Experiment 3

Interpretation of Results

In Objective A, we studied the output of a clipper
circuit using actual circuit connections. There are two
diodes in the circuit, one in forward bias and the other one
is in reverse bias. We are asked to draw the output of the
formed waveform found in the oscilloscope. We are also
asked to compare the input and output waveforms. The
output waveform is a positive limiter for procedure A2
because the output voltage is limited to its forward
voltage drop during positive alternation and the circuit
voltage appears at the output. In the other hand the graph
is a negative limiter since the circuit limits the negative
input alternation to V
d
. In procedure A5 we are requested
to vary the values of V1 and V2 from 0V to 10V. The
clipping level goes back to its original state because there
is limiting or the removing of extremity of an input wave
by electronic means. We can also say that it is a clipper
because it clips the portion of the signal.

In Objective B, it is all about the study of the output
of a clipper using simulations. Basically we will us
software to simulate if it goes along with our
experimental data. We make use of OrCad Lite Edition
and PSpice program to do it. We are asked what is the
difference did we observe between the input and output
waveforms. We found out that the input waveform has a
higher amplitude rather than the output waveform. We
also graph the results we obtained using the software. We
also compared the outputs we obtained in Graph 3-3 and
3-4 and we are asked if it is an agreement. We can say
that they are an agreement because the result we have
obtain on the actual experiment or using the oscilloscope
is the same on what we have obtained using the PSpice.
When we change the values of V1 and V2 to 10 V and
run the simulation again we have observed that the output
waveform is both clipped in the upper and lower portion.
















Conclusion

In this experiment, the main objective was to
demonstrate the operation of a parallel diode clipper or
limiter. We found out based on what we have seen in the
oscilloscope and the PSpice the clipping process. Diode
Limiters are wave shaping circuits since they prevent
signal voltages from going higher than or below certain
level. The limiting level is equal to the diodes barrier
potential. A circuit which removes the peak of a
waveform is known as a clipper. During the positive half
cycle of the 5 V peak input, the diode is reversed biased.
The diode does not conduct. It is as if the diode were not
there. The positive half cycle is unchanged at the output
V2 in Figure in our data. Since the output positive peaks
actually overlays the input sinewave V1, the input has
been shifted upward in the plot for clarity. During the
negative half cycle of sinewave input of Figure on our
experiment, the diode is forward biased, that is,
conducting. The negative half cycle of the sinewave is
shorted out. The negative half cycle of V2 would be
clipped at 0 V for an ideal diode. The waveform is clipped
at -0.7 V due to the forward voltage drop of the silicon
diode. The spice model defaults to 0.7 V unless
parameters in the model statement specify otherwise.
Germanium diodes clip at lower voltages.Closer
examination of the negative clipped peak reveals that it
follows the input for a slight period of time while the
sinewave is moving toward -0.7 V. The clipping action is
only effective after the input sinewave exceeds -0.7 V.
The diode is not conducting for the complete half cycle,
though, during most of it.