CLIPPERS

CLIPPERS

Diode networks that have the ability to clip off a portion of the input signal without distorting the remaining part of the alternating waveform. Useful for signal shaping, circuit protection and communications. Also called LIMITER, AMPLITUDE SELECTOR and SLICER.

There are a variety of diode networks called clippers that have the ability to clip off a portion of the input signal without distorting the remaining part of the alternating waveform. The half-wave rectifier is an example of the simplest form of diode clipperone resistor and diode. Depending on the orientation of the diode, the positive or negative region of the input signal is clipped off. There are two general categories of clippers: series and parallel. The series configuration is defined as one where the diode is in series with the load, while the parallel variety has the diode in a branch parallel to the load.

(a) Limiting of the positive alternation. The diode is forward-biased during the positive alternation (above 0.7V) and reversed-biased during the negative alternation.

(b) Limiting of the negative alternation. The diode is forward-biased during the negative alternation (below -0.7V) and reversed-biased during the positive alternation.

When the diode is forward-biased, the output voltage is equal to the diode voltage. When the diode is reverse-biased, the output voltage is

RL Vout R R L 1

Vin

If R1 is small compared to RL, then Vout = Vin

Example 2-8

What would you expect to see displayed on an oscilloscope connected across RL in the clipper shown below?

Vp(out)

BIASED CLIPPERS

The level to which an ac voltage is limited can be adjusted by adding a bias voltage, VBIAS, in series with the diode, as shown in figure below.

A Positive Limiter

The voltage at point A must equal VBIAS + 0.7V before the diode will become forward biased and conduct. Once the diode begins to conduct, the voltage at point A is limited to VBIAS + 0.7V so that all input voltage above this level is clipped off.

To limit a voltage to a specified negative level, the diode and bias voltage must be connected as in the figure. In this case, the voltage at point A must go below -VBIAS - 0.7V to forward-biased the diode and initiate limiting action shown.

(a)

(b)

By turning the diode around, the positive limiter can be modified to the output voltage to the portion of the input voltage waveform above VBIAS - 0.7V, as shown by the output waveform in the figure (a). Similarly, the negative limiter can be modified to limit the output voltage to the portion of the input voltage waveform below VBIAS + 0.7V, as shown by the output waveform in figure (b).

Example 2.9

Determine the output voltage waveform of the given figure.