Chapter 2

Diode Applications

1
 Diode Applications

Once the basic behavior of a device is understood, its

function and response in an infinite variety of
configurations can be examined

2
 Load-Line Analysis D1
DIODE

VD
ID
The load line plots all possible
R
+ E VR
combinations of diode current (ID)
and voltage (VD) for a given circuit.
The maximum ID equals E/R, and
the maximum VD equals E.
The point where the load line and
the characteristic curve intersect is
the Q (Quiescent)-point , which
identifies ID and VD for a particular
diode in a given circuit.
E=V +I R
D D 3
Putting V = 0 and I = 0
 Series Diode Configurations
Forward Bias

Constants
• Silicon Diode: VD = 0.7 V
• Germanium Diode: VD = 0.3 V

Analysis (for silicon)

• VD = 0.7 V (or VD = E if E < 0.7 V)
• VR = E – VD
• ID = IR = IT = VR / R
4
 Series Diode Configurations contd…
Reverse Bias
Diodes ideally behave as open
circuits
Si
Analysis E R VR
• VD = E
• VR = 0 V
ID VD =E IR
• ID = 0 A
E R VR
5
 Series Diode Configurations contd…
Example2.1 (Page-6): For the
series diode configuration of
figure employing the diode VD
characteristics of figure, +
determine ID
Si
a. VDQ and IDQ + +
E=10V VR R=.5kΩ
b. VR

Once a DC Q (Quiescent)-point has been determined the

diode can be replacing by its DC resistance equivalent
6
 Series Diode Configurations contd…
Example2.2 (Page-63):
Repeat example 2.1 using the
approx equivalent model for V
+ D
Si diode, determine
a. VDQ and IDQ ID
Si
+ +
b. RD E=10V VR R=.5kΩ
ID(mA)
20mA
Q

0.7V 10V
VD(V) 7
 Series Diode Configurations contd…

Example2.3 (Page-64):
Repeat example 2.1 using the
ideal diode model, determine V
+ D
a. VDQ and IDQ ID
Si
b. RD + +
E=10V VR R=.5kΩ
ID(mA)
20mA Q

10V
VD(V) 8
 Series Diode Configurations contd…

Example2.4 (Page-67): For

series configuration model,
determine V
+ D
a. VD and ID ID
Si
b. VR + +
E= 8V VR R=2.2kΩ

VD =0.7V and ID=3.22 mA

VR =7.3V

9
 Series Diode Configurations contd…
+0.5V
ID
Example2.6 (Page-68): For +
series diode configuration Si VD
model, determine VD , VR and
ID +
R=1.2kΩ VR

VD
+
ID
VD =0.5V , ID=0 mA Si
+ +
and VR =0V E= 0.5V VR R=1.2kΩ

10
 Series Diode Configurations contd…
Example2.9 (Page-70): Determine I, V1 , V2 and V0 for
the series DC configuration in fig

R1=4.7kΩ
Si
+
E1=10V V1 +V
I D

+ R2=2.2kΩ V0
V2

E =-5V
I=2.07mA, V1=9.73V, V2=4.55V and V0 =-0.45V
2

11
 Parallel Configurations
Example 2.10 (Page-71): Determine Vo, I1, ID1 and ID2
V  0.7 V
o
V V  V  0.7 V
D1 D2 O
V  9.3 V
R
EV 10 V  .7 V
I I  D   28 mA
R 1 R .33kΩ
28 mA
I I   14 mA
D1 D2 2

13
 Parallel Configurations
Example 2.13 (Page-74): Determine the current I1, I2 and ID2

D1
+
I2 I1
Si ID2
+ +
E= 20V Si D2 R1=3.3 KΩ

R2=5.6 KΩ

I1=0.212mA, I2=3.32mA and ID2=3.11mA

14
 Half-Wave Rectification

The diode only conducts when it is forward biased,

therefore only half of the AC cycle passes through the
diode to the output.
The DC output voltage is 0.318Vm, where Vm = the peak
15
AC voltage.
 DC Value or Average Value

Sinusoidal Wave
Half wave rectifier
Ideal diode (Vdc=0.318Vm )
Si/Ge diode {Vdc=0.318(Vm -Vk ) }

Full wave rectifier (Bridge Network)

Ideal diode (Vdc=0.636Vm )
Si/Ge diode {Vdc=0.636(Vm -2Vk ) }

16
 PIV (PRV)
Because the diode is only forward biased for one-half of
the AC cycle, it is also reverse biased for one-half cycle.
It is important that the reverse breakdown voltage rating of
the diode be high enough to withstand the peak, reverse-
biasing AC voltage.
PIV (or PRV) ≥ Vm
• PIV = Peak inverse voltage
• PRV = Peak reverse voltage
• Vm = Peak AC voltage
Disadvantages • Output voltage is low
• AC supply delivers only half cycle
• Filtering is required to produce DC current
17
• PIV is greater than Vm ,diode may damage
 Half -Wave Rectifier
Example 2.16 (Page-78): Determine Vo

+ +
Vi R=2kΩ Vo

a. For ideal diode Vdc = -6.36 V [Vm =20V]

b. For silicon diode Vdc = -6.14 V [Vm =20V]
c. For silicon diode Vdc = -63.38V [Vm =200V]

18
 Full-Wave Rectification
The rectification process can be
improved by using a full-wave
rectifier circuit.

Full-wave rectification produces a

greater DC output:

• Half-wave: Vdc = 0.318Vm

• Full-wave: Vdc = 0.636Vm

19
 Full-Wave Rectification

Bridge Rectifier:
• Four diodes are
connected in a
bridge configuration
• Vdc = 0.636Vm

20
 Full-Wave Rectification
Example 2.17 (Page-82): Determine the output waveform
for the network and calculate the output DC level and the
required PIV for each diode.
+
Vm=10V 2kΩ
Vi
Vo +
2kΩ
2kΩ

Vdc = 0.636 (5V) + +

2kΩ Vo 2kΩ
PIV=5V Vi
2kΩ 21
 Full-Wave Rectification

Center-Tapped Transformer
Rectifier

Requires
• Two diodes
• Center-tapped
transformer
Vdc = 0.636Vm 22
 PIV (PRV) for Centre Tapped Transformer
Inserting the maximum voltage for the secondary voltage
and Vm as established by adjoining loops.

It is important that the reverse breakdown voltage rating of

the diode be high enough to withstand the peak, reverse-
biasing AC voltage

PIV (or PRV) ≥ 2Vm

23
 Diode Clippers
These are networks that
employ diodes to clip away
a portion of an input signal
without distorting the
remaining part of the
applied waveform

Clipping circuit are used to

remove the part of the
signal that is above or
below some defined
reference level
24
 For Clippers

• Make a mental sketch on direction of diode and applied

voltage.
• Determine the applied voltage that will cause a state
change in diode.
• Remain aware of the terminals and polarity of VO.
• Sketch the input and output signals.

25
Series Clipper Circuits

+ +
Vi Vo

R
+ +
Vi Vo

26
 Biased Clippers
Adding a DC
source in series
with the clipping
diode changes the
effective forward
bias of the diode.
Applying KVL,
Vi +V-Vo=0

27
 Parallel Clippers

The diode in a parallel

clipper circuit “clips” any
voltage that forward bias it.

DC biasing can be added in

series with the diode to
change the clipping level.

28
Parallel Clipper Circuits
R
+ +
Vi Vo

R Vo
+ +
Vi Vo V

V +
29
Parallel Clippers Circiuts contd…
R
+ +
Vi Vo

30
 Clipper Circuits
Example 2.19 (Page-85): Find the output voltage for the
network in Fig. if the applied signal is square wave of Fig.
V=5V
+ + +
Vi 20V
R Vo
V i

T/2 T
-10V 20V
Vo

T/2 T 31
Summary of Clipper Circuits

32
Summary of Clipper Circuits contd…

33
 Clampers

A clamper is a network constructed

of a diode, a resistor and a capacitor
that shifts a waveform to a different
dc level without changing the
appearance of the applied signal.

34
 For Clampers
• Start the analysis with that part of the input signal that
will forward bias the diode.
• During the on state of diode, the capacitor will be
charged up to the applied voltage.
• During the off state of the diode, the capacitor will hold
the charge.
• Remain aware of the location and polarity of Vo.
• Total output swing must match the input signal .

35
 Biased Clamper Circuits
Clamping networks have a
capacitor connected directly
from input to output with a
resistive element in parallel with
the output signal. The diode is
also in parallel with the output
signal but may or may not have
a series dc supply as an added
element
The input signal can be any type
of waveform such as sine,
square and triangle waves.
The DC source lets you adjust
the DC clamping level. 36
Summary of Clamper Circuits

37
 Zener Diodes

A pn junction diode operated in the reverse breakdown

region of its operating curve is normally destroyed,
but it is not the case for zener diode

38
 Zener Diodes
The Zener is a diode
operated in reverse bias
at the Zener Voltage (Vz).
• When Vi  VZ
– The Zener is on
– Voltage across the Zener is VZ
– Zener current: IZ = IR – IRL
– The Zener Power: PZ = VZIZ

• When Vi < VZ
– The Zener is off
39
– Zener acts as an open circuit
 Voltage-Multiplier Circuits

Voltage multiplier circuits use a combination of

diodes and capacitors to step up the output voltage of
rectifier circuits.
• Voltage Doublers
• Voltage Tripler
• Voltage Quadrupler

40
 Voltage Doublers

This half-wave voltage doublers output can be calculated

by:
Vout = VC2 = 2Vm

where Vm = peak secondary voltage of the transformer

41
 Voltage Doublers
• Positive Half-Cycle
• D1 conducts
• D2 is switched off
• Capacitor C1 charges to Vm

• Negative Half-Cycle
• D1 is switched off
• D2 conducts
• Capacitor C2 charges to Vm

Vout = VC2 = 2Vm

42
Voltage Tripler and Quadrupler

43
 Practical Applications
• Rectifier Circuits
– Conversions of AC to DC for DC operated
circuits
– Battery Charging Circuits

• Simple Diode Circuits

– Protective Circuits against
– Over-current
– Polarity Reversal
– Current caused by an inductive kick in a relay
circuit

• Zener Circuits
– Overvoltage Protection 44
–
 For Practice
• Example: 2.5, 2.7, 2.21, 2.23, 2.24 and
2.26
Assignment-1
Problem: 7, 8, 11, 13, 34, 35, 37,
40 and 41

Prove that AC or Dynamic

Resistance of a diode is 26mV/ID
45