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Crystal oscillators for digital circuits are normally built as Pierce oscillators with an inverter.The inverter operates as a linear amplifier and thus requires extra current. But you can also build a crystal oscillator using an  operational amplifier (op amp for short)! If a  very low frequency is involved, for instance  32.768 kHz (commonly used for clocks), you can get away with a comparatively ‘slow’ micro power op amp.  Micropower Crystal Oscillator Circuit Diagram Micropower Crystal Oscillator Circuit Diagram   In the sample circuit shown a widely avail-able TLC271 is used. On pin 8 we have the  opportunity to set the ‘bias mode’, with three  choices ranging between fast operation with  higher current consumption and slower operation at low current. For our clock crystal the middle setting will suit us fine. Pin 8 is there-fore connected to the voltage divider R1/R2. The current consumption of the entire circuit  is impressively modest...

Crystal oscillators for digital circuits are normally built as Pierce oscillators with an inverter.The inverter operates as a linear amplifier and thus requires extra current. But you can also build a crystal oscillator using an  operational amplifier (op amp for short)! If a  very low frequency is involved, for instance  32.768 kHz (commonly used for clocks), you can get away with a comparatively ‘slow’ micro power op amp.  Micropower Crystal Oscillator Circuit Diagram   In the sample circuit shown a widely avail-able TLC271 is used. On pin 8 we have the  opportunity to set the ‘bias mode’, with three  choices ranging between fast operation with  higher current consumption and slower operation at low current. For our clock crystal the middle setting will suit us fine. Pin 8 is there-fore connected to the voltage divider R1/R2. The current consumption of the entire circuit  is impressively modest and at 5 V this is just  56 µA! The osci...