Electronic

Circuits

Diode
Applications

Dr Naser Sedghi

[email protected]
Learning Outcomes

• Half wave and full wave rectifiers.

• Power supply and charger.
• Clipping circuits.
• Diode logic circuits.
• AM demodulator (peak detector).

Electronic Circuits ELEC104 2

Why is this Lecture Useful?

• Diodes have many applications. You will use some of them in

everyday life.
• One of the main applications is in voltage rectifiers used in
power supplies, adaptors and chargers.
• They have applications in communications and digital circuits.
• The diode logic circuits are the easiest way to understand logic
and the operation of logic circuits.
• You will start designing electronic circuits.

Electronic Circuits ELEC104 3

Half Wave Rectifier
Half Wave Rectifier
Ideal diode 𝑣 ( 𝑡 ) =𝑉 𝑚 sin ( 𝜔 𝑡 )
𝑉 𝑎𝑣𝑒=𝑉 𝑑𝑐 =0
Vm
+

v(t) RL vL(t) 𝑡
T

−
𝑣 , 𝑣𝐿 𝑣 , 𝑣𝐿

𝑡 𝑡

In positive half cycle, diode is in forward bias In negative half cycle, diode is in reverse bias, no
and all the input voltage appears across RL. current in the circuit, and voltage across RL is zero.
Electronic Circuits ELEC104 5
Half Wave Rectifier
𝑣 , 𝑣𝐿 𝑣 , 𝑣𝐿
The same happens
in the other cycles.
𝑡 𝑡

𝑣𝐿

Vm
• Only positive side of the input
Vave
voltage can reach to the load.
𝑡
• Output voltage, vL, has a non-
𝑇 /2 𝑇 zero average (dc component).
Multisim: • The voltage is rectified.
Half Wave Ideal Diode

Electronic Circuits ELEC104 6

Half Wave Rectifier
𝑣𝐿

Vm

Vave
𝑡
𝑇 /2 𝑇
• The voltage across the load has a
• However, a large amount of ac
non-zero average.
voltage is still remained.
• We have created a dc voltage
• How can we get rid of that?
from an ac voltage.
Electronic Circuits ELEC104 7
Rectifier with Filter Capacitor
Ideal diode • At rising of the positive half cycle, diode is in forward
bias and the capacitor is charged quickly to through
+
the diode, with a very short time constant.
v(t) RL vL(t) C • follows .
• Capacitor charge =
−
𝑣 , 𝑣𝐿 𝑣 , 𝑣𝐿

Vm Vm

𝑡 𝑡

When passes the maximum point at , anode voltage becomes smaller than cathode and diode
is in reverse bias. Capacitor is discharged to with time constant of .

Electronic Circuits ELEC104 8

Rectifier with Filter Capacitor
𝑣 , 𝑣𝐿 𝑣 , 𝑣𝐿

Vm Vm

𝑡 𝑡

In the next cycle when becomes larger than

capacitor voltage, diode becomes forward biased Discharge cycle repeats when becomes
and recharge the capacitor to . smaller than capacitor voltage.
𝑣 , 𝑣𝐿
is a nearly dc voltage close to , with some
fluctuations which is called ripple. Vm

Multisim: 𝑡
Half Wave Ideal Diode with Filter

Electronic Circuits ELEC104 9

Output dc Voltage
𝑣𝐿
𝑉𝑝
vr 𝑣𝑟 ≈
𝑓 𝑅𝐿 𝐶
Vp = Vm
1
Vdc 𝑉 dc =𝑉 𝑝 − 𝑣𝑟
2
𝑡
Example: • Ripple voltage is described as peak to peak (Vpp).
,, • Ripple is usually described by per cent of to or .
,.

To reduce ripple and have smoother dc

voltage, the value of the filter capacitor
Ripple: using . should be increased.
For small ripple: .

Electronic Circuits ELEC104 10

Half Wave Rectifier with Real Diode
vD Vm
+ − Vp
+

v(t) RL vL(t)

• In positive cycle the diode does not have a significant current until the voltage is above
the cut in voltage (0.5 V).
• The voltage at load appears with a delay and goes to zero earlier.
Multisim:
• is smaller than by the diode forward voltage (0.7 V).
Half Wave Rectifier
• These two effects reduce the average (dc) output voltage.

Electronic Circuits ELEC104 11

Half Wave Rectifier with Real Diode

Vp ≈ Vm Vm

Vp

• When the amplitude is large, the drop

across the diode is insignificant. • The deviation from the ideal case is
• The performance is close to the case more significant when the amplitude is
with ideal diode. small, close to diode forward voltage.

Electronic Circuits ELEC104 12

Real Diode Rectifier with Filter
𝑉 𝑝 =𝑉 𝑚 − 𝑉 𝐹
Vm
Vp 𝑉 dc
1
𝑉 dc =𝑉 𝑝 − 𝑣𝑟
2

𝑉𝑝
𝑣𝑟 ≈
𝑓 𝑅𝐿 𝐶

When the amplitude of the input

voltage is large, and are very close
to each other and it doesn’t matter
which value to use.
The same reduction in the output voltage Multisim:
applies when the filter capacitor is used. Half Wave Rectifier with Filter

Electronic Circuits ELEC104 13

Question

All electronic systems work with a dc voltage source (battery or

dc power supply). If you apply a dc voltage with opposite
polarity, they do not work and it might damage the system.

How can you use a diode circuit to protect the system if the
voltage is accidentally connected with wrong polarity?

Electronic Circuits ELEC104 14

Question

In electronic systems sometimes we need a negative dc voltage,

or both positive and negative voltages.

What change can you do to a half wave rectifier to have a

negative dc voltage?

Electronic Circuits ELEC104 15

Full Wave Rectifier
Full Wave Rectifier

In a half wave rectifier,

half a cycle is not used.

How can we make a

use of it?

Electronic Circuits ELEC104 17

Full Wave Rectifier
+

v(t) RL vL(t) = v(t) 𝑣 , 𝑣𝐿

−

+
v(t) RL vL(t) = − v(t) 𝑡

−
• If we could replace the connections at each half a cycle,
we could always have positive cycles.
• Can we do that?
Electronic Circuits ELEC104 18
Full Wave Rectifier

v(t)
+
RL vL(t)

−
𝑣 , 𝑣𝐿

𝑡
𝑣 𝐿 ( 𝑡 ) =𝑣 ( 𝑡 ) 0 <𝑡 < 𝑇 /2

Electronic Circuits ELEC104 19

Full Wave Rectifier
Negative cycle becomes
positive at the output.

v(t)
+
RL vL(t)
𝑣 , 𝑣𝐿
−

• At negative cycle, the current in RL is in the same

direction as in positive cycle.
𝑡 • Therefore, the voltage across RL is positive (the
same as in positive cycle).
𝑣 𝐿 ( 𝑡 ) =− 𝑣 ( 𝑡 ) 𝑇 /2< 𝑡 <𝑇

Electronic Circuits ELEC104 20

Full Wave Rectifier
𝑣𝐿
Half wave:
Vm

Vave
𝑡

𝑣𝐿 𝑇 /2 𝑇

Vm
Vave
Full wave:
2𝑉𝑚
𝑡 𝑉 𝑜 ,𝑎𝑣𝑒 =𝑉 𝑜 , dc =
𝜋
𝑇 /2 𝑇

Electronic Circuits ELEC104 21

Full Wave Rectifier with Filter Capacitor

𝑉𝑝
𝑣𝑟 ≈ 𝑉 𝑝 =𝑉 𝑚
v(t) 2 𝑓 𝑅𝐿 𝐶
+ 1
𝑉 dc =𝑉 𝑝 − 𝑣𝑟
RL C vL(t) 2
− Ripple has been halved.

Multisim:
Bridge Rectifier Ideal Diodes

Electronic Circuits ELEC104 22

Full Wave Rectifier with Real Diodes
Vm
Vp

With filter capacitor:

Without filter capacitor:
Multisim:
Bridge Rectifier
Multisim:
Bridge Rectifier with Filter

Electronic Circuits ELEC104 23

Diode Bridge
4 diodes connected this way is called a diode bridge.

v(t)
+
RL vL(t)
−

− + − +

Electronic Circuits ELEC104 24

Full Wave Rectifier For information only

Two-Diode Topology • There is only one VF

drop at output.
• It needs a centre-
tapped transformer.
+
+ v2 • Cannot be used
v(t) v1 −
− + without a
v2 +
− RL transformer.
C vL(t)
− • It is not used as
much as the other
rectifiers.

Electronic Circuits ELEC104 25

Power Supply, Adaptor, Charger
n1:n2

+
+
v(t) v1 v2 + 𝑣 2 𝑛2
=
− 𝑣 1 𝑛1
− RL C vL(t)
−

vo Voltage
v(t) VL is a stabilized dc voltage.
regulator
+
C There is a voltage drop
RL VL across the regulator.
(and current control)
−

Electronic Circuits ELEC104 26

Power Supply, Adaptor, Charger
• The transformers at mains frequency (50 Hz) are very bulky, with iron core.
• They also have high power dissipation (heat).

Mains voltage + dc-dc +

230 V ac Rectifier Around 300 V 5V
(325 V peak) −
Converter −

• In modern power supplies, usually a dc-dc converter is used.

• dc-dc convertors can change a dc voltage to a lower dc voltage (step-down or
buck) or a higher dc voltage (step-up or boost).
• They either have a high frequency (small) transformer, or no transformer.
• Most of them contain a rectifier operating at high frequencies.
Electronic Circuits ELEC104 27
Question

All electronic systems work with a dc voltage source (battery or

dc power supply). If you apply a dc voltage with opposite
polarity, they do not work and it might damage the system.

Suggest a diode circuit by which the system would work with

the dc voltage applied in any polarity.

Electronic Circuits ELEC104 28

Question

• Compare half wave and full wave rectifiers and explain the
advantages and disadvantages of each one.

• When is better to use a half wave rectifier and when is better

to use a full wave rectifier?

Electronic Circuits ELEC104 29

Question

In electronic systems sometimes we need a negative dc voltage,

or both positive and negative voltages.

What change can you do to a full wave rectifier to have a

negative dc voltage?

Electronic Circuits ELEC104 31

Rectifiers

What you need to know:

• Half wave and full wave rectifiers with and without smoothing
capacitor.
• Equations for ripple voltage and dc voltage.
• Rectifier circuits analysis (find ripple voltage and dc voltage).
• Design rectifier circuits (find the values of smoothing capacitor
and input rms voltage).

Electronic Circuits ELEC104 32

Clipping Circuits
Clipping (Voltage Limiting) Circuits
R
+ Vm

V
vi(t) vo(t) 0
V

−
𝑣 𝑖 =𝑉 𝑚 sin 𝜔 𝑡
• When the input voltage is more than V, diode vo(t)
conducts and the output becomes equal to V.
• Clips the top of the waveform. V
• V can be positive or negative. vi(t)
V
Multisim:
Clipping Circuit Top Ideal Diode

Electronic Circuits ELEC104 34

Clipping Circuit
R
vo(t) +
Transfer
Characteristics
V
vi(t) vo(t)
vi(t) V
V
Slope 1
−

• When the input voltage is smaller than V, diode is in reverse

bias, no current goes through the circuit, and .
• When the input voltage is larger than V, diode is in forward
bias (short circuit), the battery is connected to the output,
and .

Electronic Circuits ELEC104 35

Question

In the clipping circuit on the previous slide:

What will happen if ?

What will happen if ?

Electronic Circuits ELEC104 36

Clipping Circuits
R
+
Vm

vi(t) vo(t) 0
V -V

− -Vm

𝑣 𝑖 =𝑉 𝑚 sin 𝜔 𝑡
vo(t)
• Clips the bottom of the
waveform.
-V
• V can be positive or negative. vi(t)
Multisim:
-V
Clipping Circuit Bottom Ideal Diode

Electronic Circuits ELEC104 37

Clipping Circuits
R
+
Vm

vi(t) vo(t)
0
V -V

− -Vm

• When the input voltage is larger than • When the input voltage is smaller than −V,
−V, diode is in reverse bias, no diode is in forward bias (short circuit), the
current goes through the circuit, battery is connected to the output, and .
and .

Electronic Circuits ELEC104 38

Clipping Circuits
R
+ Vm

V1
vi(t) vo(t)
0
V1 V2 -V2
− -Vm
𝑣 𝑖 =𝑉 𝑚 sin 𝜔 𝑡
vo(t)
• Clips both sides of the waveform.
• V1 and V2 can be positive or V1
negative, but . -V2 vi(t)
V1
Multisim:
Clipping Circuit Both Ideal Diode
-V2

Electronic Circuits ELEC104 39

Question

In the double clipping circuit on the previous slide:

What will happen if ?

Electronic Circuits ELEC104 40

Clipping Circuits
R
+
Multisim:
Clipping Circuit Top
vi(t) vo(t) Clipping Circuit Bottom
3.4 V 4.4 V Clipping Circuit Both Sides

• For real diodes, we need to consider the forward voltage of the diodes.
• For example, the circuit below clips the top of the waveform at 3.4 + 0.6 = 4 V, and the
bottom of the waveform at −4.4 − 0.6 = −5 V.

Electronic Circuits ELEC104 41

Clipping Circuits

Applications:
R
• Shaping waveforms. +
• Converting signals to nearly
square wave. vi(t) vo(t)
• Frequency doubler or V1 V2
multiplier. −
• Separating sync pulse.

Electronic Circuits ELEC104 42

Clipping Circuits

What you need to know:

• Explaining how the clipping circuits work.
• Analysis of clipping circuits.
• Drawing the output waveforms and transfer characteristics.
• Design of clipping circuits.

Electronic Circuits ELEC104 43

Logic Circuits
Logic Gates
OR Gate Truth Table
v1 (A) A B Z A B Z A B Z
0 0 0 L L L 0 0 0
v2 (B) vo (Z)
0 V V L H H 0 1 1
V 0 V H L H 1 0 1
R V V V H H H 1 1 1

𝑍 = 𝐴+ 𝐵
• The voltage at inputs A and B can be either Output is High if A OR B is High.
0 V (Low, 0), or V, for example 5 V, (High, 1).
• When one of the inputs or both are at V, ‘+’ is not addition sign.
one or both diodes are in forward, and It is OR sign.
output has the voltage V. It reads ‘Z equals to A OR B’.

Electronic Circuits ELEC104 45

Logic Gates
+V Truth Table
AND Gate A B Z A B Z A B Z
R 0 0 0 L L L 0 0 0
0 V 0 L H L 0 1 0
v1 (A) vo (Z)
V 0 0 H L L 1 0 0
v2 (B) V V V H H H 1 1 1

𝑍 = 𝐴 . 𝐵= 𝐴𝐵
• When one of the inputs or both are at Output is High only if both A AND B are High.
0 V, one or both diodes are in forward,
and output has the voltage 0 V. ‘.’ is not multiplication sign.
• If both inputs are at V, there is no It is AND sign.
current in diodes and hence no current It reads ‘Z equals to A AND B’.
in R. The output is equal to V.
Electronic Circuits ELEC104 46
Logic Gates
• To perform all logic operations we need another gate: NOT.
• NOT gate or inverter cannot be made by diodes. It needs an active
device, such as a transistor.
• You will learn it later in this module.
• The logic gates made this way belong to the family Diode Transistor
Logic (DTL).
• DTL is not used too much these days, but they are good to explain the
concept of the logic operation.
• Two main logic families are TTL and CMOS. You will learn them in
other modules.

Electronic Circuits ELEC104 47

Logic Gates

What you need to know:

• Explaining how OR and AND diode logic gates work.
• Logic gates truth tables.
• Logic gates input output relationship.

Electronic Circuits ELEC104 48

AM Demodulator
AM Demodulator (Envelope Detector)
Amplitude modulation (AM) AM demodulator or envelope detector.
Signal Envelope Detected Envelope

Carrier
𝑣 ( 𝑡 ) = 𝐴 𝑐 [ 1+𝑚 𝑥 𝑚 ( 𝑡 ) ] sin ( 𝜔 𝑐 𝑡 ) • The ripple is removed by adding a lowpass
filter at the end.
+
• The RC should be carefully selected to
v(t) R C vo(t) prevent failure to follow distortion or
− diagonal clipping.
Multisim: AM Demodulator

Electronic Circuits ELEC104 50

AM Demodulator

What you need to know:

• Explaining how a peak detector works.
• Removing the ripple in detected signal.
• An understanding of failure to follow distortion.

Electronic Circuits ELEC104 51

Overview

• Half wave and full wave rectifiers

• Clipping circuits
• Clamping circuits
• Diode logic gates
• AM demodulator

Electronic Circuits ELEC104 52