11/21/2011

1
Diode Circuits and
Applications
EE 21-Fundamentals of Electronics
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Topics
Series and parallel diode circuits (DC voltages)
Clippers / Limiters
Clampers
Rectifiers
Zener Diodes
Light-emitting Diodes
Power supply construction

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Solving diode circuits
1. Determine the state of the diode/s in
the circuit (FB/RB).

2. Substitute the equivalent circuit per
diode (depending on the specified
approximation)*

3. Solve the desired quantities using
known circuit analysis methods

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Series diode configurations
For the circuit shown
(a) determine V
D
, I
R
,
and V
R
by 2
nd

approximation.
(b) Repeat (a) using 3
rd

approximation (let
r
d
=0.3).
(c) Repeat (a) with the
diode reversed (2
nd

approximation)








Example 1 E
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Series diode configurations
Answers:
(a) V
D
=0.7 Volts
V
R
=7.3 Volts
I
D
= 3.32 mA
(b) V
D
=0.7 Volts
V
R
=7.3 Volts
I
D
= 3.32 mA
(c) V
D
= 8 Volts
V
R
= 0 Volts
I
D
= 0 A









Example 1
Series diode configurations
This is the same
circuit as the previous
example, except that
the source voltage is
now 0.5 volts.
Determine V
D
, V
R
, and
I
D
using 2
nd

approximation.






Example 1.5.
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Industry notation (grounding
notation?...)source notation??
Will be significant
later on (so get used
to it)
Uses a reference
ground.
Analysis is much
easier
Tipid ng linya!
Masasanay din kayo.
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Series diode configurations
Determine I
D
, I
R
and
V
O
for the given
circuit. Use 2
nd

approximation.

Answers:
Vo = 11 Volts
I
D
= I
R
= 1.96 mA






Example 2.
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Series diode configurations
Determine I
D
, V
D2

and V
O
for the given
circuit.

Answers:
I
D
= 0 A
V
O
= V
R
= 0 V
V
D2
= 12 Volts








Example 3.
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Series diode configurations
Determine I, V
1
, V
2
,
and V
O
for the series
dc configuration
below.

Answers:
I = 2.072 mA
V1 = 9.74 V
V2 = 4.56 V
Vo = -0.44 V

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Parallel diode configurations
For the circuit
below, determine V
O
,
I
1
, I
D1
, and I
D2
.
Answers:
V
0
= 0.7 V
I
1
= 28.18 mA
I
D1
=I
D2
=14.09 mA
Parallel diode configurations
Determine the
current I for the
given circuit.
Answer:
I = 6.95 mA
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Parallel diode configurations
Determine the voltage
Vo for the given
circuit. Use 2
nd

approximation.

Answer:
Vo = 11.3 Volts
Boylestad, R, Nashelsky, L. 2007.
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Series-parallel combination
For the circuit
shown, determine
the currents I
1
, I
2
,
and I
D2
.

Answers:
I
1
= 0.212 mA
I
2
= 3.32 mA
I
D2
= 3.108 mA






Series-parallel combination.
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Multiple-diode cases with
uncertainty
Sometimes we cant easily tell a diodes state

For some cases, it may be necessary to make a
guess on the state of the diode

After making initial guesses, prove/disprove
by performing equivalent circuit analysis
Multiple-diode cases with
uncertainty
Recall that a forward-biased diode has to have
a current in the direction of the diode arrow

A reverse-biased diode has zero current but it
may have an open-circuit voltage V
D
.

Once proven/disproven, change initial guesses
and solve the equivalent circuit.
Example
DETERMINE:
a. Correct diode
states
b. V
1
and V
2
.
Parallel diode application:
AND/OR gates
OR Gate AND Gate
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Rectifiers
DC value = average value; for a sine wave, the
average value = 0.
Diodes are used as rectifiers in AC-to-DC
conversion processes
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Half-wave rectifier analysis:
Positive cycle of input
Diode: FB
Vo = Vi, thus
copying the shape of
the input waveform
in consideration
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Half-wave rectifier analysis:
Negative cycle of input
At negative cycle,
diode: RB
Vo = 0 (open circuit;
zero current
through R)

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Input vs. Output waveforms
From a zero DC
level, half-wave
rectification yields
us a DC or average
value
V
DC
= 0.318 Vm
Question: Where
did 0.318 come
from??
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Non-ideal diode analysis





The diode threshold
voltage results in a
minimum value
requirement for FB
operation





Similarly, the peak
rectified voltage is
now reduced by the
value of V
T
. Also,
V
DC
= 0.318(V
M
-V
T
)
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Peak Inverse Voltage (PIV)
Tested in the
reverse bias region
of operation

If PIV is exceeded,
diode enters the
Zener avalanche
region





Ex. for HW rectifier
(ideal diode),
Vm PIV >
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Full-wave rectifier
Bridge Type
Utilizes four diodes (some circuits may have
a bridge type but using less diodes)
Most familiar network
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FWBT Rectifier Analysis:
Positive Cycle of input
Diodes D
2
and D
3

are forward-biased
(on) while diodes
D
1
and D
4
are
reverse biased
(off )
Diode pairs switch
states on negative
cycle

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FWBT Rectifier Analysis:
Positive Cycle of input
Equivalent circuit
(and conduction
path)
Vo = Vin (takes the
shape of the input)

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FWBT Rectifier Analysis:
Negative Cycle of input
Equivalent circuit
(and conduction
path)
Vo = Vi (again, takes
the shape of input)
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Input vs. output waveforms
From a zero DC
level, full-wave
rectification yields
us a DC or average
value
V
DC
= 0.636 Vm
(twice that of a half-
wave rectifier. How
did it differ?)

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Non-ideal diode analysis





Conduction path
simply encounters
voltage drops (2
nd

approximation)




Threshold voltage V
T
causes the offset in
conduction and peak
rectified voltage
V
DC
= 0.636(V
M
-V
T
)
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Full-wave rectifier Center
Tapped Transformer Type
Uses only two
diodes but requires
a transformer to
establish the input
signal

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FWCT Rectifier Analysis:
Positive cycle of input
Corresponding
polarities result in
one diode forward
biased and the other
diode reverse biased
Vo = Vi (but take
note of the
transformer ratio)
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FWCT Rectifier Analysis:
Negative cycle of input
Diode states become
opposite that of the
positive cycle states
Vo = Vi (but take
note of the
transformer ratio)
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FWCT Rectifier PIV
Assuming 1:2 turns
ratio, V
SEC
= V
M
,
therefore,

Vm PIV 2 >
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Example:
Modified Bridge Type Rectifier
Sketch the input-output waveform for the network
given. Also, determine the DC voltage available
and the required minimum PIV for each diode.
Assume a sinusoidal, 10 V
PEAK
input.
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Clippers
Clips a portion of the input signal without
distorting the rest of the waveform

May clip either the positive or the negative
cycle (or both)

Two types: Series and Parallel

Also known as a limiter
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Series Clipper
The diode is in
series with the load

Simplest example:
HW rectifier






Series (negative) clipper
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Series clipper waveforms
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Example: Biased Limiter
Using the ideal approximation, sketch the
waveform of the output voltage Vo. Match it
with the input voltage waveform.
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Example: with square-wave
input
Repeat the example, this time for the given
square-wave input.
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Assignment:
Repeat the previous examples using second
approximation and a silicon diode
with V
T
= 0.7 Volts.
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Parallel Clipper


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Example: Biased limiter
Sketch the output waveform for the given clipper
circuit. Use (a) ideal approximation (b) second
approximation and a silicon diode (V
T
= 0.7 V)
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Example:
Parallel combination limiter
Sketch the waveforms for V
O
and i
r
for the
combination limiter circuit shown.
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Clampers
Clamps the input signal to another axis

Involves a charging/discharging capacitor (time
constant =RC is important!)

The shape and peak-to-peak values of the input
waveform are retained after clamping

Analysis is always started on first forward bias
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Clamper Analysis: things to
remember
The time constant elements must be chosen
in such a way that = RC is significantly
larger than half the input signals period (i.e.
positive or negative cycle)

If RC components are not chosen accordingly,
waveform shape becomes tapered

For clamper design, start on the first forward
bias


Basic clamper circuit
Take note of the capacitor-diode
connections: (-) of capacitor to anode OR
(+) of capacitor to cathode.
Basic clamper circuit: First
Forward Bias Analysis
Diode (ideal) shorts,
creating a loop and
in turn charging C to
a voltage VC = V.

Also,
V
O
= 0.
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Basic clamper circuit: next (-)
cycle analysis
Diode = RB
Total voltage across
load is the input
voltage plus the
stored V
C
. Therefore,
V
O
= (V + VC)
Input vs. Output waveform
Note the conservation of
peak-to-peak voltages:
Input: V ( V) = 2V
Output: 0 ( 2V) = 2V

Waveform is clamped
to a new axis Vo = V

How about for 2
nd

approximation?



Example: Biased Clamper
Sketch the output waveform of the following
circuit. First use ideal approximation, then
second approximation with a silicon diode.
Clamping a sinusoidal input
Treat input as though it was square
Use the square wave as a mold or envelope
for the sinusoidal input.
Example: Clamper Design
Design a clamper to perform the function
indicated. Choose component values that
would satisfy the time constant requirement
of the circuit.
Zener Diodes
Special-purpose
diodes that
specifically work on
the Zener region
(reverse bias)

Used in regulation
circuits or as a
reference voltage

http://ielectronicnews.com/2011/09
/zener-diodes/
A K
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Characteristic Curve
If V
AK
> V
T
(0.7 for Si), diode
operates in the usual forward
bias condition.

If V
AK
< 0.7 but |V
AK
| < |Vz|,
diode is in reverse bias (open)

If |V
AK
|> |V
Z
|, diode is
operation on the zener region
and is equivalent to a source
with voltage = zener voltage
Vz.
If V
AK
> V
T
:


If V
AK
< V
T
but |V
AK
| < |V
Z
|



If V
AK
< V
T
and |V
AK
| > |V
Z
|
Conditions and Equivalents
Reverse Bias,
OPEN CKT
Reverse Bias,
ZENER REGION
Fixed Vin & R
L

Fixed Vin, variable R
L

Fixed R
L
, variable Vin

Three Cases of Zener Diode
Circuits
Common required quantities
Pz, Power dissipated by zener diode

Iz, Zener diode current

I
L
, load current through resistor

Range of values of I
L
, R
L
and V
IN
to
ensure zener region operation

Basic Zener Circuit
Determine expressions for Pz, Iz, and I
L
Vin is a DC source input, and note that the
zener diode is connected in a reverse-bias
manner so as to simplify computations.


General method of solution:
Determine the state of the diode by using VDR:


If Vd is at least equal to Vz, then zener diode is on
(on: operating on [desired] zener region). Otherwise,
substitute corresponding model.

Equivalent ckt if
Zener diode is on:

|
|
.
|

\
|
+
= =
L
L
L
R Rs
R
Vi V Vd
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Equivalent circuit: Zener
diode on

Applying KCL: I
Rs
= I
Z
+ I
L
, therefore I
Z
= I
Rs
I
L

Also, , and V
L
= Vz. Therefore,

Finally, Pz = VzIz. (computed value must be less than Pzmax)

|
|
.
|

\
|
=
L
L
L
R
V
I
|
|
.
|

\
|
=
|
|
.
|

\
|
=
L L
L
Rs
R
Vz Vi
R
V Vi
I
Example 1
Determine V
L
, V
RS
, I
Z
and P
Z
for R
S
= 1k and R
S
= 3k.
Zener diode parameters: Vz = 10 V, Pzm = 30 mW.
Some circuits require changing the input voltage Vi
and/or the load resistor RL to ensure zener diodes
correct operation.

If RL is too small, the Zener diode will remain in
off state. If RL is too large, the maximum zener
power or current may be exceeded.

Same principles can be considered for the supply
voltage Vi.

Fixed Vin, Variable R
L
/
Fixed R
L
, Variable Vin
Formula Considerations
Given the basic zener circuit, let us derive
expressions for the minimum and maximum
possible values of RL and Vin, given that we
vary either the load resistance or the input
voltage while keeping the other constant.
R
L
for turn-on voltage of zener: V
L
= V
Z
. By VDR,
minimum resistance can be found by manipulating


to obtain:


with R
Lmin
comes I
Lmax
(low resistance -> high current):

Formula Considerations: Fixed Vi,
Variable R
L
|
|
.
|

\
|
+
=
min
min
L
L
Z
R Rs
R
Vi V
|
.
|

\
|

=
Vz Vi
Vz
Rs R
Lmin
|
|
.
|

\
|
=
|
|
.
|

\
|
=
min min
max
L
Z
L
L
L
R
V
R
V
I
By KVL , V
RS
= Vi V
Z
. Also, I
RS
= V
RS
/R
S

By KCL: I
Z
= I
RS
I
L
., and I
L
= I
RS
I
Z

Note: Iz is minimum when I
L
is maximum, and vice
versa.

Therefore: I
Lmin
= I
RS
I
Zmax

And finally,
Formula Considerations: Fixed Vi,
Variable R
L

|
|
.
|

\
|
=
min
max
L
Z
L
I
V
R
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From the circuit, ,

and by manipulation,

the minimum required Vin is given by:

The zener diodes maximum current, I
ZM
, limits Vimax:
I
RSmax
= I
Zmax
+ I
L
V
imax
= V
RSmax
+ Vz
V
imax
= I
Rmax
R
S
+ Vz
*note: in operation, I
L
is constant = V
L
/R
L

Formula Considerations: Fixed R
L
,
Variable Vi
|
|
.
|

\
|
+
=
L
L
Z
R Rs
R
Vi V
|
|
.
|

\
|
+
=
L
L
i
R
R Rs
Vz V
min
Example 2
Determine the range of R
L
and I
L
that will keep
the voltage at R
L
maintained at 10 volts. Also,
find the maximum wattage rating, P
Zmax
, of the
zener diode.
Example 3
Determine the range of Vi that will keep the zener diode
in the ON state.