Block Diagram

for AC to DC Converter (Power Supply)

The diode rectifier, filter, and voltage regulator are diode circuits.

Half-Wave Rectifier

Voltage Transfer
Characteristics

Signals of Half Wave Rectifier

Input voltage

Output voltage

Diode voltage

Load Line: Shifts with AC input

As vS varies with time, the load line also changes, which

changes the Q-point (vD and iD) of the diode.

Half-Wave Rectifier as
Battery Charger

Full-Wave Rectifier

Voltage transfer characteristics

Input and output waveforms

Full-Wave Bridge Rectifier (+Vo)

+Vo

When vS is positive, D1 and D2 are turned on (a). When vS is negative, D3 and

D4 are turned on (b).
In either case, current flows through R in the same direction, resulting in an
output voltage, vO, shown in (c).

Full-Wave Bridge Rectifier

(-Vo)

-Vo

Half-wave Rectifier with

capacitor filter

Output Voltage of Full-Wave

Rectifier with Capacitor Filter

The ripple on the dc output is

1
VM
where f
Vr
2 fRC
2TP

Output Voltage of Full-Wave

Rectifier with RC Filter

t 1

2Vr
VM

Diode conducts current for only a small portion of the period.

Equivalent Circuit During

Capacitance Charging Cycle

i C CVM t
iC , peak CVM t
2Vr
t
VM

Voltage Regulator
VZ
IL
RL
VPS VZ
II
Ri
IZ II IL
The characteristics of the Zener diode determines VL.

Load Line Analysis

The reverse bias I-V is important for Zener diodes.

Voltage Rectifier with

nonzero Zener resistance

The Zener diode begins to conduct when VPS = VZ.

When VPS VZ:

VL = V Z
IL = VZ/RL,, but VZ constant
I1 = (VPS VZ)/Ri
IZ = I1 - IL

Voltage Transfer Characteristics of

Limiter Circuit-Clipper

Single Diode Clipper

Additional
Diode
Clipper
Circuits

Parallel-Based Diode
Clipper Circuit

Series-Based
Diode Clipper
Circuits

Parallel-Based Clipper Circuit Using

Zener Diodes

Diode Clamper Circuit

Diode Clamper Circuit with Voltage

Source

Problem-Solving Technique:
Multiple Diode Circuits
1. Assume the state of the diode.
a. If assumed on, VD = V
b. If assumed off, ID = 0.
2. Analyze the linear circuit with assumed
diode states.
3. Evaluate the resulting state of each diode.
4. If any initial assumptions are proven
incorrect, make new assumption and return
to Step 2.

Diode Logic Circuits:

2-Input OR Gate
V1 (V) V2 (V) VO (V)

V = 0.7V

4.3

4.3

4.3

Diode Logic Circuits:

2-Input AND Gate
V
1 V
2 V
O
( V ) ( V ) ( V )

V = 0.7V

4.3

Photodiode Circuit

Reverse biased leakage current increases with light intensity

Optoisolator

(electrically isolated, but optically connected)

Application: Ground separation in signal transmission