1 (2)1/6

Analysis of Circuits
with Ideal Diodes
2 Cathode (2)1/6

Anode i-v Characteristics of an ideal diode

ON State
OFF State

Voltage v MUST be NEGATIVE, i.e., Current i MUST be in this direction, i.e.,

FROM the ANODE TO CATHODE
voltage of ANODE is LOWER than
voltage of the CATHODE
 3 (2)1/6
Assume a state for each diode,
Analysis of circuits with
OR
n ideal diodes OFF ON

Replace each diode by an

equivalent based on the assumed State

Choose Another Perform analysis on the resulting circuit

Assumption
Based on the results of the analysis,
verify the correctness of your assumptions
OFF assumption is correct IF ON assumption is correct IF
v is NEGATIVE, i is positive, i.e., from
vANODE < vCATHODE ANODE to CATHODE

Are ALL Assumptions OK?

NO Yes

Problem Solved
4 (2)1/6

Note That
If we have
n
ideal diodes in the circuit,
we MIGHT need to perform
analysis for
2 n

Circuits If we are VERY unlucky

5 P 3.10 (b) (2)1/6

Find the current

The same
Circuit as
Th
Ci e s
rc am
ui
ta e
s
6 (2)1/6
Assume a state for each diode,
OR
OFF ON

Replace each diode by an

equivalent based on the assumed State

Choose Another Perform analysis on the resulting circuit

Assumption
Based on the results of the analysis,
verify the correctness of your assumptions
OFF assumption is correct IF ON assumption is correct IF
v is NEGATIVE, i is positive, i.e., from
vANODE < vCATHODE ANODE to CATHODE
Are ALL Assumptions OK?

NO Yes

Problem Solved
7 ON (2)1/6

Or this
OFF

JUST PICK ANY ONE

8 (2)1/6
Assume a state for each diode,
OR
OFF ON

Replace each diode by an

equivalent based on the assumed State

Choose Another Perform analysis on the resulting circuit

Assumption
Based on the results of the analysis,
verify the correctness of your assumptions
OFF assumption is correct IF ON assumption is correct IF
v is NEGATIVE, i is positive, i.e., from
vANODE < vCATHODE ANODE to CATHODE
Are ALL Assumptions OK?

NO Yes

Problem Solved
9 (2)1/6

Assuming ON
10 (2)1/6
Assume a state for each diode,
OR
OFF ON

Replace each diode by an

equivalent based on the assumed State

Choose Another Perform analysis on the resulting circuit

Assumption
Based on the results of the analysis,
verify the correctness of your assumptions
OFF assumption is correct IF ON assumption is correct IF
v is NEGATIVE, i is positive, i.e., from
vANODE > vCATHODE ANODE to CATHODE
Are ALL Assumptions OK?

NO Yes

Problem Solved
11 (2)1/6

ON

Can be analyzed easily using

Node voltage Method

KCL
12 (2)1/6

ON

Remember that we still

need to find I
13 (2)1/6

Simplified Circuit

ON
Original Circuit
What is I?
14 (2)1/6

We know that 0.7 mA

flows in the parallel combination of

The two resistors work as a classical

current divider for the 0.7 mA
15 (2)1/6

ON

KCL
16 (2)1/6
17 (2)1/6
Assume a state for each diode,
OR
OFF ON

Replace each diode by an

equivalent based on the assumed State

Choose Another Perform analysis on the resulting circuit

Assumption
Based on the results of the analysis,
verify the correctness of your assumptions
OFF assumption is correct IF ON assumption is correct IF
v is NEGATIVE, i is positive, i.e., from
vANODE < vCATHODE ANODE to CATHODE
Are ALL Assumptions OK?

NO Yes

Problem Solved
18 (2)1/6
ON assumption is correct IF
i is positive, i.e., from
ANODE to CATHODE
Current is Negative, i.e., going
from CATHODE to ANODE

The ideal diode can NOT be ON

as initially assumed
CATH1ODE ANODE

We started with the

wrong assumption
19 (2)1/6
Assume a state for each diode,
OR
OFF ON

Replace each diode by an

equivalent based on the assumed State

Choose Another Perform analysis on the resulting circuit

Assumption
Based on the results of the analysis,
verify the correctness of your assumptions
OFF assumption is correct IF ON assumption is correct IF
v is NEGATIVE, i is positive, i.e., from
vANODE < vCATHODE ANODE to CATHODE
Are ALL Assumptions OK?

NO Yes

Problem Solved
20 (2)1/6

Assume

OFF
21 (2)1/6
Assume a state for each diode,
OR
OFF ON

Replace each diode by an

equivalent based on the assumed State

Choose Another Perform analysis on the resulting circuit

Assumption
Based on the results of the analysis,
verify the correctness of your assumptions
OFF assumption is correct IF ON assumption is correct IF
v is NEGATIVE, i is positive, i.e., from
vANODE < vCATHODE ANODE to CATHODE
Are ALL Assumptions OK?

NO Yes

Problem Solved
22 (2)1/6

Assume OFF
23 (2)1/6
Assume a state for each diode,
OR
OFF ON

Replace each diode by an

equivalent based on the assumed State

Choose Another Perform analysis on the resulting circuit

Assumption
Based on the results of the analysis,
verify the correctness of your assumptions
OFF assumption is correct IF ON assumption is correct IF
v is NEGATIVE, i is positive, i.e., from
vANODE < vCATHODE ANODE to CATHODE
Are ALL Assumptions OK?

NO Yes

Problem Solved
24 OFF assumption is correct IF (2)1/6

v is NEGATIVE,
vANODE < vCATHODE
25 (2)1/6
Assume a state for each diode,
OR
OFF ON

Replace each diode by an

equivalent based on the assumed State

Choose Another Perform analysis on the resulting circuit

Assumption
Based on the results of the analysis,
verify the correctness of your assumptions
OFF assumption is correct IF ON assumption
assumption is correct
is correct IF IF
v is NEGATIVE, i is positive, i.e., from
vANODE < vCATHODE ANODE to CATHODE
Are ALL Assumptions OK?

NO Yes

Problem Solved
26 (2)1/6

It seemed more reasonable to start with

OFF Assumption
ANODE
CATHODE
How is that ?
Because the Anode APPEARS to be
at LOWER voltage than the Cathode
27 (2)1/6

Another Example
Find
28 (2)1/6
Another Example

The same Circuit as

29 (2)1/6
Assume a state for each diode,
OR
OFF ON

Replace each diode by an

equivalent based on the assumed State

Choose Another Perform analysis on the resulting circuit

Assumption
Based on the results of the analysis,
verify the correctness of your assumptions
OFF assumption is correct IF ON assumption
assumption is correct
is correct IF IF
v is NEGATIVE, i is positive, i.e., from
vANODE < vCATHODE ANODE to CATHODE
Are ALL Assumptions OK?

NO Yes

Problem Solved
30 (2)1/6

Another Example

What we can assume:

D1 D2
OFF OFF
OFF ON
ON OFF
ON ON

2(number of Diodes) = 4 possibilities

31 (2)1/6

IF it is not your lucky day

you might have to try
the four options
before you zero on
the right configuration

IF you are on a good day

you might get the first assumption
from the first trial
32 (2)1/6

We will try to play smart

D1 APPEARS to be ON because its ANODE is

connected to 0 V, while its CATHODE is connected to
a negative voltage, though via a 10 k resistor.

D2 also APPEARS to be ON because its ANODE is

connected to 10 V, via a 10 k resistor while its CATHODE
is connected to a negative voltage, though via a 10 k resistor.
33 (2)1/6

D1 D2 At a first glance
OFF OFF It appears that this
OFF ON configuration may
be OK.
ON OFF
We can start by
ON ON taking this option.

CAUTION
Note that this is just a matter of taking a guess.
It might turn out to be the wrong assumption.
34 (2)1/6
D1 ON

D2 ON
m ’s
Oh aw
L

O Law
hm
’s
35 (2)1/6

We are done with analysis phase,

where we found

However, we still need to check

the correctness of our assumptions
for the diodes.
36 (2)1/6
Assume a state for each diode,
OR
OFF ON

Replace each diode by an

equivalent based on the assumed State

Choose Another
Assumption Perform analysis on the resulting circuit
Based on the results of the analysis,
verify the correctness of your assumptions
OFF assumption is correct IF ON assumption is correct IF
v is NEGATIVE, i is positive, i.e., from
vANODE < vCATHODE ANODE to CATHODE
Are ALL Assumptions OK?

NO Yes

Problem Solved
37 (2)1/6

KCL

ON
Which means that
it goes from the
CATHODE to the ANDOE
Consistent
with our assumption

INCONSISTENT
with
our assumption
CORRECT
38 (2)1/6
Assume a state for each diode,
OR
OFF ON

Replace each diode by an

equivalent based on the assumed State

Choose Another
Assumption Perform analysis on the resulting circuit
Based on the results of the analysis,
verify the correctness of your assumptions
OFF assumption is correct IF ON assumption is correct IF
v is NEGATIVE, i is positive, i.e., from
vANODE < vCATHODE ANODE to CATHODE
Are ALL Assumptions OK?

NO Yes

Problem Solved
39 (2)1/6

D1 D2
OFF OFF
Maybe this
OFF ON
is the one
ON OFF
This was not the
ON ON
right one.
40 (2)1/6

D1 OFF
Ohm’s
Law
D2 ON
41 (2)1/6

We are done with analysis phase

round 2, where we found

However, we still need to check

the correctness of our assumptions
for the diodes.
42 (2)1/6
Assume a state for each diode,
OR
OFF ON

Replace each diode by an

equivalent based on the assumed State

Choose Another
Assumption Perform analysis on the resulting circuit
Based on the results of the analysis,
verify the correctness of your assumptions
OFF assumption is correct IF ON assumption is correct IF
v is NEGATIVE, i is positive, i.e., from
vANODE < vCATHODE ANODE to CATHODE
Are ALL Assumptions OK?

NO Yes

Problem Solved
43 (2)1/6

D1 OFF

D2 ON

CONSISTENT
with
our assumption
44 (2)1/6
Assume a state for each diode,
OR
OFF ON

Replace each diode by an

equivalent based on the assumed State

Choose Another
Assumption Perform analysis on the resulting circuit
Based on the results of the analysis,
verify the correctness of your assumptions
OFF assumption is correct IF ON assumption is correct IF
v is NEGATIVE, i is positive, i.e., from
vANODE < vCATHODE ANODE to CATHODE
Are ALL Assumptions OK?

NO Yes

Problem Solved
45 (2)1/6

D1 OFF

D2 ON

CONSISTENT
with
our assumption
46 (2)1/6

D1 D2
OFF OFF
OFF ON
ON OFF
ON ON
47 (2)1/6
Assume a state for each diode,
OR
OFF ON

Replace each diode by an

equivalent based on the assumed State

Choose Another
Assumption Perform analysis on the resulting circuit
Based on the results of the analysis,
verify the correctness of your assumptions
OFF assumption is correct IF ON assumption is correct IF
v is NEGATIVE, i is positive, i.e., from
vANODE < vCATHODE ANODE to CATHODE
Are ALL Assumptions OK?

NO Yes

Problem Solved
48 (2)1/6

SOMETIMES
The Inconsistency
arising from the wrong
assumption can also
appear in other forms
49 (2)1/6
Here is another example
Exercise 3.4 (f)
Here are the possibilities
Find
D3 D2 D1
OFF OFF OFF
OFF OFF ON
It is tempting OFF ON OFF
to use this OFF ON ON
assumption ON OFF OFF
ON OFF ON
ON ON OFF
ON ON ON
50 (2)1/6

Here is another example

Here are the possibilities
With all ON assumption, D3 D2 D1
this node will have to OFF OFF OFF
take three voltages OFF OFF ON
(3,2,1) V
at the same time OFF ON OFF
OFF ON ON
ON OFF OFF
ON OFF ON
ON ON OFF
ON ON ON

Absolute
Nonsense
51 (2)1/6

Here is another example

Here are the possibilities
D3 D2 D1
OFF OFF OFF
OFF OFF ON
OFF ON OFF
OFF ON ON
ON OFF OFF
ON OFF ON
ON ON OFF
ON ON ON
52 (2)1/6
Assume a state for each diode,
OR
OFF ON

Replace each diode by an

equivalent based on the assumed State

Choose Another
Assumption Perform analysis on the resulting circuit
Based on the results of the analysis,
verify the correctness of your assumptions
OFF assumption is correct IF ON assumption is correct IF
v is NEGATIVE, i is positive, i.e., from
vANODE < vCATHODE ANODE to CATHODE
Are ALL Assumptions OK?

NO Yes

Problem Solved
53 (2)1/6

Here are the possibilities

D3 D2 D1
OFF OFF OFF
OFF OFF ON
OFF ON OFF
- + OFF ON ON
ON OFF OFF
ON OFF ON
- +
ON ON OFF
ON ON ON

ON assumption is correct IF
i is positive, i.e., from
ANODE to CTHODE
54 (2)1/6

In the previous example

The degree of the

inconsistency resulting from
the “ALL ON” Assumption
was so severe that we could
NOT even proceed with the
analysis
55 (2)1/6

As an exercise
Try to use the configuration that all of the
diodes are OFF, and see whether this
leads to consistent analysis results.
56 (2)1/6

Real
Diode
57 (2)1/6
Ideal vs. real diode

Reverse region
Real diode

ideal diode
Forward region

Breakdown
region
58 (2)1/6

An explanation for the behavior of the real diode.

Why?
Semiconductor Physics

Can we perform circuit analysis for circuits

with one or more real diode?
How?
Electrical Circuit Model

What are the real-life applications that

What? can be built from real diodes?

Regulator, rectifier, Clipper, …etc.