8/18/2005 Example_Analysis of a Complex Diode Circuit.

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Example: Analysis of a
Complex Diode Circuit

Consider this circuit with two ideal diodes:

R1 =10K + vDi 2 −
10.0 V

+ iDi 2
iDi 1 vDi 1 R2 =5K
−

-10.0 V

Let’s analyze this circuit and find vDi 1 , iDi 1 , vDi 2 , and iDi 2 !

Remember, we must accomplish each of the five steps:

Step 1: ASSUME that both D1 and D2 are “on” (might as well!).

Step 2: ENFORCE the equalities vDi 1 = 0 = vDi 2 , by replacing

each ideal diode with a short circuit.

Jim Stiles The Univ. of Kansas Dept. of EECS

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Step 3: ANALYZE the resulting circuit, and find iDi 1 and iDi 2 .

R1 =10K + vDi 2 =0 −
10.0 V
i iDi 2
+
ii
D1 vDi 1 =0 R2 =5K
−

-10.0 V

Begin with KCL:

i = iDi 1 + iDi 2

where i =

and iDi 2 =

Therefore, iDi 1 =

Jim Stiles The Univ. of Kansas Dept. of EECS

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Step 4: Now we must CHECK inequalities to see if our

assumptions are correct!

iDi 1 =

iDi 2 =

One assumption is therefore INCORRECT. We must proceed to

step 5—change our assumptions and completely start again!

Q: Wait a second! We don’t

have to completely start from
the beginning, do we? After all,
our assumption about diode D2
turned out to be true—so we
already know that iDi 2 = and
vDi 2 = 0 , right?

A: NO! The solution for diode D2 is dependent on the state of

both diodes D1 and D2. If the assumption of just one diode
turns out to be incorrect, then the solutions for all diodes are
wrong!

So, let’s change our assumption and start all over again!

Jim Stiles The Univ. of Kansas Dept. of EECS

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Step 1: Now ASSUME that D1 is “off” and D2 is “on”.

Step 2: ENFORCE iDi 1 = 0 (D1 open) and vDi 2 = 0 (D2 short).

Step 3: ANALYZE resulting circuit, and find vDi 1 and iDi 2 .

R1 =10K + vDi 2 =0 −
10.0 V
i iDi 2
+
iDi 1 =0 vDi 1 R2 =5K
−

-10.0 V

Note i = iDi 2 =

and from KVL:

∴ vDi =

Jim Stiles The Univ. of Kansas Dept. of EECS

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4) CHECK our assumptions.

iDi 2 =

vDi 1 =

∴ Assumptions are correct! We are finished!

vDi 1 = iDi 1 = 0

vDi 2 = 0 iDi 2 =

Jim Stiles The Univ. of Kansas Dept. of EECS