Simulation # 1 Date : 11/7/17

P-N Junction Diode Characteristics

Aim: Simulate and analyze the characteristics of Diode D1914 using PSpice

Objective:

1. Plot the diode forward characteristics

2. Plot Dc load line
3. Find DC resistance, Dynamic resistance and average ac resistance.

Diode Forward Characteristics:

1. Diode : D1N914

Figure 1: Circuit for Simulation

DC Resistance = 942.522/6.298 = 149.65

Dynamic Resistance = (957.633-942.854)/(9.0862-6.3485)

= 5.398
Quiescent Point =( 953.014 mV, 8.0849 mA)

2. Diode :D1N4002

Figure 2 : Circuit for simulation

 DC Resistance = (667.579/6.3084)= 105.82

Dynamic Resistance = (668.938-654.177)/(6.4833-4.8623) = 9.106

 Quiescent Point = (683.442mV, 8.5911mA)

3. Diode : D1N750

Figure 3: Circuit for Simulation

DC Resistance = 762.239/6.2802 = 121.37

Dynamic Resistance = (776.036-755.475)/(9.984/4.9846) = 4.113

Quiescent Point = ( 771.033 mV, 8.4498 mA)

Questions:
1. Replace the diode with D1N4002 and D1N750. Compare the
characteristics and resistance values in tabular form.

Ans:

Diode D1N914 D1N4002 D1N750

DC 149.65 105.82 127.37

Resistance()

Dynamic 5.398 9.106 4.113

Resistance()

Quiescent 953.014 mV, 683.442mV, 771.033 mV, 8.4498

Point 8.0849 mA 8.5911mA mA
 2. What conclusions can be drawn from the comparison of simulation of
characteristics of diode mentioned in Q1?

Ans: The forward diode characteristics depend upon the diodes specifications
which includes its (1) current rating , for smaller ratings the value of emission
coefficient (n) is taken as 2 and for those devices the rise of the characteristic
curve is slower than diodes whose emission coefficient is 1, taken for larger
current ratings (2) threshold voltage which depends upon the reverse saturation
current which in turn is a function of the geometry of the device along with its
intrinsic carrier concentration. All these factors contribute to different
characteristics of the diodes as obtained in the above simulation results.

3. Why the values of DC resistance, Dynamic resistance and average ac

resistance are different for different type of diode?

Ans: The values of DC resistance, Dynamic resistance and average ac resistance

of a diode depends on its forward characteristics which in turn is a function of
diodes inherent properties along with the circuits external parameters like the
exciting source.

Static resistance of a diode defines the diodes resistive nature when a DC

source is connected to it. For the same level of biasing the static resistance of
different diodes will depend upon the conduction current which in turn depends
upon the threshold voltage below it the value of DC resistance will be very high
compared to the vertical section.

Dynamic resistance is derived from Shockleys Diode Equation. It defines the

diode resistive when an AC source is connected to it. The alternating source
causes the operating point to shift slightly from the current position in the
characteristics and it therefore defines a definite change in voltage and current.
For different diodes the shifting of the Q point along the characteristic will differ
and we get different AC resistance for the same exciting source.

If the input signal is sufficient enough to produce a large swing, then the
resistance related to the diode for this region is called as AC average resistance. It
is determined by the straight line drawn linking the intersection of the maximum
and minimum value of the external input voltage.
 4. Specify the application for each diode used in simulation.

Ans: D1N914 : These type of diodes are used as high speed switching diodes.
A switching diode provides the same functionality as a switch. It has a high
resistance below a specified voltage similar to an open switch, whereas above
that voltage it offers a very low resistance just as a closed switch.

D1N4002: These type of diodes are called silicon rectifiers. A rectifier diode
converts an alternating voltage into pulsating DC and can also handle higher
current flow than regular diodes. A rectifier circuit finds numerous application in
our day to day life , for e.g if we consider the adapters that we use for our laptops
and mobile chargers , there the alternating voltage input is converted into a DC
input for the appliances battery.

D1N750: These type of diodes are called Zener diodes. Zener diodes are
special type of diodes which are designed with adequate power dissipation
capabilities to operate in the breakdown region. In the breakdown region there is
a small change in voltage for a very large change in current which can be verified
from the following analysis result as shown below:
From the graph we can observe that the voltage remains close to 3.5mV for a
wide range of reverse currents.

Hence it can be used as a voltage stabilizer as shown below:

The voltage VZ across the load Rl remains constant for fairly large variation in
supply voltage and current thus working as a voltage stabilizer.