Module 1
Diode Applications
Brushing up…….
• Types of Materials
• Intrinsic and Extrinsic Semiconductors
• Doping
• Donor and Acceptor impurity
• N-type and P-type Semiconductors
• Drift and Diffusion currents
• Forward bias and Reverse bias
Ideal Diode Characteristics
Ideal Current-Voltage Relationship
Effect of temperature on
Diode Characteristics
Diode Switching Characteristics
Diode Clipper
Clipper
The diode in a series clipper
“clips” any voltage that does not
forward bias it.
Biased Clippers
Adding a DC source in
series with the clipping
diode changes the
effective forward bias of
the diode.
During the positive half cycle, the
diode (considered as ideal diode)
appears in the forward biased and
conducts such that the entire positive
half cycle of input appears across the
resistor connected in parallel as
output waveform. During the
negative half cycle the diode is in
reverse biased. No output appears
across the resistor. Thus, it clips the
negative half cycle of the input
waveform.
During the positive half
cycle, the diode start
conducting only after its
anode voltage value
exceeds the cathode
voltage value. Since
cathode voltage becomes
equal to the reference
voltage, the output that
appears across the
resistor will be as shown
in the above figure.
Parallel Clippers
• The diode in a
parallel clipper
circuit “clips”
any voltage that
forward bias it.
• DC biasing can
be added in
series with the
diode to change
the clipping
level.
Parallel Clippers
Series Clippers
Diode Clamper
Clamper
A diode and capacitor can be
combined to “clamp” an AC
signal to a specific DC level.
Clamping shifts entire signal
voltage by a dc level.
Clamper
1. Start the analysis by examining the response of the
portion of input signal that will forward bias the diode.
2. During the period that the diode is in ‘ON’ state, assume
that capacitor will charge up instantaneously to a voltage
level determined by surrounding network
3. Assume that during the period when diode is in ‘OFF’
state, capacitor holds on to its established voltage level.
4. Throughout the analysis, maintain a continual awareness
of the location and defined polarities for Vo to ensure
that proper levels are obtained.
5. Check that total swing of the output voltage matches
that of input voltage.
Start the analysis by examining the response of the
portion of input signal that will forward bias the diode.
Diode will be forward biased for
the positive portion of the applied
signal
During the period that the diode is in ‘ON’ state, assume that capacitor will charge up
instantaneously to a voltage level determined by surrounding network
For the interval 0 –T/2 network will appear
as shown in figure.
Short circuit equivalent for the diode will
result in Vo = 0 V
Capacitor will charge quickly to peak value
V, with polarity as shown in figure.
Assume that during the period when diode is in ‘OFF’ state, capacitor holds on to its established voltage
level.
Throughout the analysis, maintain a continual awareness
of the location and defined polarities for Vo to ensure
that proper levels are obtained.
When input switches to -V state, network will appear as
shown in figure.
Diode is open circuited.
Resistor is back in network. RC is large(5T), much greater
than half time period of input waveform.
So can assume capacitor holds its all its charge.
Apply KVL to loop
-V –V – Vo= 0
Vo = - 2V
Check that total swing of the output voltage matches that of input voltage.
Biased Clamper
The input signal can be
any type of waveform
such as sine, square, and
triangle waves.
The DC source lets you
adjust the DC camping
level.
Clamper
What is time period of input
waveform?
T= 1/f = 1msec
Start the analysis by examining
the response of the portion of
input signal that will forward bias
the diode.
Period from t1 - to t2
Diode will be forward biased.
Draw equivalent circuit.
Output is across R.
It is also directly across 5v battery.
(R is not shorted by diode. Calculate Thevenin
equivalent)
So Vo = 5 V, during t1 - t2.
Apply KVL around input loop.
-20 V + Vc - 5 V = 0
Vc = 25 V
Capacitor will charge to 25 V during t1 - t2
Draw equivalent circuit during t2 - t3
During t2 - t3 diode is Reverse biased.
Apply KVL
10 V + 25 V - Vo = 0
Vo = 35 V
Time constant for discharging network = RC
= 100 K * 0.1 μ F = 10 mS
Total discharge time is 5 (RC) = 50 mS
Interval t2 - t3 lasts for 0.5 mS, so good
approximation that capacitor will hold its
voltage during discharge period.
Check that total swing of the output voltage matches that of
input voltage.
Draw output waveform considering silicon diode with cut in voltage =0.7V
Explain operation of circuit.
.When diode is forward biased, Vo = 4.3 V, during t1 - t2.
Capacitor will charge to 24.3 V during t1 - t2
When diode is reverse biased, Vo = 34.3 V, during t1 - t2.
Sketch steady state output voltage . Vcutin = 0V
Output is a square wave oscillating between -2 and -10 volts.
Output is a square wave oscillating between +5 and +35 volts.
References
• Electronic Circuit And Analysis: Donald A. Neamen
• Electronic Devices and Circuit Theory: Boylestad
