2.

Diode Applications

2. Diode Applications
Load-line Analysis
The applied load will normally have an important impact on the point or region of operation of a device.
If the analysis is performed in a graphical manner, a line can be drawn on the characteristics of the
device that represents the applied load. The intersection of the load line with the characteristics will
determine the point of operation of the system. Such an analysis is, for obvious reasons, called load-line
analysis. The solution obtained at the intersection of the two curves would be obtained by a
simultaneous mathematical solution since the curve for a diode has nonlinear characteristics. The load-
line analysis provides a solution with a minimum of effort and a “pictorial” description.

E − VD − VR = 0 → E = VD + I D R
VD E
→ ID = − +
R R
E
ID = V = 0V
R D
VD = E I D =0A

VD Q  0.78V
I D Q  9.25mA

Q : Quiescent Point

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 2. Diode Applications

Diode Equivalent Circuits

An equivalent circuit is a combination of elements properly chosen to best represent the actual terminal
characteristics of a device, system, or such in a particular operating region. The result is often a network
that can be solved using traditional circuit analysis techniques.
- Ideal Equivalent Circuit

- Piecewise-Linear Equivalent Circuit

ΔVd 0.8V − 0.7V

rav = = = 10Ω
ΔId 10mA − 0mA

- Simplified Equivalent Circuit

Silicon Germanium
Simplified model

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 2. Diode Applications

DC Input
Forward-bias condition, E > VT the diode is in “on” state

E − VR = 0 → VR = E = 10V
VR 10V
ID = = = 10mA
R 1KΩ

Ideal model

VD = VT = 0.7V
E − VT − VR = 0 → VR = 10 − 0.7 = 9.3V
VR 9.3
ID = IR = = = 9.3mA
R 1K

Simplified model

Reverse-bias condition, or E < VT the diode is in “off” state

I D = I R = 0A
VR = I R R = 0
E − VD − VR = 0 → VD = E = 8V

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 2. Diode Applications

I D = I R = 0A
VR = I R R = 0
E − VD − VR = 0 → VD = E = 0.5V

OR gate

V E-V
E−V −V =0→I= o = D = 10 − 0.7 = 9.3mA
D o R R 1K
AND gate

E-V
V + I.R - E = 0 → I = D = 10 − 0.7 = 9.3mA
D R 1K

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 2. Diode Applications

AC Input
Half-Wave Rectification

T π
1 1 V π V
Vdc =  v o dt =  Vm sinθ dθ = m − cosθ = m = 0.318Vm
T 2π 2π 0 π
0 0

Vdc  0.318(Vm − VT )

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 2. Diode Applications

Peak-inverse Voltage (PIV) or Peak-reverse voltage (PRV)

PIV  Vm

Full-Wave Rectification
Bridge Network

Vdc = 2(0.318Vm ) = 0.636 Vm

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 2. Diode Applications

PIV  Vm

Vdc  0.636 (Vm − 2VT )

Center-Tapped Transformer

PIV  2Vm

Clipper
Clippers are networks that employ diodes to “clip” away a portion of an input signal without distorting
the remaining part of the applied waveform.

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 2. Diode Applications

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 2. Diode Applications

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 2. Diode Applications

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.

20 − VC + 5 = 0 → VC = 25V
→ vo = 5V 10 + 25 − vo = 0 → v o = 35V

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 2. Diode Applications

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 2. Diode Applications

Zener Diodes

Vi and RL Fixed
Step 1st
Determine the state of the Zener diode by removing it from the network and calculating the voltage
across the resulting open circuit

RL
V = VL = Vi
R + RL

Step 2nd
Substitute the appropriate equivalent circuit and solve for the desired unknowns.
If V ≥ VZ, the Zener diode is “on” state
If V  VZ, the Zener diode is “off” state

The “on” state will result:

V
V =V I = L
L Z L R
L
V V −V
V - I .R - V = 0 → I = R = i Z
i R Z R R R
I =I +I →I =I −I
R Z L Z R L
P = V I (power dissipated by the Zener diode)
Z Z Z
Fixed Vi and Variable RL Fixed RL and Variable Vi

VZ RVZ RL + R
I L max  I R → R L min = = Vi min = VZ
I L max Vi − VZ RL
I L min = I R − I ZM I R max = I ZM + I L
VZ Vi max = I R max R + VZ
R L max =
I L min

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 2. Diode Applications

Voltage Multiplier Circuits

Voltage Doubler

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 2. Diode Applications

Voltage Tripler and Quadrupler

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