency. I
have prepared an abbreviated concept schematic that can be viewed here:
https://i.imgur.com/4eBFQuD.png
This is an op amp version of a Colpitts Oscillator.
RV2 adds energy to the crystal to sustain its oscillations. I do not
know right now its optimum value.
U1 controls the oscillation amplitude by controlling the voltage on the
op ampâs power supply lines. The circuit is designed to have a single
supply so two regulators need not be ganged together.
I am aware there should be more capacitors in the U! adjustable
regulator circuit, and ops amp circuits. U1 also needs protection diodes
to prevent it being back driven in by capacitors during power down. All
this has been removed for clarity.
U1 might have to be replaced with an adjustable DC DC Converter. I do
not know right now how much current the crystal will require.
The cable to the crystal might be as long as five feet.
My questions are whether this should work in principle, and whether
there are any bettor ways to do it.