Course code: EEE111
Course Title: Analog Electronics-I
Semester: Summer 2023
Course Teacher
Dr. Monir Morshed
Professor
Email:monir.morshed@northsouth.edu
Semiconductor Diode
Applications
Clippers
Electronic devices are very sensitive to voltage.
An over-voltage can permanently destroy the electronic devices.
To protect electronic devices, clipper circuits can be used.
Clipping circuit:
A wave shaping circuit which controls the shape of the output
waveform by removing or clipping a portion of the applied wave.
Half wave rectifier is the simplest example. (It clips negative or
positive half cycle).
Also referred as voltage limiters/ amplitude selectors/ slicers.
Clippers
Applications:-
‒ In radio receivers for communication circuits.
‒ In radars, digital computers and other electronic
systems.
‒ Generation for different waveforms such as
trapezoidal, or square waves.
‒ They are used as noise limiters in FM transmitter
Clippers
There are 4 types of clipper circuits
‒ Positive clipper circuits
‒ Negative clipper circuits
‒ Biased clipper circuits
‒ Combinational clipper circuits
Positive clipper circuits (Series Diode)
• In positive clipper, the positive half cycles of the input AC signal is
removed.
Vm
For positive half cycle For negative half cycle
Positive clipper circuits (Parallel Diode)
• In positive clipper, the positive half cycles of the input AC signal is
removed.
Vm
For positive half cycle For negative half cycle
Negative clipper circuits (Series Diode)
• In negative clipper, the negative half cycles of the input AC signal is
removed.
For positive half cycle For negative half cycle
Negative clipper circuits (Parallel Diode)
For positive half cycle For negative half cycle
Biased clipper circuits
• Adding a DC source in series with the clipping diode changes the
effective forward bias of the diode.
First Consider, when diode is forward bias
For positive half cycle,
For negative half cycle,
Summary of Clipper Circuits
Summary of Clipper Circuits
Clamper Circuits
• A circuit that shifts a waveform to a different dc level without
changing the appearance of the applied signal.
Note:
• Start the analysis of clamping network, by considering that part of the
input signal that will forward bias the diode.
• During the period that the diode is in the “ON” state, assume that
capacitor will charge up instantaneously to a voltage level determined by
the network.
• Assume that during the period when the diode is in “OFF” state, capacitor
will hold on its established voltage level.
• Keep in mind the general rule, that
Total swing of total output = Swing of input signal
Clamper Circuits
Step 1: Consider the cycle that will forward bias
the diode.
Apply KVL
Step 2: Assume that during the period when the diode is in
the “off” state
Apply KVL
Biased Clamper Circuits
• 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.
Step 1: Diode is on for Step 2: Diode is off for
negative cycle positive cycle
Apply KVL
Apply KVL
Summary of Clamper Circuits
Zener Diodes
A Zener diode is a heavily doped semiconductor diode which is designed
to conduct current in the breakdown region.
Voltage regulation is the most common application of a Zener diode.
A voltage regulator circuit keeps the load voltage constant irrespective
changes in input voltage or load resistance.
Symbol of Zener diode
Approximate equivalent circuits for the Zener diode
in the three possible regions of application.
Zener Diodes
Points to be noted:
In forward bias, it acts as a normal PN junction diode.
In reverse bias, it conducts current when the voltage across it is
equal to or greater than Zener voltage (Vz).
It regulates the voltage across it which is equal to the Zener
voltage.
• When Vi VZ • When Vi < VZ
The Zener is on The Zener is off
Voltage across the Zener is VZ The Zener acts as an open
Zener current: IZ = IR – IRL circuit
The Zener Power: PZ = VZIZ
Zener Diodes
• The network of the following figure is designed to limit the voltage to 20 V during
the positive portion of the applied voltage and to 0 V for a negative excursion of
the applied voltage. Check its operation and plot the waveform of the voltage
across the system for the applied signal. Assume the system has a very high input
resistance so it will not affect the behavior of the network
For positive cycle For negative cycle
Zener Diode as Voltage Regulator
• Three conditions are considered to analysis
the Zener regulator circuit
Vi and RL fixed
Fixed Vi and variable RL
Variable Vi and RL fixed
Voltage Regulator Circuit (Vi and RL fixed:)
Step 1: To determine the state of the For Case-I: If V≥ VZ, the Zener diode is
Zener diode, Apply Thevenin's theorem: on,
remove Zener diode from the network
Case-I: If V≥ VZ, the Zener diode is on,
Case-II: If V<VZ, the diode is off,
The power dissipated by the Zener diode is
PZ = VZIZ
Example: a. For the following Zener diode network, determine VL , VR , IZ , and PZ
b. Repeat part (a) with RL = 3kΩ.
Step 1: Redraw the circuit by removing Since V=8.73 V is less than VZ
Zener diode from the network =10V, the diode is off state as shown
in the following characteristics
curve.
Example: b. Repeat part (a) with RL = 3kΩ.
Step 1: Redraw the circuit by removing
Zener diode from the network
Since V =12 V is greater than VZ =10V,
the diode is in the “on” state. The power dissipated by the Zener diode is
PZ that must be less than the PZM =30 mW
specified for the device.
Voltage Regulator Circuit (Vi fixed & RL variable:)
Since, load is variable, we need to find
minimum and maximum resistance, which
remain the diode is on.
Condition for maximum 𝑳:
How?
If we consider, , which is
less than , so diode is off.
Condition for minimum 𝑳:
So, to find minimum resistance that will
turn diode on, we need to calculate . As we know,
,
So,
Example: For the following network:
a. determine the range of RL and IL that will result in VRL being maintained at 10 V.
b. Determine the maximum wattage rating of the diode.
Condition for maximum 𝑳:
Solution:
To find minimum resistance that will turn
diode on,
As we know,
Voltage Regulator Circuit
(Vi variable & RL Fixed:)
Homework
AC Regulator
Square Wave Generator
