zmir University of Economics CE 206 Introduction to Electronics Circuits Lab

EXPERIMENT 2
Semiconductor Diodes and Diode Circuits A. Background
When n-type and p-type semiconductors are implemented side by side to form a pn junction, a semiconductor diode is obtained. pn-junction shows diode behaviour, allowing the current flow in one direction. The p-region is so called anode where the forward currents enters. The terminal through which forward current leaves the diode is called cathode (Fig. 2.1). p
Anode

n
Cathode

iD + vD -

Fig. 2.1. Semiconductor diode

The relationship between iD and vD for a semiconductor diode is given as:

iD = I

where IS is the reverse saturation current and VT is given as

VT = kT q
where k = Boltzmanns constant = 1.38 x 10-23 joules/Kelvin T = the absolute temperature in Kelvin q = the magnitude of electronic charge = 1.602 x 10-19 coulomb. n = a constant depending on temperature, physical structure and materials At room temperature (3000K), VT = 26 mV and assuming n as 1, the i-v characteristics of the diode is expressed as

iD = I

A typical iD vD plot for IS = 10 pA = 10-11 A and VT = 26 mV is given in Fig. 2.2.

12 10 8 6 4 2 0 -1 -0.8 -0.6 -0.4 -0.2 0 0.2 0.4 0.6

iD, A

v ,V 0.8 D

Fig. 2.2. i-v Characteristics of a Semiconductor Diode 2-1

B. Preliminary Work
1. Half-wave Rectifier: Consider the half-wave rectifier given in Fig. 2.3. Assume the diode is a semiconductor diode with the i-v characteristics as approximated below (Turn-on voltage V=0.7 V). Plot the input and output voltage waveforms on Fig. 2.4.

D
+

iD, A V=0.7V vD, V

vS
10V p-p 100 Hz

RL
1 k

vL -

Fig. 2.3. Half-wave Rectifier

Fig. 2.4. Input and Output Voltage Waveforms at Half-wave Rectifier

2. What are the DC (average) values of the input and output signals? vS(DC) = .. V vL(DC) = .. V

3. Half-wave Rectifier with Filter: Assume a capacitor is added to the output of the halfwave rectifier as shown in Fig. 2.5. Assume the diode is a semiconductor diode as given in Fig. 2.2, plot the input and output voltage waveforms on Fig. 2.6.

D
+

vS
10V p-p 100 Hz

RL
1 k

C
100 F

vL -

Fig. 2.5. Half-wave Rectifier with Filter

2-2

Fig. 2.6. Input and Output Voltage Waveforms at Half-wave Rectifier with filter

4. What are the DC (average) values of the input and output signals. vS(DC) = .. V vL(DC) = .. V

5. Compare these results with those obtained in Q2.

6. Diode Clamper: Consider the diode clamper circuit given in Fig. 2.7. Assume the diode is a semiconductor diode as given in Fig. 2.2., plot the input and output voltage waveforms on Fig. 2.8.

C
+

vS
10V p-p 100 Hz

vO -

Fig. 2.7. Diode Clamper

2-3

Fig. 2.8 Input and Output Voltage Waveforms at Diode Clamper

7. What happens if reverse the direction of the diode is reversed?

2-4

C. Experimental Work
C.1. Diode Testing and Measurement of Turn-on Voltage
1. Set your digital multimeter to diode measurement mode ( ) (Fig. 2.9)

Turn-on voltage: V = .. V...

Fig. 2.9 Diode testing using digital multimeter

Measure the turn-on (cut-in voltage) for the forward biased case and fill-in the above box. 2. Set up the following circuit (Fig. 2.10). Write the diode number you used. Measure the voltage over 1 k resistor, which is proportional to diode current ID. Also measure VD. Fill in the following table. Plot ID vs VD.

V
+ VD D 0-10V 1 k

+
VR

Diode Type: ..
Fig. 2.10

VR (V) 0 0.25 0.5 0.75 1 2 3 4 5 6

ID (mA)

VD (V)

Fig. 2.11 2-5

C.2. Diode Characteristics

3. Set up the circuit given below (Fig. 2.12). vS is the input from Function Generator available on the Experiment Bench.

R1 vS
10V p-p 100 Hz 220 330

D R2

ID

10

+ vD + vR2 -

CH1

CH2

Fig. 2.12

Adjust the origin to a midpoint on the monitor and set your oscilloscope to XY mode. (CH2 is observed on X-axis and CH1 is at Y-axis). Observe the i-v characteristics and plot the I-V characteristics below. Express the vertical sensitivity in mA/div. CH1 Freq . CH1 pk-pk CH2 pk-pk

CH1 CH2: M Vertical sensitivity: . mA/div

Fig. 2.13

Verified by

4.

In these measurement the following approximation is assumed in the measurements. The voltage v1 measured at CH1

v1 = vD + vR2 = vD + iD RL2 = vD if iD RL2 << vD

What is the maximum error introduced?

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C.3. Half-wave Rectifier

5. Set up the circuit given below (Fig. 2.14) where vS is the input from Function Generator available on the Experiment Bench.
CH1

D
CH2

vS
10V p-p 100 Hz

RL
1 k

vL -

Fig. 2.14

Adjust the zero voltages of both channels to the same level. Plot the voltage waveforms vS and vL below on Fig. 2.15. CH1 Freq . CH1 pk-pk CH2 pk-pk Verified by

CH1 CH2: M
Fig. 2.15

6.

Now measure the input voltage and output voltages using the digital multimeter set at DC voltage measurement VDC (
V

). VS,DC = . V VS,DC = . V

VS,peak = ...... V VS,peak = ...... V

Can you theoretically explain these measurements?

2-7

7.

Now add a capacitor to the output of the half-wave rectifier (Fig. 2.16). (Be careful with the polarity of the capacitor. For large capacitors in the range of Fs, the capacitors has polarity for the charge to be accumulated over it).
CH1

D
+
CH2

vS
10V p-p 100 Hz

R
1 k

100 F -

vL -

Fig. 2.16

Adjust the zero voltages of both channels to the same level. Plot the voltage waveforms vS and vL below on Fig. 2.15. CH1 Freq . CH1 pk-pk CH2 pk-pk Verified by

CH1 CH2: M
Fig. 2.17

8.

Measure the ripple voltage at the output. Measure also the input voltage and output voltages using the digital multimeter set at DC voltage measurement VDC. Vripple,peak-peak = ...... V VS,peak = ...... V VS,peak = ...... V VS,DC = . V VS,DC = . V

Can you theoretically explain these measurements?

2-8

C.3. Diode Clamper

9. Construct the diode clamper circuit given in Fig. 2.18.
CH1

C
+ 33 F

CH2

vS
10V p-p 100 Hz

vO -

Fig. 2.18

Adjust the zero voltages of both channels to the same level. Plot the voltage waveforms vS and vL below on Fig. 2.15. CH1 Freq . CH1 pk-pk CH2 pk-pk Verified by

CH1 CH2: M
Fig. 2.19

10. What is the voltage at which positive peaks are clamped?

11. What is the relationship between this peak voltage and the diode turn-on voltage?

12. What happens if we reverse the polarity of the diode?

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C.4. LED Circuits

13. Construct the circuit given below. Measure the voltage drop VD over the diode and calculate the current ID. VDD = 5V RL VD LED ID

RD (k) 1 10
Fig. 2.20

VD (V)

ID (mA)

14. Now reverse the direction of the LED diode. Measure the voltage drop VD over the diode and calculate the current ID. VDD = 5V RL VD LED ID

RD (k) 1

VD (V)

ID (mA)

Fig. 2.21

Comment on the results you obtained above.

2-10

15. Construct the following logic gate (Fig. 2.22) using any two color LED diodes.

VA DA VB DB RL
220

+ VY -

Fig. 2.22

Complete the following voltage truth table. VA (volt) 0 0 5 5 VA (volt) 0 5 0 5 State of DA (On/Off) State of DA (On/Off) VY (volt)

Now complete the following logic truth table. A 0 0 1 1 B 0 1 0 1 Y

Discuss the voltage ranges you assumed for logic levels and the type of the above logic gate.

2-11

16. Construct the following logic gate (Fig. 2.23) using any two color LED diodes.

5V RL
220

VA DA VB DB
+ VY Fig. 2.23

Complete the following voltage truth table. VA (volt) 0 0 5 5 VA (volt) 0 5 0 5 State of DA (On/Off) State of DA (On/Off) VY (volt)

Now complete the following logic truth table. A 0 0 1 1 B 0 1 0 1 Y

Discuss the voltage ranges you assumed for logic levels and the type of the above logic gate.

2-12