Lab session 2: The semiconductor diode.

Objectives:

At the end of this lab, the student should:

• Know and understand how basic digital circuits based on diodes work.

• Know and understand the basic operation of the function generator and digital oscilloscope.

• Compare the actual behaviour of the circuits with its corresponding simulated Behavior

Materials and equipment:

Components Instrumentation
1 1kΩ Resistor Prototype board
2 1N4148 diodes Digital multimeter
Function generator
Oscilloscope
PC with simulation software PSpice for
Windows

Practical development:

1. Identification of diode terminals..

a. Put the multimeter in the position to measure resistance (selector in Ω position and
red plug into the V/Ω terminal). Connect each terminal of the diode to a probe of the
multimeter and check which of the two possible combinations has less resistance.
In this situation, the pin diode connected to the common terminal (black) of the
multimeter corresponds to the cathode, another to the anode

Nota: The visualization of “OL” in Fluke multimeters indicates infinite or out of range..

b. You can also use the diode test function of the multimeter (position ). If you
connect one meter probe to each diode terminal, when the common terminal is
connected to the cathode, the approximate threshold voltage of the diode will be
visualized on the display. Some multimeters also beep.

Question 1: Find out if the diode itself has an indicator that identifies its terminals.

Draw the indicator and write (“A” y “K”) on the figure of the component in each side.

En A
 nothingtearsthough
2. Assembly of a diode-based AND logic gate.
FÉE D2 is on

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Y
S S

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Figure 1A. AND gate built with diodes and resistors. Figure 1B. Inputs A = 5V y B = 0V

a. Using the prototype board, assemble the circuit of Figure 1.

b. Question 1: Obtain experimentally the value of voltage in S (VS), when input A (D1
cathode) is connected to 5.0V (high logic level, or “1”), and in B (D2 cathode) 0.0V are
connected (low logic level, or “0”). O 677V han state
Use for that the Variable power supply V1.
FIRST: SHORTCIRCUIT THE POWER SUPPLY, AND SET THE SHORTCIRCUIT
CURRENT (I. Limit.), in 10 mA, equal to a 0.01A reading in the display
This way, if a wrong connection is done, no more than that current will flow through any
component, or through measurement instrumentation.
Next, adjust supply voltage V1 to 5.0V.
For output voltage S measurement (defined as VS, in figure 2A.), use the multimeter in DC
voltage measurement (𝑽𝑽⃛ ), and measure with the device in parallel. This means to place
red tip (positive) in S and black tip (negative) in ground.
Check Vs, must be a low voltage level, a logic “0”. This is due to the combination of input
voltages at the inputs of the AND gate, and is close to 0.0V. Measure voltage at Vs. Why
isn’t it exactly 0.0V?
Check the remaining combinations in table 1A for inputs A(VA) and B(VB), and take notes on
the output voltage S(VS) in the tables.

VB (V) VA (V) Vs (V) B A S

0.0 0.0
0.642 0 0 0
0.0 5.0
0 676 0 1 0
5.0 0.0
0.678 1 0 0
5.0 5.0
5038 1 1 1
Table 1A: Voltages Tabla 1B: Truth table

Obtain the truth table for every possible combination of inputs A and B. Use for that either
logic symbols ‘H’ or ‘L’ or ‘1’ or ‘0’ in table 1B so that the EQUIVALENT logic levels for
measured voltages appear. Verify the behaviour is such of a logic AND gate.

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 c. Question 2: With the inputs at VA = 5.0V and VB = 0.0V, obtain the operation point of
diode D2, Q(VAK, IAK), using the multimeter.
To measure voltage (VAK) in diode D2 measure with the multimeter in parallel (positive terminal in
anode, and negative terminal in cathode).
Write voltage (VAK) in table 2A.

VS

Figure 2A: Voltage measurement Vs.

To measure current flow (IAK) through diode D2:

First disconnect power supply V1. Next, disconnect anode of D2 from node S, placing it elsewhere
on the protype board (see Annex). See figure 2B. Then select in multimeter DC currents

Figura 2B: Medida de corriente ID2.

⃛ ). Place multimeter tips inputs in the proper positions, i.e. black to COM and red to
measurement (𝑨𝑨
300mA input. In some multimeters you need to press a button to switch from AC to DC
measurements.
Now, measure with your multimeter in SERIES. This means insert your multimeter between S and
D2 anode. Write down intensity in table 2A.

3
 VD2= V
ID2 =
0.676 mA
44
Table 2A: Operating point of diode D2, Q(VAK,IAK)

d. Question 3: Measure currents in the remaining 2 branches of the circuit, the one through
resistor R1(IR1), and the one through diode D1(ID1). Remember to open the circuit each time
changing one of the ends of the component. Write down them on table 2B:
IR1 = mA
ID1 = 4,40 mA
Tabla 2B: Currents

Explain briefly why no current flows through diode D1(ID1) while current through R1 (IR1) and D2
(ID2) is the same.

Because a Vp the difference involtagebetween A and k iso

Va y
Asno current flows through D1 lo Ira I Dr
Please, disassemble the circuit!!

3. DIGITAL INPUTS PROTECTION CIRCUIT

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Voltage
ground
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Figure 3. Digital inputs protection circuit.

a. Using the protoboard, assemble circuit in Figure 3. RESPECT AGAIN SHORT CIRCUIT
CURRENT (I. Limit.) OF 10 mA, IN THE VARIABLE VOLTAGE SUPPLY (V1), and
polarity of diodes D1 y D2.

To input a variable signal Vi, a function generator is introduced (V2).

It is recommended to read Poliformat document: Explicacion_Generador.pdf

As output of the function generator, use BNC connector ( ) in the 50Ω output, (or
alternatively the 600Ω output in other function generators). On the other hand use from your
materials box a coaxial cable with a male BNC connector ( ) and black and red

4
 tweezers in the ends. Connect it to the output in the function generator.

Caution: Do not connect BNC cable to the INPUT OR TTL output. The last one delivers a
square periodic wave.

Warning: NEVER EVER use oscilloscope probes as outputs of the function generator.

The terminals of BNC coaxial cable have different functions. Red tweezer brings out the signal
while the black one is the ground level or reference for that signal.

Please consider that reference level for the whole circuit is the same (GND), and must be a
single point. This means ground of supply V1 (black end) and black tweezer of the function
generator must be connected together in a node on the prototype board (protoboard).

As stated, input signal Ve will be selected from function generator. A sinusoidal symmetric
wave with 10V amplitude (20Vpp “peak-to-peak volts” equally) and 1kHz frequency will be
selected.

To adjust amplitude you need to visualize the wave in the oscilloscope.

It is recommended to read document in Poliformat: Explicacion_Osciloscopio.pdf.

The oscilloscope will be used to visualize input Ve and output Vs. We can use channel I for
Ve and channel II for Vs.

To do so, the oscilloscope probe in channel I will be connected to the node in the protoboard
where the function generator output is connected, and probe in channel II in the node Vs
where cathode of diode D2 is located.

Equally to establish a common reference for signals of the oscilloscope, at least one of the
black tweezers of the probes must be connected to the common ground point of the circuit.

Next adjust the voltage of both channels to (VOLTS/DIV) 5.0V, and time base in a way that
allows to see at least a couple of periods of input and output signals. Draw those obtained
signals Ve and Vs on the graph in Figure 4.

1Note: Since ground is common for both channels of the oscilloscope, only one tweezer to ground is required.

5
 V

+10
8
6

4
2

0 t
-2
-4

-6

-8
-10

Figure 4: Signals Ve and Vs

b. Question 1: Visualizing the signals in the oscilloscope, it is deduced teh circuit limits the
input signal Ve [-10,+10]V, in two output signal levels one maximum and one minimum
[VSmin,VSmax]. Which are approximately these levels?

Fill table 3:

amor VSmax= V
800m 7
VSmin= V
5,6
Table 3: Limited output voltages

Can you briefly explain why these levels are produced?

Please:
Disassemble the circuit and leave cables in order and components in their appropriate box, and
in their original location. Switch off every device.

OPTIONAL: For those students who wish it, and before disassembling the circuit, you can do
optional point at the end of the document.

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4. Simulation of the digital inputs protection circuit (OPTIONAL).

Log in with your user of the ALUMNO domain and start PSpice by double clicking on the
PSPICE icon on the desktop. Edit the circuit in Figure 2. Use the Draw/Get New Part
command to obtain the different components: VDC voltage generator, R resistor and EGND
ground. Save the created file in the folder W:\TCO\ Prac1.

Build your schematic of Figure 3. Ve and Vs are text labels. To do so, use Draw/Get New Part
to obtain the different components:
⋅ Constant Voltage generator V1 (VDC). Reference voltage or ground(EGND).
⋅ Resistor (R). Diodes D1 and D2 (part name): D1N4148.
⋅ Variable voltage generator V2 (VSIN).
⋅ Change values as required

Save your design , create a new folder named Prac2 which you will delete at the end of the
session.

a. Question 1: Obtain transient behaviour of the circuit.

To do so, use your sinusoidal variable voltage generator (VSIN). Edit this component to have
an amplitude of (VAMPL) 10V, a frequency of (FREQ) 1 kHz and finally parameter (VOFF)
to 0V, to delete any offset level (“Offset” = 0V).
To visualize in the simulation window the input and output waves Ve and Vs, you can place probes
in the adequate locations. In Pspice you have two types of probes, a voltage (Voltage/Level Marker,
) and a current (Current Marker ). To see both input and output, we must place 2 voltage
probes, one in each terminal of the resistor.
The time simulation of the circuit is done using a Transient analysis, configured for 2000us
simulation time (Final Time), with an interval of points of (Print Step) 10us.
Draw on the figure 5 the obtained waves and compare them with those on figure 4.
V
+10
8
6
4
2

0 t
-2
-4
-6
-8
-10
Figure 5. Ve and Vs signals in Pspice.

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 Annex: Prototype board connections

B i b lio g r a h y
(Available in PoliformaT)
• Explicación-Generador.pdf”, available in folder “TCO: Recursos /Prácticas/Práctica 2”.
• Explicación-Osciloscopio.pdf”, available in folder “TCO: Recursos /Prácticas /Práctica 2”.
• Opcional_Pract_2.pdf, available in folder “TCO: Recursos /Prácticas /Práctica 2”.