Clippers & Clampers

Zenerdiodeapplication
 Clippers
Clippers or diode limiting is a diode network that have the ability to
clip off a portion on the i/p signal without distorting the remaining part
of the alternating waveform.
Clippers are used to eliminate amplitude noise or to fabricate new
waveforms from an existing signal.
2 general of clippers:
a) Series clippers
b) Parallel clippers

Series Clippers
The series configuration is defined as one where the diode is in series
with the load.
A half-wave rectifier is the simplest form of diode clipper-one resistor
and diode.
+ +
Vi RL Vo
- -
2
 Clipper Diode Circuit

The diode clips any voltage that does not put it in forward
bias. That would be a reverse biasing polarity and a voltage less
than 0.7V for a silicon diode.
3
 The half-wave rectifier with addition of dc supply is shown in
following figure. The cct known as biased series clipper. The dc
supply have pronounced effect on the o/p of a clipper.

Our initial discussion will be limited to ideal diode.

Vi V
Vm
+ +
t RL Vo
0 T/2 T Vi
- -

Biased series clipper

4
 V Vo
Vi
Vm
+ - Vm-V
+ +
t RL Vo
0 T/2 T Vi=Vm 0 T/2 T t
- - Vi=V (diodes change state)

+ve region turn the diode ON.

-ve region turn the diode OFF.
Vi > V to turn ON the diode
In general diode is open cct (OFF state) and short cct (ON state)
For Vi > V the Vo = Vi V
For Vi = V the Vo= 0 V
The complete cct shown above

5
 Example: Variations of the Clipper Circuit
Determine the o/p waveform for the network below:

Solution:

6
More Example:
Repeat previous example for the square-wave i/p.

Vi V=5 V
-+
20 + +
0 T/2 T
t Vi RL Vo
-10
- -

7
 Parallel Clippers
The diode connection is in parallel configuration
with the o/p.
Diode is ideal

RL

+ +
Vi Vo
-
-
8
 Changing Output Perspective
By taking the output across the diode, the output is now the
voltage when the diode is not conducting.

A DC source can also be added to change the diodes required

forward bias voltage.

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Example :
Determine the Vo and sketch the o/p waveform for
the below network
RL
Vi + +
16
Vi Vo

t -
0 T/2 T - V=4 V

-16

10
 Vi Diode state Vo
Solution: 1 ON V=Vo
+ ve region 2 ON V=Vo
3 ON V=Vo
RL
4 ON V=Vo
5 OFF Vi=Vo
+ 6 OFF Vi=Vo
+ Vo 7 OFF Vi=Vo
Vi
16 OFF Vi=Vo
- -
V=4 V
Vi
16
RL
t
+ 0 T/2 T

+ Vo
-16
Vi Vo
- - 16
V=4 V
4
t
0 T/2

11
 Solution (continued):
- ve region
Vi Diode state Vo
VRL=0A -1 ON V=Vo
-2 ON V=Vo
- +
Vo
-3 ON V=Vo
Vi id=0A
-4 ON V=Vo
+
V=4 V - -5 ON V=Vo
Vi
-6 ON V=Vo
16
-7 ON V=Vo
t
0 T/2 T

-16 -16 ON V=Vo

Vo
16

4
t
0 T/2 T

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Example :
Repeat the previous example using a silicon diode with VD=0.7 V

Solution:
RL

V D=0.7 V +
+ id=0A Vo
Vi
- V=4 V
-

Vi VD V 0
Vi V VD
4 0. 7
3 .3V

13
Solution (continued):
For i/p voltages greater than 3.3 V the diode open cct and Vo=Vi.

For i/p voltages less than 3.3 V the diode short cct and the network result
as/;
RL

+ Vo 4 0. 7
+
V D=0.7 V
3 .3V
Vi
id=0A Vo
- V=4 V
-

Vo
16

The resulting o/p waveform

3.3
t
0 T/2 T

14
Clipper Circuits Summary

15
Clipper Circuits Summary

16
 Clampers
The clamping network is to clamp a signal to a different dc level. Also
known as dc restorers. The clamping cct is often used in TV receivers as a
dc restorer.
The network consists of:
a) Capacitor
b) Diode
c) Resistive element
d) Independent dc supply (option)
The magnitude of R and C must be chosen such that the time constant
= RC is large enough to ensure that the voltage across the capacitor does
not discharge significantly during the interval the diode is nonconducting.
Our analysis basis that all capacitor is fully charge and discharge in 5
time constant.

17
V
Vi
+ +
Vi R Vo
0 T/2 T
t

-V - -

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 Operation of clamper
+ ve region
0 - T/2: Diode is ON state (short-cct
C
+ - equivalent)
+ Assume RC time is small and
capacitor charge to V volts very quickly
Vi R Vo Vo=0 V (ideal diode)
Vi
V -

0 T/2 T
t
- ve region T/2 T: Diode is OFF state (open-cct
-V equivalent)
+C - Both for the stored voltage across
V + + capacitor and applied signal current
V Vo R Vo through cathode to anode
KVL: - V- V- Vo = 0 and
- - Vo = -2V

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 Tips : Clamping network
Total swing o/p signal = the total swing i/p signal

20
Example:
Determine Vo for the network below:

Vi
f=1000 Hz
10
+ C= 1 uF +
t
0 t1 t2 t3 t4 Vi Vo
R=100 kohm
- V= 5 V -
-20
T

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Solution:
Step 1: Consider the part of i/p signal that will forward bias the
diode. From network (t1 -t2:-ve region)
Vi
f=1000 Hz
10 - Vc + +
t 20 V
0 t1 t2 t3 t4 R=100 kohm Vo
5V
-
-20
T

Step 2: During ON state assume capacitor will charge to a voltage level

determined by the network. Find the store voltage capacitor & obtained
Vo

KVL: -20 +Vc 5 = 0

Vo = 5
Vc = 25v
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 Solution (cntd):
Step 3: During OFF state assume capacitor will hold on its established
voltage level. From network (t2 -t3:+ve region)
Vi
f=1000 Hz C
10
- Vc +
+
t
0 t1 t2 t3 t4 10 V R=100 kohm Vo
5V
-
-20 KVL
T
Step 4: Obtained Vo
KVL: 10 Vc Vo 0
10 25 Vo 0
Vo 35V

Timeconstantof discharging is determined

by : RC (100 k)(1u) 100 ms
The totaldischargetimeis 5 5(100ms) 500 ms
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Solution (cntd):
Step 5: Checking!!! total swing o/p signal = total swing i/p signal
From network (t2 -t3: +ve region)

Vi Vo
f=1000 Hz
10 35

t
0 t1 t2 t3 t4

0 t1 t2 t3 t4 t
-20
T

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 Example:
Repeat the previous
example using a
germanium diode !!!

25
Summary of Clamper Circuits

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 Zener Diodes
The zener diode is a special type of diodes that is designed to
work in the reverse breakdown region.
But it also can operate in the forward bias region.
Zener diode is a main component to design voltage regulator
circuit for DC power supply.

Zener Diodes Characteristic

The I-V characteristics of a diode in Fig 3.19 shows that the
breakdown voltage of a diode is nearly constant over a wide-
range of reverse-bias currents.

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 I
Operation region:

Forward bias-operate same as

Forward normal diode
Reverse bias-small current flow
Breakdown-big current flow. This is
the region where the voltage zener is
-Vz V constant
0 0.7
For normal diode breakdown voltage is
capable to destroy the diode but with
Breakdown Reverse zener diode the current is limited by
Fig. 3.19 connecting series resistor.

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 Zener Diode

The Zener is a diode operated in reverse bias at the Zener

Voltage (Vz).
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 Vi and R fixed
Fixed DC voltage is applied in network
below, as is the load resistor.

The analysis can be determined with 2

steps.

30
Step 1:
Determine the state of zener diode by removing it from
the network and calculating the voltage across the
resulting open cct.

+ Iz
Vi RLVi
Vz RL
V VL
- Pzm R RL

Fig 3.20: Basic zener regulator

V Vz Zener diodeON : VR Vi - Vz
R + +
Vi
V VL RL RVi
V Vz Zener diodeOFF : VR
- - R RL

Fig 3.21: Determining the state of

the zener diode

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Step 2:
Subtitute the appropriate equivalent cct and solve for the
desired unknowns.
The ON state will obtained the equivalent cct in
Fig below IR
R
IZ IL
Vi
+ +
VZ RL
VL
PZM
-
-
Fig 3.22
KCL : IR IZ IL IZ IR IL
VL VR Vi VL
where IL and IR
RL R R
Power dissipatedby zener Pz VzIz
whichPz P ZM specifiedfor the device
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Example:
a) Determine VL, VR, IZ and PZ in the network below.
b) Repeat part (a) with RL=3 k

+ VR
-
R=1 k ohm + IZ
Vi +
RL
VZ =10 V 1.2 kohm VL
-
PZM=30 mW -

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Solution:
Step 1: Remove zener diode & obtained the zener state
IR I

R=1 k ohm + IZ
+
V RL 1.2 kohm VL Forward
Vi=16 V -
-

RLVi 1 .2 k 16
V 8 .73V -Vz V
R RL 1k 1.2 k 10 0 0.7
V Vz diodeis OFF state (open cct)
8.73
Breakdown Reverse
V L V 8.73V Fig. 3.19

V R Vi - VL 16 - 8.73 7.27V
Iz 0A Resulting operating point
Pz VzIz 0 W
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Repeat part (a) with RL=3 k

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 Fixed Vi, Variable RL
For an offset Vz a specific range of resistor values need
to be choose to ensure zener diode is ON state.
Too small a load resistance will cause VL < Vz - diode is
OFF state.
Thus the minimum load resistance in previous example
need to be calculate. This can be expressed by the
equation below:
RVz
RL min
Vi Vz
RL > RLmin zener diode is ON state diode can replaced
by Vz source equivalent

36
With RL changes the IL also changes. The table below
described relationship between RL ,IL, IR

Vz
IL max IR ILmax Izmin
RL min

Vz
IL min IR ILmin Izmax
RL max

Notes: Izmax = Izm

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Example:
a) For the network below, determine the range of RL and IL
that will result in VRL being maintained at 10 V.
b) Determine the maximum wattage rating of the diode.

IR
IL
+ R=1 k ohm IZ
Vi=50 V Vz=10 V
RL
- Izm = 32 mA

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Solution:(a)

R Lmin
RVz

1k 10 10k
250
Vi - Vz 50 10 40
V R 40
IR 40 mA
R 1k
ILmin IR - Izmax 40 m - 32 m 8 mA
Vz 10
R Lmax 1.25 k
ILmin 8m

The RL range : 250 RL 1.25 k

Solution: (b)

Pzmax VzIzmax 10 32 m 320 mW

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 Fixed RL, Variable Vi
For a fixed values of RL in the network below, Vi must
be sufficiently LARGE to turn zener diode ON.
The minimum turn-ON voltage Vi=Vimin is expressed
by :
RLVi
V L Vz
RL R
Vimin
RL R Vz
RL

R
+ Iz
Vi
Vz RL
- Pzm
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 The maximum value of Vi is limited by the maximum
zener current, Izmax, thus

IRmax Izmax IL

IL is fixed at Vz/RL and Izmax is the maximum value so

the maximum value of Vi is expressed below:

Vi max IR max R Vz

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Example:
Determine the range of values of Vi that will maintain the
zener diode of network below:

IR
IL
+ R=220 ohm IZ +
Vi Vz=20 V RL=1.2k ohm VL
Izm = 60 mA
- -
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Solution:
IR
IL
+ R=220 ohm IZ +
Vi Vz=20 V RL=1.2k ohm VL
Izm = 60 mA
- -
Equivalent cct in the ON state

Vimin
R R Vz 1200 220 20
L
23.67 V
RL 1200
VL Vz 20
IL 16.67 mA
RL RL 1200
IRMax Izmax IL 60m 16.67m 76.67 mA
Vimax IR max R Vz 76.67 m 220 20 36. 87V

The range of Vi : 23.67 V Vi 36.87 V

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44
Practical Applications of Diode Circuits

RectifierCircuits
Conversions of AC to DC for DC operated circuits
Battery Charging Circuits

SimpleDiodeCircuits
Protective Circuits against Overcurrent
Polarity Reversal Currents caused by an inductive
kick in a relay circuit

ZenerCircuits
Overvoltage Protection
Setting Reference Voltages

45
Example:

Determine Vo for the network below:

 Solution:
(a) For negative half cycle capacitor charges to peak value of 120 V 0.7
V = 119.3 V with polarity . The output vo is directly across
the on diode resulting in
vo = 0.7 V as a negative peak value.

For next positive half cycle vo = vi + 119.3 V with peak value of

vo = 120 V + 119.3 V = 239.3 V.
(b) For positive half cycle capacitor charges to peak value of 120 V 20
V 0.7 V = 99.3 V with polarity .

The output vo = 20 V + 0.7 V = 20.7 V

For next negative half cycle vo = vi 99.3 V with negative peak value of
vo = 120 V 99.3 V = 219.3 V.

Using the ideal diode approximation the vertical shift of part (a) would be
120 V rather than 119.3 V and 100 V rather than 99.3 V for part (b). Using
the ideal diode
approximation would certainly be appropriate in this case.
2. For the network
a. Calculate 5t .
b. Compare 5t to half the period of the applied signal.
c. Sketch v o .
 Solution:

(a) = RC = (56 k)(0.1 F) = 5.6 ms

5 = 28 ms

(b) 5 = 28 ms >> T/2 = 1 ms /2 = 0.5 ms, 56:1

(c) Positive pulse of vi:

Diode on and vo = 2 V + 0.7 V = 1.3 V
Capacitor charges to 12 V + 2 V 0.7 V = 13.3 V
Negative pulse of vi:
Diode off and vo = 12 V 13.3 V = 25.3 V
3. Sketch i R and v o for the network in Fig. for the input shown.
 Solution:

For the positive region of vi:

The right Si diode is reverse-biased.
The left Si diode is on for levels of vi greater than
5.3 V + 0.7 V = 6 V.
In fact, vo = 6 V for vi 6 V.
For vi < 6 V both diodes are reverse-biased and vo = vi.
For the negative region of vi:
The left Si diode is reverse-biased.

The right Si diode is on for levels of vi more negative than 7.3 V +

0.7 V = 8 V. Infact, vo = 8 V for vi 8 V.

For vi > 8 V both diodes are reverse-biased and vo = vi.

iR: For 8 V < vi < 6 V there is no
conduction through the 10 k resistor due to
the lack of a complete circuit.
Therefore, iR = 0 mA.

For vi 6 V
vR = vi vo = vi 6 V
For vi = 10 V, vR = 10 V 6 V = 4 V
and iR =

For vi 8 V
vR = vi vo = vi + 8 V
For vi = 10 V
vR = 10 V + 8 V = 2 V
and iR =
Example:

Determine Vo for the network below:

 (a) Diode on for vi 4.7 V
For vi > 4.7 V, Vo = 4 V + 0.7 V = 4.7 V
For vi < 4.7 V, diode off and vo = vi

(b) Again, diode on for vi 4.7 V but vo

now defined as the voltage across the diode
For vi 4.7 V, vo = 0.7 V
For vi < 4.7 V, diode off, ID = IR = 0 mA and
V2.2 k = IR = (0 mA)R = 0 V
Therefore, vo = vi 4 V
At vi = 0 V, vo = 4 V
vi = 8 V, vo = 8 V 4 V = 12 V