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
McGraw-Hill
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 (con’t)
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
McGraw-Hill
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
I Z = I 1 - IL
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
McGraw-Hill
Parallel-Based Clipper Circuit Using
Zener Diodes
Neamen Microelectronics, 4e Chapter 2-29
McGraw-Hill
Diode Clamper Circuit
Neamen Microelectronics, 4e Chapter 2-30
McGraw-Hill
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
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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