Electronics Fundamental

TKE 071208

Lecture #2
Diode Circuit Application
Session 2
 Rectifier circuits

 Circuits that convert an ac signal into a

dc signal
 Two types: Half-wave rectifier & Full-
wave rectifier
 Half-Wave Rectification
Vi
The diode only conducts when it is Vm
forward biased, therefore only half
of the AC cycle passes through the
diode to the
0 T T t
2
Vm
Vi
ideal
Vm Vo
Vi Vm
0 T T t R Vo
2
Vm
0 T T t
2
 Full-Wave Rectification

The rectification process can be improved by

using a full-wave rectifier circuit.
Full-wave rectification produces a greater
DC output:

Vi
Vm
D1 D2

0 T T t
Vi
2 Vo
Vm D3 D4
Full-Wave Rectification (Cont ..)
Full-Wave Rectification (Cont ..)
Full-Wave Rectification (Cont ..)
 Clippers and Clampers
Diodes can be used in wave shaping circuits, Either :
1. Limit or clip signal portions
2. Shift the voltage level of a signal
 Clipper Circuit
•Clipper circuits have the ability to ‘clip’
off a portion of the input signal without
distorting the remaining part of the
alternating waveform.
 Clamper Circuit
• The clamping network ‘clamp’ a signal to different dc level without
altering the wave-shape.
• The network will have a capacitor, a diode and a resistive element.
• The magnitude of R and C must be chosen such that the time
constant t = RC is large enough to ensure that the voltage across the
capacitor does not discharge significantly during the interval the
diode is non-conducting
 Clamper Circuit (Cont …)

Vo Vm+ Vm = 2 Vm
 Diode :- Clamper
The circuit of a positively biased clamper is shown in
the figure. During the negative half cycle of the input
signal the diode is forward biased and acts like a
short circuit. The capacitor charges to Vi + Vs .
Applying the KVL to the input side

During the positive half cycle of the input signal, the diode is reverse
biased and it acts as an open circuit. Hence Vs has no effect on Vo.
Applying KVL around the outside loop.
Voltage Doubler
• Positive Half-Cycle
o D1 conducts
o D2 is switched off
o Capacitor C1 charges to Vm

• Negative Half-Cycle
o D1 is switched off
o D2 conducts
o Capacitor C2 charges to Vm

Vout = VC2 = 2Vm