8/30/2005

Example Small Signal Analysis.doc

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Example: Diode SmallSignal Analysis

Consider the circuit:
1K

n=1

vs (t)

iD(t) = ID + id (t)

2K

VS = 5V

n=1

Q: If vs (t)= 0.01 sint, what is id (t) ?

A: Follow the small-signal analysis steps!

Step 1: Complete a D.C. Analysis

Turn off the small-signal source and replace the junction diodes
with the CVD model.

Jim Stiles

The Univ. of Kansas

Dept. of EECS

8/30/2005

Example Small Signal Analysis.doc

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1K

IDi
2K

0.7 V

VS = 5V

0.7 V

Assume the ideal diodes are on, enforce with short circuits.
1K

I1

VR1 +
2K

VS = 5V

VR2
-

I2

IDi
0.7 V

0.7 V

Now analyze the D.C. circuit:

From KVL

VR 2 = 0.7 + 0.7 = 1.4 V

I2 =

From KVL:

Jim Stiles

VR 2
2

= 0.7mA

VR 1 = 5.0 VR 2 = 5.0 1.4 = 3.6 V

The Univ. of Kansas

Dept. of EECS

8/30/2005

Example Small Signal Analysis.doc

VR 1

Thus from Ohms Law:

I1 =

And finally from KCL:

IDi = I1 I2
= 3.6 0.7
= 2.9 mA

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= 3.6 mA

Now checking our result:

IDi = 2.9 mA > 0

Therefore our estimate of the D.C. diode current is:

ID = IDi = 2. 9 mA

Step 2: Calculate the diode small-signal resistance rd:

rD =

nVT
0.025
=
= 8.6
ID 0.0029

Note since the junction diodes are identical, and since each has
the same current ID =2.9 mA flowing through it, the small-signal
resistance of each junction diode is the same (rD=8.6).

Jim Stiles

The Univ. of Kansas

Dept. of EECS

8/30/2005

Example Small Signal Analysis.doc

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Step 3: Replace junction diodes with small-signal PWL model

1K
+

vs (t)

VR1 2K

+
VR2
-

VD0
8.6

VD0

VS = 5V

8.6

Step 4: Determine the small-signal circuit.

This means turn off the 5 V source and the VD0 sources in the
PWL model !
Q: Jeepers! How can we

turn off the VD0 sources in

the PWL model? We havent
yet determined their value!?!

A: Gosh Wally, dont you see!

Since were just going to set

these DC sources to zero
(i.e., VD0=0) anyway, there is
no reason to calculate their
voltage values!

Jim Stiles

The Univ. of Kansas

Dept. of EECS

8/30/2005

Example Small Signal Analysis.doc

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Thats right! There is no need to determine the value of PWL

model sourcesVD0.
After turning off all DC sources, we are left with our smallsignal circuit:
id
1K

is

+
8.6

2K

vs (t)

vd
_

8.6

vd
_

Step 5: Analyze the small-signal circuit.

Combining the parallel resistors, we get:

is
vs (t)

1K
2K (8.6 + 8.6) = 16.9

Therefore is is:

is (t ) =

v s (t )
1.0 + 0.0169

= 9.83 sin t A
Jim Stiles

The Univ. of Kansas

Dept. of EECS

8/30/2005

Example Small Signal Analysis.doc

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We can now find id using current division:

id
is
vs (t)

1K

+
8.6

2K

vd
_

8.6

vd
_

2 + 0.0169

id (t ) = is (t )

= 9.75 sin t

And the small signal diode voltage is therefore:

vd (t ) = id (t ) rd
= 9.75(8.6) sin t V
= 83.85 sin t V

Jim Stiles

The Univ. of Kansas

Dept. of EECS