MALVINO

Electronic
PRINCIPLES
SIXTH EDITION
Special-Purpose
Diodes

Chapter 5
 -VZ (Volts)
6 4 2 0

20
40
60
VZ -IZ (mA)
80
100
120
140

Graph of zener current versus voltage

 A zener diode voltage regulator

RS

Power VS
RL
VZ
supply

This circuit will regulate when the Thevenin voltage

facing the zener diode is greater than the zener voltage.

RL
VTH = V
RS + RL S
 RS

Power VS
RL
VZ
supply

Assuming the zener is conducting:

VS - VZ VZ
IS = IL = IZ = I S - IL
RS RL
 A zener waveshaping circuit

Power RL
supply

VZ + 0.7 V

-VZ - 0.7 V
 Power RZ
Zener diode
supply
second approximation
VZ
 Applying the second approximation

RS
RZ
Power VS
RL
supply
VZ

The deviation in load voltage from the ideal case:

DVL = IZRZ
 The zener regulator also reduces ripple

RS
RZ
Power VR(in)
RL
supply
VZ

Assuming that both RL and RS >> RZ:

RZ
VR(out) @ VR(in)
RS
 Zener diode ratings
• Maximum power = PZ(max) = VZIZ(max)
• Available tolerances: 20, 10 and 5 percent
• Zener resistance, RZT, increases at the
knee of the characteristic curve
• A derating factor such as 3.2 mW per
degree for temperatures above 50 degrees
Celsius is typical.
 V
1 kW
-30 -20 -10 0
RS
Q1
VS -10
mA
Q2
-20
30 V
VS = 20 V
-30

What happens to VZ when VS varies from 20 to 30 volts?

Load lines provide a graphical solution.
 RS

Power VS
supply Light-emitting diode

VS - VD
IS =
RS

The typical voltage drop for most LEDs is from 1.5 to 2.5 V.
 RS

Power VS
supply Photodiode

Photodiodes are reverse biased and

conduct in the presence of light.
 R1 R2

Signal V1 V2 Power
source supply

Optocoupler combines an LED and a photodiode.

 High-frequency V
in
rectification

Charge storage can

Vin Vout cause poor performance
at high frequencies.

Vout
Tails
 Hot-carrier Vin
rectifier

Schottky diodes eliminate

Vin Vout tails at high frequencies.

Vout
 Less reverse bias
(more capacitance)

More reverse bias

(less capacitance)

Varactor symbol
 A varistor diode can be used to protect
line-operated equipment from voltage surges.
 RS

Power VS
supply Current-regulator diode

RS can vary over a wide range and the current stays the same.
 Other diode types
• Laser: emits coherent light
• Step-recovery: snaps off when reverse
biased
• Back: conducts better when reverse
biased
• Tunnel: has a negative resistance region
 Other diode applications
• Laser: CD players, communications
• Step-recovery: Frequency multipliers
• Back: Small-signal rectifiers
• Tunnel: High-frequency oscillators