EIE209 Basic Electronics

Diode circuits

Contents
• Diode models
• Typical diode circuits & applications
• Load line concepts for nonlinear load analysis

Prof. C.K. Tse: Diode circuits

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What is a diode?
Simplest view (no physics):

— a unidirectional device
that allows current to flow in
one direction but not the
other.

Ideally, we regard a diode as

short circuit when voltage
applied to it in the forward
manner is positive.

Prof. C.K. Tse: Diode circuits

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Ideal characteristic
Bias conditions

Forward bias : vd > 0 — current can flow and id > 0.

Reverse bias : vd < 0 — current cannot flow and id = 0.

id id

Ideal diode with finite forward drop

(more realistic)

vd vd
0.7V

Prof. C.K. Tse: Diode circuits

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Real characteristic
Take a closer look at the characteristic around the
turning point.

The i-v characteristic is an exponential function.

id
From physics, we have

id = I ss (e q vd /kT
- 1)

Also, the diode can only stand the –VBD

negative voltage up to a certain vd
threshold VBD , beyond which breakdown 0.7V
the diode conducts reverse
current (breakdown).

Prof. C.K. Tse: Diode circuits

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 Which model to use?
The choice depends on the external voltage magnitudes.

Ideal model: Ideal model: Ideal model:

id = 100/100 = 1 A id = 10/100 = 100 mA id = 2/100 = 20 mA

With 0.7V drop: With 0.7V drop: With 0.7V drop:

id = (100–0.7)/100 id = (10–0.7)/100 id = (2–0.7)/100

= 0.997 A = 93 mA = 13 mA

Prof. C.K. Tse: Diode circuits

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Example: rectifier circuit
The ideal model is valid if the external voltages are well above 0.7V.

What is the magnitude of vr ?

Crude — 50 V
Better — 50 – 1.4 = 48.6 V

Prof. C.K. Tse: Diode circuits

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Application examples

clamper dc restorer

half-wave doubler full-wave doubler

Prof. C.K. Tse: Diode circuits
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A nonlinear circuit problem
Suppose we wish to find vd , given that the external voltage Vs is not large
enough to validate the use of the ideal diode model.

??

Prof. C.K. Tse: Diode circuits

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Step 1 : locating the operating points
Recall: The characteristic curve/line for a device actually defines where the point (v, i) can lie.

We know
1 the operating point (vd, 2 the operating point (vR, iR)
id) is somewhere on the is somewhere on the
diode characteristic curve resistor characteristic curve

Prof. C.K. Tse: Diode circuits

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Step 2 : KVL & KCL constraints
We also know
from KCL : id = iR AND from KVL : vd + vR = Vs

= Vs
O+

Prof. C.K. Tse: Diode circuits

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Step 3 : enforcing KVL & KCL
Method: flip the resistor curve horizontally; and
push the two curves together horizontally until the y-axes are Vs apart.

push push

add to Vs

Prof. C.K. Tse: Diode circuits

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Solution : load line
The flipped resistor line is called the LOAD LINE.

Prof. C.K. Tse: Diode circuits

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 General problem
How to find vd and id ?
+ vR – iR
id
R id
+ +
Vs _
:) vd
–
nonlinear device

vd

Prof. C.K. Tse: Diode circuits

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 Basic load line construction
+ vR – iR
i
R id
slope = –1/R
+ +
Vs _
:) vd id device
– characteristic
nonlinear device

v
vd
Vs

Prof. C.K. Tse: Diode circuits

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 Alternative construction
+ vR – iR
i
R id id when
device is
+ + short-circuit
Vs _
:) vd device
– characteristic
nonlinear device load line

v
vd when
device is open-
circuit

Prof. C.K. Tse: Diode circuits

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Tutorial problem
Find the operating point.

Prof. C.K. Tse: Diode circuits

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