EEE 111

Diode Applications

Topic 2 (Chapter 2)
 Solving Diode Circuits
RS = 1 kW

VS = 15 V

 
A circuit like this can be solved in several ways:
1. Use the first approximation or ideal equivalent circuit

2. Use the second approximation or simplified equivalent

circuit or constant voltage drop model

3. Use the diode’s characteristic curve (load line analysis)

 2.2 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.
 Load-Line Analysis
• The solution found by load-line analysis is
similar to that obtained by a simultaneous
solution of

(assuming this theoretical diode curve is very close to

the actual curve.)
• The mathematics involved would require the use
of nonlinear techniques that are beyond the
needs and scope of this course.
 EXAMPLE 2.1
• For the series diode configuration of Fig. 2.3a, employing the
diode characteristics of Fig. 2.3b, determine:
2.3 Series Diode Configurations
Reversing the diode
Assume 1.8V forward voltage drop for the red LED.
For an actual practical diode, when
ID = 0 A, VD = 0 V (and vice versa) No Bias condition
 2.4 PARALLEL AND SERIES–
PARALLEL
CONFIGURATIONS
• The methods applied for series diode
configurations can be extended to the analysis
of parallel and series–parallel configurations.
• For each area of application, simply match the
sequential series of steps applied to series diode
configurations.
 Quiz 2
• 24/06/2019: Monday
• Use 11th edition of the textbook
• Syllabus: 2.2, 2.3 and 2.4
• Examples:
• Chapter 2: 2.4 – 2.13
• Problems:
Chapter 2: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
 Rectifier Circuits
• One important application of diode is the
rectifier
– Converts AC to DC
– Used to make dc power supplies

Figure: Block diagram of a dc power supply

 Input AC signal
•  Rectifier input: Sine, square, triangular waves
• Sine wave: Positive and negative half cycle
• .
2.6 Half-Wave Rectification
The process of removing one-half the
input signal to establish a dc level is
called half-wave rectification

Ideal Approximation
The effect of using a real diode
 The Half-Wave Rectifier
•  
which is a difference that can
certainly be ignored for most
applications.
 2.7 Full-Wave Rectification
The rectification process can be
improved by using a full-wave
rectifier circuit.
Full-wave rectification: output for both
positive and negative half cycle
Full-wave rectification produces a
larger DC output:
 
Half-wave: Vdc = = 0.318Vm

Full-wave: Vdc = = 0.636Vm

Full-Wave Rectification
Bridge Rectifier
A full-wave rectifier
with four diodes that
are connected in a
bridge configuration
The effect of using a real diode
 Full-Wave Rectification

Center-Tapped Needs a
bigger
Transformer Rectifier transformer,
because the
 •Requires two diodes and a peak is only
center-tapped transformer. half the
• (+) half cycle: ON; OFF secondary
• (-) half cycle: OFF; ON voltage.

VDC = 0.636Vm
Summary of Rectifier Waveforms

Half-Wave Rectifier

Full-Wave Rectifier

Bridge Rectifier
 Summary of Rectifier Circuits
In the center tapped transformer rectifier circuit, the peak AC
voltage is the transformer secondary voltage to the tap.
Rectifier Ideal VDC Realistic Si VDC

Half Wave Rectifier VDC= 0.318Vm VDC = 0.318(Vm – 0.7V)

Bridge Rectifier VDC = 0.636Vm VDC = 0.636(Vm – 2(0.7 V))

Center-Tapped Transformer VDC = 0.636Vm VDC = 0.636(Vm – 0.7 V)

Rectifier

Vm = the peak AC voltage

The Rectifier with a Filter
Capacitor
- The Peak Rectifier
The Peak Rectifier with a Load Resistor –
A More Practical Circuit
 The full-wave peak rectifier

• The
  ripple is smaller than half-wave rectifier

• Ripple voltage inversely proportional to filter capacitor

 2.8 Diode Clippers
• Clippers are networks that employ diodes to “clip”
away or removes 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.
• Depending on the orientation of the diode, the positive
or negative region of the applied signal is “clipped” off.
• Two general categories of clippers: series and
parallel.
– Series clippers: The diode in series with the load
– Parallel clippers: The diode in parallel to the load
 Diode Series Clippers
The diode in a series clipper
“clips” any voltage that does
not forward bias it:
 • Series Clipper: Diode and
Load resistance () in series
• Clips negative portion of the
input: Negative Clipper
• A reverse-biasing polarity
• A forward-biasing polarity
less than 0.7 V (for a silicon
diode)
 Biased Clippers
Adding a DC source
in series with the
clipping diode
changes the effective
forward bias of the
diode.

Biased Clipper: A DC source also present

in the circuit
Series Clipper
Negative Clipper
 Positive half cycle  
Negative half cycle
Diode FB/ON/Short Diode RB/OFF/Open
KVL:
 Parallel Clippers
The diode in a parallel
clipper circuit “clips”
any voltage that
forward biases it.
DC biasing can be added in
series with the diode to
change the clipping level.
 Parallel Clipper: Diode and Load
resistance () in parallel
Clips positive portion of the input:
Positive Clipper
 Positive half cycle  
Negative half cycle
Diode RB/OFF/Open Diode FB/ON/Short
Summary of Clipper Circuits
Summary of Clipper Circuits
 2.9 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.
• Clamping networks have a capacitor connected directly from input to output
with a resistive element in parallel with the output signal.
• The diode is also in parallel with the output signal but may or may not
have a series dc supply as an added element.
• Peak-peak or swing of input and output must be same.
 2.9 Clampers

 1. Negative half cycle: Capacitor discharges. Capacitor

voltage and polarity will not change.
Diode RB/OFF. Find output ().

KVL: .
Peak-peak or swing of input and output
must be same

 1. Check in which cycle diode is FB/ON?

Positive half cycle.
2. Positive half cycle: Capacitor charges.
Diode FB/ON.
Find capacitor voltage (). Find output ().

KVL: .
Summary of Clamper Circuits
Biased Clamper Circuits with sine input

The input signal can be any type

of waveform such as a sine,
square, or triangle wave.

The DC source lets you

adjust the DC camping level.
 2.11 Zener Diodes
Zener diode works exactly similar as Semiconductor diode in Forward Bias (FB)

The Zener is a diode that is

operated in reverse bias at
the Zener Voltage (Vz).
RB: When Vi  VZ
• The Zener is on
• Voltage across the Zener is VZ
• Zener current: IZ = IR – IRL
• The Zener Power: PZ = VZIZ

RB: When Vi < VZ

• The Zener is off
• The Zener acts as an open circuit
 Approximate equivalent circuits for
the Zener diode in the three possible
regions of application
Reverse Bias
(RB): OFF
Forward Bias (FB)

Reverse Bias
(RB): ON
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