A novel criterion for safe start-up of oscillation and avoidance of latch-up in oscillator circuits

A criterion is given for oscillator circuits to guarantee safe start-up of oscillation under all start-up conditions, provided the oscillator is not chaotic, and to guarantee avoiding latching effects. This criterion may replace the Barkhausen criterion, which in its modified form has proven to be erroneous. The new criterion is not only applicable to transmission-type oscillators with or without memory, but also to reflection-type oscillators.