BIASED CLIPPER

Clippers are networks that we use diodes to clip a portion of input signal without the remaining part of
the waveform.

Biasing a diode clipper circuit allows us to design circuits that can clip at specific voltages instead of
being limited by the forward voltage of the diode(s). In addition, Vbias or voltage source like a
battery is added in series with the diode.

Working principle:

1. Make a dummy circuit for both cycle of source.

2. Find out the value for which transition happen.
3. Use KVL frequently.
4. Use certain techniques for drawing graph.

Guess the diode is off

Vpn<0, guess right, off

Vpn>0, guess wrong, on

Sample problem:

1. Find the output waveform for the following circuit using given input.

(a)
Solution:

at positive half cycle

-Vi – 5 + Vpn = 0 -Vi = 5 + Vo

Vpn = 5 + Vi Vo = 5 + Vi

∴ 𝐷𝑖𝑜𝑑𝑒 𝑖𝑠 𝑂𝑛

at negative half cycle

Vi – 5 + Vpn = 0

Vpn = 5 – Vi
|𝑉𝑖| < 5 ; 𝑉𝑝𝑛 = 𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 ; 𝐷 = 𝑂𝑛
|𝑉𝑖| > 5 ; 𝑉𝑝𝑛 = 𝑛𝑒𝑔𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 ; 𝐷 = 𝑂𝑓𝑓
Vi – 5 + Vo = 0 |𝑉𝑖| < 5

Vo = 5 – Vi

Vo = 0 |𝑉𝑖| > 5
Graph

+ half – cycle - half – cycle

Vo = 5 + Vi Vo = −|𝑉𝑖| + 5, |𝑉𝑖| < 5

Vo = 0 , |𝑉𝑖| > 5

(b)

Solution:

at positive half cycle

-Vi – 5 + Vpn + 3 = 0

Vpn = Vi + 2 -Vi – 5 +3 +Vo = 0

∴ 𝐷𝑖𝑜𝑑𝑒 𝑖𝑠 𝑂𝑛 Vo = Vi + 2
at negative half cycle

Vi – 5 + Vpn + 3 = 0

Vpn = - Vi + 2

Vpn = 2 – Vi
|𝑉𝑖| < 2 ; 𝑉𝑝𝑛 = 𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 ; 𝐷 = 𝑂𝑛
|𝑉𝑖| > 2 ; 𝑉𝑝𝑛 = 𝑛𝑒𝑔𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 ; 𝐷 = 𝑂𝑓𝑓
Vo = 2 – Vi |𝑉𝑖| < 2

Vo = 0 |𝑉𝑖| > 2

Graph

+ half – cycle - half – cycle

Vo = Vi + 2 Vo = 2 – |𝑉𝑖|, |𝑉𝑖| < 2

Vo = 0, |𝑉𝑖| > 2
 (c)

Solution:

at positive half cycle

-Vi – 0.7 – Vpn + 5 = 0

Vpn = -Vi + 4.3

|𝑉𝑖| < 4.3 ; 𝑉𝑝𝑛 = 𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 ; 𝐷 = 𝑂𝑛

|𝑉𝑖| > 4.3 ; 𝑉𝑝𝑛 = 𝑛𝑒𝑔𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 ; 𝐷 = 𝑂𝑓𝑓
Vo = -0.7 + 5 |𝑉𝑖| < 4.3

Vo = 4.3V

Vo = Vi |𝑉𝑖| > 4.3

at negative half cycle

Vi – 0.7 - Vpn + 5 = 0

Vpn = Vi + 4.3

∴ 𝐷𝑖𝑜𝑑𝑒 𝑖𝑠 𝑂𝑛
Vo = 4.3V

Graph

+ half - cycle - half – cycle

Vo = 4.3V ; |𝑉𝑖| < 4.3 Vo = 4.3V

Vo = Vi ; |𝑉𝑖| > 4.3