Introduction:

A diode is a di-electrode device that behaves as a one-directional switch. It allows current from its anode to
cathode terminal when it has forward bias. On the other hand, it has almost zero current when it is in reverse
bias. There are different types of semiconductor diodes, such as: rectifier diode, Zener diode, light-emitting diode,
Schottky diode, varactor diode, and other kinds. In this activity, we are going to use the rectifier diode. Let us
utilize the LTSPICE to run simulations and determine the characteristics of rectifier diodes and their circuits.

Part 1: Semiconductor Diodes

Our objective is to be familiar with the different kinds of Semiconductor Diodes, before proceeding with rectifier
diodes.

1.1 Fill-up the Table 1. Write the application/s and attach a sample photo for each type of
semiconductor diode. Do not forget to indicate the source or website where we got the
photos.

Table 1. Types of Semiconductor Diodes

Semiconductor Application Sample Photo Source or website of
Diode photo
Rectifier Diode LASER diodes, https://www.elprocus.co
lighting systems m/rectifier-diode-
working-
applications/#:~:text=A
%20rectifier%20diode
%20is%20a,side%20is
%20called%20the
%20cathode.
Zener Diode Wave shaping, Evalta.com
meter protection

Light Emitting Used in motor alibaba.com

Diode vehicles,
motorcycles, light
bulbs, and many
more
Varactor Diode Harmonic alibaba.com
generators
Band pass filters

Schottky Diode Radio frequency Indiamart.com

Power rectifier
 Part 2: Characteristics of Rectifier Diode
Our objective is to simulate the characteristics of a Rectifier Diode by using the LTSPICE tool.

Here is a link about ‘Getting Started with LTSPICE.

https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/getting-started-with-ltspice/all

2.1 Connect the circuit diagram, as shown in Figure 1, in LTSPICE tool. The student or group may
use another kind of rectifier diode for diode D1, another value of resistance for resistor R1,
and another voltage level for dc voltage source V1. Take the photo of your own circuit
diagram drawn in LTSPICE tool and place it in Figure 2. (One way to capture the screen in
LTSPICE is: View > Paste Bitmap.)

Fig. 1. Diode Circuit (sample). Fig. 2. Connection of Diode Circuit.

2.2 Include a SPICE directive in your schematic diagram. In Figure 1, the directive is. DC V1 -100
100 1. This directive describes the dc simulation, wherein the voltage of V1 will start from
-100 V to +100 V with an increment of +1 V. For your simulation, set the dc simulation from
+200 V to -200 V with 1 V increment. Run your simulation and show the waveform of
current along diode D1. Figure 3 shows the example of the simulation waveform for the
diode circuit in Figure 1. In Figure 3, the current of diode D1, I(D1), is in y-axis and the
voltage of V1 is in x-axis. Now, take a photo of your own waveform, and place it in Figure 4.

Fig. 3. I(D1) vs. V1 (sample). Fig. 4. Current along Diode D1.

 2.3 Modify your simulation waveform. Display in the x-axis the voltage across the diode D1. In
y-axis, display the current along the diode D1. Take a snapshot of this waveform and place it
in Figure 5. Complete the caption of Figure 5 by writing the part number of your diode D1.
(Example: The part number of diode D1 in Figure 1 is 1N914.)

Fig. 5. Current-Voltage Characteristics of Diode.

2.4 Based on the simulation results in Figure 4 and Figure 5, indicate in Table 2 the voltage
and current of diode D1.
Table 2. Current and Voltage of Diode.
Voltage of Bias Voltage across Diode Current along Diode D1
V1 D1
- 10 V -23 uV -2.53 nA
-5V 22.95 uV -2.53 nA
0V 0V 0A
0.25 V 135.79 14.95 uA
0.50 V 271.89 29.89 uA
0.75 V 407.38 44.84 uA
1V 543.18 V 59.78 uA
5V 4.45 V 489.32 uA
10 V 9.41 V 1.04 mA

2.5 Based on the simulation results, briefly explain how to turn on the diode?
Apply a positive amount of voltage to be applied in the diode to turn it on and to have it flow in
the forward direction.

2.6 Based on the simulation results, briefly explain how to turn off the diode?
The voltage applied across the diode must be less or equal to zero, for that the values the amount
of current flowing in the diode is neglected.
Part 3: Half-Wave Rectifier
Our objective is to simulate the operation of a Half-Wave Rectifier circuit using the LTSPICE tool.

3.1 Connect in LTSPICE the circuit diagram of Half-Wave Rectifier in Figure 6. The student or
group may use another kind of rectifier diode for diode D1, another value of resistance for
resistor R1, and another voltage level for ac sine-wave voltage source V1. Take the photo of
your own circuit diagram drawn in LTSPICE, and place it in Figure 7.

Fig. 6. Half-Wave Rectifier (sample). Fig. 7.

Connection of Half-Wave Rectifier.

3.2
3.2
3.2
3.2
3.2
Include a SPICE directive in your schematic
diagram. In Figure 6, the directive is. TRAN 0.1. This directive describes the transient
simulation with a time stop of 0.1 second or 100 milliseconds. The resulting waveform in
transient simulation is similar with the display of oscilloscope instrument, wherein the x-axis
is also time. In Figure 6, the input V1 is a sine-wave voltage source with 0 V dc level, 10 V
amplitude, and 60 Hertz frequency. With a time stop of 100ms and with 60 Hz sine wave
input (16.67ms period), the simulation results displayed 6 cycles as shown in Figure 8. For
your simulation, set the transient simulation to display 3 complete cycles. Run your
simulation and show the waveforms of input voltage V1 and output voltage across R1.
Figure 8 shows the example of simulation waveforms for the half-wave rectifier circuit in
Figure 6. Now, take a photo of your own waveforms, and place it in Figure 9.

Fig. 8. Signals in HW Rectifier (sample). Fig. 9. Input and Output Voltages in HW Rectifier.
 3.3 Based on the simulation results in Figure 9, determine the peak voltages of input voltage V1
and of output voltage across resistor R1.

Vinput(max) = 10 V. Voutput(max) = 9.38 V or 9.4 V_.

Briefly explain the discrepancy between the input voltage and output voltage.

The threshold voltage makes up for the discrepancy between the input and output voltages;
when the input voltage is higher than the threshold voltage, the diode is forward biased. Thus,
the amplitude of the output voltage is Vm minus the threshold voltage and the input voltage’s is
Vm.

3.4 Based on the simulation results in Figure 9, determine the frequency of input voltage V1
and of output voltage across resistor R1.

frequencyinput = 60 Hz frequencyoutput = 60 Hz

3.5 Briefly explain the operation of Half-Wave Rectifier.

It allows the conversion of AC signal to DC signal while only allowing the half cycle of the input
voltage to pass. The output voltage will not be zero when the diode is forward biased. Otherwise,
no current (equal to zero voltage).

Part 4: Full-Wave Rectifier

Our objective is to simulate the operation of a Full-Wave Rectifier circuit using the LTSPICE tool.

4.1 Connect in LTSPICE the circuit of Full-Wave Rectifier in Figure 10. The student or group may
use another kind of rectifier diode for diodes D1, D2, D3, and D4, another value of
resistance for resistor R1, and another voltage level for ac sine-wave voltage source V1.
Take the photo of your own circuit diagram drawn in LTSPICE and place it in Figure 11.

Fig.
10.
Full-
Wave

Rectifier (sample). Fig. 11. Connection of Full-Wave Rectifier.

4.2 Include a SPICE directive in your schematic diagram. For your simulation, set the transient
simulation to display 4 complete cycles. Run your simulation and show the following
waveforms: current along diode D1; current along current D2; current along diode D3;
current along diode D4; input voltage V1; and output voltage across resistor R1. Take a
photo of your waveforms and place it in Figure 12.

Fig. 12. Waveforms of Currents and Voltages in Full-Wave Rectifier.

 4.3 Based on the simulation results in Figure 12, briefly describe which diodes turn on during
the positive half cycle of the input voltage and during the negative half-cycle of the input
voltage.
In the positive half-cycle, D1 and D4 are turned on, while in the negative half cycle, D2 and D3 are
turned on, since D1 and D4 are forward biased in the positive half cycle and reverse biased in the
negative half-cycle. D2 and D3 are reverse biased in the positive half cycle and forward bias in the
negative half-cycle.
4.4 Based on the simulation results in Figure 12, determine the peak voltages of input voltage
V1 and of output voltage across resistor R1.

Vinput(max) = 10 V. Voutput(max) = 9.4 V.

Briefly explain the discrepancy between the input voltage and output voltage.

The threshold voltage is the factor contributing to the discrepancy between the input and
output voltages. It depends on the used material in the diode; yet generally the output voltage is
threshold voltage less than the input.
 Conclusion:
I obtained a general understanding of diode forms, properties, and activities, with the
operation being split into four sections: defining various types of semiconductor diodes,
rectifier diode characteristics, half-wave rectifier, and full-wave rectifier. The simulations
were all carried out using the LTSpice simulator program.
The rectifier diode, Zener diode, light emitting diode, varactor diode, and Schottky diode
were established in the first part of the operation, which helped us learn information about
their characteristics and how they are applied in several products, including the rectifier
diode, Zener diode, light emitting diode, varactor diode, and Schottky diode, which all varied
in their characteristics and implementations, varying from.
Second part of the activity is the characteristics of rectifier diode, to helps us gain
knowledge on visualizing the characteristics of a rectifier diode via LTSpice simulation
application. The waveform of the voltage of and current through the diode was determined,
while creating the circuit, and collecting data simultaneously. From the obtained data, it can
be observed that when the voltage across a rectifier diode is less than or equal to zero, the is
no current flowing through it or the current is almost of negligible amount. The increase of
diode voltage, current also leads to a rapid constant increase of current and voltage rate of
the diode.
The diode in the third component, the half-wave rectifier, is understood to only work in
one direction, so the diode in the circuit only works when it is forward biased. The threshold
voltage compensates for the difference between the input and output voltages; the diode is
forward biased where the input voltage exceeds the threshold voltage. Thus, the amplitude of
the output voltage is Vm minus the threshold voltage and the input voltage’s is Vm. Beside
amplitudes, the recurrence of the information and yield voltages can likewise be looked at.
As it tends to be seen in the diagram, the recurrence of the info voltage is equivalent to the
recurrence of the yield voltage. This is for an explanation that both finishes a solitary period
in a similar term. Half wave rectifier circuits are typically utilized in voltage change, signal
demodulation, and sign pinnacle location.
Finally, there is the full-wave rectifier, which consists of four diodes arranged such that
two runs during the positive half cycle and the other two during the negative half cycle. The
voltage waveform of the full-wave rectifier differs from that of the half-wave rectifier by just
a small amount. The smooth sinusoidal waveform from the input voltage occurs, while the
output voltage results into two separate waveforms, to which it is seen in the positive region
is mainly due to the two forward biased diodes during the positive half cycle. While the
waveform that is found in the negative area is because of the two diodes that are forward
one-sided during the negative half cycle. These two waveforms result to a nonstop sinusoidal
diagram. It can likewise be seen that there is a disparity in the plentifulness of the info and
yield voltages. This idea is like that of a half-wave rectifier that was referenced previously.
With respect to the frequencies, the recurrence of the yield voltage is multiple times more
prominent than the recurrence of the info voltage as it finishes a period multiple time
quicker. Full-wave rectifiers are ordinarily utilized for distinguishing the adequacy of
tweaked radio sign and for polarizing voltage.