Basic Electronics
Circuit
EC1201
Diodes
The diode is a 2-terminal device.
A diode ideally conducts in only one
direction.
Diode Characteristics
Non-Conduction Region
Conduction Region
• The voltage across the diode is 0 V • All of the voltage is across the diode
• The current is infinite • The current is 0 A
• The forward resistance is defined as • The reverse resistance is defined as
RF = VF / IF RR = VR / IR
• The diode acts like a short • The diode acts like open
p-n Junctions
At the p-n junction, the excess
conduction-band electrons on the
n-type side are attracted to the
valence-band holes on the p-type
side.
The electrons in the n-type
material migrate across the
junction to the p-type material
The result is the formation of a
(electron flow).
depletion region around the
junction.
The electron migration results in
a negative charge on the p-type
side of the junction and a positive
charge on the n-type side of the
junction.
Diode Operating Conditions
A diode has three operating conditions:
• No bias
• Forward bias
• Reverse bias
Diode Operating Conditions
No Bias
• No external voltage is applied: VD = 0 V
• No current is flowing: ID = 0 A
• Only a modest depletion region exists
Diode Operating Conditions
Reverse Bias
External voltage is applied across the p-n junction in
the opposite polarity of the p- and n-type materials.
The reverse voltage causes the
depletion region to widen.
The electrons in the n-type material
are attracted toward the positive
terminal of the voltage source.
The holes in the p-type material are
attracted toward the negative
terminal of the voltage source.
Diode Operating Conditions
Forward Bias
External voltage is applied across the p-n junction in
the same polarity as the p- and n-type materials.
• The forward voltage causes the
depletion region to narrow.
• The electrons and holes are pushed
toward the p-n junction.
• The electrons and holes have
sufficient energy to cross the p-n
junction.
Actual Diode Characteristics
Note the regions for no
bias, reverse bias, and
forward bias conditions.
Carefully note the scale
for each of these
conditions.
Zener Region
The Zener region is in the diode’s
reverse-bias region.
At some point the reverse bias voltage
is so large the diode breaks down and
the reverse current increases
dramatically.
• The maximum reverse voltage that won’t
take a diode into the zener region is
called the peak inverse voltage or peak
reverse voltage.
• The voltage that causes a diode to enter
the zener region of operation is called the
zener voltage (VZ).
Forward Bias Voltage
The point at which the diode changes from no-bias condition
to forward-bias condition occurs when the electrons and
holes are given sufficient energy to cross the p-n junction.
This energy comes from the external voltage applied across
the diode.
The forward bias voltage required for a:
• gallium arsenide diode 1.2 V
• silicon diode 0.7 V
• germanium diode 0.3 V
Temperature Effects
As temperature increases it adds energy to the diode.
• It reduces the required forward bias voltage for forward-
bias conduction.
• It increases the amount of reverse current in the reverse-
bias condition.
• It increases maximum reverse bias avalanche voltage.
Germanium diodes are more sensitive to temperature
variations than silicon or gallium arsenide diodes.
Resistance Levels
Semiconductors react differently to DC and AC currents.
There are three types of resistance:
• DC (static) resistance
• AC (dynamic) resistance
• Average AC resistance
DC (Static) Resistance
For a specific applied DC voltage
VD, the diode has a specific
current ID, and a specific
resistance RD.
VD
RD
ID
AC (Dynamic) Resistance
Sinusoidal input is given instead of dc input. The
varying input will move the instantaneous operating
point up and down a region of the characteristics.
Vd
rd
Id
AC (Dynamic) Resistance
In the forward bias region:
26mV
rd rB
ID
• The resistance depends on the amount of current (ID) in the diode.
• The voltage across the diode is fairly constant (26 mV for 25C).
• rB ranges from a typical 0.1 for high power devices to 2 for low
power, general purpose diodes. In some cases rB can be ignored.
In the reverse bias region:
rd
The resistance is effectively infinite. The diode acts like an open.
Average AC Resistance
ΔVd
rav pt. to pt.
ΔI d
AC resistance can be
calculated using the current
and voltage values for two
points on the diode
characteristic curve.
DC (Static) Resistance
For a specific applied DC voltage
VD, the diode has a specific
current ID, and a specific
resistance RD.
VD
RD
ID
Diode Specification Sheets
Data about a diode is presented uniformly for many different diodes.
This makes cross-matching of diodes for replacement or design
easier.
1. Forward Voltage (VF) at a specified current and temperature
2. Maximum forward current (IF) at a specified temperature
3. Reverse saturation current (IR) at a specified voltage and
temperature
4. Reverse voltage rating, PIV or PRV or V(BR), at a specified
temperature
5. Maximum power dissipation at a specified temperature
6. Capacitance levels
7. Reverse recovery time, trr
8. Operating temperature range
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Diode Symbol and Packaging
The anode is abbreviated A
The cathode is abbreviated K
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Diode Capacitance
In reverse bias, the depletion layer is very large. The diode’s strong positive and
negative polarities create capacitance, CT. The amount of capacitance depends
on the reverse voltage applied.
In forward bias storage capacitance or diffusion capacitance (CD) exists as the
diode voltage increases.
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Reverse Recovery Time (trr)
Reverse recovery time is the time required for a diode to stop
conducting once it is switched from forward bias to reverse bias.
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Diode Equivalent Circuit
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Zener Diode
A Zener is a diode operated in reverse bias
at the Zener voltage (VZ).
Common Zener voltages are between 1.8 V
and 200 V
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Light-Emitting Diode (LED)
An LED emits photons when it is forward biased.
These can be in the infrared or visible spectrum.
The forward bias voltage is usually in the range of 2 V to 3 V.
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Diode Arrays
Multiple diodes can be
packaged together in an
integrated circuit (IC).
Common Anode
A variety of combinations
exist. Common Cathode
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