Chapter - 2

Diode Applications
 Introduction

• We have a basic knowledge of the characteristics of a diode along with its

response to applied voltages and currents
• We can use this knowledge to examine a wide variety of networks
• For the diode the initial discussion will include the actual characteristics to
clearly demonstrate how the characteristics of a device and the network
parameters interact.
• Once there is confidence in the results obtained, the approximate piecewise
model will be employed to verify the results found using the complete
characteristics
 Load Line
• The Load Line plots all possible current (ID) conditions for
all voltages applied to the diode (VD) in a given circuit.
• E/R is the maximum ID and E is the maximum VD.
• Where the Load Line and the Characteristic Curve intersect
is the Q point, which specifies a particular ID and VD for a
given circuit.

[Formula 2.1]

[Formula 2.2]
[Formula 2.3]

The load line is determined

solely by the applied network,
whereas the characteristics are
defined by the chosen device.
• The solution obtained at the intersection of the two curves is the same as would be
obtained by a simultaneous mathematical solution of:
 Example 2.1

For the series diode configuration of Fig.a , employing the diode

characteristics of Fig.b , determine:

1) Solve
2) Solve using Simplified Equivalent Model
3) Solve using Ideal Diode Model
 Diode Approximations

In Forward Bias:
Silicon Diode: VD = .7V
Germanium Diode: VD = .3V

In Reverse Bias:
Both diodes act like open circuit
VD = source voltage and ID =0A
 Diode in DC Series Circuit: Forward Bias

The diode is forward biased.

• VD= VK = .7V (or VD = E if E < .7V) [Formula 2.4]
• VR = E – VD [Formula 2.5]
• ID = IR = VR/R [Formula 2.6]
 Diode in DC Series Circuit: Reverse Bias

The diode is reverse biased.

• ID = IR = 0A
• VR = 0V
Parallel and Series–Parallel Configurations

Solve this circuit like any Series/Parallel circuit,

knowing VD = .7V (or up to .7V) in forward bias
and as an open in reverse bias.
VD1 = VD2 = Vo = .7V
VR = 9.3V
Diodes in parallel are used to limit current:
IR = E – VD = 10V - .7V = 28mA
R .33kΩ
ID1 = ID2 = 28mA/2 = 14mA
Issue with Breakdown Voltage and Protection

Both diodes have a reverse

breakdown voltage of 3 V
and an average turn-on
voltage of 2 V
Issue with Breakdown Voltage and Protection
OR/AND Gates
 DC Component (Average Value) and AC Component

Every (periodic) signal has a DC component and an AC component, i.e.,

v(t) = VDC + vac(t)

where, VDC is the DC component and vac(t) is the AC component.

DC component VDC is defined as the time-average or mean of the signal within one period,

where, T is the period of the signal.

VDC is the voltage value displayed for v(t) on a DC voltmeter.

AC component vac(t) is the zero-mean time-varying component of the signal given by

 Half-wave Rectification

• Second half-cycle of the signal is zero. So, only

need to integrate first half-cycle of the signal

[Formula 2.7]
 Silicon Diode Effect on Half-wave Rectification

• For silicon diode VK = 0.7

• In forward-bias region The applied signal must now be at least 0.7 V before the diode
can turn “on.”
• For levels of vi less than 0.7 V, the diode is still in an open-circuit state and vo = 0 V
• When conducting, the difference between vo and vi is VK = 0.7 V

vo = vi – V K

• The net effect is a reduction in area above the axis, which reduces the resulting dc
voltage level.
• For situations where Vm >> VK, the following equation can be applied to determine the
average value with a relatively high level of accuracy.

[Formula 2.8]
 PIV (PRV)

Because the diode is only forward biased for one-half of the AC

cycle, it is then also off for one-half of the AC cycle. It is important
that the reverse breakdown voltage rating of the diode be high
enough to withstand the peak AC voltage.

[Formula 2.9]

PIV = Peak Inverse Voltage; PRV = Peak Reverse Voltage

Vm = Peak AC Voltage
 Full-wave Rectification

There are two Full Wave Rectifier circuits:

• Bridge Rectifier

• Center –Taped Transformer Rectifier

Bridge Rectifier

[Formula 2.10]
 Silicon Diode Effect on Full-wave Rectification

• For silicon diode VK = 0.7

• KVL:

• The peak value of the output voltage vo is therefore:

• For situations where Vm >> 2VK, the following equation can be applied to determine
the average value with a relatively high level of accuracy.

[Formula 2.11]

[Formula 2.12]
Center –Taped Transformer Rectifier

[Formula 2.13]
Center –Taped Transformer Rectifier

[Formula 2.13]
Rectifier Circuit Summary
 Clippers
• Clippers are networks that employ diodes to “clip” away a
portion of an input signal without distorting the remaining
part of the applied waveform.
• The half-wave rectifier is an example of the simplest form of
diode clipper-one resistor and a diode
• There are two general categories of clippers:
• Series
• Parallel
 Clipper Diode Circuit (diode in series with load)

Diodes “clip” a portion of the AC wave.

The diode “clips” any voltage that does not put it in forward bias. That
would be a reverse biasing polarity and a voltage less than .7V for a
silicon diode.
Clipper Diode Circuit (diode in series with load)

• Determine the applied voltage (transition

voltage) that will result in a change of state for
the diode from the “off” to the “on” state.

• For the “on” region, the diode is replaced by a

short-circuit equivalent, and the output voltage
is defined by:

• For the “off” region, the diode is an open circuit,

ID = 0 mA, and the output voltage is:
 Variations of the Clipper Circuit (diode in series with load)
By adding a DC source to the circuit, the voltage required to forward bias the diode can be
changed.
 Changing Output Perspective (diode in parallel with load)
By taking the output across the diode, the output is now the voltage when the diode is
not conducting.

A DC source can also be added to change the diode’s required forward bias voltage.
 Variations of the Clipper Circuit (diode in parallel with load)
the output is defined across the series combination of the 4-V supply and the diode
Clipper Circuits Summary
Clipper Circuits Summary
 Clampers
• A clamper is a network constructed of a diode, a resistor, and a capacitor that
shifts a waveform to a different dc level without changing the appearance of the
applied signal

• Time constant τ = RC should be sufficiently large to ensure that the voltage

across the capacitor does not discharge significantly during the interval the diode
is non-conducting

• For all practical purposes the capacitor fully charges or discharges in five time
constants (5τ)
 Clamper Diode Circuits

For the interval 0 to T/2: and VC = V (when τ = RC =0 )

For the interval T/2 to T: +V +VC + v0 => v0 = -2V

 Variations of Clamper Circuits

Time interval t1 to t2 :
v0 = 5V
+20V – VC – 5V =0
VC = 25 V

Time interval t2 to t3 :
-10V – 25V – v0 =0
v0 = 35 V
Summary of Clamper Circuits
Clamping Networks with Sinusoidal Inputs
 Zener Diode

The Zener is a diode operated in reverse bias at the Zener Voltage (Vz).
 Zener Calculations
Vi and R fixed
• Determine the state of the Zener:
• if Vi ≥ Vz, then the Zener is biased “on” ; the Zener is at Vz
• if Vi < Vz, then the diode is biases “off” ; Vz = Vi
• For Vi ≥ Vz:

[Formula 2.16]

[Formula 2.16]

[Formula 2.18]

[Formula 2.19]

For Vi < Vz:

The Zener acts like an open.

 Zener Calculations
Fixed Vi and Variable RL
• The size of the load resistor affects the current in the Zener.
• RL is too large: Not enough current through the Zener and it is biased “off”.

• Minimum load that will turn the Zener diode

on, is the value of RL that will result in a
load voltage VL = VZ

[Formula 2.20]

[Formula 2.24]
[Formula 2.21]
[Formula 2.25]
[Formula 2.22]
[Formula 2.26]
[Formula 2.23]
 Zener Calculations
Fixed RL and Variable Vi
• For fixed values of R L , the voltage Vi must be sufficiently large to turn the Zener diode “on”

• Minimum load that will turn the Zener diode

on, is the value of RL that will result in a
load voltage VL = VZ

[Formula 2.27]

[Formula 2.28]

[Formula 2.23]
 Voltage Multiplier Circuits

Voltage multiplier circuits use a combination of diodes and

capacitors to step up the output voltage of rectifier circuits.

• Voltage Doubler
• Voltage Tripler
• Voltage Quadrupler
 Voltage Doubler

This half-wave voltage doubler’s output can be calculated as

Vout = VC2 = 2Vm

Vm = peak secondary voltage of the transformer.

 Operation of a Voltage Doubler Circuit

The 1st capacitor charges up to Vm during the positive half of the cycle,
then the 2nd capacitor charges up to Vm in the same polarity as the 1st capacitor,
finally the output is the sum of the voltages across both capacitors:
Vout = 2Vm
 Voltage Tripler and Quadrupler Circuits

By adding more diode-capacitor networks the voltage can be increased.

 Practical Applications of Diode Circuits

Rectifier Circuits
Conversions of AC to DC for DC operated circuits
Battery Charging Circuits

Simple Diode Circuits

Protective Circuits against
Overcurrent
Polarity Reversal
Currents caused by an inductive kick in a relay circuit

Zener Circuits
Overvoltage Protection
Setting Reference Voltages