Chapter 2:

Diode Applications
Load-Line Analysis

The load line plots all possible

combinations of diode current (ID)
and voltage (VD) for a given circuit.
The maximum ID equals E/R, and
the maximum VD equals E.

The point where the load line and

the characteristic curve intersect is
the Q-point, which identifies ID and
VD for a particular diode in a given
circuit.

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Robert L. Boylestad and Louis Nashelsky 2 Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 • All rights reserved.
Series Diode Configurations

Forward Bias
Constants
• Silicon Diode: VD = 0.7 V
• Germanium Diode: VD = 0.3 V

Analysis (for silicon)

• VD = 0.7 V (or VD = E if E < 0.7 V)
• VR = E – V D
• ID = IR = IT = VR / R

Electronic Devices and Circuit Theory, 10/e Copyright ©2009 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Robert L. Boylestad and Louis Nashelsky 3 Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 • All rights reserved.
Series Diode Configurations

Reverse Bias
Diodes ideally behave as open circuits

Analysis
• VD = E
• VR = 0 V
• ID = 0 A

Electronic Devices and Circuit Theory, 10/e Copyright ©2009 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Robert L. Boylestad and Louis Nashelsky 4 Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 • All rights reserved.
Parallel Configurations

V  0.7 V
D
V V  V  0.7 V
D1 D2 O
V  9.3 V
R
EV 10 V  .7 V
I  D   28 mA
R R .33kΩ
28 mA
I I   14 mA
D1 D2 2

Electronic Devices and Circuit Theory, 10/e Copyright ©2009 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Robert L. Boylestad and Louis Nashelsky 5 Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 • All rights reserved.
Half-Wave Rectification

The diode only

conducts when it is
forward biased,
therefore only half
of the AC cycle
passes through the
diode to the
output.

The DC output voltage Vdc or the average value VAVG is = 0.318Vp,

where Vp or Vm = the peak AC voltage.

Electronic Devices and Circuit Theory, 10/e Copyright ©2009 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Robert L. Boylestad and Louis Nashelsky 6 Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 • All rights reserved.
Electronic Devices and Circuit Theory, 10/e Copyright ©2009 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Robert L. Boylestad and Louis Nashelsky Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 • All rights reserved.
Example

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Robert L. Boylestad and Louis Nashelsky Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 • All rights reserved.
PIV (PRV)

Because the diode is only forward biased for one-half of the AC cycle, it is
also reverse biased for one-half cycle.

It is important that the reverse breakdown voltage rating of the diode be

high enough to withstand the peak, reverse-biasing AC voltage.

PIV (or PRV) > Vm

• PIV = Peak inverse voltage

• PRV = Peak reverse voltage
• Vm = Peak AC voltage

Electronic Devices and Circuit Theory, 10/e Copyright ©2009 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Robert L. Boylestad and Louis Nashelsky 9 Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 • All rights reserved.
Example

Electronic Devices and Circuit Theory, 10/e Copyright ©2009 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Robert L. Boylestad and Louis Nashelsky Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 • All rights reserved.
Full-Wave Rectification

The rectification process can be improved by

using a full-wave rectifier circuit.

Full-wave rectification produces a greater

DC output:

• Half-wave: Vdc = 0.318Vm

• Full-wave: Vdc = 0.636Vm

Electronic Devices and Circuit Theory, 10/e Copyright ©2009 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Robert L. Boylestad and Louis Nashelsky 11 Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 • All rights reserved.
Full-wave Rectifier

Electronic Devices and Circuit Theory, 10/e Copyright ©2009 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Robert L. Boylestad and Louis Nashelsky Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 • All rights reserved.
Full-Wave Rectification

Bridge Rectifier

• Four diodes are connected in a

bridge configuration
• VDC = 0.636Vm

Electronic Devices and Circuit Theory, 10/e Copyright ©2009 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Robert L. Boylestad and Louis Nashelsky 13 Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 • All rights reserved.
Electronic Devices and Circuit Theory, 10/e Copyright ©2009 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Robert L. Boylestad and Louis Nashelsky Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 • All rights reserved.
Electronic Devices and Circuit Theory, 10/e Copyright ©2009 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Robert L. Boylestad and Louis Nashelsky Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 • All rights reserved.
Example

Electronic Devices and Circuit Theory, 10/e Copyright ©2009 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Robert L. Boylestad and Louis Nashelsky Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 • All rights reserved.
Electronic Devices and Circuit Theory, 10/e Copyright ©2009 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Robert L. Boylestad and Louis Nashelsky Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 • All rights reserved.
Full-Wave Rectification

Center-Tapped Transformer
Rectifier
Requires
• Two diodes
• Center-tapped transformer

VDC = 0.636Vm

Electronic Devices and Circuit Theory, 10/e Copyright ©2009 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Robert L. Boylestad and Louis Nashelsky 18 Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 • All rights reserved.
Electronic Devices and Circuit Theory, 10/e Copyright ©2009 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Robert L. Boylestad and Louis Nashelsky Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 • All rights reserved.
Electronic Devices and Circuit Theory, 10/e Copyright ©2009 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Robert L. Boylestad and Louis Nashelsky Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 • All rights reserved.
Example

Electronic Devices and Circuit Theory, 10/e Copyright ©2009 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Robert L. Boylestad and Louis Nashelsky Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 • All rights reserved.
Electronic Devices and Circuit Theory, 10/e Copyright ©2009 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Robert L. Boylestad and Louis Nashelsky Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 • All rights reserved.
Summary of Rectifier Circuits

Rectifier Ideal VDC Realistic VDC

Half Wave Rectifier VDC = 0.318Vm VDC = 0.318Vm – 0.7

Bridge Rectifier VDC = 0.636Vm VDC = 0.636Vm – 2(0.7 V)

Center-Tapped Transformer
VDC = 0.636Vm VDC = 0.636Vm – 0.7 V
Rectifier

Vm = peak of the AC voltage.

In the center tapped transformer rectifier circuit, the peak AC voltage

is the transformer secondary voltage to the tap.

Electronic Devices and Circuit Theory, 10/e Copyright ©2009 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Robert L. Boylestad and Louis Nashelsky 23 Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 • All rights reserved.
Electronic Devices and Circuit Theory, 10/e Copyright ©2009 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Robert L. Boylestad and Louis Nashelsky Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 • All rights reserved.
Electronic Devices and Circuit Theory, 10/e Copyright ©2009 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Robert L. Boylestad and Louis Nashelsky Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 • All rights reserved.
Electronic Devices and Circuit Theory, 10/e Copyright ©2009 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Robert L. Boylestad and Louis Nashelsky Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 • All rights reserved.
Example

Electronic Devices and Circuit Theory, 10/e Copyright ©2009 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Robert L. Boylestad and Louis Nashelsky Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 • All rights reserved.
Electronic Devices and Circuit Theory, 10/e Copyright ©2009 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Robert L. Boylestad and Louis Nashelsky Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 • All rights reserved.