We present a method for analyzing the phase noise of oscillators based on
feedback driven high quality factor resonators. Our approach is to derive the
phase drift of the oscillator by projecting the stochastic oscillator dynamics
onto a slow time scale corresponding physically to the long relaxation time of
the resonator. We derive general expressions for the phase drift generated by
noise sources in the electronic feedback loop of the oscillator. These are
mixed with the signal through the nonlinear amplifier, which makes them
{cyclostationary}. We also consider noise sources acting directly on the
resonator. The expressions allow us to investigate reducing the oscillator
phase noise thereby improving the frequency precision using resonator
nonlinearity by tuning to special operating points. We illustrate the approach
giving explicit results for a phenomenological amplifier model. We also propose
a scheme for measuring the slow feedback noise generated by the feedback
components in an open-loop driven configuration in experiment or using circuit
simulators, which enables the calculation of the closed-loop oscillator phase
noise in practical systems
