Hello! I am really happy to find this forum and I hope that we can all benefit from our interaction here.

I have the following question:

Say I have an oscillator but I have only VDD and GND pins working. This way, I can apply voltage to it, but I can't get an output signal (at least not via a wire)... I have to propose a way to test whether the oscillator is working properly (creating an oscillating signal) or it's defective. So, it has to be some "remote" wireless method. I would appreciate any ideas. Thank you in advance!

Best regards

 

It depends upon the oscillator type, its physical construction and the oscillation frequency.

If there is no internal bypass, put a few ohms between the power supply bypass capacitor and the power input of the oscillator and try to find the oscillator with a spectrum analyzer connected to the power input. If you know the frequency of the oscillator, try to find it with a radio receiver.

 

Thank you for the suggestion! I forgot to mention that the whole oscillator is in a sealed housing so I don't have access to the circuit itself.

 

What else can you say about the oscillator? Manufacturer/part number...?

 

if its one olf those crystal can oscilators with the frequency marked, just use an apropriate reciever to listen for the carrier. such as a 10 mhz oscilator, use a short wave reciever tuned around 10 mhz to listen for it.

 

I have to propose a way to test whether the oscillator is working properly

Is this a homework question/project?

 

Thank you for the suggestion! I forgot to mention that the whole oscillator is in a sealed housing so I don't have access to the circuit itself.

The metal can oscillators that fit a regular 0.3" IC socket, sometimes have an enable pin.

The datasheet and carful look at the part number may be the only solution.