Diode Applications

Half wave rectifier and equivalent circuit

with piece-wise linear model

Ideal V
c
R
f

v
i

v
i

v
i
= V
M
sin (et)
Half Wave Rectifier
We initially consider the diode to be ideal,
such that V
C
=0 and R
f
=0
Half Wave Rectifier
The (ideal) diode conducts for v
i
>0

and
since R
f
=0
v
0

~ v
i

For v
i
< 0

the (ideal) diode is an open circuit
(it doesnt conduct) and
v
0

~ 0.

Half Wave Rectifier
In this simplified (ideal diode) case the
input and output waveforms are as shown

The diode must withstand a peak inverse voltage
of V
M
Half Wave Rectifier
The average d.c. value of this half-wave-
rectified sine wave is
(

+ =
}
t
u u
t
0
0 sin
2
1
d V V M AV
| |
t
t
t
M M V V
= = 0 cos cos
2
Half Wave Rectifier
So far this rectifier is not very useful.
Even though the output does not change
polarity it has a lot of ripple, i.e. variations
in output voltage about a steady value.
To generate an output voltage that more
closely resembles a true d.c. voltage we can
use a reservoir or smoothing capacitor in
parallel with the output (load) resistance.
Smoothed Half Wave Rectifier
Circuit with reservoir
capacitor
Output voltage
The capacitor charges over the period t
1
to t2 when the diode is on and
discharges from t2 to t3 when the diode is off.
Smoothed Half Wave Rectifier
When the supply voltage exceeds the output
voltage the (ideal) diode conducts. During
the charging period (t
1
<

t< t
2
)

v
o
= V
M
sin (et)
(The resistance in the charging circuit is
strictly R
f
which we have assumed to be
zero. Even for a practical diode R
f
C will be
very small)

Smoothed Half Wave Rectifier
When the supply voltage falls below the output
voltage the diode switches off and the capacitor
discharges through the load.
During the discharge period (t
2

<

t< t
3
) and

v
o
= V
M

exp {- t

/RC}

where t= t- t
2


At time t
3
the supply voltage once again exceeds
the load voltage and the cycle repeats

Smoothed Half Wave Rectifier
The resistance in the discharge phase is the
load resistance R.
RC can be made large compared to the
wave period.
The change in output voltage (or ripple) can
then be estimated using a linear
approximation to the exponential discharge.
Smoothed Half Wave Rectifier
v
o
= V
M

exp {- t

/RC} ~ V
M

[ 1- (t

/RC)]
The change in voltage AV is therefore
approximately given by V
M
t

/RC
For a the half wave rectifier this discharge
occurs for a time (t
3

- t
2
) close to the period
T = 1/f, with f= frequency.
Giving the required result:
RC
T V
V
M
~
Smoothed Half Wave Rectifier
We can define a ripple factor as



where V
d.c.
= (V
M
- AV/2)

The lower the ripple factor the better

d.c V
V
factor Ripple =
Half Wave Rectifier
If we dont consider the diode to be ideal
then from the equivalent circuit we obtain,
for v
i
>V
c:

v
i
V
c
i R
f
- iR =0
i.e.

Giving
) ( R R
V v
i
f
c i

=
c i c i
f
o V v V v
R R
R
iR v ~
+
= = ) (
) (
Non-Ideal Half Wave Rectifier
V
M

Non-Ideal Half Wave Rectifier
A plot of v
0

against v
i
is known as the
transfer characteristic


V
C

v
i

R/(R + R
f
)
Non-Ideal Half Wave Rectifier
We usually have R>> R
f
so that R
f
can be
neglected in comparison to R.
Often V
M
>> V
c
so V
c
can also be
neglected.

The transfer characteristic then reduces to
v
0

~ v
i


Full-Wave (Bridge) Rectifier
We initially consider the diodes to be ideal, such
that V
C
=0 and R
f
=0
The four-diode bridge can be bought as a package
vi
Full-Wave (Bridge) Rectifier
During positive half cycles v
i
is positive.
Current is conducted through diodes D1, resistor R
and diode D2
Meanwhile diodes D3 and D4 are reverse biased.
vi
Full-Wave (Bridge) Rectifier
During negative half cycles v
i
is negative.
Current is conducted through diodes D3, resistor R
and diode D4
Meanwhile diodes D1 and D2 are reverse biased.
vi
Full-Wave (Bridge) Rectifier
Current always flows the same way through the
load R.
Show for yourself that the average d.c. value of
this full-wave-rectified sine wave is V
AV
= 2V
M
/t
(i.e. twice the half-wave value)

Full-Wave (Bridge) Rectifier
Two diodes are in the conduction path.
Thus in the case of non-ideal diodes v
o
will
be lower than

v
i
by 2V
C
.
As for the half-wave rectifier a reservoir
capacitor can be used. In the full wave case
the discharge time is T/2 and

2RC
T V
V
M
~
Diode Clipper Circuits
These circuits clip off portions of signal
voltages above or below certain limits, i.e.
the circuits limit the range of the output
signal.
Such a circuit may be used to protect the
input of a CMOS logic gate against static.
Diode Clipper Circuits
Diode Clipper Circuits
When the diode is off the output of these
circuits resembles a voltage divider



i
S L
L
o v
R R
R
v
(

=
+
Diode Clipper Circuits
If R
S
<< R
L


The level at which the signal is clipped can
be adjusted by adding a d.c. bias voltage in
series with the diode.

v
0

~ v
i
For instance see example sheet 1,
Q11
Diode Clipper Circuits
Lets look at a few other examples of
clipper circuits.
Diode Clamper Circuits
The following circuit acts as a d.c. restorer.
see Q9, example sheet1.

Diode Clamper Circuits
A bias voltage can be added to pin the
output to a level other than zero.