Department of Aerospace Engineering

School of Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering (SMME),

National University of Science and Technology (NUST)

Electronics Engineering
Lab 06:
“Clamping Circuits”

Program: BE-Aerospace Semester: 4th

Session:Fall 2024 Course Code: EE-227

Group:
Members:
Shah Umer 463322
Sharjeel Asad 454248
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Objective:
Construct different clamping circuits (positive, negative, and biased) using diodes, capacitors,
and resistors. Apply an AC input signal and observe the shifted DC levels on a digital
oscilloscope. Analyze the waveform changes for each configuration.
Introduction

Clamping circuits are essential in electronics for shifting the DC level of an AC signal without
altering its shape. These circuits use diodes, capacitors, and resistors to add a DC component to
the waveform. Clamping is widely used in signal processing, TV receivers, and communication
systems. The experiment involves designing and analyzing positive, negative, and biased
clamping circuits. By applying an AC signal and using a digital oscilloscope, the waveform’s
shift can be observed. The role of the diode in conducting during specific cycles determines the
clamping effect. The capacitor stores charge and influences the circuit’s behavior. Resistors help
discharge the capacitor and set the circuit’s time constant. Understanding these components is
crucial for designing precise signal conditioning circuits. The experiment provides practical
insights into waveform manipulation for various applications.

APPARATUS:
 DC Voltage Supply
 Digital Multimeter
 Connecting Wires
 1k Ohm Resistor
 Silicon and Germanium diodes
 Breadboard
 Jumper wires

Figure 1: Breadboard
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Figure 2.1: Oscilloscope

Figure 3.2: function generator

Experimental Setup for Clamping Circuits

The following setup is used to construct and analyze positive and negative clamping circuits
using both Silicon and Germanium diodes.

1. Positive Clamping Circuit:

 Connect a diode, capacitor, and load resistor with an AC voltage source (e.g., function
generator).
 Place the diode in series with the capacitor and resistor, ensuring proper polarity for
positive clamping.
 Set the AC source to a small voltage and gradually increase it while monitoring the
oscilloscope.
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 Observe the waveform shift and note the clamping level corresponding to the diode's
forward voltage drop (0.7V for Silicon, 0.3V for Germanium).
 If a DC bias is added, record the change in clamping level.

2. Negative Clamping Circuit:

 Reverse the polarity of the diode while keeping the capacitor and resistor connections
unchanged.
 Apply an AC voltage and observe the downward shift in the waveform on the
oscilloscope.
 Vary the input voltage to analyze its effect on the clamping behavior.
 If a DC bias voltage is introduced, note its impact on shifting the waveform.

Procedure:

 Power on the function generator and set the desired waveform (sine, square, or triangular
wave).
 Adjust frequency and amplitude settings as needed.
 Connect the function generator output to the oscilloscope using BNC connectors and scope
probes.
 Use the oscilloscope’s vertical and horizontal controls to properly display the waveform.
 Analyze signal parameters like frequency, peak voltage, and Vrms.
 Adjust triggering settings for a stable waveform display.
 Record observations and compare results with expected values.

Theory
A clamping circuit is used to shift the DC level of a signal without changing its shape. Unlike clipping
circuits, which remove parts of a waveform, clamping circuits maintain the complete waveform shape,
but they just shift it up or down along axis. These circuits use a diode, resistor, and a capacitor. There are
different types of clamping circuits:

1. Positive Clamper:

A positive clamper shifts the entire signal upward. This prevents the negative peak from going below
zero.

 During the negative half-cycle, the diode is forward biased and conducts. This allows the
capacitor to charge to the peak input voltage (Vm)
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 When the signal goes to the positive cycle, the diode becomes reverse biased, and the stored
charge in the capacitor adds to the input voltage.
 The total voltage is then given by: V0 = Vm + Vm = 2Vm
 Thus, the full waveform is shifted upwards without any change in shape or distortion.

Figure 4: Positive Clamper Circuit Diagram

2. Negative Clamper:

A negative clamper has similar working to a positive clamper, only it shifts the entire signal downward,
preventing the positive peaks from going above zero.

 During the positive half-cycle, the diode is forward biased. This allows the capacitor to charge to
the peak voltage (Vm), storing energy.
 When the signal goes to the negative half-cycle, the diode becomes reverse biased, and the stored
charge in the capacitor shifts the signal downward.
 The output voltage is then: Vo = −Vm − Vm= −2Vm
 Thus, the full waveform is shifted downwards without any change in shape or distortion.

Figure 5: Negative Clamper Circuit Diagram

3. Biased Clamping Circuits:

3.1 Positive Clamper with Positive Bias

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 The circuit is like a normal positive clamper but includes an external positive bias voltage.

 As a result, the output waveform shifts higher than a normal positive clamper due to the bias
voltage.

Figure 6: Positive clamper with positive bias circuit diagram

3.2 Positive Clamper with Negative Bias:

 Works like a positive clamper but lowers the shift by the applied external negative bias voltage.

 As a result, the overall upward shift of the waveform is reduced.

Figure 7: Positive clamper with negative bias circuit diagram

3.3 Negative Clamper with Positive Bias:

 The circuit acts like a normal negative clamper but shifts the signal downwards a little less due to
the positive bias voltage.

Figure 8: Negative clamper with positive bias circuit diagram

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3.4 Negative Clamper with Negative Bias:

 This acts like a negative clamper but shifts the waveform even further downward due to the
negative bias voltage.

Figure 9: Negative clamper with negative bias circuit diagram

Data Analysis

Figure 10: Waveform: Positive clamping

Figure 11: Waveform: Negative clamping

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Figure 12: Waveform: Positive clamping with positive bias

Figure 13: Waveform: Positive clamping with negative bias

Figure 14: Waveform: Negative clamping with positive bias

Figure 15: Waveform: Negative clamping with negative bias

Data and Calculation:

Frequency (Hz) Time period (ms) Max.voltage(V) RMS voltage (V)

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34.07 29.35 11.20 8.0

30.10 33.13 11.20 8.0
26.6 37.83 11.20 8.0

Conclusion:

In this experiment, we gained hands-on experience with different clamping circuits, including
positive clampers, negative clampers, and biased clampers. We observed how these circuits
modify the input waveform by shifting its DC level without altering the shape. The use of a
digital oscilloscope allowed us to analyze the output waveforms effectively. Clamping circuits
play a crucial role in electronics by maintaining signal integrity and establishing reference
voltage levels. They are widely used in applications such as signal restoration, DC level shifting,
and waveform stabilization. Understanding their behavior helps in designing efficient electronic
systems. The experiment demonstrated how component selection affects clamping
characteristics. By constructing and analyzing various circuits, we validated theoretical concepts
with practical implementation. The observations matched expected results, confirming the circuit
behavior. Overall, this experiment successfully met its objectives by providing a clear
understanding of clamping circuits.

Aerospace Engineering Specific Use Cases:

 Avionics Systems Testing: Oscilloscopes and function generators are used to test avionics
systems for both military and commercial aircraft. For instance, they help ensure that radar,
GPS, and communication systems operate effectively without interference.
 Satellite Communication: These tools are also used to test satellite communication
systems, ensuring the modulation and transmission of signals meet required standards for
successful space-based communications.

References:

 Malvino, A., & Bates, D. (2007). Electronic Principles (7th ed.). McGraw-Hill.Provides a
foundational understanding of electronics, covering oscilloscopes, function generators, and
their roles in signal analysis and circuit testing.
 soler, M. (2013). Fundamentals of Aerospace Engineering. Springer.Explores the
application of electronic systems in aerospace engineering, including the use of
oscilloscopes and function generators in avionics and satellite communication systems.
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 Shah, N., & Shah, M. (2018). "Application of Oscilloscopes in Aerospace Electronics for
Signal Integrity Testing". IEEE Transactions on Aerospace and Electronic Systems, 54(6),
2872-2884.Discusses the use of oscilloscopes for signal integrity testing in aerospace
electronics, focusing on avionics diagnostics and ensuring reliable performance in aerospace
systems.