Rectifier Circuits

Half-wave rectifier (HWR)

Input & output waveforms, assuming rD << R

Considering the diode to be ideal

VDC
VDC

1
= Vm sin t dt
T 0
T

Vm
T /2
=
[cos t ]0
T
Vm
2

=
cos
- 1

2
2

Vm
=
[cos - 1]
2
Vm
=

= 0.318Vm

1 cos t
= Vm
T 0

T /2

Vm
=
T

cos 2 - 1
2

= T

Vm
=
[-1 - 1]
2

If Si diode is used, VK = 0.7V

& Vo = Vi VK
The effect is reduction of area above the axis,
which reduces the resulting DC voltage level.
For Vm >> VK, we can write
VDC = 0.318 (Vm VK) (approx.)

Full Wave Rectifier (FWR)

1. Bridge Network

Assuming ideal diode,

VDC =

1 T/2
Vm sin t dt

0
T /2

1
cos t
=
Vm
T / 2 0

T /2

2Vm
T /2
[cos t ]0
T
2Vm T

=
cos
1

2
T
2Vm 2

=
cos
1

2
2
2Vm
=
[cos - 1]
2
2V
V
= m [ -1 - 1]
= m

= 0.6366Vm
=

Assuming ideal diode

Vdc=0.636Vm
Peak value of the output voltage
V0max=Vm-2Vk
For Vm>>2Vk, Vdc0.636(Vm-2Vk)
PIVVm-Vk

Centre-tapped transformer
PIV across each diode
is 2Vm - Vk

HWR with Capacitor Filter

Assuming ideal diode

for simplicity,
VD = 0, Rf = 0

FWR with capacitor filter

Assuming triangular
ripple waveform,
Vo (dc) = Vm Vr(p-p)/2
Ripple factor r
= Vr(rms)/Vdc

Wave Shaping Circuits

Diodes can be used in waveshaping circuits that
either limit or clip portions of a signal, or shift
the dc voltage level. These circuits are called
clippers and clampers respectively.
Clippers are networks that employ diodes to clip
away a portion of the input signal without distorting
the remaining part of the applied waveform

Clipper Ckts.:
Ex.1

Ex.2

VDO = 0.7V
= (4 0.7)V
Vo
= 3.3V

Ex.3

Ex.4
Find VO
Assume VDO=0, Rf=0 for
both diodes.

Solution:
For 0<Vi<2V, D1 & D2 are OFF as these
are reverse biased.
Therefore, Vo = Vi
For Vi > 2V, D1 turns ON and
i1 = (Vi 2)/(10+10)
Also, Vo = i1R2 + 2 = (Vi 2)/20 x 10 +2
= Vi/2 1 + 2 = Vi/2 + 1
(e.g. If Vi = 6V, Vo = 6/2 + 1 = 4V)
For -4<Vi<0, both D1 & D2 are OFF
& Vo = Vi
For Vi < -4V, D2 turns ON and Vo = -4V

Vo
4
2

2
2
4

Vi

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.

Ex. 1

Clampers
Try the following on your own
1. Reverse the direction of the diode
Signal is now clamped to positive levels
2. Add a battery in series with the diode try both polarities
of the battery
Clamping level is now decided by the battery voltage

3. See what happens when the input is a sine wave (or any
arbitrary waveform)
We still get clamping action