Experiment No.

SEMICONDUCTOR DIODE

Course: ECE201A Section: CPE21S3

Group No.: 3 Date Performed: 10/04/22

Group Members: Joshua Bejo, Zinitchi Mora Date Submitted: 10/08/22

Charles Reta, Christian Roldan, Jobert Soriano Instructor: Prof. Shiela Valondo

1. Objective(s):

To examine the semiconductor diode circuit operation.

2. Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs):

The students shall be able to:

1. Identify the anode and cathode of an actual of semiconductor diode.
2. Test on the biasing characteristics of semiconductor diode.
3. Articulate the voltage and current characteristics of diode.

3. Discussion:

A semiconductor diode is formed by joining a piece of P-type material to a piece of N-type material.
The N-type semiconductor is represented by the short, straight line in the symbol, and is called the
cathode. The P-type semiconductor is represented by the arrow, and is called the anode. Diodes are
available in a range of different packages depending on the type and power handling capabilities required.

It takes a certain minimum voltage for conduction to occur. This is called the forward breaker
voltage of the junction. Depending on the type of material, it varies from about 0.3 V to 1 V. If the voltage
across the junction is not at least as great as the forward breaker value, the diode will not conduct. This
effect can be of use in amplitude limiters, waveform clippers, and threshold detectors.
4. Equipment:

Computer
Multisim Live Software
5. Procedures:
Activity 1: Diode Polarity

1. Connect the circuit shown in Figure 2.1 in Multisim Live.

2. Identify the forward and reverse bias operation of the diode by filling up the Table 2.1.
3. Open the Multi Channel Meter (MCM) and the Digital Multi-Meter (DMM).
4. Set the voltage of the power Positive Variable Power Supply (PVPS) to 8 V.
5. Calculate the current of the forward biased diode and reverse biased diode. Show complete
solution.

Circuit Current (mA)

Forward Bias 1.56
Reverse Bias 0.0008

Table 2.1 Diode Polarity

Figure 2.1 Diode Polarity

Activity 2: Diode Testing

1. Set the digital multimeter (DMM) to measure the voltage across the diode (with symbol of diode).
2. Connect the set-up shown in Figure 2.2.
3. Complete the Table 2.2.
4. Reconnect the set-up shown circuit in Figure 2.2 using analog multitester.
5. Set analog multitester to ohmmeter.
6. Complete the Table 2.3.

Figure
 2.2 Diode Testing

Circuit Voltage (v) Circuit Resistance (Ω)

1 85.95 mV 1 8.607 K Ω
decreasing to 0 2 10 M Ω
2 0V
Table 2.2 Diode Testing
Table 2.3 Diode Testing

6. Data and Results:

Activity 1
Forward Bias
U1

Resistor2_4.7kOhm D1
V1
+ U2
8V V DC 10MOhm
8
-

+ U3
1.561m A DC 1e-09Ohm
-

Reverse Bias
U1
D1
Resistor2_4.7kOhm
V1
+ U2
8V V DC 10MOhm
8
-

+ U3
0.8u A DC 1e-09Ohm
-
Diode Testing

7. Discussion of Results
The polarity of the diodes depends on whether their bias is forward or not. If the diode is forward the flow of
the electricity will always flow to the point where the diode is facing (whether it is down or to the right) and if
its backward or reverse the flow of the electricity is reversed (whether it is up or left). Note that the current
will always move opposite to where the diode is facing.
8. Conclusion:
Bejo
In this activity, we concluded that the diode allows the current to flow easily in one
direction, but severely restricts the current from flowing in the opposite direction.
Mora
In this laboratory activity, we concluded that the flow of electricity only flows at one
point of the diode. but in order to do that, it takes a certain voltage for the conduction
to occur.
Reta
In this laboratory experiment, we concluded that the direction in which the bias is
pointing affects the diode and changes the flow of electricity and its current. For doing
the activity it shows the difference between the flow of current in the different
positions of the diode.
Roldan
In this activity, we see that the flow of electricity will flow to the point of the diode and
that the current will always move to the opposite side of the diode.
Soriano
I conclude that in this activity we can see how a diode works in a current. When using
a diode, the flow of the current will be different depending on the direction of the diode
and all of the directions of the current will be the opposite of the direction of the diode.
9. Assessment Tasks:
1) From the data collected, how does the polarity affect current flow in the circuit?
Outside the source, current flows from negative to positive, but inside the source current flows from
positive to negative.

2) Differentiate a forward and reversed biased diode connection.

Forward biasing means putting a voltage across a diode that allows current to flow easily, while reverse
biasing means putting a voltage across a diode in the opposite direction.

3) Give applications on how diodes are used in electrical and electronic circuits? Briefly discuss their
operations.
TVS diodes are used in ICs (integrated circuits) to protect against overvoltage and the effects of arcs,
EFT (Electrical Fast Transients), ESD (Electrostatic Discharge), inductive load switching, and even
lightning strikes. Diode logic gates use diodes to perform OR and AND logic functions as shown in the
circuit diagram.