EE1o0A Electronic Circuits I

Department of Electrical Engineering

University of California Riverside

Laboratory 1
EE 100 A

LABORATORY # 1

MANUAL
Basic Diode I-V Characteristic and Load Line
Analysis

Objectives
Lab 1 contains two parts; objectives are to get familiar with:
1. Intrinsic i-v properties of diodes and their characterization;
2. i-v characteristics of non-linear elements connected in parallel;
3. Application of the Load Line analysis;

Equipment

PC or compatible
DMM (digital multimeter)
Power supply (+20V)
Jumper wires to connect components on solderless breadboards
Solderless breadboard (you need to bring your own)

Parts

2 each diode 1N914 (switching diode)

1 each resistors (all 1/4W): 1k

Lab 1 Basic Diode I-V Characteristic and Load Line Analysis Manual
EE100A Electronic Circuits I
University of California -Riverside

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SPECIFICATION

PART 1. Diode 1n914 (forward bias) Measurements

Figure L1-1.

Measurement of i-v characteristics of non-linear circuit components

The nonlinear relationship between current and voltage (i-v characteristic) for
a diode is described by the Diode (Shockley) Equation:

(1)

v
v
iD I S exp D 1 I S exp D
VT
VT

where IS is the reverse saturation current and VT is the thermal constant (VT ~25.9
mV at room temperature T = 300K).
In this experiment, we will experimentally determine the i-v characteristic of a
forward-biased diode using multimeters following the procedure shown in Figure
L1-2.

Figure L1-2.

Measurement of i-v characteristics of non-linear circuit components

Lab 1 Basic Diode I-V Characteristic and Load Line Analysis Manual
EE100A Electronic Circuits I
University of California -Riverside

The operating conditions can be determined by applying the Load Line analysis.
During a circuit design process one may choose required values for iD and vD and
select appropriate values for R and VDD (power supply voltage) depending on the
availability of components and/or design requirements.

Figure L1-3. The Load

Line analysis to determine the operating conditions

Schematic
Build a circuit the schematic of which is shown in Figure L1-4.

Figure L1-4.

A schematic for measurement of the diodes fundamental i-v characteristic

Lab 1 Basic Diode I-V Characteristic and Load Line Analysis Manual
EE100A Electronic Circuits I
University of California -Riverside

5
Procedure
Vary VDD and record measurements* in the following table format:
1

Power Supply Voltage, VDD

VD, mV
ID, mA

Report:
1) Plot ID(VD);
2) Compute power consumed by the resistor R for all values of ID and VD. Is it
always within the 1/4W specification? What would happen if it went above
it?
3) Plot a series of Load Lines for a few VDDs. For the given R=1k and any
selected VDD graphically determine VD and ID using Load Line analysis.
Does the determined value agree with the measured one?
4) Obtain an experimental value of the reverse saturation current IS. To do so,
a) for each obtained ID value compute ln(ID), b) construct a table
containing values of ln(ID) and VD, and finally c) plot the relationship
ln(ID) vs VD. This will be a line because based on (1) we may obtain the
linear relationship (2) below. ln(IS) is where the line crosses the ln(ID) axis.
Compute IS from the obtained value of ln(IS).
(2)

ln iD

vD
ln I S
VT

5) From the slope of the line obtained in 4) determine the value of the thermal
voltage VT. Does it agree with the theoretical one?

Record about 15 values starting from VDD = 15V going down to 0V. It is advised to always start
measurements from higher going down to lower values because in this way the components gradually cool
down thus reducing the temperature effects on measured properties.
Lab 1 Basic Diode I-V Characteristic and Load Line Analysis Manual
EE100A Electronic Circuits I
University of California -Riverside

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PART 2. i-v Characteristic of Two 1n914 Diodes Connected in Parallel
The i-v properties of components, linear or non-linear, can be modified by
combining them with other components connected in series or parallel. In this
experiment we will obtain an i-v characteristic of two identical diodes connected
in parallel.

Figure L1-4.

i-v characteristic of two components connected in series

Figure L1-5.

i-v characteristic of two components connected in parallel

NLE = Non-Linear Element

Lab 1 Basic Diode I-V Characteristic and Load Line Analysis Manual
EE100A Electronic Circuits I
University of California -Riverside

7
Schematic
Build a circuit the schematic of which is shown in Figure L1-6.

Figure L1-6.

Schematic for measurement of the i-v characteristic of two diodes connected in parallel

Procedure
Vary VDD and record measurements in the following table format:
1

Power Supply Voltage, VDD

VD, mV
ID, mA

Report:
1) Plot ID(VD);
2) Plot this ID(VD) characteristic back to back with the one obtained in Part 1 of
this lab. Does the i-v characteristic agrees well with the one predicted by
theory? Select a few values of ID and VD and make a comparative study.

It is not required that VDD values be the same in both parts of the lab measurements. You will need to
draw a smooth line connecting the data points and make appropriate comparisons for arbitrarily chosen
values.
Lab 1 Basic Diode I-V Characteristic and Load Line Analysis Manual
EE100A Electronic Circuits I
University of California -Riverside

Presentation and Report

Must be presented according to the general EE 100 lab guidelines.

Prelab
1. Familiarize yourself with safety policies, lab report guidelines, lab
equipment handling provided in the materials posted on iLearn;
2. Review lectures and textbook on the subject of Lab experiment.
3. Familiarize with the diode 1n914 manufacturers specifications.

Lab 1 Basic Diode I-V Characteristic and Load Line Analysis Manual
EE100A Electronic Circuits I
University of California -Riverside