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Example Diode Circuit Transfer Function.doc

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Example: Diode Circuit Transfer Function

Consider the following circuit, called a half-wave rectifier:

i (t)
+
+ -

vS(t)

vD(t)

vO (t)

Lets use the CVD model to determine the output voltage vO in terms of the input voltage vS. In other words, lets determine the diode circuit transfer function vO = f (vS ) !
i = 0. ASSUME the ideal diode is forward biased, ENFORCE vD

+v = 0
i D

iDi

0.7 V

vS(t)
_ From KVL, we find that:

vO(t)
_

vO (t ) = vS (t ) 0.7

Jim Stiles

The Univ. of Kansas

Dept. of EECS

9/24/2004

Example Diode Circuit Transfer Function.doc

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This result is of course true if our original assumption is correct i it is valid if the ideal diode is forward biased (i.e., iD > 0 )! From Ohms Law, we find that:

iDi =

vO vS 0.7 = R R

current greater than zero or less than zero? Is our assumption correct? How can we tell?

Q: Im so confused! Is this

A: The ideal diode current is dependent on the value of source voltage vS (t ) . As such, we cannot determine if our assumption is
correct, we instead must find out when our assumption is correct! In other words, we know that the forward bias assumption is i > 0 . We can rearrage our diode current correct when iD

expression to determine for what values of source voltage vS(t) this is true:

vS (t ) 0.7 >0 R vS (t ) 0.7 > 0

iDi > 0

vS (t ) > 0.7

Jim Stiles

The Univ. of Kansas

Dept. of EECS

9/24/2004

Example Diode Circuit Transfer Function.doc

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So, we have found that when the source voltage vS(t) is greater than 0.7 V, the output voltage vO(t) is:

vO (t ) = vS (t ) 0.7

written down. However, I still dont know what the output voltage vO(t) is when the source voltage vS(t) is less than 0.7V!?!

Q: OK, Ive got this result

Now we change our assumption and ASSSUME the ideal diode in the CVD model is reverse biased, an assumption ENFORCEd with i = 0 (i.e., an open circuit). the condition that iD iDi = 0 i +vD

0.7 V

vS(t)
_
From Ohms Law, we find that the output voltage is:

vO(t)
_

voltage is zero when the ideal diode is reverse biased. But, precisely when is the ideal diode reverse biased? For what values of vS does this occur ?

Q: Fascinating! The output

vO = R iDi

= R (0) = 0 V !!!

Jim Stiles

The Univ. of Kansas

Dept. of EECS

9/24/2004

Example Diode Circuit Transfer Function.doc

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A: To answer these questions, we must determine the ideal diode i voltage in terms of vS (i.e., vD = f (vS ) ):
From KVL: Therefore:
i vD = vS 0.7 vO = vS 0.7 0.0 = vS 0.7
i v S vD 0.7 = vO

Thus, the ideal diode is in reverse bias when:

i vD <0 vS 0.7 < 0

Solving for vS, we find:

vS 0.7 < 0 vS < 0.7 V

In other words, we have determined that the ideal diode will be reverse biased when vS < 0.7 V , and that the output voltage will

be vO = 0 .

Q: So, we have found that:

vO = vS 0.7 and,

when

vS > 0.7 V v S < 0 .7 V

vO = 0.0 when

It appears we have a valid, continuous, function!

Jim Stiles The Univ. of Kansas Dept. of EECS

9/24/2004

Example Diode Circuit Transfer Function.doc

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A: Thats right! The transfer function for this circuit is therefore:

vS 0.7 for vO = 0 for

vO

v S > 0.7 v S < 0 .7

vS
0.7 V

Although the circuit in this example may seem trivial, it is actually very important! It is called a half-wave rectifier, and provides signal rectification. Rectifiers are an essential part of every AC to DC power supply!

Jim Stiles

The Univ. of Kansas

Dept. of EECS