Abstract:
Method and apparatus for initiating and sustaining oscillations in a system having a free oscillatory period, comprising an oscillating means (preferably including a relaxation oscillator of the resistor-capacitor type) connected to apply a periodic driving force to the system, the oscillating means having an intrinsic period approximately equal to the period of the system, a detector connected to sense operation of the oscillating means and the oscillations, if any, of the system and to detect a phase difference therebetween, and circuitry with an input connected to the detector, the circuitry connected to the oscillating means to be effective to modify the oscillations of the oscillating means so as to maintain the phase difference within predetermined limits.