EE1o0A Electronic Circuits I

Department of Electrical Engineering

University of California Riverside

LABORATORY # 2

Diode Circuits

Laboratory 2
EE 100 A

Objectives
Lab 2 contains three parts; objectives are to get familiar with:
1. Diode based half-wave rectifiers and their characterization;
2. Full-wave rectifiers;
3. Basic amplitude and positive half-cycle limiters with a level shift;

Equipment

PC or compatible
DMM (digital multimeter)
Oscilloscope
Function/Waveform Generator;
Power supply (+6V)
Jumper wires to connect components on solderless breadboards
Solderless breadboard (you need to bring your own)

Parts

4 each diode 1N914 (switching diode)

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

Lab 2 Diode Circuits

EE100A Electronic Circuits I
University of California - Riverside

Polarized Capacitors must be handled with great caution:

WARNING

1. Polarized capacitors must be properly connected in a circuit:

+ terminal of a cap to + terminal in the circuit, - to -.
Otherwise the cap can be permanently damaged;
2. Never touch both legs of a polarized capacitor with your
fingers after usage since it may contain a substantial amount
of charge that can electrocute you or at best burn the skin;
3. Never discharge a polarized capacitor by short-circuiting the
legs. Such a discharge will create a great amount of current
that can overheat the cap and cause an explosion (no
kidding). Since polarized capacitors contain liquid chemical
acid matter such an event may cause permanent damage to
your eyes. It is a good habit to wear safety glasses while
handling polarized capacitors;
4. Never discharge a capacitor while still in circuit;
5. In order to safely discharge a capacitor after handling,
use a high wattage low value resistor (say, 100 Ohm, 1W),
connect the resistor to the cap legs and wait for a couple of
seconds to fully discharge the cap (10-20 seconds may be
enough but it may vary, easy to compute though by RC circuit
analysis);
6. Never store (long-term storage) used polarized capacitors
without properly discharging them.

Lab 2 Diode Circuits

EE100A Electronic Circuits I
University of California - Riverside

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SPECIFICATION

PART 1. Diode Based Half-Wave Rectifiers

1.1 Theoretical Background
The diode circuit applications can be subdivided into categories shown in Figure
L1-1.

Figure L1-1.

Diode circuit applications

However in this laboratory only the first two will be practically analyzed. The
action of the half-wave recitfier circuit of Figure L1-2 a) is shown in Figure L1-2 b)-d).
Observe that if the simplest diode model is applied to the analysis of the halfwave circuit, it will demonstrate that the output voltage will follow the input
voltage exactly for positive values of the input voltage and will clip off the
negative values.

Figure L1-2.

Half-wave rectifier characterization assuming the ideal diode model behavior:

a) the half-wave rectifier circuit; b) Vin(t); c) Vout(Vin); d) Vout(t)

Mathematically speaking the relationship for the voltage transfer function can be
expressed as

Lab 2 Diode Circuits

EE100A Electronic Circuits I
University of California - Riverside

Vout (Vin ) {

(1.1)

Vin , if Vin 0 V

0, if Vin 0 V
(1.1) can be efficiently verified by applying the Load Line analysis as in Figure L1-3
where the ideal diode acts as a load for the resistor.
i
The i-v characteristic of the
ideal diode, mirrored w.r.t. the iaxis and shifted by Vin

iR = 1/R vR

solution when Vin > 0

which corresponds to Vout = Vin

v
solution when Vin < 0
which corresponds to Vout = 0

Figure L1-3.

Vin

Load Line analysis of the half-wave rectifier using the ideal diode model. Observe
that Vout follows Vin exactly when Vin > 0 and is 0 when Vin < 0

A more realistic behavior of the half-wave rectifier is obtained by applying the

0.7 diode model. Analysis leads to the results shown in Figures L1-4 and L1-5.
The i-v characteristic of the
0.7V diode model, mirrored
w.r.t. the i-axis and shifted by
Vin

i
iR = 1/R vR

solution when Vin > 0.7V

which corresponds to Vout = Vin 0.7V

v
solution when Vin < 0.7V
which corresponds to Vout = 0

Vin 0.7V

Load Line analysis of the half-wave rectifier using the 0.7V diode model. Observe
that Vout follows (Vin-0.7V) exactly when Vin > 0.7V and is 0 when Vin < 0.7V

Figure L1-4.

Lab 2 Diode Circuits

EE100A Electronic Circuits I
University of California - Riverside

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For a sinusoidal input signal, it will be transformed as shown grahically in Figure
L1-5.

Figure L1-5. Voltage signal transfer function (a), and the response to the sinusoidal input signal
(b) of the half-wave rectifier using the 0.7V diode model where VD = 0.7V. Note that the diode is
ON (conducting) only when Vin > VD.

The voltage transfer function in this case can be expressed as

(1.2)

Vout (Vin ) {

Vin 0.7 V, if Vin 0.7 V

0, if Vin 0.7 V

1.2 Schematic and Procedures

VIN
D1
VOUT
D1N914
VIN

VOFF = 0V
VAMPL = 5V
FREQ = 100Hz

R1
1k
VS1

0
0

Figure L1-6.

Half-wave circuit to be used in the experiment

Assemble the circuit schematically shown in Figure L1-6. Observe that in this
experiment the function generator is used as a power supply. In general, function
generators MUST NEVER BE USED as power supplies. Their purpose is to
generate signal (voltage) waveforms, not power. If there is a need to use them as
power supplies, the circuit must consume no more than 100 mW in the worst
case scenario when something goes terribly wrong, and no more than about 10 20 mW in routine experiments. Verify and report that in this experiment, in the
worst case scenario, the function generator will supply no more than 15 mW of
power. Otherwise the function generator may be permanently destroyed.
Lab 2 Diode Circuits
EE100A Electronic Circuits I
University of California - Riverside

7
1.3 Report

Oscilloscope observations of the half-wave circuit performance for a sawtooth input

signal of amplitude Vin,peak = 2V at f = 500 Hz. Shown are Vout (yellow) and Vin (green) as
functions of time. Observe the VP = 671 mV voltage difference between the peak voltages (equal
to the voltage drop of the diode when ON, or conducting).
Figure L1-7.

1. Using the function generator produce a sinusoidal input signal and use
two channels of the oscilloscope to observe BOTH the input voltage Vin
AND the output voltage Vout. Utilizing the oscilloscopes facilities, make a
snapshot of the monitor screen and save it as an image on a USB drive for
further analysis, and include it in your lab report;
2. Repeat the above procedure for a sawtooth input signal (not ramp);
3. Measure the difference between peak voltages Vin,peak and Vout,peak;
4. Measure the voltage Vin at which a non-zero output appears across the
output terminals.
5. Measure the time during which the diode is conducting (or in jargon
terms, is ON). What is the fraction of the period (in percents) that the
output is different from 0V?
6. Discuss observations and include theoretical analysis which supports it;
0

Vin = VS, V
Vout = VR, V
VD = Vin - Vout, V

7. Disconnect the function generator. Connect a regular (+6V) power supply

to the input Vin. Using two channels of a multimeter (front and rear), vary
the power supply voltage (Vin) in the range from 0 to 5V and record the
output voltage Vout. When done, flip the positive and negative power
Lab 2 Diode Circuits
EE100A Electronic Circuits I
University of California - Riverside

8
terminals on the breadboards power bus (whatever was a positive
terminal, connect it to the negative terminal of the power supply, and vice
versa, whatever was a negative terminal, connect it to the positive
terminal). Repeat measurements in the range from 0 to 2V using the same
+6V power supply (observe that these are negative values compared to the
previous measurement). NOTE: it is required to record the value of the
power supply voltage using the multimeter! Do not rely on the values
displayed by the power supply, they are not accurate. Double check that
both channels of the multimeter inputs are voltage inputs (not current
inputs as we had during our previous lab on the rear terminal panel of the
multimeter);
8. Plot two relationships Vout vs Vin, and (VD = Vin Vout) vs Vin. By drawing
an approximate line through the data points on the positive side of the
plot, determine the voltage Vin at which the non-zero voltage appears at
the output. Discuss the results. Where the 0.7 diode model is more
suitable at higher values of Vin or lower? Compare multimeter
measurement results with the results obtained using the oscilloscope
(explain the non-collinearity of the input/output lines in the sawtooth
input signal measurements).

Lab 2 Diode Circuits

EE100A Electronic Circuits I
University of California - Riverside

9
PART 2. Diode Based Full-Wave Rectifiers (H-Bridge Circuit)
1.1 Theoretical Background
The full-wave rectifier circuit shown in Figure L2-1 fixes the problem of loosing the
negative part of the input signal (either a lost information or a lost power). It also
finds applications in the DC electric drives where this circuit is called the HBridge circuit.

Figure L2-1.

a) Full-wave rectifier circuit, and b) its input/output characteristic

By analyzing this circuit* it can be shown that during positive half-cycles only
diodes D1 and D2 are conducting, while during negative half-cycles only D3 and
D4 are conducting. Make an important observation that during the whole time
the current is flowing in the same direction, and the resistors actual voltage
polarity (the output of the circuit, Vout) stays the same.
2.2 Schematic and Procedures
VIN

D4
D1N914

D1
D1N914
R1
+Vout
1k

VOFF = 0V
VAMPL = 5V
FREQ = 100Hz

VS1
-Vout

Figure L2-2.
*

D3
D1N914

D2
D1N914

VIN

Full-wave rectifier circuit

See textbook for a complete discussion.

Lab 2 Diode Circuits
EE100A Electronic Circuits I
University of California - Riverside

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Assemble the circuit schematically shown in Figure L2-2. Again, in this experiment
the function generator is used as a power supply. Use an input signal Vin of
frequency f = 100 Hz and voltage amplitude Vp = 5V.
2.3 Report
1. Using the function generator produce a sawtooth input signal and
individually save a snapshot of both the input voltage Vin and the output
voltage Vout. Include them in your lab report. What is the period of each
signal? Discuss it.
2. Using the oscilloscope measure the peak voltages Vin,peak and Vout,peak; and
compute the difference between them. Discuss the results.
3. Measure the voltage Vin at which a non-zero output appears across the
output terminals. Discuss the results.

Lab 2 Diode Circuits

EE100A Electronic Circuits I
University of California - Riverside

11
PART 3. Limiters
3.1 Theoretical Background
Some circuits require limiting the amplitude of an incoming signal to a specific
range, probably linearly rescaling it at the same time. Circuits performing this
function are called limiters.

Figure L3-1.

a) voltage transfer characteristic of (hard) limiters; b) sample input/output

Selected diode based limiters and their function are sketched in Figures L3-2, L3-3.

Figure L3-2.

a) simple (positive cycle) limiter; b) limiter with a level shift

Do not be misled !!! In Figure L3-2 b) VB1 is a reference voltage, not an actual power supply. A circuit
containing such a power supply would destroy the power supply. This notation is a theoretical convenience
for analysis only. A quick calculation/observation will show that such a power supply would need to
consume power in this case instead of generating it. The last experiment in this lab will demonstrate an
appropriate circuit for such purposes.
Lab 2 Diode Circuits
EE100A Electronic Circuits I
University of California - Riverside

12

Figure L3-3.

a) negative cycle limiter; b) amplitude limiter

Voltage transfer characteristics can be efficiently analyzed by applying the Load

Line analysis as in Figure L3-4.
i
i

- 0.7V

v
0.7V

v
Vin7

Vin6

- 0.7V
Vin5

0.7V
Vin4

Vin3

Vin2

Vin1

Individual i-v characteristics of a diode connected with respect to opposite polarities

and current directions, and a series of load lines for same load resistor, two diodes combined in
parallel and a variable set of input voltages. Vout follows Vin only in the range [-0.7V,0.7V] and
take extreme values (+0.7V or -0.7V) otherwise, for any R value. Current defines the choice of R.
Figure L3-4.

Lab 2 Diode Circuits

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University of California - Riverside

13
3.2 Schematic and Procedures
VIN

R1
1k
VOUT
VIN

VOFF = 0V
VAMPL = 5V
FREQ = 500Hz

D1
D1N914

VS1

D2
D1N914

Figure L3-5.

Basic amplitude limiter

VIN

R1
1k

VOUT
VREF
D1
D1N914

VIN

VREF

VS2
4V

R2
1k

R3
1k

VOFF = 0V
VAMPL = 5V
FREQ = 500Hz

VS1

Figure L3-6.

Half-cycle limiter with a reference level shift

VIN

R1
1k

VOUT
VREF
D1
D1N914

VIN

VREF

VS2
4V

Figure L3-7.

C1
100uF

VOFF = 0V
VAMPL = 5V
FREQ = 500Hz

R2
1k

R3
1k

VS1

Half-cycle limiter with a reference level shift and a bypass cap

Lab 2 Diode Circuits
EE100A Electronic Circuits I
University of California - Riverside

14
3.3 Report
1. Assemble the basic amplitude limiter shown in Figure L3-5;
2. Using the function generator produce a sawtooth input signal and use two
channels of the oscilloscope to observe BOTH the input voltage Vin AND
the output voltage Vout. Utilizing the oscilloscopes facilities, make a
snapshot of the monitor screen and save it as an image on a USB drive for
further analysis, and include it in your lab report;
3. Measure the peak voltage at the clipped off part of the output signal and
compare it with the input voltage at that point. Discuss the discrepancy
with the theory;
4. Assemble the positive half-cycle limiter shown in Figure L3-6; with a
reference voltage obtained by using the voltage divider R2, R3 from a
separate power supply source VREF.
5. Repeat procedures 2 and 3 above;
6. Discuss and explain observed results by computing the Thevenins
equivalent circuit of the active subcircuit created by VREF, R1, R2;
7. Add the bypass capacitor as shown in Figure L3-7 (observe the electrolytic
caps polarity, remembering that an arrow on the cap points toward the
negative terminal, and/or at the same time the positive terminal has a
rubber insulation while the negative terminal is inserted into an
aluminum plate);
8. Repeat procedures 2 and 3 above;
9. Why did the capacitor improve the output characteristic of the limiter?
10. Use proper procedures to safely discharge the capacitors before storing
them!!!

Presentation and Report

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

Prelab
1. Review lectures and textbook on the subject of Lab experiment.
2. Obtain the theoretical behavior of circuits in the Lab Experiments.
3. Study a procedure on how to deal with polarized, electrolytic capacitors.

Lab 2 Diode Circuits

EE100A Electronic Circuits I
University of California - Riverside