Chapter 2:
Diode Applications
Load-Line Analysis
The load line plots all possible
combinations of diode current (ID)
and voltage (VD) for a given circuit.
The maximum ID equals E/R, and
the maximum VD equals E.
The point where the load line and
the characteristic curve intersect is
the Q-point, which identifies ID and
VD for a particular diode in a given
circuit.
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Series Diode Configurations
Forward Bias
Constants
• Silicon Diode: VD = 0.7 V
• Germanium Diode: VD = 0.3 V
Analysis (for silicon)
• VD = 0.7 V (or VD = E if E < 0.7 V)
• VR = E – V D
• ID = IR = IT = VR / R
Electronic Devices and Circuit Theory, 10/e Copyright ©2009 by Pearson Education, Inc.
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Series Diode Configurations
Reverse Bias
Diodes ideally behave as open circuits
Analysis
• VD = E
• VR = 0 V
• ID = 0 A
Electronic Devices and Circuit Theory, 10/e Copyright ©2009 by Pearson Education, Inc.
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Parallel Configurations
V 0.7 V
D
V V V 0.7 V
D1 D2 O
V 9.3 V
R
EV 10 V .7 V
I D 28 mA
R R .33kΩ
28 mA
I I 14 mA
D1 D2 2
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Half-Wave Rectification
The diode only
conducts when it is
forward biased,
therefore only half
of the AC cycle
passes through the
diode to the
output.
The DC output voltage Vdc or the average value VAVG is = 0.318Vp,
where Vp or Vm = the peak AC voltage.
Electronic Devices and Circuit Theory, 10/e Copyright ©2009 by Pearson Education, Inc.
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Electronic Devices and Circuit Theory, 10/e Copyright ©2009 by Pearson Education, Inc.
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Example
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PIV (PRV)
Because the diode is only forward biased for one-half of the AC cycle, it is
also reverse biased for one-half cycle.
It is important that the reverse breakdown voltage rating of the diode be
high enough to withstand the peak, reverse-biasing AC voltage.
PIV (or PRV) > Vm
• PIV = Peak inverse voltage
• PRV = Peak reverse voltage
• Vm = Peak AC voltage
Electronic Devices and Circuit Theory, 10/e Copyright ©2009 by Pearson Education, Inc.
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Example
Electronic Devices and Circuit Theory, 10/e Copyright ©2009 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Robert L. Boylestad and Louis Nashelsky Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 • All rights reserved.
Full-Wave Rectification
The rectification process can be improved by
using a full-wave rectifier circuit.
Full-wave rectification produces a greater
DC output:
• Half-wave: Vdc = 0.318Vm
• Full-wave: Vdc = 0.636Vm
Electronic Devices and Circuit Theory, 10/e Copyright ©2009 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Robert L. Boylestad and Louis Nashelsky 11 Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 • All rights reserved.
Full-wave Rectifier
Electronic Devices and Circuit Theory, 10/e Copyright ©2009 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Robert L. Boylestad and Louis Nashelsky Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 • All rights reserved.
Full-Wave Rectification
Bridge Rectifier
• Four diodes are connected in a
bridge configuration
• VDC = 0.636Vm
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Electronic Devices and Circuit Theory, 10/e Copyright ©2009 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Robert L. Boylestad and Louis Nashelsky Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 • All rights reserved.
Electronic Devices and Circuit Theory, 10/e Copyright ©2009 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Robert L. Boylestad and Louis Nashelsky Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 • All rights reserved.
Example
Electronic Devices and Circuit Theory, 10/e Copyright ©2009 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Robert L. Boylestad and Louis Nashelsky Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 • All rights reserved.
Electronic Devices and Circuit Theory, 10/e Copyright ©2009 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Robert L. Boylestad and Louis Nashelsky Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 • All rights reserved.
Full-Wave Rectification
Center-Tapped Transformer
Rectifier
Requires
• Two diodes
• Center-tapped transformer
VDC = 0.636Vm
Electronic Devices and Circuit Theory, 10/e Copyright ©2009 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Robert L. Boylestad and Louis Nashelsky 18 Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 • All rights reserved.
Electronic Devices and Circuit Theory, 10/e Copyright ©2009 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Robert L. Boylestad and Louis Nashelsky Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 • All rights reserved.
Electronic Devices and Circuit Theory, 10/e Copyright ©2009 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Robert L. Boylestad and Louis Nashelsky Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 • All rights reserved.
Example
Electronic Devices and Circuit Theory, 10/e Copyright ©2009 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Robert L. Boylestad and Louis Nashelsky Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 • All rights reserved.
Electronic Devices and Circuit Theory, 10/e Copyright ©2009 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Robert L. Boylestad and Louis Nashelsky Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 • All rights reserved.
Summary of Rectifier Circuits
Rectifier Ideal VDC Realistic VDC
Half Wave Rectifier VDC = 0.318Vm VDC = 0.318Vm – 0.7
Bridge Rectifier VDC = 0.636Vm VDC = 0.636Vm – 2(0.7 V)
Center-Tapped Transformer
VDC = 0.636Vm VDC = 0.636Vm – 0.7 V
Rectifier
Vm = peak of the AC voltage.
In the center tapped transformer rectifier circuit, the peak AC voltage
is the transformer secondary voltage to the tap.
Electronic Devices and Circuit Theory, 10/e Copyright ©2009 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Robert L. Boylestad and Louis Nashelsky 23 Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 • All rights reserved.
Electronic Devices and Circuit Theory, 10/e Copyright ©2009 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Robert L. Boylestad and Louis Nashelsky Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 • All rights reserved.
Electronic Devices and Circuit Theory, 10/e Copyright ©2009 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Robert L. Boylestad and Louis Nashelsky Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 • All rights reserved.
Electronic Devices and Circuit Theory, 10/e Copyright ©2009 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Robert L. Boylestad and Louis Nashelsky Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 • All rights reserved.
Example
Electronic Devices and Circuit Theory, 10/e Copyright ©2009 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Robert L. Boylestad and Louis Nashelsky Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 • All rights reserved.
Electronic Devices and Circuit Theory, 10/e Copyright ©2009 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Robert L. Boylestad and Louis Nashelsky Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 • All rights reserved.
