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A voltage-controlled oscillator or VCO is an electronic circuit that uses amplification, feedback, and some form of timing circuit to generate a repetitive voltage waveform. The frequency of oscillation, or rate of repetition, is varied with an applied DCvoltage, while alternating current audio or other signals may be fed into the VCO to generate frequency modulation (FM).

For high-frequency VCOs, the voltage-controlled element is commonly a varicap diode connected as part of an LC tank circuit. For low-frequency VCOs, other methods of varying the frequency are used. VCOs are used in the production of electronic music, to generate variable tones.

Voltage Controlled Crystal Oscillators (VCXO)

A version using a quartz crystal is sometimes found in radio transmitters for frequency-modulating an input signal. The piezoelectric effect of quartz causes it to vibrate at a very high frequency, producing radio waves.

See also

• VFO
• oscillation
• electronic oscillator
• modular synthesizer

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