Sine Wave Generator Circuit

Figure 1.  Diagram for a Sine Wave Generator

This is a circuit for generating a sine wave from a single operational amplifier. The feedback loop of the op amp in this circuit (741) consists of a twin-T filter connected between its output and its inverting input. Positive feedback for oscillation is provided by R2.

The twin-T filter (see Figure 2) is a passive notch filter composed of two T-networks, with maximum attenuation occurring at fn = 1/(2pRC).  One of these T networks has one resistor and two capacitors, while the other has two resistors and one capacitor.

At the notch frequency fn of the twin-T filter, the total phase shift around the loop gain of this op amp circuit is zero, which satisfies the requirement for oscillation. This is why the circuit generates a sine wave with a frequency equal to fn = 1/(2pRC).

Note that variable resistor R3 in the circuit needs to be adjusted (in relation to the chosen value for R) until oscillation occurs.

Figure 2.  A Twin-T Filter