AN1353

Op Amp Rectifiers, Peak Detectors and Clamps

Author: Dragos Ducu,

Microchip Technology Inc. VOUT

INTRODUCTION AC
D1 V

This application note covers a wide range of RL

t
applications, such as half-wave rectifiers, full-wave
rectifiers, peak detectors and clamps. Many of the
VIN
circuits are simple in terms of component count, but VOUT
they play important roles in overall systems design,
such as:
AC to DC Power Conversion FIGURE 2: Positive Half-Wave Rectifier.
Automatic Gain Control Loops
Power Monitoring Applications
AM Demodulator V
VOUT

BASIC RECTIFIERS
The basic rectifiers have been designed with diodes.
Figure 1 shows such a simple series circuit, driven by
an AC source. When the diode is reverse-biased, it
acts as a very high impedance device. Figure 1shows
a negative half wave rectifier. It outputs nearly the full
input voltage across the diode when reverse biased. A
similar circuit in Figure 2 shows a positive half-wave
rectifier. If a full-wave rectifier is desired, more diodes
must be used to configure a bridge, as shown in
Figure 3. The input signal must be larger than the
voltage across the diode to ensure that the diode is
forward biased.
D1 VOUT
V
AC
RL
t than the maximum voltage applied to it in an
VIN
VOUT
t
RL VIN
VOUT
FIGURE 3: Full-Wave Rectifier.
Choosing the Components
SELECTING THE DIODE
When choosing the diode, the most important
parameters are the maximum forward current (IF), and
the peak inverse voltage rating (PIV) of the diode. The
peak inverse voltage is the maximum voltage the diode
can withstand when it is reverse-biased. If this voltage
is exceeded, the diode may be destroyed. The diode
must have a peak inverse voltage rating that is higher
application. In many diode data sheets, PIV is referred
to as peak reverse voltage (PRV).

FIGURE 1: Negative Half-Wave

Rectifier.

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AN1353
The peak inverse voltage of the diode will be equal to: TABLE 1: ADVANTAGES AND
DISADVANTAGES OF THE
EQUATION 1: CIRCUIT
Advantages Disadvantages
V PIV ( rating ) VPK ( max ) + VD ( on )
- Uses few compo- - Poor accuracy
Where: nents
VPIV = Peak inverse voltage - Simple design - The rectified voltage depends
on the diode voltage threshold
VPK(max) = Maximum peak amplitude
VD(on) = Diode voltage on when in
1.5

Magnitude (V)
0.5
Every diode has a parasitic capacitance and, by
default, has a time charge storage. This charge storage 0
mechanism is nonlinear, leading to a nonlinear
-0.5
capacitance. This effect is very important because the
nonlinearity of the diode can generate harmonics. For -1 VOUT
example, the output voltage becomes negative for a VIN
-1.5
short time. This period is called reverse recovery time.
Time (1 ms/div)
During the transition, the diodes parasitic capacitance
will interact with the circuit resistors to modify the FIGURE 4: Negative Half-Wave
circuits behavior.
Rectifier Sample.
For most general purpose applications, low power
signal diodes such as 1N4148, are adequate. For high
accuracy applications, where offset errors and reverse 1.5
diode leakage current are critical, a low leakage FET
1
transistor can be used as a diode (short Drain and
Magnitude (V)

Source together), such as 2N4117A. In applications 0.5

where speed is important, silicon Schottky barrier
0
diodes are worth considering, since they have a low
forward ON voltage of only 0.4V and are fast. -0.5

SELECTING THE RESISTOR -1 VOUT

VIN
The resistor is selected based on the load current. -1.5

One limitation is the value of load resistor. The value of Time (1 ms/div)

the load resistor must be less than the diode resistance

when in reverse bias. The parasitic capacitance of the FIGURE 5: Positive Half-Wave Rectifier
diode interacts with the load resistor causing a time Sample.
constant. If this constant is large, the output voltage will
have a delayed recovery.
1.5

Advantages and Disadvantages 1

Magnitude(V)

The major disadvantage of these circuits is the 0.5

nonlinearity of the diodes. If the input signal is smaller 0

than the threshold voltage of the diode, the signal
-0.5
cannot be recovered. To reduce the threshold voltage
of the diode and improve linearity, we need to include -1 VOUT
VIN
the diode into the feedback loop of the operational
-1.5
amplifier. Time (1 ms/div)

Practical Examples
Figures 4 6 show practical samples when using the FIGURE 6: Full-Wave Rectifier Sample.
1N4001 diode and RL = 1 k. The frequency is
f = 1 kHz.

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 AN1353
ACTIVE HALF-WAVE RECTIFIER Choosing the Components
The simplest op amp half-wave rectifier is shown in
SELECTING THE OP AMP
Figure 7. When the VIN is positive, the diode is forward
biased; the signal can be found on the RL load. When When selecting the op amp, two important
the VIN is negative, the diode is non-conductive, and characteristics must be considered:
the output signal is ground (0V). Gain Bandwidth Product
Slew Rate (SR)
- VOUT The minimum gain bandwidth product requirement can
VIN + be estimated in Equation 2.
AO1 D1 RL
EQUATION 2:

f = 10 G f
GBWP INPUT
FIGURE 7: Op Amp Half-Wave Rectifier. Where:
The big advantage of this circuit is represented by the fGBWP = Gain bandwidth product
small threshold voltage and linearity. This is more
G = DC gain
convenient than the basic rectifiers, since this circuit is
able to rectify signals smaller than the diode threshold fINPUT = Maximum input frequency
voltage.

The next parameter that needs to be considered is the

1.50 slew rate (SR). This is the maximum time rate change
1.00
at the output of the op amp; it shows how fast the output
can follow the input signal. The SR parameter can be
Magnitude (V)

0.50 found in the selected op amps data sheet.

0.00 The full bandwidth product (FPBW) defines the highest
frequency sine wave that will not be distorted by the
-0.50
slew rate limit.
-1.00 VOUT

-1.50
VIN
EQUATION 3:
Time (1 ms/div)
V OUT
SR = -----------------
FIGURE 8: Circuit Behavior on T max
Low Frequency. SR
FPBW = -------------------------------------
This circuit has limitations. The rectifiers speed is V OUT ( p p )
limited by the op amp bandwidth. This effect is
illustrated in Figure 9, where the rectified output signal
overlaps the input signal. The maximum frequency SELECTING THE DIODE AND THE RESISTOR
that can be rectified is determined by the slew rate of Refer to the sections Selecting the Diode and Selecting
the op amp. The Resistor, in the Basic Rectifiers section, for details
on choosing the appropriate components.
1.5 VOUT

1 VIN Advantages and Disadvantages

Table 2 shows the main advantages and
Magnitude (V)

0.5
disadvantages of a half-wave rectifier.
0
TABLE 2: ADVANTAGES AND
-0.5
DISADVANTAGES OF THE
-1 CIRCUIT
-1.5 Advantages Disadvantages
Time (50 s/div) - Uses few components - Load dependant
FIGURE 9: Output Limitation on - Good linearity - Limited op amp bandwidth
High-Frequency Input Signals.

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AN1353
Practical Example
This example of a half-wave rectifier uses an
MBRM110LT3 Schottky diode and the MCP661 op
amp with different load resistors. For this example, the
value of the load resistor is less than 1 k, to avoid
glitches in the negative cycle. The Schottky diode is
chosen for higher speed than a small signal silicon
diode. Figures 10 and 11 below are examples of a
1 kHz input signal and different load resistors. Note that
for the small values of the resistor (i.e. 100), the glitch
is smaller.
RL = 100 Ohm
0.2
0.15
0.1
Magnitude (V)
Improved Op Amp Half-Wave Rectifier
Figure 12 shows a half-wave rectifier circuit with
improved performance. The additional diode prevents
the op amp's output from swinging to the negative
supply rail. The low level linearity is also improved.
Although the op amp still operates in open-loop at the
point where the input swings from positive to negative
or vice versa, the range is limited by the diode and the
load resistor.
When the input signal is positive, D1 is open and D2
conducts. The output signal is zero because one side
of R2 is connected to the virtual ground, with no current
through it. When the input is negative, D1 conducts and
D2 is open. The output follows the positive input cycle
with a gain of G = -R2/R1.

0.05 R2
0
-0.05
-0.1 VIN R1 D2
VOUT - VOUT
-0.15 VIN +
-0.2 AO1 D1
Time (500 s/div)
R3 RL

FIGURE 10: Half-Wave Rectifier with

RL = 100.

FIGURE 12: Have-Wave Rectifier Circuit

RL = 1 k:
0.2 Improvement.
0.15 This type of circuit also has limitations. The input
0.1 impedance is determined by the input resistor. It must
Magnitude (V)

0.05 be driven from a low-impedance source. Likewise, the

0 input resistor R3 shown in Figure 12 is also optional,
-0.05 and is needed only if there is no DC path to ground.
-0.1
-0.15
VOUT
VIN
Choosing the Components
-0.2 Refer to the section Selecting the Op Amp in the Active
Time (500 s/div) Half-Wave Rectifier section, and to the section
Selecting the Diode in the section Basic Rectifiers, for
FIGURE 11: Half-Wave Rectifier with details on choosing the appropriate components.
RL = 1 k.
SELECTING THE RESISTORS
The DC gain is determined in Equation 4:

EQUATION 4:
R
2
G = ------
R
1
where G = DC gain

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 AN1353
Resistors R1 and R2 are selected based on the For an input frequency under 600 kHz, the circuit
application design: performs properly. For frequencies larger than this
For a general purpose application, the resistors value, the output signal is distorted.
value should be between 1 k and 100 k.
For a high speed application, the resistors value 1
should be between 100 and 1 k (consume 0.8
more power) 0.6
For portable applications between 1 M and 0.4

Magnitude (V)
10 M. 0.2
0
The R3 is added to minimize the error caused by the -0.2
input bias current. -0.4
-0.6
VOUT
EQUATION 5: -0.8 VIN
-1
R R
1 2 Time (0.2 s/div)
R 3 = --------------------
R1 + R2
FIGURE 14: Circuit Behavior with
600 kHz Input Frequency.
Advantages and Disadvantages To design a negative half-wave rectifier using the same
Table 3 shows the main advantages and components, we only have to invert the diodes, as
disadvantages of an improved half-wave rectifier. shown in the circuit in Figure 15.

TABLE 3: ADVANTAGES AND

DISADVANTAGES OF THE R2
CIRCUIT
Advantages Disadvantages VIN R1 D2
- D1 VOUT
- Good linearity - Uses more components +
AO1
- The second diode - Low impedance R3 RL
prevents the op amp from because of R1
swinging into the negative
cycle

Practical Example
FIGURE 15: Negative Half-Wave
The example in Figure 13 is based on the circuit in Rectifier.
Figure 12, and uses the MCP661 op amp, two
MBRM110LT3 Schottky diodes, RL = 1 k, R2 =10 k
and R1 = 1 k. The input frequency is 1 kHz. 0.2
VOUT
0.15 VIN

0.1
RL = 1 k:
Magnitude (V)

0.2 0.05
0.15 0
0.1
Magnitude (V)

-0.05
0.05 -0.1
0
-0.15
-0.05
-0.2
-0.1
VOUT Time (1 ms/div)
-0.15 VIN

-0.2
FIGURE 16: Negative Cycle Rectifier
Time (1 ms/div)
Sample.
FIGURE 13: Improved Half-Wave
Rectifier with RL = 1 K.

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AN1353
ACTIVE FULL-WAVE RECTIFIER SELECTING THE RESISTORS
Full-wave rectifiers are more complex, compared to the When selecting the resistors for the circuit in Figure 17,
half-wave circuits. Full-wave rectifiers output one -GM must be equal to GP. The result is shown in
polarity of the input signal and invert the other. A circuit Equation 7:
for a full-wave rectifier is illustrated in Figure 17. EQUATION 7:

R2 ( R1 + R2 + RL ) = R1 RL
R2

V+
VIN R1 R3 is added to minimize the error caused by the input
- VOUT
bias current. Refer to the section Selecting the
+
AO1 D1 Resistors, in the section Improved Op Amp Half-Wave
R3 RL Rectifier, for details on the selection of the resistor.

Advantages and Disadvantages

TABLE 4: ADVANTAGES AND

FIGURE 17: Full-Wave Rectifier Circuit. DISADVANTAGES OF THE
CIRCUIT
When in the negative cycle of the input signal, diode D1
is forward biased, and the output voltage follows the Advantages Disadvantages
input. When the input signal (VIN) is positive, D1 is non- - Uses only one op amp - Low input resistance
conductive and the input signal passes through the - Uses a small number - The source and load
feedback resistor (R2), which forms a voltage divider of external components resistance affect rectifying
with R1 and RL. Equation 6 shows the calculation for
the output voltage: - Uses a single supply - A reactive load (capacitor
or coil) cannot be tolerated
without a buffer
EQUATION 6:
- Has a low impedance
V OUT = V IN GM ; V IN < 0 because of R1

VOUT = V IN GP ; VIN > 0 Practical Example

This design uses an MCP661 and a general purpose
Where: R2 diode rectifier 1N4148. The input frequency is 1 kHz.
GM = --------- Table 5 shows the resistor values recommended to
R1
obtain the same amplitude with each input cycle:
RL
GP = ----------------------------------- TABLE 5: VALUES FOR RECTIFIED,
R1 + R2 + RL EQUAL AMPLITUDE
Resistor Value (k)
When -GM = GP, the full-wave output is symmetric. R1 2
Note that the output is not buffered, so it should be
R2 1
connected only to a circuit with high impedance, much
higher than RL. RL 3

The values of the resistors can be scaled depending on

Choosing the Components
Refer to the section Selecting the Diode in the section
Basic Rectifiers, and to the section Selecting the Op
Amp in the section Active Half-Wave Rectifier, for
details on choosing the appropriate components.
the application: high speed, portable or general
purpose. For more details, refer to the section
Selecting the Resistors, in the section Improved Op
Amp Half-Wave Rectifier. Figure 18 shows the result of
the full-wave rectifier circuit simulation.

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 AN1353
EQUATION 8:
0.2
V O1 = V IN G, when V IN > 0
0.15
0.1 Where:
Magnitude (V)

0.05 R1
G = ---------
0 R2
-0.05
-0.1 VOUT V = 0, when V <0
O1 IN
VIN
-0.15
-0.2 Equation 9 calculates the output voltage:
Time (1ms/div)
EQUATION 9:
FIGURE 18: Full-Wave Rectifier Circuit R 5 V O1 R5 V IN
Simulation with the Recommended Values of the V = ------------------------ -----------------------
OUT R R
Resistors. 3 4

TWO STAGE OP AMP FULL-WAVE Choosing the Components

RECTIFIER
To obtain a good performance for the two stage circuit,
Another full-wave rectifier can be obtained by including the tolerance of resistors R1 to R5 should be 1%, or
an adder to the single-wave rectifier, which subtracts better; this makes the gains (for negative and positive
VIN from the rectified signal. The rectifier stage consists VIN) match well. The circuit in Figure 19 has a good
of AO1, R1, R2, D1 and D2, while the adder stage linearity, down to a couple of mV at low frequencies, but
consists of AO2, R3, R4 and R5. the high-frequency response is limited by the op amp
bandwidth.
R2 Refer to the section Selecting the Diode in the section
Basic Rectifiers, and to the section Selecting the Op
D2
Amp in the section Active Half-Wave Rectifier, for
VIN R1 R3 R5 details on choosing the appropriate components.
- D1
+
VO1 SELECTING THE RESISTORS
AO1 VOUT
-
R4 + R1 and R2 give the gain for the first stage; R3 and R5
AO2 for the second stage.
R6
To get the same amplitude for both cycles, choose
R1 = R3 = R4 and R2 = R5 = 2 x R1.

EQUATION 10:
FIGURE 19: Two Stage Op Amp Full- R (V +V )
5 O1 IN
Wave Rectifier Circuit. V
OUT
= ----------------------------------------------
R1
When VIN is positive, D1 is forward-biased and D2 is
reverse-biased, while when VIN is negative, D2 is
forward-biased and D1 is reversed-biased. The second R6 is added to minimize the error caused by the input
stage adds VIN and VO1 and inverts the polarity of the bias current. Refer to the section Selecting the
resulting signal. The output voltage for the positive Resistors, in the section Improved Op Amp Half-Wave
cycle of the input voltage is calculated in Equation 8. Rectifier, for details on choosing the appropriate
components.
For the negative cycle of the input voltage (VIN), D1
blocks the signal, while D2 conducts the whole current If a greater sensitivity and high frequency is desired, it
coming from the input. In this case, the output voltage is recommended to use lower resistance value, high
for the first stage is VO1 = 0V. speed diodes and faster op amps.
For the positive cycle of the input signal, VO1 is
negative and, in this case, the adder stage combines
the input signals with equal amplitudes, one positive
and one negative.

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AN1353
Advantages and Disadvantages BASIC PEAK DETECTORS
Table 6 shows the advantages and disadvantages of a The purpose of this circuit is to detect the maximum
two stage op amp full-wave rectifier. magnitude of a signal over a period of time. The
operation of a peak detector can be illustrated using a
TABLE 6: ADVANTAGES AND simple diode and capacitor, as shown in Figure 22.
DISADVANTAGES OF THE
CIRCUIT
VIN D1 VOUT
Advantages Disadvantages
- Very good performance - Uses two op amps C1
R1
- Low output impedance - Low input resistance
- Multiple passive
components

Practical Example
FIGURE 22: Basic Peak Detector
This example uses the MCP6021 device, two 1N4148 Operation.
diodes, R1 = 1 k, R2 = 2 k, R3 = 1 k, R4 = 1 k,
and R5 = 2 k. The input signal frequency is f = 1 kHz. Choosing the Components
Figure 20 shows the result of the simulation for the full-
When choosing the resistor, the limits must be
wave rectifier shown in Figure 19:
considered: rdf << R1 << rdr, where rdf is the resistance
of the diode when forward biased, and rdr is the
1 resistance of the diode when reverse biased.
0.8
The capacitor is charged with the time constant
0.6
1 = rdf x C1, and will be discharged with the time
0.4
Magnitude (V)

constant 2=R1 x C1.

0.2
0 The variation of output voltage will be:
-0.2
-0.4 EQUATION 11:
-0.6 VOUT V PEAK
-0.8 VIN
V = -------------------
-1 f 2
Time (1 ms/div) Where:
VPEAK = Amplitude maximum value
FIGURE 20: Full-Wave Rectifier Circuit
f = Input signal frequency
Simulation.
2 = Discharge time constant
For more topologies of the full-wave rectifier, refer to
the Appendix section. Generally the minimum of 2 is 2 = 10/f.
Figure 21 shows the behavior of the circuit at the This is the case for a sine signal, but we may need to
maximum frequency tolerated. detect the peak for other types of signals, such as
square waves, sensors or modulated signals.
1 For example, on an amplitude modulated signal, the
0.8 capacitor voltage discharges according to:
0.6
0.4 EQUATION 12:
Magnitude (V)

0.2
VDROP = VPEAK exp -----
0
t

-0.2 2
-0.4 Where: 2 = time constant
-0.6
VOUT
-0.8 VIN This produces a negative peak clipping that distorts the
-1 output. To avoid the negative peak clipping, choose a
Time (10 s/div) smaller value for 2, but to reduce the ripple, 2 must be
as large as possible. In practice we choose a value
FIGURE 21: Circuit Behavior when Input between: 1/fm >> 2 >> 1/fc, where fm is the modulation
frequency and fc is the carrier frequency.
Frequency = 100 kHz.

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 AN1353
Advantages and Disadvantages
R2 R4
Table 7 identifies some of the advantages and
disadvantages of the peak detectors. VOUT
- R3 -
VIN +
TABLE 7: ADVANTAGES AND R1
+
AO1
D1 AO2
R5 C1
DISADVANTAGES OF THE
CIRCUIT
Advantages Disadvantages
- Uses few - The output voltage is one
components diode drop below the actual out- FIGURE 24: Two-Stage Peak Detector
put Circuit.
- Very low cost - The input impedance is The time constant for charging C1 is very short, and
variable due to the input primarily consists of the C1 and the forward resistance
characteristics of the diode of the diode. Thus, C1 charges almost instantly to the
- The discharge is very slow due peak output of the input signal (VIN). When VIN goes
to the leakage current below the output signal (VOUT), diode D1 becomes
reverse-biased. The only discharge path for C1 is
Practical Example through R5, via leakage or op amp bias currents. The
discharge time constant is much longer than the charge
The simulation in Figure 23 shows that this circuit does time constant, so C1 holds its charge and presents a
not reach the peak amplitude of the input signal, but is steady input voltage to AO2 that is equal to the peak
good for quickly following sudden changes in the amplitude of the input signal. AO2 is a buffer amplifier
signal's amplitude. However, it has significant ripple. that prevents unintentional discharging of the C1,
This example uses a 1N4148 diode, C1 = 1 F, caused by the loading impedance of the following
R1 = 100 k and f = 1 kHz. circuit. If the R5C1 time constant is too short, then the
voltage on C1 will not be constant, and will have a high
18
value of ripple. On the other hand, if the R5C1 time
VOUT

16 VIN constant is too long, the circuit cannot respond quickly

14
to the changes in the input amplitude.
Magnitude(V)

12 The lower frequency limit is the frequency that causes

10 the ripple voltage to exceed the maximum allowable
8 level. It can be estimated by applying the basic
6 discharge equation for capacitors (Equation 13):
4
2 EQUATION 13:
0 1
f = ----------------------------------------------------------
Time (20 ms/div) O VV
o
R C ln ----------------
5 1 VV
c
FIGURE 23: Peak Detector Simulation.
Where:
Two-Stage Active Peak Detector V = Capacitors discharge voltage
In many applications, the voltage drop is not desired. VC = Minimum allowable voltage on the
To avoid this, we need to include a diode into the loop capacitor
of the op amp, as shown in Figure 24. VO = Initial charge of the capacitor
A two-stage peak detector is shown in Figure 24. In this
The response time describes how quickly C1 can
circuit, AO1, R1, R2, D1, R5 and C1 represent the first
respond to the decreases in the magnitude of the input
stage, while AO2, R3 and R4 is the second stage. AO1
signal. This can be computed from the basic discharge
charges the capacitor up to the peak value, and AO2
equation. However, if we assume that the capacitor is
acts as an output buffer. AO1 removes the variability of
charged to peak and discharges towards an eventual
the input impedance, while AO2 removes the variability
value of 0, we can use the simplified form
of the output impedance.
(Equation 14).

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AN1353
EQUATION 14:
V
PK ( old )
t = R C ln ---------------------------
R 5 1 V
PK ( new )
Where:
VPK(old) = Peak input signal amplitude
before the decrease
VPK(new) = Peak input signal amplitude after
the decrease
Choosing the Components
Refer to the section Selecting the Diode in the section
Basic Rectifiers, and to the section Selecting the Op
Amp, in the section Active Half-Wave Rectifier, for
details on choosing the appropriate components.
SELECTING THE RESISTORS
R3 limits the current into the positive input of the AO2
when power is disconnected from the circuit. Without
this resistor, the AO2 may be damaged as C1
discharges through it. For capacitors smaller than 1 F,
resistor R3 can normally be omitted. Resistor R4
minimizes the effects of the bias currents in AO2.
Resistor R2 limits the current into the negative input of
AO1 when power is removed from the circuit.
There are two conflicting circuit parameters that affect
the choice of the values for R5 and C1: allowable ripple
voltage across C1 and response time. In general, a
faster response time leads to greater ripple.
Refer to the section Selecting the Resistors, in the
section Improved Op Amp Half-Wave Rectifier, for
details on choosing the appropriate components.
Practical Example
Figure 25 illustrates the simulation result for one peak
detector, realized with MCP661 device, diode 1N4148,
R5 = 100 k and C1 = 1 F. Input signal has the
frequency equal to 1 kHz.
0.2
0.19
0.18
VOUT
Magnitude (V)
For more topologies on the peak detectors, refer to the
Appendix.
BASIC CLAMP
A clamp is used to shift the DC reference level of the
input signal. Figure 26 shows a basic diode clamp. Its
purpose is to shift the average or the DC level of the
input signal without altering the wave shape.
When VOUT > VREF and the input signal is fast, D1 is off,
C1 acts like a short circuit, and VOUT looks like the
input. With slow signals, C1 acts like an open circuit and
VOUT will exponentially decay towards VREF.
When VOUT < VREF, VOUT becomes VREF - VD(on), D1
turns on and C1 is forced to accept a new voltage that
shifts the input to the desired minimum VOUT.
For low-amplitude signals, the diode drop becomes
significant. In fact, the circuit cannot be used at all if the
peak input signal is below the diode threshold, since
the diode cannot be forward-biased. An active clamp is
needed for signals with an amplitude of millivolts.
Figure 26 shows a negative clamp; it clamps the
negative extreme of the signal to (near) VREF.
Reversing the diode creates a positive clamp.
C1
VOUT
D1
AC R1
VREF
FIGURE 26: Basic Diode Negative
Clamp.
Practical Example
Figure 27 shows a simulation for the above schematic
with VREF = 2V, C1 = 1 nF and diode 1N4148. The
input signal has the frequency equal to 500 Hz.
4
VOUT
3.5 VIN

0.17 VIN 3
0.16
Magnitude (V)

2.5
0.15 2
0.14 1.5
0.13
1
0.12
0.5
0.11
0
0.1
-0.5
Time (1 ms/div) -1

Time (10 ms/div)

FIGURE 25: One Peak Detector

Simulation Results. FIGURE 27: Basic Diode Clamp
Circuit Simulation.

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 AN1353
Active Clamp EQUATION 15:
To reduce the threshold voltage of the diode, and for 16.7
C1 = -------------------
linearization, the circuit needs a diode in the feedback R f low
loop of the operational amplifier.
Where:
Figure 28 shows an op amp clamp where the input
signal is positive and D1 is forward-biased. The diode flow = minimum frequency desired
converts the circuit into a voltage follower with
reference to the positive input. This means that the
R = rdr || R (-) || R (+)
output of the op amp has approximately the same
voltage as the reference voltage. When the input signal Where:
is negative, the diode is reversed-biased. The op amp rdr = Reversed diode resistance
will also be at the reference voltage level. Capacitor C1
is charged with the difference of potential between VIN R(-) = Input resistance on the negative
and VREF. This effectively disconnects the op amp from terminal of AO1
the circuit so the output will be the same as VIN plus R(+) = Input resistance on the positive ter-
C1s voltage. The capacitor has no rapid discharge path minal of AO1 for voltage follower
and will act as a DC source, providing the clamping
action.
R(-) and R(+) are calculated as a ratio between the
maximum voltage allowed by the circuit on the input
terminal and the maximum input bias current.
C1
VIN R1
- + VOUT Advantages and Disadvantages
+
AO1 D1 -
Table 8 shows the main advantages and
AO2 disadvantages of the clamp circuit.

VREF TABLE 8: ADVANTAGES AND

DISADVANTAGES OF THE
FIGURE 28: Op Amp Clamp. CIRCUIT
Advantages Disadvantages
Choosing the Components - Uses only one op amp - The input impedance var-
Refer to the section Selecting the Diode, in the section ies with the input frequency
Basic Rectifiers, and to the section Selecting the Op - Few external - The output impedance
Amp, in the section Active Half-Wave Rectifier, for components varies with the input
details on choosing the appropriate components. frequency
- Adjustable level for - Uses a potentiometer
SELECTING THE RESISTANCE AND THE
voltage reference
CAPACITOR
- Uses a positive and
The input impedance of the circuit varies with the input a negative voltage
frequency and with the state of the circuit. As frequency reference
increases, the reactance of C1 decreases and lowers
the input impedance. Practical Example
Usually, R1 gives the input impedance, so the chosen
This example uses the MCP6021 device, a 1N4148
resistance should be the minimum of the desired
diode, C1 = 150 nF, R1 = 1.2 k, R2 = 43 k,
impedance.
R3 = 47 k, VREF = 0.7V. The input frequency is
The value of C1 is shown in Equation 15: 10 kHz. Figure 29 shows the simulation result for this
example.

2011 Microchip Technology Inc. DS01353A-page 11

AN1353

4
3.5
3
2.5
Magnitude (V)

2
VOUT
1.5 VIN
1
0.5
0
-0.5
-1

Time (100 ms/div)

FIGURE 29: Op Amp Clamp Circuit

Simulation Result.

CONCLUSION
This application note examined the circuits that can
rectify the amplitude signal, detect the peak signal and
change the DC level of waveforms. The op amp-based
solutions bring improvements to the basic solutions,
such as operating with millivolt signals or isolating the
output and input impedance. The applications
proposed are based on low cost op amps, and offer
circuits with few peripheral components, giving
designers simple, but effective solutions to their
problems.

DS01353A-page 12 2011 Microchip Technology Inc.

 AN1353
APPENDIX
R2
This Appendix includes schematics for additional half
and full-wave rectifiers, peak detectors and clamps. D2 VOUT
Each of these can be implemented using the rules VIN R1
- D1 VOUT
presented in this application note.
+
AO1 VIN
Half-Wave Rectifiers
Figures 30 33 show more half-wave rectifiers with
their DC transfer functions.
FIGURE 33: Negative Half-Wave
Rectifier 2.
R2
VOUT Every one of these circuits can be used to design full-
wave rectifiers by adding an op amp adder. This
R1 AO1 method is illustrated in Figure 19.
- D1 VOUT
+
VIN D2
VIN Full-Wave Rectifiers
The circuits shown in this section are based on half-
wave rectifiers. For example, the circuit in Figure 36
contains two half-wave rectifiers, one for the positive
cycle, the other for the negative cycle, and one
FIGURE 30: Positive Half-Wave difference (or adder) amplifier.
Rectifier 1. For Figures 34 36, VOUT is positive. Reversing the
diodes creates a negative rectifier.

R2
R2 R3
VOUT
R1 AO1
- D1 VOUT D1
+ VIN - VOUT
VIN -
VIN D2 +
+ AO2
AO1 D2
R1 R4

FIGURE 31: Negative Half-Wave

Rectifier 1.
FIGURE 34: Two Stage Full-Wave
Rectifier 1.
R2
D2 VOUT
VIN R1 R5
D1 VOUT R3 D1
-
+ VIN
AO1 R2 D2 R4
- VOUT
+
AO2
VIN R1
AO1
-
FIGURE 32: Positive Half-Wave +

Rectifier 2.
R4

FIGURE 35: Two Stage Full-Wave

Rectifier 2.

2011 Microchip Technology Inc. DS01353A-page 13

AN1353
For Figure 38, VOUT is positive. Reversing the diode
creates a negative rectifier.
R2

VIN R1 D2
- D1
+ R6 VIN D1 - VOUT
AO1 +
+
R5 - AO2
R3 - VOUT AO1
+
R4 AO3
R7
R2

R1 D2 FIGURE 38: Peak Detector Rectifier 2.

D1
-
+
AO2
For Figure 39, VOUT is positive. Reversing the diodes
R3
creates a negative rectifier. To reset this circuit, we can
use a relay reed, or a transistor with a low leakage
current.

FIGURE 36: Three Stage Full-Wave R2

Rectifier.
C2
Peak Detectors
D2 D1 - VOUT
The circuit in Figure 37 has the capacitor discharge VIN - +
+
through R2, which causes the output to droop. Diode AO1 AO2
D2 provides the local feedback around AO1, once a Reset -VC
peak has been detected. This prevents AO1 from C1
0V
saturating during the peak hold mode and decreases
the peak acquisition time. You can omit D2, but the Run
circuit will be slower when detecting peaks.

FIGURE 39: Peak Detector Rectifier 3.

R2
Clamp
VIN R1 D2 VOUT
- D1 - Figure 40 shows another positive active clamp where
+
+ AO2 the reference voltage can be adjusted. If the diode is
AO1
C1 inverted, a negative active clamp will result.
R3
C2
VIN R1 AO1
- VOUT
+
D1
VREF
FIGURE 37: Peak Detector Rectifier 1. C1

+V R2 P1 R3 -V

FIGURE 40: Active Clamp Sample.

DS01353A-page 14 2011 Microchip Technology Inc.

Note the following details of the code protection feature on Microchip devices:
Microchip products meet the specification contained in their particular Microchip Data Sheet.

Microchip believes that its family of products is one of the most secure families of its kind on the market today, when used in the
intended manner and under normal conditions.

There are dishonest and possibly illegal methods used to breach the code protection feature. All of these methods, to our
knowledge, require using the Microchip products in a manner outside the operating specifications contained in Microchips Data
Sheets. Most likely, the person doing so is engaged in theft of intellectual property.

Microchip is willing to work with the customer who is concerned about the integrity of their code.

Neither Microchip nor any other semiconductor manufacturer can guarantee the security of their code. Code protection does not
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Code protection is constantly evolving. We at Microchip are committed to continuously improving the code protection features of our
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All other trademarks mentioned herein are property of their
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2011, Microchip Technology Incorporated, Printed in the
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Printed on recycled paper.

ISBN: 978-1-60932-931-0

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and manufacture of development systems is ISO 9001:2000 certified.

2011 Microchip Technology Inc. DS01353A-page 15

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DS01353A-page 16 2011 Microchip Technology Inc.