ChapLer 3

ulode ApproxlmaLlons
1here are Lhree (3) ulodes ApproxlmaLlons
ldeal (1
sL
ApproxlmaLlon)
Second approxlmaLlon
1hlrd ApproxlmaLlon
lor Lhe 1
sL
approx assume Lhe dlode drop volLage ls
zero (erfecL closed swlLch)
lor Lhe 2
nd
approx assume Lhe dlode drop volLage of
07 volLs
lor Lhe 3
rd
approx assume Lhe dlode drop volLage of
07 volL and conslder Lhe forward bulk reslsLance of Lhe
dlode
vd 07 v + ld x 8b (33)
lgnolre bulk reslsLance of Lhe dlode lf 8b 001 8Lh
lorward 8ulk 8eslsLance
Ca|cu|ate the 8u|k kes|stance (kb) from the formu|a g|ven be|ow
kb (V2 V1)](I2 I1)
Forward bulk resistance (Rb) is very small less than 1 Ohms or 10
Ohms. The bulk resistance is the dynamic resistance while current
pass through the diode, but static
resistance that usually measured by meter is relatively small
compare to the bulk resistance.
The reverse resistance of the diode is very large greater than
1 M-ohms.
xample of 2
nd
approxlmaLlon
1hevenln's uvalecL ClrculL
Second Approximation Example:
In this Example the diode is forward-biased to act as a closed switch to
turn ON the 5 V 5W Light Bulb.
Calculat the Lamp current and compare that to the
measured lamp current by MultiSim.
The load current can be calculated by using the 2nd-approximation and
Ohms' Law:
Since this is a complex circuit (more than one loop) we must apply
Thevenin's Theorem Iirst to convert that to a single loop:
Vth 6/ (10+6)] (18V) 6.75 V
Rth 6[[ 10 (6 x 10)/(6+10) 3.75 Ohms
Lamp Resistance (RL) can be calculated from: IL P/V 1W / 5V
0.2 A
IL 0.2 A 200 mA
> Lamp resistance (RL) VL/RL 5V/0.2 A 25 Ohms
From the Thevenin's Equivalent circuit diode current (load current)
can be calculated by Ohm's Law:
Id IL (Vth - Vd)/(Rth + RL) (6.75V - 0.7 V) / ( 3.75 +25)
Id IL 6.05 / 28.75 0.21 A 210 mA (calculated Lamp current)
IL(Measured) 0.207 A 207 mA > They are very close !