1.

VOLTAGE REGULATOR
• The expected voltage regulator can (1) handle large current variation,
while (2) providing a output voltage with a small variation.
• Two regions in pn junction satisfies such voltage regulator expectations.
• Forward bias activated region
• Limitation: the regulation voltage is small and mostly fixed (Si~ 0.7V)
• Reverse bias breakdown region
• Advantage: the regulation voltage is high and has a broad selection range
(e.g. 3~70V)

Zener Diode
“Reverse Bias Voltage Regulator”