Chapter 3 Diode Circuits
3.1 Ideal Diode
3.2 PN Junction as a Diode
3.3 Applications of Diodes
1
Diode Circuits
After we have studied in detail the physics of a diode, it is
time to study its behavior as a circuit element and its many
applications.
CH3 Diode Circuits 2
Three Diode Models
ideal model exponential model
constant voltage model
5
Ideal Diode
In an ideal diode, if the voltage across it tends to exceed
zero, current flows.
It is analogous to a water pipe that allows water to flow in
only one direction.
6
IV Characteristics of an Ideal Diode
V V
R =0⇒ I = =∞ R=∞⇒I = =0
R R
R=∞ R=0
Ideal diode model
If the voltage across anode and cathode is greater than
zero, the resistance of an ideal diode is zero and current
becomes infinite.
However, if the voltage is less than zero, the resistance
becomes infinite and current is zero.
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Input/Output Characteristics of an Ideal Diode
When Vin is less than zero (b), the diode opens, so Vout = Vin.
When Vin is greater than zero (c), the diode shorts, so Vout = 0.
11
Diode Implementation of OR Gate
The circuit above shows an example of diode-implemented
OR gate.
Vout can only be either VA or VB, not both.
12
Three Diode Models
ideal model exponential model
constant voltage model
So far, we have studied the ideal model of diode. However,
there are still the exponential and constant voltage models.
17
Constant-Voltage Diode Model
reverse forward
region region
open circuit Ideal voltage
source
Diode operates as an open circuit if VD< VD,on and a
constant voltage source of VD,on if VD tends to exceed VD,on.
– VD,on ~ 800 mV
Ignore the leakage current in reverse bias
VD is relatively week function of the ID
CH2 Basic Physics of Semiconductors 18
Example: Diode Calculations
KVL
IX
VX = I X R1 + VD = I X R1 + VT ln
IS
I X = 2.2mA for VX = 3V
I X = 0.2mA for VX = 1V
VD,on ~ 800 mV
This example shows the simplicity provided by a constant-
voltage model over an exponential model.
For an exponential model, iterative method is needed to
solve for current, whereas constant-voltage model requires
only linear equations.
CH2 Basic Physics of Semiconductors 19
I/O Characteristics with Ideal and Constant-Voltage Models
𝑅𝑅2
𝑉𝑉𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 = 𝑉𝑉
𝑅𝑅1 + 𝑅𝑅2 𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖
Ideal model
𝑅𝑅2
𝑅𝑅 𝑉𝑉𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖 + 𝑉𝑉𝐷𝐷,𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜
𝑉𝑉𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 = 1
𝑅𝑅
1 + 𝑅𝑅2
1
constant voltage
model
Vin − Vout Vout − VD ,on
=
R1 R2
The circuit above shows the difference between the
ideal and constant-voltage model; the two models
yield two different break points of slope.
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Exponential Model
VD
I D = I S (exp − 1)
VT I in
Dn Dp I D1 =
2
I s = Aqni ( + ) Is2
N A Ln N D L p 1+
I s1
I in
I D2 =
I s1
1+
Is2
In this example, since the two diodes have different cross-
section areas, only exponential model can be used.
The two currents are solved by summing them with Iin, and
equating their voltages.
CH3 Diode Circuits 23
Large-Signal and Small-Signal Operation of Diodes
• Large-Signal Model (= General Model)
Valid for any (large or small) input signal swing
Non-linear equations for general
• Small-Signal Model
Valid for small input signal swing (e.g., << VT)
Linear equations
• Linear If it is homogeneous and additive.
(ex: straight line through the origin)
• Apply non-linear equation for general (large-signal).
• Apply linear equation for small-signal.
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Small-Signal Analysis
Small-signal analysis is performed around a bias point by
perturbing the voltage by a small amount and observing the
resulting linear current perturbation.
𝜟𝜟ID is a linear function of 𝜟𝜟V, with a proportionality factor =
ID1/VT
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Small-Signal Analysis in Detail
VD Approach I
I D = I S (exp − 1)
VT
If two points on the IV curve of a diode are close enough,
the trajectory connecting the first to the second point is like
a line, with the slope being the proportionality factor
between change in voltage and change in current (R?).
CH3 Diode Circuits 27
Small-Signal Incremental Resistance
𝑉𝑉1, 𝑉𝑉out vs. 𝑣𝑣1 , 𝑣𝑣out
VT
V = IR rd = Incremental R
ID
Since there’s a linear relationship between the small signal
current and voltage of a diode, the diode can be viewed as
a linear resistor when only small changes are of interest.
CH3 Diode Circuits 28
Small Sinusoidal Analysis
V0 I 0
V (t ) = V0 + V p cos ωt I 0 + I p cos ωt =
I D (t ) = I s exp + V p cos ωt
VT VT
If a sinusoidal voltage with small amplitude is applied, the
resulting current is also a small sinusoid around a DC value (bias).
CH3 Diode Circuits 29
Cause and Effect
In (a), voltage is the cause and current is the effect.
In (b), the other way around.
CH3 Diode Circuits 30
Cell Phone Adapter
Vad = 3.0 V 3.1 V
Vout = 3VD
Vad IX IX
= 3VT ln
Is
~ 2.4 V
Vout = 3 VD,on is used to charge cell phones.
However, if IX changes, iterative method is often needed to
obtain a solution, thus motivating a simpler technique.
CH3 Diode Circuits 31
Adapter Example Revisited
Vad = 3.0 V 3.1 V
VT
rd =
Vad=3.0 V ID
vad = 100 mV
ID1 = 6 mA 3rd
VD1 = 800 mV rd vout = vad
R1 + 3rd
rd = 11.5mV
rd
With our understanding of small-signal analysis, we
can revisit our cell phone charger example and easily
solve it with just algebra instead of iterations.
CH3 Diode Circuits 32
Simple is Beautiful
∆Vout =∆I D ⋅ (3rd )
= 0.5 mA (3 × 4.33Ω)
= 6.5 mV
In this example we study the effect of cell phone pulling
some current from the diodes.
Using small signal analysis, this is easily done.
However, imagine the nightmare, if we were to solve it
using non-linear equations.
CH3 Diode Circuits 33
Applications of Diode – Skip but Read!
Cell phone Charger
Half-Wave Rectifiers
Full-Wave Rectifiers
Limiting Circuits
Clamping Circuits
Regulators
Voltage Doublers
34
