Electronics I

Lec. 4
Prepared By
D. Mohamed Gamal
Center-Tapped Transformer (CT-FWR)
• A second popular full-wave rectifier appears below with only two diodes but requiring a
center-tapped (CT) transformer to establish the input signal across each section of the
secondary of the transformer.

Positive-half cycle

Negative-half cycle
Peak inverse voltage (PIV)
• The network of Fig. 2.63 will help us determine the net PIV for each diode for this full-
wave rectifier. Inserting the maximum voltage for the secondary voltage and 𝑉𝑚 as
established by the adjoining loop results in
Clippers
• This section on clippers and the next on clampers will expand on the wave-shaping
abilities of diodes.

• Clippers are networks that employ diodes to “clip” away a portion of an

input signal without distorting the remaining part of the applied waveform.
Example (Series Clippers)
• Determine the output waveform for the sinusoidal input.

• Solution

• +𝐻𝐶: 𝐷 → 𝐹𝐵 𝑆. 𝐶
𝑣𝑜 = 𝑣𝑖 + 5

• −𝐻𝐶:
 If 𝑣𝑖 > −5 V: 𝐷 → 𝐹𝐵 𝑆. 𝐶
𝑣𝑜 = 𝑣𝑖 + 5
 If 𝑣𝑖 < −5V: 𝐷 → 𝑅𝐵 𝑂. 𝐶
𝑣𝑜 = 0
Example (Series Clippers)
• Determine the output waveform for the input wave

• Solution

• +𝐻𝐶: 𝐷 → 𝐹𝐵 𝑆. 𝐶
𝑣𝑜 = 𝑣𝑖 + 5 = 20 + 5 = 25 V

• −𝐻𝐶: 𝐷 → 𝑅𝐵 𝑂. 𝐶
𝑣𝑜 = 0
Example (Parallel Clippers)
• Determine the output for the network:

• Solution

• +𝐻𝐶:
 If 𝑣𝑖 < 4 V: 𝐷 → 𝐹𝐵 𝑆. 𝐶
𝑣𝑜 = 4 V
 If 𝑣𝑖 > 4 V: 𝐷 → 𝐹𝐵 𝑂. 𝐶
𝑣𝑜 = 𝑣𝑖

• −𝐻𝐶: 𝐷 → 𝐹𝐵 𝑆. 𝐶
𝑣𝑜 = 4 V
Example
• Repeat the last example using a silicon diode with 𝑉𝑘 = 0.7 V.
Examples (Try to solve)
Examples (Try to solve)
Clampers
• The previous section investigated a number of diode configurations that clipped off a
portion of the applied signal without changing the remaining part of the waveform.

• This section will examine a variety of diode configurations that shift the applied signal
to a different level.

• A clamper is a network constructed of a diode, a resistor, and a capacitor that shifts a

waveform to a different dc level without changing the appearance of the applied signal.

• The chosen resistor and capacitor of the network must be chosen such that the time
constant determined by 𝜏 = 𝑅𝐶 is sufficiently large (5𝜏 ≫ 𝑇/2) to ensure that the
voltage across the capacitor does not discharge significantly during the interval the
diode is nonconducting.
Clampers
• Step 1: Check the condition (5𝜏 ≫ 𝑇/2). Note: T=1/f.

• Step 2: Start the analysis by examining the response of the portion of the input signal
that will forward bias the diode.

• Step 3: During the period that the diode is in the “on” state, assume that the capacitor
will charge up instantaneously to a voltage level determined by the surrounding
network.

• Step 4: Assume that during the period when the diode is in the “off” state the capacitor
holds on to its established voltage level.

• Finally, Check that the total swing of the output matches that of the input.
Example

• +𝐻𝐶: 𝐷 → 𝐹𝐵 𝑆. 𝐶
 𝑣𝑜 = 0 V
 𝑣𝑐 = 𝑣𝑖 = 𝑉

• −𝐻𝐶: 𝐷 → 𝑅𝐵 𝑂. 𝐶
 𝑣𝑜 = −𝑣𝑐 + 𝑣𝑖 = −𝑉 − 𝑉 = −2𝑉
Example
Example
• Repeat the last example using a silicon diode.