This Product Selection Guide contains information to help select products in the VCOs (Voltage Controlled Oscillators) category on Digikey.com
A voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) is an electronic oscillator whose oscillation frequency is controlled by a voltage input. The applied input voltage determines the instantaneous oscillation frequency. Consequently, a VCO can be used for frequency modulation (FM) or phase modulation (PM) by applying a modulating signal to the control input. A VCO is also an integral part of a phase-locked loop.
SelectionCharacteristics
Frequency Range: Defines the upper and lower bounds of frequency the device can vary between.
Frequency - Center: Indicates the midpoint of the frequency range over which a device operates.
Voltage - Supply: Typically represented by a range, this indicates the low and high voltage limits which one can expect standard operation. Voltages outside this range may damage the device and other system components.
Tuning Voltage (VDC): Indicates the valid voltage range for a device’s frequency control input.
2nd Harmonic, Typ (dBc): Characterizes output spectral purity, in terms of second harmonic content measured relative to the fundamental.
Icc Max: The amount of supply current required by the device, under manufacturer-defined test conditions.
Pushing (MHz/V): Defines the variation on the device’s frequency output due to variation in supply voltage.
Power (dBm): Oscillator output power with manufacturer’s specified load impedance.
Phase Noise Typ (dBc/Hz): Characterizes spectral purity of the oscillator output. Typical values shown.
Operating Temperature: Recommended operating temperature, typically given in a range or as a maximum. Exceeding these temperatures may affect performance or damage the device and other system components.
Package / Case: Indicates the type of protective case used on an electronic component to allow easy handling, installation, and protection. This selection was determined to be the closest industry standard applicable to the supplier’s device packaging. Typically it is best to check the actual dimensions from the datasheet rather than depend on this terminology when designing your circuit.
Size / Dimension: The physical dimensions of the device. Typically given in Length by Width, in Inches (Millimeters).
Height: Indicates how far the device will extend above the surface to which it has been attached.
ProductExamples
| MFR PART # | CVCO55CC-0860-0960 |
|---|---|
| DIGIKEY PART # | 744-1478-ND |
| MANUFACTURER | Crystek Corporation |
| DESCRIPTION | 910MHz Center Frequency 0.5 V ~ 4.5 V Voltage Controlled Oscillator 3 ±3 dBm -12 2nd Harmonic Typ (dBc) |
| DATASHEET | Click Here |
| MFR PART # | HMC511LP5E |
|---|---|
| DIGIKEY PART # | 505-HMC511LP5E-ND |
| MANUFACTURER | Analog Devices Inc. |
| DESCRIPTION | 4.8GHz, 9.6GHz Center Frequency 2 V ~ 13 V Voltage Controlled Oscillator 8±3, 12.5±3.5 dBm 15 2nd Harmonic Typ (dBc) |
| DATASHEET | Click Here |
| MFR PART # | RQRA-0463-0514 |
|---|---|
| DIGIKEY PART # | 2151-RQRA-0463-0514-ND |
| MANUFACTURER | Raltron Electronics |
| DESCRIPTION | 463MHz, 514MHz Center Frequency 0 V ~ 25 V Voltage Controlled Oscillator 3 dBm -15 2nd Harmonic Typ (dBc) |
| DATASHEET | Click Here |
| MFR PART # | MAX2623EUA+ |
|---|---|
| DIGIKEY PART # | MAX2623EUA±ND |
| MANUFACTURER | Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated |
| DESCRIPTION | 917.5MHz Center Frequency 0.4 V ~ 2.4 V Voltage Controlled Oscillator -3 ±3 dBm -27 2nd Harmonic Typ (dBc) |
| DATASHEET | Click Here |
MediaLinks
Articles
Understanding Voltage Controlled Oscillators
Product Training Modules
VCO Selection Techniques - Crystek
TechForum
VCXO and TCXO in application