LABORATORY 3

EXAMINE I-V CHARACTERISTIC OF DIODE

OBJECTIVES:
✔ Know how to use Analog Discovery Studio Kit and Software Lab Instrument.

✔ Understand the I-V characteristic of diodes.

PREPARATION:
✔ Understand LAB0 and get the prelab done before coming to the LAB session.

EXPERIMENT 1:
OBJECTIVES:
In this lab assignment, we will examine I-V characteristics of a device having P-N
junction - diode in forward bias. With data collected from this experiment, we will draw I-
V characteristics and determine forward voltage.

PROCEDURES:
✔ Construct the circuit shown in Fig. 1, using a diode in a box and R = 330Ω. (As

always, measure the actual resistance value). The practical value of R is 328.Ω.

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Laboratory Intro to ECE Department of Electronics
 LABORATORY 3
EXAMINE I-V CHARACTERISTIC OF DIODE

Fig 1: Circuit for examining diode in forward bias.

✔ Use power supplies on Analog Discovery Software and Kit to supply and control DC

voltage for the circuit. Then use voltmeter function to collect voltage data of V Diode and
VR.

CHECK:

✔ How to calculate IR from VR? Write down a function to calculate IR?

VR = iRR (Ohm’s Law)

IR = ID = Is(eVD/nVt)

✔ Change Vsource (VS) and fill Table 1.

Table 1: Value table of examining diode in forward bias

Vs (V) 0 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5
VD (V) 0 0.589 0.6 0.623 0.650 0.661 0.669 0.675 0.680 0.69

VR (V) 0 0.333 0.620 1.197 1.625 2.15 2.6 3.075 3.545 4.05

IR (A) 0 0.00103 0.0028 0.0036 0.00445 0.006 0.00735 0.00915 0.01057 0.012

Vs (V) 5.5 6 6.5 7.0 7.5 8 8.5 9 9.5 10

VD (V) 0.697 0.698 0.703 0.706 0.707 0.713 0.718 0.719 0.721 0.722

VR (V) 4.47 5.15 5.35 6.01 6.35 7.1 7.45 7.59 8.09 8.97

IR (A) 0.01378 0.01503 0.01722 0.0181 0.01955 0.0218 0.02362 0.02425 0.02645 0.02820

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Laboratory Intro to ECE Department of Electronics
 LABORATORY 3
EXAMINE I-V CHARACTERISTIC OF DIODE
✔ From measured data in table 1, sketch I-V characteristics of diodes in forward

bias.

From I-V characteristics, find forward voltage and explain how to find this
value?

Forward voltage is the on voltage (V ON), the threshold voltage that marks the initiation of
a sharp increase in current. On the IV characteristics graph, the x-axis represents the
voltage, and the y-axis represents the current. Initially, the current remains near zero as
the voltage increases up to the threshold. At the forward voltage threshold, the curve
sharply rises, indicating that the diode has begun to conduct current efficiently. This
point on the x-axis where this sharp increase begins is the forward voltage of the diode.

From the graph of the IV characteristic curve above, the current of the diode starts to
increase sharply after the diode’s voltage reaches 0.7 volts. Therefore, the forward
voltage of the rectifier diode is approximately 0.7 Volts.

EXPERIMENT 2:
OBJECTIVES:
Similar to experiment 1. We will examine I-V characteristics of another device having P-
N junction (LED) in forward bias. With data collected from this experiment, we will draw
I-V characteristics and determine forward voltage.

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EXAMINE I-V CHARACTERISTIC OF DIODE
PROCEDURES:

✔ Repeat experiment 1 with a LED chosen from the box.

✔ Check what pin is anode and cathode, then construct the circuit.

CHECK:

✔ Withs LEDs, which PIN is anode and which PIN is cathode? Giving 2 ways to

recognize ? Sketch LED if necessary?

In LEDs, the anode is the positive terminal, while the cathode is the negative terminal.
There are two main ways to recognize which pin is which. First, the length of the pins
can indicate the polarity: the longer pin is typically the anode (positive), and the shorter
pin is usually the cathode (negative). This is a quick and straightforward method when
the LED pins are intact and haven’t been trimmed. Another way to identify the terminals
is by looking at the LED’s base, where there’s often a small flat edge or notch. This flat
edge marks the cathode side, while the opposite rounded side is near the anode. These
visual indicators – pin length and the flat edge – provide reliable ways to determine the
LED’s polarity, which is crucial for proper installation in a circuit.

✔ Change Vsource (VS) and fill Table 2.

Table 2: Value table of examining led in forward bias

Vs (V) 0 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5

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EXAMINE I-V CHARACTERISTIC OF DIODE
VD (V) 0 0.989 1.489 1.817 1.888 1.93 1.963 1.985 1.994 2.022

VR (V) 0 0.0003 0.0004 0.126 0.497 0.899 1.306 1.755 2.1187 2.506
0.00000 0.000001 0.00003 0.00028 0.00066 0.00072
IR (A) 0 011 5 9
0.000151
2
0.000416 0.00052
7 5

Vs (V) 5.5 6 6.5 7.0 7.5 8 8.5 9 9.5 10

VD (V) 2.06 2.093 2.113 2.126 2.133 2.169 2.184 2.21 2.23 2.24
VR (V) 3.002 3.531 4.18 4.44 4.6 5.3 5.8 6.41 6.64 7.12
0.0010 0.0012 0.00131 0.00147 0.0016 0.00177 0.0019 0.00209 0.0022
IR (A) 5
0.00116
22 7 1 25 7 64 50 39

✔ From measured data in table 2, sketch I-V characteristics of LED in forward

bias.

✔ From I-V characteristics, find forward voltage and explain how to find this

value?

The forward voltage of the LED diode is approximately 1.5 as demonstrated in the I-V
characteristics. Specifically, the increase of the diode’s current after diode’s voltage
reaches 1.5 increases very sharply

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EXAMINE I-V CHARACTERISTIC OF DIODE
✔ Is LED the same as diode? If not, explain?

An LED (Light Emitting Diode) is technically a type of diode, but it differs

significantly from standard diodes in both purpose and properties. While both LEDs and
regular diodes allow current to flow in only one direction, a standard diode’s primary
function is to control and direct current, often being used in applications like rectification,
voltage regulation, or circuit protection. These diodes are typically made from
semiconductor materials such as silicon or germanium, which are effective for current
control but do not emit light. In contrast, LEDs are designed specifically to emit light
when current flows through them, thanks to a process called electroluminescence. They
are made from unique semiconductor materials, such as gallium arsenide or gallium
phosphide, which release photons (light particles) when energized, making LEDs useful
for indicators or lighting applications. Additionally, LEDs usually have a higher forward
voltage requirement—ranging from 1.8V to 3.3V or more depending on their color and
type—whereas standard silicon diodes have a forward voltage around 0.7V, reflecting
the additional energy needed for light emission. Thus, while LEDs are indeed a type of
diode, their unique construction and ability to emit light set them apart from standard
diodes designed purely for controlling current flow.

EXPERIMENT 3:
OBJECTIVES:
In this lab assignment, we will examine I-V characteristics of diode in reverse bias.

PROCEDURES:
✔ Construct the circuit shown in Fig. 3, using a diode in a box and R = 330Ω. (As

always, measure the actual resistance value). The practical value of R is 328Ω.

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EXAMINE I-V CHARACTERISTIC OF DIODE

Fig 3: Circuit for examining diode in reverse bias.

✔ Use power supplies on Analog Discovery Software and Kit to supply and control DC

voltage for the circuit. Then use the voltmeter function to collect voltage data of V Diode
and VR.

CHECK:

✔ How to calculate ID using measured data ? Write down a function to calculate

ID?

The current of diode ID = Is(eVD/nVt)

✔ Change Vsource (VS) and fill Table 3.

Table 3: Value table of examining diode in reverse bias

Vs (V) 0 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5 6
0.99 1.98 2.97 3.96 5.96
VD (V) 0 1.489 2.473 3.470 4.47 4.96
8 9 3 0
VR (V) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
ID (A) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

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 LABORATORY 3
EXAMINE I-V CHARACTERISTIC OF DIODE
✔ From measured data in table 3, sketch I-V characteristics of diodes in reverse

bias.

✔ From I-V characteristics, find reverse current I D and explain how to find this

value?

The current of the diode is equivalent to 0 because the reverse-biased rectifier diode
does not conduct currents.

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 LABORATORY 3
EXAMINE I-V CHARACTERISTIC OF DIODE
✔ Using data from table 1 and 3, sketch full I-V characteristics of diode.

✔ EXPERIMENT 4:

OBJECTIVES:
In this lab assignment, we will examine full I-V characteristics of zenner.

PROCEDURES:

Fig 4: Circuit for examining zenner in forward bias.

✔ Construct the circuit shown in Fig. 4, using a zenner in a box and R = 330Ω. (As

always, measure the actual resistance value). The practical value of R is 327Ω.

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Laboratory Intro to ECE Department of Electronics
 LABORATORY 3
EXAMINE I-V CHARACTERISTIC OF DIODE
✔ Use power supplies on Analog Discovery Software and Kit to supply and control DC

voltage for the circuit. Then use voltmeter function to collect voltage data of V Zenner and
VR. Fill table 4.

Fig 5: Circuit for examining zenner in reverse bias.

✔ After that, construct the circuit shown in Fig. 5 by exchange anode and cathode of

zenner. Repeat changing DC voltage and collecting data in table 5.

CHECK:

✔ Change Vsource (VS) and fill Table 4.

Table 4: Value table of examining zener in forward bias

Vs (V) 0 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5
VD (V) 0 0.679 0.722 0.733 0.743 0.755 0.762 0.764 0.768 0.773
VR (V) 0 0.222 0.301 0.915 1.569 1.98 2.497 2.878 3.386 3.925
0.0007 0.00186 0.0061 0.0089 0.0106 0.0122
IR (A) 0 2 1
0.0031 0.00436
8
0.00756
6 1 1

Vs (V) 5.5 6 6.5 7.0 7.5 8 8.5 9 9.5 10

VD (V) 0.776 0.780 0.784 0.785 0.786 0.79 0.792 0.794 0.795 0.797
VR (V) 4.235 5.14 5.6 6.06 6.42 7.03 8.04 8.54 8.57 8.92
0.0156 0.0186 0.0201 0.0208 0.0225 0.0238 0.0250 0.0268
IR (A) 0.014
3
0.017
3 7 5 0 5 2 2

✔ Change Vsource (VS) and fill Table 5.

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EXAMINE I-V CHARACTERISTIC OF DIODE
Table 5: Value table of examining zener in reverse bias
Vs (V) 0 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5
VD (V) 0 0.988 1.490 1.990 2.474 2.972 3.471 3.969 4.47 4.96
VR 0.0007 0.002
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
(mV) V 9V
0.0000 0.000
IR (mA) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
024 0095

Vs (V) 5.5 6 6.5 7.0 7.5 8 8.5 9 9.5 10

VD (V) 5.44 5.51 5.52 5.53 5.545 5.56 5.57 5.59 5.6 5.6
0.027 0.645 2.001 3.005 3.866
VR (V) V
0.32 V
V
1.15V 1.65V
V
2.488V
V
3.423V
V
0.0000 0.0013 0.0026 0.0040 0.0052 0.0065 0.0081 0.0096 0.0011 0.0125
IR (A) 82 3A 8A 5A 6A 7A 6A 6A 07 A 3A

✔ From measured data in table 4 and 5, sketch full I-V characteristics of zener.

FORWARD-BIASED DIODE REVERSE-BIASED DIODE

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EXAMINE I-V CHARACTERISTIC OF DIODE

✔ From these I-V characteristics, compare with I-V characteristics of diode?

the forward diode have an exponential growth compare to the slow growth of the
reverse biased diode

✔ From these I-V characteristics, find Vzenner in reverse bias. The value of current

through zener has a range?

The value of Vzener is -5.8 volts

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EXAMINE I-V CHARACTERISTIC OF DIODE

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EXAMINE I-V CHARACTERISTIC OF DIODE

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