What Does Voltage Controlled Oscillator (VCO) Mean?
A voltage controlled oscillator is a widely used electronic oscillator where the input tuning voltage determines the oscillation frequency. The output frequency of the voltage controlled oscillator is either sinusoidal or sawtooth. Voltage controlled oscillators are important components in many applications such as electronic jamming equipment, function generators and phase-locked loops.
Techopedia Explains Voltage Controlled Oscillator (VCO)
The resonant frequency in the voltage controlled oscillator is controlled by input voltage. It produces a periodic signal, with the input voltage control related to the level of the frequency of the signal. A tuning element called a varactor diode is used in voltage controlled oscillators. With the help of clean direct current voltage applied to the varactor diode, the oscillator is tuned to vary the net capacitance provided to the circuit.
