Oscillator Design and Computer Simulation

Rating:
Summary: OK but not great
Review: It's a fairly readable book, but there are quite a few errors.

The book is strongly based on the open-the-loop method to find loaded Q, but this method is heavily flawed due to the impedances where the loop is broken being not known.

Rating:
Summary: OK
Review: Many example circuits, resonator topologies and other useful information.

Rating:
Summary: An outstanding modern introduction to oscillator design.
Review: The book is probably the best available on general discrete oscillator design from low frequency up through several GHz. Excellent coverage of fundamental principles supplemented with many highly practical examples, complete with CAD files and outputs using the excellent "SuperStar" PC based s parameter package also developed by the author (available from his company, Eagleware). The new 2nd edition provides key basic facts not found in any other source, for example that the phase angle of the reflection coefficient for negative resistance oscillators is 0 or 180 depending solely on the source of reference impedance. Randy is obviously a very experienced RF circuit designer who has been around the block many times and is devoted to getting the fundamentals right. Users of his software will also find that he is usually available by phone and happy to provide a few "tips from the master". A really outstanding piece of work for use by serious RF design students and practicing designers. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a 3rd edition that extends coverage to fully integrated voltage controlled oscillators. Farron Dacus, Irving, Texas.

Rating:
Summary: A valuable and very practical book by a leading RF designer.
Review: The only book I use for discrete wireless oscillator design. It covers RF VCO's and crystal oscillators with clarity and ease not normally found in electronic design books of this -- or any -- kind. Even though the book's full usefulness comes through when you own Eagleware's software design suite, this book also works perfectly as a completely stand-alone oscillator design text; full of useful formulas and invaluable design tips.

Rating:
Summary: A valuable and very practical book by a leading RF designer.
Review: This is an excellent book which introduces all the concepts in an easily understood form and which has proven very valuable in day to day design of RF oscillators. If you need to begin designing oscillators then you should seriously consider adding this to your collection.

If you want to deal with some of the more advanced topics then consider getting a copy of Microwave and Wireless RF synthesizer theory and design by Ulrich Rohde which has excellent chapters on oscillator design.

Now if we could just persuade Ulrich and Randy to write a book together.........