I.

Objective To evaluate various diode limiter circuits.

II.

Equipment and materials 1 1 2 4 1 1 1 Power generator Power supply diodes W Resistors: 470, 1 k, 10 k, 100 k VOM(digital) Oscilloscope Breadboard

III.

Figures Positive Limiter Circuit Vout 10 k

V= 10 V F= 1kHz

1 k

100 k

Negative Limiter Circuit Vout 10 k

V= 10 V F= 1kHz

1 k

100 k

The only difference between the two circuits is the orientation of the diode.

Combination Limiter Circuit Vout 10 k

V= 10 V F= 1kHz

1 k

100 k

The circuit contains two diodes connected in parallel but in opposite direction. Biased Limiter Circuit Vout 10 k
V= 10 V F= 1kHz

1 k

100 k DC

The circuit is used with different DC voltage supply.

IV.

Data

Output voltage without the diodes.

Output voltages across 100 k resistor Upper peak voltage , V(volts ) Lower peak voltage, V(volts) Peak-toPeak voltage, V(volts)

Limiter

Period (ms)

Voltage vs. Time graph

Positive

4.0

8.0

12.0

1.0
8

8.8

Negative

8.8

3.2

12.0

1.0

3.2

3.8

combinati on

3.8

3.4

7.2

1.0

3.4

Variable DC (mV) 100(997) 200(200.03) 300(300.002) 400(399.06) 500(500.01) @100

4.8 3.4

Upper peak voltage (V) 4.8 5.8 6.6 7.2 8.2

Lower peak voltage (V) 3.4 3.4 3.4 3.4 3.4

@200
5.8

3.4

@300

6.6

3.4

@400

7.2

3.4

@500

8.2

3.4

We try to compare the measured values to the ideal values. We use second approximation, thus the voltage across the diode must be approximately 0.7 V. But our measured data is more than five times of that. With this reason we just turn our focus to the behavior of the graphs.

V. Observations and Conclusions We were able to evaluate different diode limiter circuits. As we can see on the data, the graph formed with the positive limiter circuit has a flat portion on the positive part. The negative limiter circuit on the other hand shows the negative part is the one affected. In the combination limiter circuit, both the positive and the negative waveform have flattened parts. The biased limiter circuit gives us graph that is alike the combination limiter, the only difference is that as we increase the voltage supplied the positive peak values also increase. The variable DC supply is connected in series with the diode with the positive limiter that is why the only the positive peak values are being changed.With our data, we can conclude that rise of the peak values is linear. The experiment enables us to see what a limiter diode circuit can do. With proper orientation of the diode we can select what part of the output voltage (positive or negative) can be affected. It is now clear to us why limiter is used; it is because the circuit can fix or limit the output voltage that can be produced.

EE 21 F-1L

Experiment 1 Diode Limiters

Members: John Kevin L. Caasi Kristoffer Andrew J. Tanzuaco Francis Jason P. Agres

Signatures _________________________ _________________________ _________________________