EE40 Final Review problems

August 14, 2008

1. Fall 2002 Final Exam

For the following circuit, find Norton and Thevenin equivalents or explain why they do not
exist. Assume that the transistor is in saturation mode VDS > VGS VT H

a
+
VGS

b

Solution:

2. Diode Clipper circuits

For the following circuits, assume that R = 100 and vin (t) = 8sin(t) and that the diodes have

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a threshold voltage of 0.7 V . Plot vout (t).
a.

+ R +
vin D1 D2 vout

Solution:
The output waveform is the input waveform clipped on the positive and negative sides at 0.7
volts. The large signal model of the diode used here tells us that when the voltage across diode
is greater than 0.7 volts in the forward biased direction, then we model the diode as a voltage
source rated at 0.7 V. We further assume that the change in models from open circuit to battery
is instantaneous at the point V = 0.7 volts. Therefore, R has no effect on the output waveform
and we get something of the shape

b.

+ RD +
1
vin vout
+ 5V

Solution:
Unlike the circuit in part (a), only the top of the input waveform will be clipped since any
negative voltage from vin will result in the diode being reverse biased. Because of the battery,
the voltage drop over the diode will be greater than 0.7 volts when vin > 5.7V by KVL so the
output waveform is clipped at +5.7 V. The approximate distortion effect is

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3. Level Shifter Circuit (Fall 2007 Midterm 4)
Let vin = sin(2 Tt ). Find vout , vc and plot vout . Plot vout (t). Assume that the threshold voltage
of the diode is 0.6V.
a.

+Vc
+ D1 +
vin R vout
2V
+

Solution:
We assume that the capacitance is large enough that it does not significantly distort AC signals
in steady state. Start by analyzing the circuit when vin = 0V . Then the capacitor is an open
circuit and the output voltage is only the voltage across the diode and voltage source. From
the polarity of the diode we know it is forward biased so vout = 1.4V . From KVL we know
that vout = vD 2 volts. Since the voltage drop across the diode can never exceed 0.6 volts,
we know that vout has maximum value of -1.4V. In other words, the output waveform becomes
a waveform with the peak clamped at the voltage 1.4V and roughly sinusoidal. Thus the
output waveform is of the shape

b.

+Vc
+ D1 +
vin R vout
2V

Solution:
This clamp circuit is improperly designed; there is no input voltage possible such that both of
the diodes will both be conducting at the same time. Therefore, the output voltage is exactly
the same as the input voltage.

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4. Second order circuits
Find the transfer function of the following circuit and plot the Bode magnitude and phase plots.
R
+ C +
vin vout
L

Solution:
This filter is of the form of a notch filter (the opposite of a band-pass filter). The frequency
response and phase response are plotted in Chapter 6 of the Hambley textbook.

5. Op-amp circuits
Find the gain of the following amplifier circuit:

+
+

vout
R3
D3
D2

R1 R2

vin

Solution:
We must separate the cases for when the input voltage is positive and negative as different
amplifications will result. Note that the basic configuration of the amplifier is in the form of an
inverting amplifier. We assume that the diodes are ideal. Since their polarities are reversed, we
know that only one branch will be conducting at a time. The current going through the feed-
back loop is i = vRin , so when vin < 0, D2 is conducting and when vin > 0, D3 is conducting.
R2
Therefore the amplification is R 1
when vin > 0 and RR1 when vin < 0
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6. CMOS logic
Design a circuit that takes two 2-bit inputs and adds the result together and detects when an
overflow occurs. Hint: start by enumerating all of the possible input combinations in a truth
table.

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The corresponding circuit diagram for the one-bit adder is then