Diode Circuits: Practice Problems
1. Determine I, V1, V2, and Vo. Use the constant voltage drop model for the diode.
[Ans: I = 2.07 mA, V1 = 9.73 V, V2 = 4.55 V and Vo = -0.45 V]
2. Determine Vo, I1, ID1, and ID2. Use the constant voltage drop model for the diode.
[Ans: Vo = 0.7V, I1 = 28.18 mA, ID1 = ID2 = 14.09 mA]
3. Determine the currents I1, I2, and ID2 for the network. Use the constant voltage drop
model for the diodes.
[Ans: I1 = 0.212 mA, I2 = 3.32 mA, ID2 = 3.11 mA]
4. Determine the current I in each circuit below, assuming a constant voltage drop model
for the diode.
[Ans: (a) I = 0 mA (b) I = 2.895 A (c) I = 1 A]
5. Determine Vo and ID for the networks below, assuming the constant voltage drop model
for the diode.
[Ans: (a) -4.3 V, 1.955 mA; (b) 5.3 V, 2.25 mA; (c) 5.81 V, 4.84 mA; (d) -19.3 V, 5.78
mA]
Rectifiers
1. Sketch the output vo and determine the DC level of the output for the network below,
assuming (a) the ideal diode model, and (b) the constant voltage drop model.
Ans: DC level: -6.36 V
DC level: -6.14 V
2. Determine the output waveform for the network below. Calculate the output DC level
and the required PIV of each diode. Assume diodes are ideal.
Ans: Vdc = 0.636(5 V) = 3.18 V. The effect of removing two diodes from the bridge
configuration is therefore to reduce the available DC level. PIV= 5V
3. Determine vo and the required PIV rating of each diode for the configuration below.
Also, determine the maximum current through each diode.
Ans: PIV =100V, I max = 45.45 mA
Clipping Circuits/Limiters
1. Determine the output waveform for the sinusoidal input for an ideal diode.
Ans:
2. Find the output voltage for the network examined in Question 1 if the applied signal is
the square wave given below.
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3. Determine vo for each network below for the input shown.
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4. Determine vo for the network below. Assume the diode is ideal.
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5. Repeat Question 4 for the constant voltage drop model of the diode.
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6. Sketch iR and vo for the network below for the input shown. Assume a constant voltage
drop model.
Ans:
Clamping Circuits
1. Determine vo for the network below for the input indicated. Assume the diode is ideal.
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2. Repeat Question 1, assuming the constant voltage drop model.
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3. Sketch the output voltage for each circuit shown below for the input wave indicated.
Assume diodes are ideal.
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4. Design clamper circuits to generate the following output waveform from the input
waveforms indicated.
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Zener Regulators
1. The network shown below is designed to regulate the voltage across the system for the
indicated input. Check its operation and plot the voltage waveform across the system
for the applied signal. Assume the system has a very high input resistance so it will not
affect the behavior of the network. Also, the PN junction diode may be assumed to have
a constant voltage drop model.
Ans:
2. For the network below, determine the range of Vi that will maintain VL at 8 V and not
exceed the maximum power rating of the Zener diode.
Ans: Vi = 15.86 V. Any value of Vi that exceeds 15.86 V will result in a current IZ that
will exceed the maximum power rating.
3. For the Zener diode network shown below, determine VL, VR, IZ, and PZ.
Ans: VL = 8.73 V, VR = 7.27 V, IZ = 0 A, PZ = 0 W.
4. Repeat Question 3 for RL = 3 kΩ.
Ans: VL = 10 V, VR = 6 V, IZ = 2.67 mA, PZ = 26.7 mW.
