Microelectronics

Circuit Analysis and Design

Donald A. Neamen

Chapter 2

Diode Circuits

Neamen Microelectronics, 4e Chapter 2-1

McGraw-Hill
In this chapter, we will:

Determine the operation and characteristics of

diode rectifier circuits, which is the first stage of
the process of converting an ac signal into a dc
signal in the electronic power supply.
Apply the characteristics of the Zener diode to a
Zener diode voltage regulator circuit.
Apply the nonlinear characteristics of diodes to
create waveshaping circuits known as clippers
and clampers.
Examine the techniques used to analyze circuits
that contain more than one diode.
Understand the operation and characteristics of
specialized photodiode and light-emitting diode
circuits.
Neamen Microelectronics, 4e Chapter 2-2
McGraw-Hill
 Block Diagram
for ac to dc Converter

The diode rectifier, filter, and voltage regulator are diode circuits.

Neamen Microelectronics, 4e Chapter 2-3

McGraw-Hill
 Problem-Solving Technique:
Diode Circuits

1. Determine the input voltage condition such

that the diode is conducting (on).
a. Find the output signal for this condition.
2. Determine the input voltage such that the
diode is not conducting (off).
a. Find the output signal for this condition.

Neamen Microelectronics, 4e Chapter 2-4

McGraw-Hill
Half-Wave Rectifier

Voltage Transfer
Characteristics

Neamen Microelectronics, 4e Chapter 2-5

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 Signals of Half Wave Rectifier

Input voltage Output voltage

Diode voltage

Neamen Microelectronics, 4e Chapter 2-6

McGraw-Hill
 Load Line Analysis

Load line when vS

is at its maximum
forward voltage.

Load line when vS

is at its most
negative value.

Neamen Microelectronics, 4e Chapter 2-7

McGraw-Hill
 Load Line (cont)

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

changes the Q-point (vD and iD) of the diode.
Neamen Microelectronics, 4e Chapter 2-8
McGraw-Hill
 Half-Wave Rectifier as
Battery Charger

Neamen Microelectronics, 4e Chapter 2-9

McGraw-Hill
 Full-Wave Rectifier

Voltage transfer characteristics

Input and output waveforms

Neamen Microelectronics, 4e Chapter 2-10

McGraw-Hill
 Full-Wave Bridge Rectifier

When vS is positive, D1 and D2 are turned on (a). When vS is negative, D3 and D4

are turned on (b).
In either case, current flows through R in the same direction, resulting in an
output voltage, vO, shown in (c).
Neamen Microelectronics, 4e Chapter 2-11
McGraw-Hill
 Full-Wave Bridge Rectifier

Neamen Microelectronics, 4e Chapter 2-12

McGraw-Hill
 Output Voltage of Full-Wave Rectifier
with RC Filter

VM 1
The ripple on the dc output is Vr where f
2 fRC 2TP

Neamen Microelectronics, 4e Chapter 2-13

McGraw-Hill
 Output Voltage of Full-Wave Rectifier
with RC Filter

t 1 2Vr

T VM

Diode conducts current for only a small portion of the period.

Neamen Microelectronics, 4e Chapter 2-14

McGraw-Hill
 Equivalent Circuit During
Capacitance Charging Cycle

i C CVM t
iC , peak CVM t
2Vr
t
VM

Neamen Microelectronics, 4e Chapter 2-15

McGraw-Hill
 PSpice Schematic of Diode
Bridge Circuit

Steady state output voltage for a

60Hz sine wave input with peak
value of 13.4V.

Neamen Microelectronics, 4e Chapter 2-16

McGraw-Hill
 Demodulation of Amplitude-
Modulated Signal

Modulated input signal

Detector circuit

Demodulated output
signal

Neamen Microelectronics, 4e Chapter 2-17

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 Voltage Doubler Circuit

Neamen Microelectronics, 4e Chapter 2-18

McGraw-Hill
 Equivalent Circuits for
Input Cycles

Negative input cycle Positive input

cycle

Neamen Microelectronics, 4e Chapter 2-19

McGraw-Hill
 Voltage Regulator

VZ
IL
RL
VPS VZ
II
Ri
IZ II IL

The characteristics of the Zener diode determines VL.

Neamen Microelectronics, 4e Chapter 2-20

McGraw-Hill
 Design Example 2.5

Neamen Microelectronics, 4e Chapter 2-21

McGraw-Hill
 Load Line Analysis

The reverse bias I-V is important for Zener diodes.

Neamen Microelectronics, 4e Chapter 2-22

McGraw-Hill
 Voltage Rectifier with
nonzero Zener resistance

The Zener diode begins to conduct when VPS = VZ.

When VPS VZ: VL = VZ
IL = VZ/RL,, but VZ constant
I1 = (VPS VZ)/Ri
IZ = I 1 - I L
Neamen Microelectronics, 4e Chapter 2-23
McGraw-Hill
 Voltage Transfer Characteristics of
Limiter Circuit

Neamen Microelectronics, 4e Chapter 2-24

McGraw-Hill
 Single Diode Clipper

Neamen Microelectronics, 4e Chapter 2-25

McGraw-Hill
Additional
Diode
Clipper
Circuits

Neamen Microelectronics, 4e Chapter 2-26

McGraw-Hill
 Parallel-Based Diode
Clipper Circuit

Neamen Microelectronics, 4e Chapter 2-27

McGraw-Hill
Series-Based
Diode Clipper
Circuits

Neamen Microelectronics, 4e Chapter 2-28

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 Parallel-Based Clipper Circuit Using
Zener Diodes

Neamen Microelectronics, 4e Chapter 2-29

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 Diode Clamper Circuit

Neamen Microelectronics, 4e Chapter 2-30

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 Diode Clamper Circuit with Voltage
Source

Neamen Microelectronics, 4e Chapter 2-31

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 Diode and Resistor In Series

Voltage shift between input and output voltages in transfer

characteristics is because the diode only conducts when v1 V.

Neamen Microelectronics, 4e Chapter 2-32

McGraw-Hill
 Diode with Input Voltage Source

Output voltage is a constant when the diode is not conducting,

when v1 Vs - V.

Neamen Microelectronics, 4e Chapter 2-33

McGraw-Hill
 2 Diode Circuit

Voltage transfer characteristics

Neamen Microelectronics, 4e Chapter 2-34

McGraw-Hill
Problem-Solving Technique: Multiple
Diode Circuits
1. Assume the state of the diode.
a. If assumed on, VD = V
b. If assumed off, ID = 0.
2. Analyze the linear circuit with assumed
diode states.
3. Evaluate the resulting state of each diode.
4. If any initial assumptions are proven
incorrect, make new assumption and return to
Step 2.

Neamen Microelectronics, 4e Chapter 2-35

McGraw-Hill
 Exercise problem

D1 is not on.

D2 is on.
This pins VO to -0.6V

Neamen Microelectronics, 4e Chapter 2-36

McGraw-Hill
 Diode Logic Circuits:
2-Input OR Gate

V1 (V) V2 (V) VO (V)

0 0 0

5 0 4.3

0 5 4.3

5 5 4.3

V = 0.7V

Neamen Microelectronics, 4e Chapter 2-37

McGraw-Hill
 Diode Logic Circuits:
2-Input AND Gate

V1 V2 VO
(V) (V) (V)
0 0 0

5 0 0

0 5 0

5 5 4.3

V = 0.7V

Neamen Microelectronics, 4e Chapter 2-38

McGraw-Hill
 Photodiode Circuit

Neamen Microelectronics, 4e Chapter 2-39

McGraw-Hill
 Optoisolator

Neamen Microelectronics, 4e Chapter 2-40

McGraw-Hill
 Design DC Power Supply Circuit

Neamen Microelectronics, 4e Chapter 2-41

McGraw-Hill