MicroNote

Series 301
by Kent Walters, Microsemi Scottsdale

Introduction parameters of greatest interest for a

simple rectifier are the rated values
well as Standard and General
Purpose Rectifiers.

to Rectifiers
of average forward current Io and the
working peak reverse voltage VRWM. Another class of Schottky Rectifiers
This latter feature can also be using a barrier metal design rather
referred to as peak inverse voltage than a p-n junction technology is
(PIV) or VPK. and sometimes as described separately in the 400
repetitive peak reverse voltage VRRM series of MicroNotes. Rectifier
Rectifiers are the largest class of
when including all repeated reverse Bridges, Arrays, Power Modules,
products in the diode family. They are
transient voltages. The rectifier Hybrids, or Assemblies will be in the
primarily used for blocking in one
avalanche breakdown voltage V(BR) is 500 series. Silicon Controlled
direction and conducting in the other.
not always specified, but is typically Rectifiers (SCRs) will be described in
These include General Purpose,
20% or more greater than the rated the 600 series. Another class of PIN
Standard, Fast, UltraFast, Signal/
VRWM or VRRM. diodes now being used in a variety of
Switching, High-voltage and Schottky
Rectifiers. Except for Schottky RF switching applications will also
Additional parameters may include be described in the 700 series of
rectifiers, all are of p-n junction
forward surge current ratings IFSM or MicroNotes.
technology with different processing
other provided characteristics such
features to optimize parametric
as forward voltage V at various Kent Walters
requirements for the variety of F
currents I . Other parametric features Manager of Corporate
applications implied by their titles. In F
will be further described in this 300 Application Engineering
addition, these diode products can
series of MicroNotes for various Telephone: (602) 941-6524
be further placed into more useful
specialized applications requiring Fax: (602) 947-1503
packaged configurations of bridges,
Fast, UltraFast, Signal/Switching, as
half bridges, doublers, center taps,
arrays, or power modules
Sometimes these are also referred to
as packaged assemblies or hybrids. *VRWM = Working Peak Reverse Voltage
IR = Reverse Current Current
Because of their predominant VF = Forward Voltage at I F
IFSM
rectifying qualities, they are primarily IF = Forward Current
used for power or signal conditioning *IO = Average Forward Output Current
with 180° conduction in 60 HZ
in a variety of applications. This can
sine wave Forward
range from high power output rectifier *IFSM = Forward Surge Current Peak with Conducting
applications to very low power signal a specified pulse waveform
Region

or switching rectifier diode V(BR) = Breakdown Voltage

requirements. They can also be
used in a variety of other specialized * Rated Value
VF @ IF
ways including “catch diodes”,
“freewheeling diodes”, or simply Typically 50 to 1600 Volt ratings IO
“clamp diodes” to act as safety valves
for voltage protection. V(BR) VRWM

In specialized “controlled” rectifying Voltage

applications, Silicon Controlled
Rectifiers (SCRs) are applicable. Reverse
1.0 V 2.0 V

However these are not simply Blocking

IR Region
diodes, since they are “gated” three
terminal structures.
Avalanche
Breakdown
The basic rectifier diode parameters Region
are shown in Figure 1. The
Figure 1: Basic Rectifier Characteristics and Parameters