IET 200

ELECTRONIC DEVICES
Lab Exercise #1

V-I Characteristics of a Semiconductor Diode

M.C. Charles Galindo Jr.

FALL 2022
Instructions
- Read each one of the sections of this document. If you have any questions or comments,
ask the teacher.
- The deliverables of this lab are: Designing your simulation files in Tinkercad Classroom,
recording the results, and plotting them in excel. Results should be incorporated into a
written report using the file labeling format L1_I-V TC_Initials.docx. Include a recorded video
of the functioning system as evidence that you completed the lab.

Introduction
To be aware of the importance of the functionality of a P-N Diode in a circuit by evaluating the
principles of operation through testing and justifying their use as a electronic device.
Give examples of the uses of P-N diodes in a circuit and any characteristics you expect to see
in this test

Objective
Understand the operating principles a basic diode in circuit by collecting data at varying voltages to
create a V-I plot to find the X-Y data point for the “Knee” of the specific diode in use.

V-I
PLOT of
a DIODE

Tools
Each student is required to have their own PC to be able to access the Internet to create their
circuit in Tinkercad classroom and plot their data in excel or any other plotting program.
Lab Equipment and Materials

1 – 100 Ω resistor
1 - diode
4 – power supply
2 – multimeters, one set for V and one for I

Process

1. Draw the circuit shown in Tinkercad Classroom. Set all power supplies to zero, one
multimeter to read amperage and the other voltage as shown in the image above.
Begin by setting the first power supply to 0.2 volts. Record the supply voltage V(in),
your voltage across the diode, Vd(mV), and your current through the diode, Id(mA).
Continue this process increasing the voltage by 0.2 V (0.2, 0.4, 0.6, etc.) until you
reach 2.0V.
2. Then increase the voltage by increments of 2V (2.0, 4.0, 6.0, etc.) until you reach a
minimum of 100V and a maximum of 120V if you like.

3. Record all your readings as shown here:

If you do not have excel you may use a freeware graphing program:
https://www.padowan.dk/download/#google_vignette

4. Plot the data in excel as an X-Y plot as shown here:

5. Label the graph with the following:

 X and Y-axis label and their units, the forward bias region, the knee with its x-y coordinates
stated, and what type of diode you think it is (germanium or silicon).
6. State why you think it is a particular type of diode.
7. Find a datasheet for 1N4001 and 1N34A diode and compare the two.

Results and Conclusions

Submit your results using the LABORATORY REPORT FORMAT.docx
Label the document as L1_I-V TC_Initials.docx.
Remember to submit your lab report, Tinkercad files, and video evidence. If the video will not
upload to Blackboard store it on Google Drive and create a link (get a link, obtener un enlace) and
be sure the permission is set to Anyone on the internet with this link can view so it can be viewed
by the teacher.