Diode Fundamentals and Biasing

DIODE Fundamentals and Biasing
Engr. Roselito E. Tolentino

Topics
• Diode Definition
• Junction Diode
• Junction Diode Construction and Symbol
• Diode Operation and Biasing
• Diode Characteristic Curve
• Diode Equivalent Circuit
• Examples
Diode Definition
• Came from two word di and ode, di means two
and ode means terminal
• A devices which primary function is to direct the
flow of current in to one direction.
• a two terminal device used to direct flow of
electrons in one direction.
• A semiconductor diode is formed by bringing
both the N-type and P-type materials together
• Two semiconductor material with one Junction
Junction Diode Construction
Anode (A) Cathode (K)
P N
Junction Diode Construction
P N
AnodeDiode
Junction Lead
Symbol
P N
A K
Junction Diode Operation and Biasing
• Biasing - refers to a fixed voltage that sets the
operating conditions for a semiconductor
device.
• Biasing Types
– Unbias - in the absence of an applied bias voltage
the net flow of charge in any one direction for a
semiconductor diode is zero.
– Forward Bias - biasing condition that permits
current across a pn junction
– Reverse Bias - is the condition that prevents
current across the pn junction
Biasing - Unbias
• It has no bias, the applied voltage is zero. Therefore, no
current passes through the diode.
n p
Biasing - Forward Bias
n p
• The positive supply pumps more holes into the p-
region and the negative terminal pumps electrons
into the n-region.
• The excess of charge in p and n region will apply
pressure on the depletion region and will make it
shrink.
• As the voltage increases the depletion layer will
become thinner and thinner and hence diode will
offer lesser and lesser resistance.
• Since the resistance decreases the current will
increase (though not proportional) to the voltage.
• At voltage level called the THRESHOLD
VOLTAGE (VTH) the depletion layer disappears,
then the diode starts to conduct easily.
• From this point on the diode current increases
exponentially to the voltage applied.
Biasing - Reverse Bias
n p
• In this condition the holes in P-type gets filled
by electrons from the supply.
• The electrons in N-type material is sucked out
of the diode by the positive terminal of the
battery. So the diode gets depleted of charge.
• The resistance offered by the diode is very
huge causing almost no current flow.
• The current that exists under this condition is
called REVERSE SATURATION CURRENT (Is).
• When reverse biased, the depletion region
layer is very large. The diode’s strong positive
and negative polarities create capacitance CT.
The amount of capacitance depends on reverse voltage applied.

Diode Characteristic Curve
• Shockley diode equation
Important Facts
• Reverse Recovery Time (trr) – the time
required for a diode to stop conducting when
switched from forward biased to reverse bias.
• Temperature Effect:
Diode Model - Equivalent Circuit
• Model is an equivalent circuit representation
of a device that is properly chosen that best
describes the response of a device in a circuit.
• We create models for electronics device
because electronic device are non-linear.
Diode Model - Equivalent Circuit
Diode Model – Ideal
Diode Model – Simplified
• Threshold Voltage – voltage level that the

diode needs to overcome to conduct
Semiconductor VTH
Ge 0.3V
Si 0.7V
Diode Model – Piece-wise
Diode Resistance Level
Diode Model – Example 1
• Find VD (Using ideal, simplified and

piecewise model)
VD
1KΩ
5V Si
• Solution:
VD
1KΩ
5V REVERSE BIAS
(open switch)
• Find VD (Using ideal, simplified and

piecewise model)
VD
Ge
5V 1KΩ
• Solution
A. Ideal: VD C. Piecewise:
5V 1KΩ VD
0.3V 20Ω
5V
1KΩ
B. Simplified: VD
0.3V
5V 1KΩ
• Find VO (Using ideal,simplified model)

1KΩ 3KΩ
VO
10V Si 4KΩ
• Solution
A. Ideal:
1KΩ 3KΩ
B. Simplified:
VD
10V 4KΩ
0.7V
• Find the voltage across the 3 Kohm resistor
• Solution
• Find I
Use simplified model

• Solution:
I

• Solution:
• Find Vo

• Solution

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DIODE Fundamentals and Biasing

Engr. Roselito E. Tolentino

Anode (A) Cathode (K)

The amount of capacitance depends on reverse voltage applied.

• Threshold Voltage – voltage level that the

• Find VD (Using ideal, simplified and

• Find VD (Using ideal, simplified and

• Find VO (Using ideal,simplified model)

Use simplified model

Use simplified model

Use simplified model

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