Clipper, Limiter and Clamper

CTM
 Clippers
• Rectifier diodes are optimized for use at low frequency
power supply (50-60Hz) and power rating greater than
0,5W.
• Except for DC power supplies, diodes have less usefull
because most of electronics devices use higher
frequency.
• The use of these diode can be optimized for high
frequencies and less than 0,5 power rating, by using
small-signal diode (SSD).
• SSD have smaller junction area than rectifier diodes
and it optimized to work at higher frequencies.
• A circuit that removes either positive or
negative parts of a waveform. Useful for signal
shaping, circuit protection and
communication.
• 2 kind of Clipper :
– Positive : remove all the positive part of input
signal, so the output has only negative half cycles
– Negative : viceversa
(a) Positive Clipper Circuit (b) Output Waveform

Stiff clipper : 100𝑅𝐵 ≪ 𝑅𝑆 ≪ 0,01𝑅𝐿

Mean : 𝑅𝑆 ≫ 100𝑅𝐵 , 𝑅𝑆 ≪ 0,01𝑅𝐿
𝑅𝑆 ∶ 𝑠𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑒𝑠 𝑅𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒
𝑅𝐵 : 𝐵𝑢𝑙𝑘 𝑅𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒
𝑅𝐿 : 𝐿𝑜𝑎𝑑 𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒

1. Half positive cycle = diode FB (acts as SC)

2. Output voltage (clipping level) approximate to zero.
3. Half negative cycle = diode reverse (acts as OC)
4. So the Half negative cycle appear across the output
5. The negative output peak called −𝑉𝑝

for 2nd approximation, the clipping level

is not zero but 0,7v.
Eq, if input signal is 20V, the output clipper
Will look like fig (b)
(a) Negative Clipper Circuit (b) Output Waveform
 Limiter or Diode Clamp
• To protect the sensitive circuit (can’t have too
much input)
• To limited or to produces the output voltage as
the BP of diode
• Input signal is always smaller than BP in either
polarity
• The diodes remain off during normal operation,
and conduct only when something is abnormal
(when the input signal is too large)
 (a) Limiter Circuit (b) Protecting a sensitive circuit

Input signal

If the input signal tries to rise above BP,

the output is limited to BP.
On the other hand, if the input signal tries to
drop below -BP, the output is limited to -BP.

(in this case, diode is analized by using

2nd approximation).
 Clamper
• Different from diode clamp although similar-sounding
names.
• A clamper adds DC voltage to the signal input. It means
that each point on the sine wave is shifted upward
(positive clamper) or downward (negative clamper) at
the output side.
• Stiff clamper : 𝑅𝐿 𝐶 > 100𝑇
• Reference :
• http://mfajarsaffandi.blogspot.co.id/2016/12/rangkaia
n-clamper-dioda-rangkaian.html
• http://deltawenbiz.blogspot.co.id/2015/01/dioda-
pada-rangkaian-clipper-dan-clamper.html
 Fig 1. Positive clamper

Fig 2. Positive clamper simplification

Fig 3. Positive clamper
with 2nd approximation
of diode
Fig 4. Negative Clamper Circuit with 2nd approximation of diode
 Zener Diode
• For special purpose of diode.
• Rectifier diode and Small-signal diode never
intentionally operated in the breakdown region, it
will damaged them.
• Zener diode is different, it is manufacture to
operated in the breakdown region.
• Zener diode is the backbone of voltage regulator
called voltge regulator diode (maintain a constant
output voltage even though the current through
it change)
 Fig. zener diode
(a) Schematic symbol (b) Alternative symbol (c) Characteristic Curve (I-V)
 Reference
• http://panduanteknisi.com/jenis-jenis-dioda-
dan-kegunaanya.html
• http://panduanteknisi.com/apa-itu-dioda-
zener-fungsi-dan-cara-membaca-kode.html
• http://teknikelektronika.com/pengertian-
fungsi-dioda-zener/
Studied by yourself (other application
of diode)