Take this chip as an example: http://www.maxim-ic.com/datasheet/index.mvp/id/3491.
It says that the frequency range is 8.1kHz to 133MHz on the main output and 8.2MHz to 133MHz on the reference output. But, to my untrained eye it doesn't say much else.
The datasheet left me with a few questions:
- What kind of oscillator is it? Sine wave, triangle, saw tooth?
- It says it only needs a single +5v supply, but what if I wanted the sine wave to oscillate between, for example, -2.5 volts and 2.5 volts?
I know I can build an oscillator with an op-amp, but this question doesn't relate to that. I'm merely curious about the nature of chips like the one I posted.
Best Answer
The output is a square wave compatible with digital logic. The "high" state is at least 2.4 volts and could be as high as the power supply. The "low" state is between 0.0 and 0.4 volts.
Chips like this are used for generating clocks for digital logic and are not suitable for making sine waves.