Diode Applications-I

Clipper & Clamper

Clipping Circuit
 Series Unbiased Clipper

• Series Positive Clipper

 Series Unbiased Clipper
• Series Negative Clipper
 Series Biased
Clipper

• Series Positive Biased

 Series Biased Clipper
• Series Negative Clipper
 Parallel Unbiased Clipper
• Positive Diode Clipping Circuits
• In this diode clipping circuit, the diode is forward biased during the positive half cycle of the
sinusoidal input waveform.
• For the diode to become forward biased, it must have the input voltage magnitude greater
than +0.7 volts. When this happens the diodes begins to conduct and holds the voltage
across itself constant at 0.7V until the sinusoidal waveform falls below this value.
• During the negative half cycle, the diode is reverse biased blocking current flow through
itself and as a result has no effect on the negative half of the sinusoidal voltage which
passes to the load unaltered.
• The diode limits the positive half of the input waveform and is known as a positive
clipper circuit.
 Parallel Unbiased Clipper

• Negative Diode Clipping Circuits

• The diode is forward biased during the negative half cycle of the sinusoidal waveform
and limits or clips it to –0.7 volts while allowing the positive half cycle to pass unaltered
when reverse biased.
• As the diode limits the negative half cycle of the input voltage it is therefore
called a negative clipper circuit.
 Quiz 3f
• Draw the output waveform for the following circuit.
 Parallel Biased Diode Clipping Circuits

• Positive Biased Clipper

• To produce diode clipping circuits for voltage waveforms at different levels, a bias voltage, VBIAS is
added in series with the diode to produce a combination clipper as shown.
• The voltage across the series combination must be greater than VBIAS + 0.7V before the diode
becomes sufficiently forward biased to conduct.
• For example, if the VBIAS level is set at 4.0 volts, then the sinusoidal voltage at the diode’s anode
terminal must be greater than 4.0 + 0.7 = 4.7 volts for it to become forward biased. Any anode
voltage levels above this bias point are clipped off.
 Parallel Biased Diode Clipping Circuits

• Parallel Negative Clipper

 Quiz 3g
• Draw the output waveform for the following circuit
 Quiz 3h
Find the o/p voltage and draw the output waveform for the
following circuit using given I/P. consider silicon diode.
 Diode Clampers
• 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 positive and negative peaks of the signals can be placed at
desired levels using the clamping circuits.
• As the DC level gets shifted, a clamper circuit is called as a Level
Shifter.
Diode Clampers
 Steps to Determine the o/p
Waveform
1. Start the analysis by examining the response of the portion of the
input signal that will forward bias the diode.
2. 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.
3. Assume that during the period when the diode is in the “off” state
the capacitor holds on to its established voltage level.
4. Throughout the analysis, maintain a continual awareness of the
location and defined polarity for Vo to ensure that the proper levels
are obtained.
5. Check that the total swing of the output matches the of the input
 Steps to Determine the o/p
Waveform
• Apply the pervious steps to draw the output waveform for the below
network.
 Steps to Determine the o/p
Waveform
1. Start the analysis by examining the response of the portion of the
input signal that will forward bias the diode.
2. 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.
 Steps to Determine the o/p
Waveform
3. Assume that during the period when the diode is in the “off” state
the capacitor holds on to its established voltage level.
4. Throughout the analysis, maintain a continual awareness of the
location and defined polarity for Vo to ensure that the proper levels
are obtained.
 Steps to Determine the o/p
Waveform
• The output signal is clamped to 0 V for the interval 0 to T/2 but
maintains the same total
5. Check that the total swing of the output matches that of the input.
 Steps to Determine the o/p
Waveform
Ex: Determine vo for the network of below figure for the input
indicated
 Steps to Determine the o/p
Waveform
Example: repeat the previous example using a silicon diode.
Ex: Determine vo for the network of below figure for the input
indicated
 Positive Clamper Circuit
A Positive Clamper circuit is one that consists of a diode, a resistor and
a capacitor and that shifts the output signal to the positive portion of
the input signal.
Negative Clamper
• A Negative Clamper circuit is one that consists of a diode, a resistor
and a capacitor and that shifts the output signal to the negative
portion of the input signal.