Lab Report # 07

Electronic Circuits and Devices Lab

Submitted to:
Mr Mir Hamza

Submitted by:
Name Registration
M. Raza Madni 210401034
Batch-section: EE-20-A
 Determine the op-amp diode circuits:
Active rectifier, active limiter and active clamper

Objectives:
1. To build and analyze active rectifier circuit using op-amp
2. To build and analyze active clamper circuit using op-amp
3. To build and analyze active limiter circuit using op-amp
Equipment:
1. Function generator
2. Oscilloscope
3. Digital multimeter (DMM)
4. Op-Amp IC, Resistors, diode, Power supply
Theory:

Many applications—such as peak signal detectors, precision rectifiers, comparator circuits, and limiters—
require nonlinear functions. A diode, however, typically has a finite voltage drop of 0.7 V, which distorts the
output voltage of a circuit with one or more diodes, especially for low-voltage signals. Op-amp circuits with
diodes can reduce the effect of diode drop and are used for precision signal processing. Let us take the op-amp
circuit shown in Fig. 16.1(a) in which the diode provides a unidirectional current flow. If the input voltage vS is
negative, the output voltage vO1 of the op-amp becomes negative, causing the diode to be reverse biased; no
current flows through the load RL because the current ii flowing into the op-amp is zero. Thus, the output
voltage is zero: vo = 0 for vs ≤0. But the voltage vo1 will reach the negative saturation limit of the op-amp. If
the input voltage vS is positive, the output voltage v o1 of the op-amp becomes positive, causing the diode to be
forward biased and supply the load current iL. Since vd = 0 and ii = 0, the output voltage is vO =vS for vS ≥ 0.
The transfer characteristic of vO versus vS is shown in Fig. 16.1(b). For the diode to start conduction, only a
very small input voltage is required: vS(min) =VD ⁄Ao, where VD is the diode drop (typically 0.7 V) and Ao is
the open-circuit gain of the op-amp (typically 2 x 10 5). This circuit exhibits the characteristic of a diode.
However, the effect of the diode drop is negligible. Thus, this circuit is called a super diode. The drawback of
this circuit is that, for negative values of vS, the voltage vO1 will swing to the negative saturation limit, thereby
slowing the speed of op-amp operation.

FIGURE 16.1 Super diode

16.2.3 Precision Half-Wave Rectifiers

A diode requires a minimum voltage, typically 0.7 V, to conduct. In a single-phase half-wave rectifier, one
diode conducts. If the input voltage is less than 0.7 V, the output of the rectifier will be zero. Therefore, diode
rectifiers are not suitable for rectification of low voltage. An op-amp circuit with two diodes, as shown in
Fig. 16.4(a) can rectify a very small voltage in the range of microvolts. The circuit operation can be divided into
two intervals: interval 1 and interval 2. We will consider the circuit operation with a sinusoidal input voltage vS
= Vm sin ωt.

FIGURE 16.4 Precision half-wave rectifie

During interval 1, 0 ≤ωt ≤ ∏. The input voltage is positive. The voltage vO1 at the output of the firstop-amp is
negative, and diode D2 is off. Diode D1 conducts, and current if through RF equals input current iS .Since the
current flowing into the op-amp is zero, iS = if and

For an ideal op-amp, vd= 0, and voltage vO2 becomes

Vo2= -Vs
Thus, the output voltage at the output of the second inverting op-amp is

During interval 2, ∏ ≤ωt ≤ 2∏. The input voltage is negative. The voltage vO1 at the output of the first
op-amp is positive, and diode D2 conducts. As a result, the voltage vO1 is clamped to approximately the
voltage of one diode. Diode D1 remains off, and no current flows through RF. The voltage vO2 becomes
zero. Thus, the output voltage at the output of the second op-amp is vO= -vO2 = 0.
The output voltage vO is almost independent of the diode characteristics. This is because diode D1 is
included in series with the op-amp. Since the op-amp gain is very high, tending to infinity, the effect of the
diode and its voltage drop becomes insignificant. The output waveforms are shown in Fig. 16.4(b).
If the directions of the diodes are reversed, the output voltage will correspond to the negative part of the
input voltage; there is no need for the second inverting op-amp. This arrangement is shown in Fig. 16.5(a).
When the input voltage vS is positive, the voltage vO1 becomes negative, making diode D2 conduct and
diode D1 turn off. As a result, the output voltage becomes zero; that is, the output voltage vO = 0 for vS ≥ 0. On
the other hand, when the input voltage vS is negative, the voltage vO1 becomes positive, making diode D2 turn
off and diode D1 conduct. As a result, the output voltage will be equal and opposite to the input voltage; that is,
the output voltage vO=-vS for vS < 0. The transfer characteristic is shown in Fig. 16.5(b), and the voltage
waveforms are shown in Fig. 16.5(c).

Alternate precision half-wave rectifier

16.2.4 Precision Full-Wave Rectifiers
The half-wave rectifier of Fig. 16.5(a) can be modified to operate as a precision full-wave rectifier if we
use the following algebraic relationship:
Vo=2Vs-Vs=Vs (for the positive interval of the input voltage)
This situation is shown in Fig. 16.6(a). Let us consider the case with R1 =R2 = RF = R and R3 = R4 = 2R.
We will divide the circuit operation into two intervals, interval 1 and interval 2, and use a sinusoidal input
voltage vS = Vm sin wt.
During interval 1, 0 ≤ωt ≤ ∏. vS is positive, and vO2=-vS. The voltage at the output of the second
op-amp can be found from

(16.1)
which, for R3 = R4 = 2R and R2 = R, becomes
vO = -2vO2 - vS = -2(- vS) - vS = vS (for vS ≥ 0)

During interval 2, ∏ ≤ωt ≤ 2∏. vS is negative, and vO2 =0. The voltage at the output of the second
op-amp can be found from

(16.2)
which, for R3 = R4 = 2R and R2 = R, becomes

vO = -2vO2 - vS = -2 * 0 - vS = -vS (for vS<0)

Thus, the output voltage is the inverted version of the input voltage, as shown in Fig. 16.6(b).

FIGURE 16.6 Precision full-wave rectifier

Active Clippers
Clipper is a circuit that is used to clip off (remove) a certain portion of the input signal to obtain a desired output
wave shape. In op-amp clipper circuits, a rectified diode may be used to clip off certain parts of the input signal.
Fig. 1 shows an active positive clipper, a circuit that removes positive parts of the input signal. The clipping
level is determined by the reference voltage Vref.

Fig. 1: Active clipper (limiter).

Active Clampers
Certain applications in electronics require that the upper or lower extremity of a wave be fixed at a specific
value. In such applications, a CLAMPING (or CLAMPER) circuit is used. A clamping circuit clamps or
restrains either the upper or lower extremity of a waveform to a fixed dc potential. This circuit is also known as
a DIRECTCURRENT.
RESTORER. Such circuits are used in test equipment, radar systems, electronic countermeasure systems, and
sonar systems.
In clamper circuits, a predetermined dc level is added to the input voltage. In other words,
the output is clamped to a desired dc level. If the clamped dc level is positive, the clamper is called a positive
clamper. On the other hand, if the clamped dc level is
negative, it is called a negative clamper.
A clamper circuit with a variable dc level is shown in Fig. 3. Here the input waveform is clamped at +Vref and
hence the circuit is called a positive clamper.

Fig. 3: Active Clampers

Task# 01
Construct a half wave rectifier.
Circuit diagram:

Procedure:
1. Construct the circuit in circuit diagram.
2. Connect your oscilloscope to monitor the input signal and the output signal across the loas
resistor.
3. Set the generator to provide a 300 mVpp sinewave at 500 Hz. Apply dc power to the circuit.
4. Sketch the input and the output waveform.
5. Turn off the power supply and reverse the diode polarity.
6. Reapply the DC supply and sketch the input and output graph.
Results:

For positive clipper

R2
2.2k
C2(2)

C2

A
0.01u
B
U2
C
4
1
5

R5 2 D2
D
1k 6
3
DIODE
7

741
C1
V2 R4 R3
VSINE 1k 10k
0.01u
C1(2)

Scale
Yellow signal Input signal
Red signal Output signal

Voltage Values
Vin 300 mvpp
Vout (positively clipped value) 250 mVp
 Vout (negative peak value) -710 mVp
For positive clipper

R6
2.2k

A
C3(1)

C3 B

C
0.01u
D

U3

4
1
5
R7 2 D3
1k 6
3
7 DIODE

C4741
V3 R8 R9
VSINE 1k 10k
0.01u

C4(1)

Scale
Yellow signal Input signal
Red signal Output signal

Voltage Values
Vin 300 mvpp
Vout (positively peak value) 660 mVp
Vout (negative clipped value) -300 mVp
Task# 02
Construct an active limiter.
Circuit diagram:

Procedure:
1. Construct the circuit in circuit diagram. Initially adjust the voltage divider resistor R2 for zero
output.
2. Set the generator to provide a 2 vpp sinewave at 1k Hz. Apply dc power to the circuit.
3. Sketch the input and the output waveform.
4. Adjust the voltage divider to 0.75 volts to the op amp noninverting input. Sketch the output
waveform in graph, noticing the 0 V reference level and peak signal values.
5. Vary the setting of the variable resistor and notice the change in the signal.
6. Turn off the power supply and reverse the diode polarity.
7. Reapply the DC supply and repeat the process.
Results:
For resistance ≈ 0k
C5(2)
A

B
C5
C

D
0.01u

U1
4
1
5

R1 2 D1
3.3k 6
3
V1 DIODE
VSINE
7

741
R10(1)
R10 C6
RV1 R11
12k 100k
0.01u
15
0%

1k

For resistance = 0.5k

C5(2)
A

B
C5
C

D
0.01u

U1
4
1
5

R1 2 D1
3.3k 6
3
V1 DIODE
VSINE
7

741
R10(1)
R10 C6
RV1 R11
12k 100k
0.01u
15
50%

1k
 For resistance = 1k
C5(2)
A

B
C5
C

D
0.01u

U1

4
1
5
R1 2 D1
3.3k 6
3
V1 DIODE
VSINE

7
741
R10(1)
R10 C6
RV1 R11
12k 100k
0.01u
15

100%
1k

Scale
Yellow signal Input signal
Blue signal Output signal

Vin (Vp-p) Resistance (variable / R2) Ω Voltage (positive peak) Voltage (negative peak)
3 500 2.10 -300 m
3 1000 1.70 0.00
3 0.1 1.70 -1.20

Changing diodes polarity:

For resistance ≈ 0k
A
C9(1)
B
C9
C

D
0.01u

U5
4
1
5

R12 2 D4
3.3k 6
3
DIODE
7

741
V4 R13 R14
VSINE 100k
12k
C10
RV2
0.01u

R13(2)
0%

C10(1)

1k

For resistance = 0.5k

A
C9(1)
B
C9
C

D
0.01u

U5
4
1
5

R12 2 D4
3.3k 6
3
DIODE
7

741
V4 R13 R14
VSINE 100k
12k
C10
RV2
0.01u

R13(2)
48%

C10(1)

1k

For resistance = 1k
A
C9(1)
B
C9
C

D
0.01u

U5
4
1
5

R12 2 D4
3.3k 6
3
DIODE
7

741
V4 R13 R14
VSINE 100k
12k
C10
RV2
0.01u

R13(2)
100%

C10(1)

1k
 Scale
Yellow signal Input signal
Blue signal Output signal

Vin (Vp-p) Resistance (variable / R2) Ω Voltage (positive peak) Voltage (negative peak)
3 500 750 m -2.75
3 1000 1.25 -2.75
3 0.1 0.00 -2.70
Task# 03
Construct an active clamper.
Circuit diagram:

Procedure:
1. Construct the circuit in circuit diagram.
2. Connect your oscilloscope to monitor the input signal and the output signal across the loas
resistor.
3. Set the generator to provide a 2 Vp-p sinewave at 1k Hz. Apply dc power to the circuit.
4. Sketch the input and the output waveform.
5. Turn off the power supply and reverse the diode polarity.
6. Reapply the DC supply and sketch the input and output graph.
Results:

A
C11(1)
B

C11 C

D
0.01u
U6
C13
4
1
5

2 D5
6
0.33u 3
DIODE
R15
7

741 220k
V5
VSINE

C12
C12(1)
0.01u

Scale
Yellow signal Input signal
Blue signal Output signal

Voltage Values
Vin 2 vp-p
Vout (positive clamped peak value) 3.50 Vp
Vout (negative clamped peak value) -750 mVp
Changing diodes polarity:
A
C7(1)
B

C7 C

D
0.01u
U4
C14

4
1
5
2 D6
6
0.33u 3
DIODE

7 C8 741
V6
VSINE R16
220k
C8(1) 0.01u

Scale
Yellow signal Input signal
Blue signal Output signal

Voltage Values
Vin 2 vp-p
Vout (positive clamped peak value) 1.75 Vp
Vout (negative clamped peak value) -2.25 Vp
Task# 04
Construct an active limiter.
Circuit diagram:

Procedure:
1. Construct the circuit in circuit diagram. Initially adjust the voltage divider resistor R2 for zero
output.
2. Set the generator to provide a 2 vpp sinewave at 1k Hz. Apply dc power to the circuit.
3. Sketch the input and the output waveform.
4. Vary the setting of the variable resistor and notice the change in the signal.
5. Turn off the power supply and reverse the diode polarity.
6. Reapply the DC supply and repeat the process.
Results:
For resistance ≈ 0k
C15(1)
A
C15
B

C
0.01u
D

U7
C17
4
1
5

2 D7
6
0.33u 3
DIODE
V7
7

VSINE 741
RV3(2)
C16
RV3
R17
0.01u 220k
C16(1)
0%

1k

For resistance = 0.5k

C15(1)
A
C15
B

C
0.01u
D

U7
C17
4
1
5

2 D7
6
0.33u 3
DIODE
V7
7

VSINE 741
RV3(2)
C16
RV3
R17
0.01u 220k
C16(1)
50%

1k
 For resistance = 1k
C15(1)
A
C15
B

C
0.01u
D

U7
C17

4
1
5
2 D7
6
0.33u 3
DIODE
V7

7
VSINE 741
RV3(2)
C16
RV3
R17
0.01u 220k
C16(1)

100%
1k

Scale
Yellow signal Input signal
Blue signal Output signal

Vin (Vp-p) Resistance (variable / R2) Ω Voltage (positive peak) Voltage (negative peak)
2 0.1 1.75 -2.00
2 500 7.25 3.00
2 1000 10.50 7.00

Changing diodes polarity:

For resistance ≈ 0k

A
C18(1)

C18 B

C
0.01u U8 D
4
1
5

C20 2 D8
6
3
0.33u DIODE
RV4(2)
C19
7

741

RV4 0.01u R18

V8 C19(1) 220k
VSINE
0%

1k

For resistance = 0.5k

A
C18(1)

C18 B

C
0.01u U8 D
4
1
5

C20 2 D8
6
3
0.33u DIODE
RV4(2)
C19
7

741

RV4 0.01u R18

V8 C19(1) 220k
VSINE
50%

1k

For resistance = 1k

A
C18(1)

C18 B

C
0.01u U8 D
4
1
5

C20 2 D8
6
3
0.33u DIODE
RV4(2)
C19
7

741

RV4 0.01u R18

V8 C19(1) 220k
VSINE
100%

1k
 Scale
Yellow signal Input signal
blue signal Output signal

Vin (Vp-p) Resistance (variable / R2) Ω Voltage (positive peak) Voltage (negative peak)
2 0 250 m -3.50
2 500 2.50 -1.25
2 1000 2.75 -1.25