ESC102 : Introduction to

Electronics

Diodes

A.R. Harish
Dept. of EE, IIT Kanpur
Diode : I-V Characteristics

Vd

vd
iD =
I S× {ex−
p( ) 1}
nV T
I S : Reverse Saturation Current
VT =
kT q≅/ V6= at T
m2 300K
n is called ideality factor and is equal to 1 for ideal diodes
Piece-Wise Linear Model I

I −0
= r f−⇒
1
=
V +
V ×γI r f
V −V γ
Slope = 1/rf

Vγ Vγ V
rf
V > Vγ

V < Vγ
open circuit
Vγ is called cut-in or turn-on voltage and depends on nature of diode and range
of current considered
For most of our analysis, we will take Vγ = 0.7V and rf ~10Ω
Even Simpler Diode Models
Vγ rf
V > Vγ
I
V < Vγ
open circuit

V V
γ
Constant voltage drop model
Vγ
I
V > Vγ

V < Vγ
open circuit V V
Even Simpler Diode Models

Ideal diode model

Vγ = V
0
Diode Models v
iD =
I S× −
{exp( ) d 1}
VT
I

+ vd -

Vγ rf
V > Vγ

V < Vγ
Simplicity
open circuit

Vγ
Accuracy
V > Vγ

V < Vγ
open circuit

V>0

V<0
open circuit
Analysis using ideal diode model

1K
V>0

V<0

10V D open circuit

1K

10V D

10
I= = 10mA
1k
Analysis with a constant voltage diode model
1K
0.7V
V > 0.7

V < 0.7
10V D open circuit

1K

10V 0.7V

10 − 0.7
I= = 9.3mA
1k
Analysis with a constant voltage plus resistor diode model
1K Vγ rf
V > Vγ

10V D V < Vγ
open circuit

10 − 0.7
I= = 9.208mA
1000 + 10
Example 10V

Find the current

through the
diode using ideal
diode model 5K D 5K
2mA

Is the diode forward biased? – Not Sure!!

Assume that it is forward biased 

Carry out analysis and then check if current through the diode is in
appropriate direction.

If not, diode is reverse biased and we carry out the analysis

again!!
Example 10V

Assume forward bias

2mA 5K D 5K

10V

−10
−2m
+A += i 0D
5K
iD
2mA 5K iD =m
4A
Current is positive, so our
assumption is correct
Example Find the current through the 5K resistor using ideal
diode model

10V

Assume forward bias

2mA 4K D 5K

10V

2mA 4K D 5K
 10V

−10
4K iD −2m
+A += i 0D
2mA 4K

iD =4m
.5A

10V
This is not possible.

Therefore, our assumption

is incorrect 2mA 4K D 5K
 10V

2mA 4K D 5K

Assume reverse bias

V1 V1 + 10 10V
− 2mA + + =0
4k 5k
V1 V2
V1 = 0
V2 = 10V 2mA 4K 5K