COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING, ARCHITECTURE, AND TECHNOLOGY

Subject: Electronic Devices and Circuits

Topic: Semiconductor Diodes
Lecturer: Engr. Katrina B. Acapulco

Semiconductor Diodes
Prelim Lecture 2

Semiconductor diodes
Ideal Diode
any device or system that has ideal
characteristics perfect in every way
provides a basis for comparison, and it reveals
where improvements can still be made
The characteristic of an ideal diode are those
of a switch that can conduct in only one
direction
The ideal diode is a short circuit for the
region of conduction
The ideal diode is an open circuit in the
region of non-conduction

Semiconductor diodes
Ideal Diode Symbol and
Characteristic Curve

Semiconductor diodes
Semiconductor Diode
Depletion Region region of
uncovered positive and negative ions
due to he depletion of carriers in this
region

Semiconductor diodes
No Applied Bias (VD = 0V)
In the absence of an applied bias
voltage, the net flow of charge in any
one direction for a semiconductor diode
is zero.

Semiconductor diodes
Reverse-Bias Condition (VD OV)
The current that exists under reversebias condition is called the reverse
saturation current and is represented by
IS.

Semiconductor diodes
Forward-Bias Condition (VD 0V)
A semiconductor diode is forwardbiased when the association p-type and
positive and n-type and negative has
been established.

Semiconductor diodes
Silicon Semiconductor Diode
Characteristics

Semiconductor diodes
General Characteristics Equation

ID = I S ( e

kVD/TK

1)

where: IS reverse saturation current

k 11,600/
TK TC + 273

Semiconductor diodes
Zener Region
The maximum reverse-bias potential that can
be applied before entering the Zener region is
called the peak inverse voltage (referred to
simply as the PIV rating) or the peak reverse
voltage (denoted by PRV rating).

Semiconductor diodes
Silicon versus Germanium

Semiconductor diodes
Temperature Effects
The reverse saturation current IS will just
about double in magnitude for every 10
increase in temperature.

Semiconductor diodes
Resistance Levels
DC or Static Resistance
RD = VD / ID
The lower the current through the diode
the higher the dc resistance level.

Semiconductor diodes
AC or Dynamic Resistance
rd = Vd / Id
The lower the Q-point of operation the
higher the ac resistance.

Semiconductor diodes
AC or Dynamic Resistance
The derivative of a function at a point is
equal to the slope of the tangent line
drawn at that point.
rd = 26 mV / ID
rd = 26 mV/ID + rB
rB ranges from 0.1 to 2

Semiconductor diodes
Average AC Resistance

the resistance determined by a straight line drawn

between the two intersections established by the
maximum and minimum values of input voltage.
rave = Vd / Id pt to pt
the lower the level of currents used to determine the
average resistance the higher the resistance level.

Semiconductor diodes
Diode Equivalent Circuits
Equivalent Circuit a combination of
elements properly chosen to best
represent the actual terminal
characteristics of a device, system, or
such in a particular operating region.

Semiconductor diodes
Piecewise-Linear Equivalent
Circuit
to approximate the characteristics of the
device by straight-line segments

Semiconductor diodes
Simplified Equivalent Circuit

Semiconductor diodes
Ideal Equivalent Circuit

Semiconductor diodes
Diode Specification Sheets
provided by the manufacturer

Semiconductor diodes
Transition and Diffusion
Capacitance
In the reverse-bias region we have the
transition- or depletion-region
capacitance(CT), while in the forwardbias region we have the diffusion (CD)
or strong capacitance.

Semiconductor diodes
Reverse Recovery Time
trr = ts + tt
few nanoseconds to 1s (switching
diodes)

Semiconductor diodes
Types of Diodes
Zener Diodes
Light-Emitting Diode
Diode Arrays Integrated Circuits

Semiconductor diodes
Load-Line Analysis
the applied load will normally have an
important impact on the point or region of
operation of a device
a line can be drawn on the
characteristics of the device that
represents the applied load
the intersection of the load-line with the
characteristics will determine the point of
operation of the system

semiconductor diodes
Diode Circuit and Characteristic
Curve

by KVL:

E VD VR = 0

E = V D + ID R

Semiconductor Diodes
Load-Line Analysis

Semiconductor diodes
Example: Determine VDQ and IDQ and
VR. What happens when R = 2k?

Semiconductor diodes
Answer:

Semiconductor diodes
Answer:

Semiconductor diodes
Example: Using the approximate
or simplified equivalent model.

Semiconductor diodes
Example: Using the ideal diode
model.

Semiconductor diodes
Diode Approximations

Semiconductor diodes
Series Diode Configurations with
DC Inputs
In general, a diode is in the on state if
the current established by the applied
sources is such that its direction
matches that of the arrow in the diode
symbol, and VD 0.7V for silicon and
VD 0.3V for germanium.

Semiconductor diodes
Series Configurations

Semiconductor diodes
Example: Determine VD, VR, and ID.

Semiconductor diodes
Example: Repeat previous example
with the diode reversed.

Semiconductor diodes
Example: Determine VD, VR and ID.

Semiconductor diodes
Example: Determine VO and ID.

Semiconductor diodes
Example: Determine ID, VD2 and VO.

Semiconductor diodes
Example: Determine I, V1, V2 and
VO.

Semiconductor diodes
Parallel and Series-Parallel
Configurations
Example: Determine VO, I1, ID1, ID2.

Semiconductor Diodes
Example: Determine I for the given
network.

Semiconductor Diodes
Example: Determine VO.

Semiconductor diodes
Example: Determine the currents I1,
I2, and ID2.

SW #1
Determine VO1 and VO2. Determine ID
and VO .

Semiconductor diodes
Assignment
1. Determine Vo and ID for the given
networks.

Semiconductor diodes
2. Determine VO1, VO2, and I.

Semiconductor diodes
3. Determine VO and ID.

Semiconductor diodes
4. For self-study read your reference
book to solve this problem.
Solve for VO for the following
networks.