oscillator
Periodic signal source
An oscillator is a device or system that produces regular, back-and-forth motion or fluctuation.
In electronics, oscillators generate alternating current or periodic signals—the circuits that make radios tune frequencies, clocks keep time, and synthesizers produce sound waves.
In physics, a pendulum or vibrating spring is a simple harmonic oscillator.
The term extends to anything that swings between states: Market oscillators help traders identify overbought conditions.
Rate of recurrence
- hertzFrequency measurement unit
- kilohertzThousand-cycle frequency unit
- megahertzOne million oscillations per second
- gigahertzFrequency unit, billions
resonance · waveform · amplitude · signal · modulation · tuning · bandwidth · phase
Suspended swinging weight
- springRecoiling metal spiral
- escapementTick-controlling clock component
- flywheelRotational energy storage device
- crankshaftRotating engine shaft
camshaft · piston · lever · linkage · clockwork · metronome · damping · kinetic
Oscillating pitch effect
- tremoloRapid tonal wavering
- waveformGraphed oscillation pattern
- synthesizerElectronic sound-generating instrument
- thereminGesture-played electronic instrument
modular · analog · pitch · timbre · LFO · envelope · filter · subtractive
Microwave-generating vacuum tube
Of musical overtones
- periodicOccurring at intervals
- amplitudeMaximum oscillation displacement
- frequencyRate of recurrence
- dampingDissipation of vibrational energy
resonance · displacement · sinusoidal · wavefunction · phase · driven · coupled · quantum
frequency
Rate of recurrence
- hertzFrequency measurement unit
- kilohertzThousand-cycle frequency unit
- megahertzOne million oscillations per second
gigahertz · resonance · waveform · amplitude · signal · modulation · tuning · bandwidth · phase · circuit
pendulum
Suspended swinging weight
- springRecoiling metal spiral
- escapementTick-controlling clock component
- flywheelRotational energy storage device
crankshaft · camshaft · piston · lever · linkage · clockwork · metronome · damping · kinetic · fulcrum
vibrato
Oscillating pitch effect
- tremoloRapid tonal wavering
- waveformGraphed oscillation pattern
- synthesizerElectronic sound-generating instrument
theremin · modular · analog · pitch · timbre · LFO · envelope · filter · subtractive · additive
magnetron
Microwave-generating vacuum tube
harmonic
Of musical overtones
damping · resonance · displacement · sinusoidal · wavefunction · phase · driven · coupled · quantum · zero-point
- quartz crystalresonator, watch crystal
- timekeepingclock, watch, watches, clocks, timer
- electronicscomputer, resistors, capacitors, TVs, TV
- medical equipmentstethoscope, AED, syringe, hospital bed, surgical table
- transmissionbroadcast, broadcasting, transmitter, relay, signal
- acousticssound waves, sound wave, sound, soundwave, vibration
oscillatorfixed point
Value unchanged by function
equilibrium · rest state · anchor · dead weight · ground
oscillatordamper
Device reducing vibration or flow
absorber · dissipator · attenuator · shock absorber · resistor
- local oscillatorInternal signal for frequency conversion