Electronic Devices and Circuits Lab Lab 7

Implementation of Clamping Circuits

OBJECTIVES

To calculate, draw, and measure the output voltage of clampers.

EQUIPMENT REQUIRED

Instruments
• Oscilloscope
• DMM
Components
Resistors
• 100-Ω
• 1-kΩ
• 100-kΩ
Diode
• Silicon
• C a p a c i t o r (1) 1µF

Supplies
• 1.5-V D cell and holder
• Function generator

EQUIPMENT ISSUED

Item Manufacturer and Model No. Lab Serial No.

DMM
Power Supply
Function
generator
Oscilloscope

RESUME OF THEORY
Clampers are designed to "clamp" an alternating input signal to a specific level without altering
the peak-to-peak characteristics of the waveform. Clampers are easily distinguished from clippers
in that they include capacitive element. A typical clamper will include a capacitor, diode, and
resistor, with some also having a DC battery. The best approach to the analysis of clampers is to
 Electronic Devices and Circuits Lab Lab 7
use a step-by-step approach. The first step should be an examination of the network for that part
of the input signal that forward biases the diode. Choosing this part of the input signal will save
time and probably avoid some unnecessary confusion. With the diode forward biased the voltage
across the capacitor and across the output terminals can be determined. For the rest of the analysis
it is then assumed that the capacitor will hold on to the charge and voltage level established during
this interval of the input signal. The next part of the input signal can then be analyzed to determine
the effect of the stored voltage across the capacitor and the open-circuit state of the diode on the
output voltage.
The analysis of a clamper can be quickly checked by simply noting whether the peak-to-peak
voltage of the output signal is the same as the peak-to-peak voltage of the applied signal. It is a
characteristic of clamper that must be satisfied

PROCEDURE

Part1Threshold Voltage

Determine the threshold voltage for the silicon diode using the diode checking capability of the
DMM or a curve tracer. If either approach is unavailable assume VT -=0.7 V.
VT=________

Part 2. Clampers (R, C, Diode Combination)

a) Construct the network of Fig. 7.1 and record the measured value of R.

Figure 7.1 Clamper Circuit

b) Using the value of V T from Part 1, calculate V C and V o for the interval of that causes
the diode to be in the "on" state.

V C (calculated) =
V O (calculated) =
c) Using the results of Part 2( b ) , calculate the level of V o after vi switches to the other
level and turns the diode "off."

V 0 (calculated) =
Electronic Devices and Circuits Lab Lab 7
d) Using the results of Parts 2( b ) and 2(c), sketch the expected waveform for V o in Fig.
7.2 for one full cycle of V i . Use the horizontal center axis as the V o = 0 V line.
Record the chosen vertical and horizontal sensitivities below:

Sketch of Vo from
calculated results:

Figure 7-2

Vertical sensitivity =______________

Horizontal sensitivity = __________
e) Using the sensitivities of Part 2( b ) , use the oscilloscope to view the output waveform v0.
Be sure to preset the V o = 0 V line on the screen using the GND position of the coupling
switch (and the DC position to view the waveform). Record the resulting waveform on Fig.
7.3.

Figure 7-3

How does the waveform of Fig. 7.3 compare with the expected waveform of Fig. 7.2?
 Electronic Devices and Circuits Lab Lab 7
f) Reverse the diode of Fig. 7.1 and, using the value of VT from Part 1, determine the levels
of VC and VO for the interval of vi that causes the diode to be in the "on" state.
VC (calculated) =
VO (calculated) =
g) Using the results of Part 2( f ) , calculate the level of VO after vi switches to the other level
and turns the diode "off."

V0 (calculated) =__________
h) Using the results of Parts 2( f ) and 2(g), sketch the expected waveform for vo on Fig. 7.4.
Use the horizontal axis as the VO = 0 V line. Record the chosen vertical and horizontal
sensitivities below:

Sketch of Vo from
Calculated response:

Figure 7-4

Vertical sensitivity =
Horizontal sensitivity = _

i) Using the sensitivities of Part 2( h ) , use the oscilloscope to view the output waveform vo. Be sure
to preset the VO = 0 V line on the screen using the GND position of the coupling switch (and the
DC position to view the waveform). Record the resulting waveform on Fig. 7.5.
 Electronic Devices and Circuits Lab Lab 7

Sketch of Vo from
measured results:

Figure 7 -5

How does the waveform of Fig. 7.5 compare with the expected waveform of Fig. 7.4?

Part 3. Clampers with a DC Battery

a) Construct the network of Fig. 7.6 and record the measured values of R and E.

Figure 7-6 Clampers with DC Battery

b) Using the value of VT from Part 1, calculate VC and VO for the interval of vi that causes the
diode to be in the "on" state.

VC (calculated) =
VO (calculated) =
c) Using the results of Part 3( b ) , calculate the level of vo after vi switches to the other level
and turns the diode "off."
 Electronic Devices and Circuits Lab Lab 7
VO (calculated) =
d) Using the results of Parts 3(b) and 3(c), sketch the expected waveform for vo on Fig. 7.7.
Use the horizontal center axis as the VO=0 V line. Record the chosen vertical and horizontal
sensitivities below:

Sketch of Vo from
calculated results:

Figure 7-7

Vertical sensitivity =
Horizontal sensitivity =

e) Using the sensitivities of Part 3( d ) , use the oscilloscope to view the output waveform VO.
Be sure to preset the VO = 0 V line on the screen using the GND position of the coupling
switch (and the DC position to view the waveform). Record the resulting waveform on Fig.
7.8.

Sketch of Vo from
measured results:

Figure 7-8
 Electronic Devices and Circuits Lab Lab 7

How does the waveform of Fig. 7.8 compare with the expected waveform of Fig. 7.7?

f) Reverse the diode of Fig. 7.6 and, using the value of VT from Part 1, calculate the levels
of VC and VO for the interval of the input voltage vi that causes the diode to be in the "on"
state.

VC (calculated) =
VO (calculated) =
g) Using the results of Part 3( f ) , calculate the level of VO after vi switches to the other level
and turns the diode "off."

VO (calculated) =
h) Using the results of Parts 3(f) and 3(g), sketch the expected waveform for vo on Fig. 7.9.
Use the horizontal center axis as the VO= 0 V line. Record the chosen vertical and horizontal
sensitivities below:

Sketch of Vo from
calculated results:

Figure 7-9

Vertical sensitivity =
Horizontal sensitivity =
i) Using the sensitivities of Part 3( h ) , use the oscilloscope to view the output waveform vo.
Be sure to preset the VO = 0 V line on the screen using the GND position of the coupling
switch (and the DC position to view the waveform). Record the resulting waveform on Fig.
7.10.
Electronic Devices and Circuits Lab Lab 7
Sketch of Vo from
measured results:

Figure 7-10

How does the waveform of Fig. 7.10 compare with the expected waveform of Fig. 7.9?

Score Card
Performance Viva Report
Maximum Marks
Obtained Marks

Instructor Signature: ___________________________

Electronic Devices and Circuits Lab Lab 7