DIODES

Chapter 2 Part 2
Chapter 2 (Part 2)

Biasing pn junction

Load Line Concept

& Graphical Analysis
Diodes

Diode Resistance

Diode Model
Load Line Concept
 Simple diode circuit where ID and VD are not known.
 A simple analysis which used the diode characteristic
to obtain the Q-point (operation point)
Graphical Analysis Technique
 Kirchoff Voltage Law:

VD = VPS – IDR
ID = 0 ; => VD = VPS
VD = 0; => ID = VPS/R

 In this case,
When ID = 0,VD = 5V and
When VD = 0, ID = (5/2k) = 2.5 mA
Graphical Analysis Technique

Key Points
X intercept open circuit voltage
Y intercept short circuit current
Q-point intersection of diode
(quiescent point) I-V characteristic
with the load line.

I-V characteristics curve of diode must be

known
Q-Point

Q-point
Power supply
voltage

Circuit
resistance

Diode I-V
characteristics
Q-Point
 With different R & VPS
Load Line – Reverse Bias
 The Q-point is always ID = 0 and VD = the open circuit
voltage
Summary
 The load line plots all possible current (ID) conditions
for all voltages applied to the diode (VD) in a given
circuit.
 E/R is the maximum ID and E is the maximum VD.
 Where the load line and the
characteristic curve
intersect is the Q-point,
which specifies a particular
IDQ and VDQ for a given circuit
Example 1
For the series diode configuration below, employing the diode characteristics
of figure below, determine Q point,(VDQ , IDQ) and VR.
Solution 1

Step 1: Find the maximum ID.

VD = 0V→ ID = IR= E/R

Step 2: Find the maximum VD.

ID=0A → E = VD + IDR

Step 3: Plot the load line

Step 4: Find the intersection between

the load line and the characteristic
curve. This is the Q-point

Step 5: Check !
Example 2
Find the Q point for the circuit if the I-V characteristic as shown in the graph.
Answer

Q(0.5V,80mA)
Effect of AC Voltage on Load Line

As VS varies with time, the load line also changes, which

changes the Q-point (VD and ID) of the diode.
Effect of AC Voltage on Load Line
Chapter 2 (Part 2)

Biasing pn junction

Load Line Concept

& Graphical Analysis
Diodes

Diode Resistance

Diode Model
Diode Resistance

For a specific applied DC voltage VD, the diode has a specific current
ID, and a static resistance of diode (RD or RDC)
Diode Resistance

Forward Bias
• AC resistance of diode (rav or rac or
rd) can be determined by selecting
two points on the characteristic
curve developed for a particular
circuit.

Reverse Bias
• r'd is very large ≈ infinite (∞)
• diode acts like an open circuit
Chapter 2 (Part 2)

Biasing pn junction

Load Line Concept

& Graphical Analysis
Diodes

Diode Resistance

Diode Model
Ideal Diode Model

The p-n junction only

conducts significant current
in the forward-bias region.

No current flow in reverse

bias.

Voltage drop (due to barrier

potential) & the forward
dynamic resistive
properties, r’d are 0
Practical Diode Model

Consider only the forward

bias voltage drop of a
diode. Once this voltage is
overcome, the current
increases drastically.

The voltage drop across

diode (VF) is particularly
important to consider in
low voltage applications.

Forward dynamic
resistance, r’d is 0 Ω
Complete Diode Model

The voltage drop is not the

only loss of a diode.

Includes the voltage drop

(VF), forward dynamic
resistance, r’d & internal
reverse resistance r’R
IV Characteristic Curve
ideal & practical for silicon and germanium.
ID

Ideal Germanium Silicon

- 150V - 50V
VD
0.3V 0.7V

-1uA
VD
+ -

ID
Silicon knee voltage = 0.7V,
Germanium knee voltage = 0.3V
Diode Approximation