CHAPTER 10

Exercises

E10.1 Solving Equation 10.1 for the saturation current and substituting values,
we have
iD
Is =
exp(vD / nVT ) − 1
10 −4
=
exp(0.600 / 0.026) − 1
= 9.502 × 10 −15 A

Then for vD = 0.650 V, we have

iD = I s exp(vD / nVT ) − 1 = 9.502 × 10 −15 ×  exp(0.650 / 0.026) − 1
= 0.6841 mA

Similarly for vD = 0.700 V, iD = 4.681 mA.

E10.2 The approximate form of the Shockley Equation is iD = I s exp(vD / nVT ) .

Taking the ratio of currents for two different voltages, we have
iD 1 exp(vD 1 / nVT )
= = exp (vD 1 − vD 2 ) / nVT 
iD 2 exp(vD 2 / nVT )
Solving for the difference in the voltages, we have:
∆vD = nVT ln(iD 1 / iD 2 )
Thus to double the diode current we must increase the voltage by
∆vD = 0.026ln(2) = 18.02 mV and to increase the current by an order of
magnitude we need ∆vD = 0.026ln(10) = 59.87 mV

E10.3 The load line equation is VSS = RiD + vD . The load-line plots are shown on
the next page. From the plots we find the following operating points:

(a) VDQ = 1.1 V IDQ = 9 mA

(b) VDQ = 1.2 V IDQ = 13.8 mA
(c) VDQ = 0.91 V IDQ = 4.5 mA

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E10.4 Following the methods of Example 10.4 in the book, we determine that:
(a) For RL = 1200 Ω, RT = 600 Ω, and VT = 12 V.
(b) For RL = 400 Ω, RT = 300 Ω, and VT = 6 V.
The corresponding load lines are:

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 At the intersections of the load lines with the diode characteristic we
find (a) v L = −vD ≅ 9.4 V ; (b) v L = −vD ≅ 6.0 V .

E10.5 Writing a KVL equation for the loop consisting of the source, the
resistor, and the load, we obtain:

15 = 100(iL − iD ) − vD

The corresponding load lines for the three specified values of iL are
shown:

At the intersections of the load lines with the diode characteristic, we

find (a) vo = −vD = 10 V; (b) vo = −vD = 10 V; (c) vo = −vD = 5 V. Notice that
the regulator is effective only for values of load current up to 50 mA.

E10.6 Assuming that D1 and D2 are both off results in this equivalent circuit:

Because the diodes are assumed off, no current flows in any part of the
circuit, and the voltages across the resistors are zero. Writing a KVL
equation around the left-hand loop we obtain vD 1 = 10 V, which is not
consistent with the assumption that D1 is off.

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E10.7 Assuming that D1 and D2 are both on results in this equivalent circuit:

Writing a KVL equation around the outside loop, we find that the voltage
across the 4-kΩ resistor is 7 V and then we use Ohm’s law to find that
iD1 equals 1.75 mA. The voltage across the 6-kΩ resistance is 3 V so ix is
0.5 mA. Then we have iD 2 = ix − iD 1 = −1.25 mA, which is not consistent
with the assumption that D2 is on.

E10.8 (a) If we assume that D1 is off, no current flows, the voltage across the
resistor is zero, and the voltage across the diode is 2 V, which is not
consistent with the assumption. If we assume that the diode is on, 2 V
appears across the resistor, and a current of 0.5 mA circulates clockwise
which is consistent with the assumption that the diode is on. Thus the
diode is on.

(b) If we assume that D2 is on, a current of 1.5 mA circulates

counterclockwise in the circuit, which is not consistent with the
assumption. On the other hand, if we assume that D2 is off we find that
vD 2 = −3 where as usual we have referenced vD 2 positive at the anode.
This is consistent with the assumption, so D2 is off.

(c) It turns out that the correct assumption is that D3 is off and D4 is
on. The equivalent circuit for this condition is:

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 For this circuit we find that iD 4 = 5 mA and vD 3 = −5 V. These results
are consistent with the assumptions.

E10.9 (a) With RL = 10 kΩ, it turns out that the diode is operating on line
segment C of Figure 10.19 in the book. Then the equivalent circuit is:

We can solve this circuit by using the node-voltage technique, treating vo

as the node voltage-variable. Notice that vo = −vD . Writing a KCL
equation, we obtain
vo − 10 vo − 6 vo
+ + =0
2000 12 10000
Solving, we find vD = −vo = −6.017 V. Furthermore, we find that
iD = −1.39 mA. Since we have vD ≤ −6 V and iD ≤ 0, the diode is in fact
operating on line segment C.

(b) With RL = 1 kΩ, it turns out that the diode is operating on line
segment B of Figure 10.19 in the book, for which the diode equivalent is
an open circuit. Then the equivalent circuit is:

Using the voltage division principle, we determine that vD = −3.333 V.

Because we have −6 ≤ vD ≤ 0, the result is consistent with the assumption
that the diode operates on segment B.

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E10.10 The piecewise linear model consists of a voltage source and resistance in
series for each segment. Refer to Figure 10.18 in the book and notice
that the x-axis intercept of the line segment is the value of the voltage
source, and the reciprocal of the slope is the resistance. Now look at
Figure 10.22a and notice that the intercept for segment A is zero and
the reciprocal of the slope is (2 V)/(5 mA) = 400 Ω. Thus as shown in
Figure 10.22b, the equivalent circuit for segment A consists of a 400-Ω
resistance.

Similarly for segment B, the x-axis intercept is +1.5 V and the reciprocal
slope is (0.5 mA)/(5 V) = 10 kΩ.

For segment C, the intercept is -5.5 V and the reciprocal slope is 800 Ω.
Notice that the polarity of the voltage source is reversed in the
equivalent circuit because the intercept is negative.

E10.11 Refer to Figure 10.25 in the book.

(a) The peak current occurs when the sine wave source attains its peak
amplitude, then the voltage across the resistor is Vm −VB = 20 − 14 = 6 V
and the peak current is 0.6 A.

(b) Refer to Figure 10.25 in the book. The diode changes state at the
instants for which Vm sin(ωt ) = VB . Thus we need the roots of
20 sin(ωt ) = 14. These turn out to be ωt1 = 0.7754 radians and
ωt2 = π − 0.7754 radians.
1.591 1.591T
The interval that the diode is on is t2 − t1 = = = 0.2532T .
ω 2π
Thus the diode is on for 25.32% of the period.

E10.12 As suggested in the Exercise statement, we design for a peak load

voltage of 15.2 V. Then allowing for a forward drop of 0.7 V we require
Vm = 15.9 V. Then we use Equation 10.10 to determine the capacitance
required. C = (I LT ) /Vr = (0.1 / 60) / 0.4 = 4167 µF.

E10.13 For the circuit of Figure 10.28, we need to allow for two diode drops.
Thus the peak input voltage required is Vm = 15 +Vr /2 + 2 × 0.7 = 16.6 V.

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 Because this is a full-wave rectifier, the capacitance is given by Equation
10.12. C = (I LT ) /(2Vr ) = (0.1 / 60) / 0.8 = 2083 µF.

E10.14 Refer to Figure 10.31 in the book.

(a) For this circuit all of the diodes are off if −1.8 < vo < 10 . With the
diodes off, no current flows and vo = vin . When vin exceeds 10 V, D1 turns
on and D2 is in reverse breakdown. Then vo = 9.4 + 0.6 = 10 V. When vin
becomes less than -1.8 V diodes D3, D4, and D5 turn on and
vo = −3 × 0.6 = −1.8 V. The transfer characteristic is shown in Figure
10.31c.

(b) ) For this circuit both diodes are off if −5 < vo < 5 . With the diodes
off, no current flows and vo = vin .

When vin exceeds 5 V, D6 turns on and D7 is in reverse breakdown. Then

v −5
a current given by i = in (i is referenced clockwise) flows in the
2000
circuit, and the output voltage is vo = 5 + 1000i = 0.5vin + 2.5 V

When vin is less than -5 V, D7 turns on and D6 is in reverse breakdown.

v +5
Then a current given by i = in (still referenced clockwise) flows in
2000
the circuit, and the output voltage is vo = −5 + 1000i = 0.5vin − 2.5 V

E10.15 Answers are shown in Figure 10.32c and d. Other correct answers exist.

E10.16 Refer to Figure 10.34a in the book.

(a) If v in (t ) = 0, we have only a dc source in the circuit. In steady state,

the capacitor acts as an open circuit. Then we see that D2 is forward
conducting and D1 is in reverse breakdown. Allowing 0.6 V for the
forward diode voltage the output voltage is -5 V.

(b) If the output voltage begins to fall below -5 V, the diodes conduct
large amounts of current and change the voltage vC across the capacitor.
Once the capacitor voltage is changed so that the output cannot fall

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 below -5 V, the capacitor voltage remains constant. Thus the output
voltage is vo = v in − vC = 2 sin(ωt ) − 3 V.

(c) If the 15-V source is replaced by a short circuit, the diodes do not
conduct, vC = 0, and vo = vin.

E10.17 One answer is shown in Figure 10.35. Other correct answers exist.

E10.18 One design is shown in Figure 10.36. Other correct answers are possible.

E10.19 Equation 10.22 gives the dynamic resistance of a semiconductor diode as

rd = nVT / IDQ .
IDQ (mA) rd (Ω)
0.1 26,000
1.0 2600
10 26

E10.20 For the Q-point analysis, refer to Figure 10.42 in the book. Allowing for
a forward diode drop of 0.6 V, the diode current is
V − 0.6
IDQ = C
RC
The dynamic resistance of the diode is
nVT
rd =
IDQ
the resistance Rp is given by Equation 10.23 which is
1
Rp =
1 / RC + 1 / RL + 1 / rd
and the voltage gain of the circuit is given by Equation 10.24.
Rp
Av =
R + Rp
Evaluating we have
VC (V) 1.6 10.6
IDQ (mA) 0.5 5.0
rd (Ω) 52 5.2
Rp (Ω) 49.43 5.173
Av 0.3308 0.04919

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 Answers for Selected Problems

P10.6*

P10.8* n = 1.336
I s = 3.150 × 10 −11 A

P10.13* With n = 1 , v = 582 mV .

With n = 2 , v = 564 mV .

P10.15* (a) I A = IB = 100 mA

(b) I A = 87 mA and IB = 113 mA

P10.16* v x = 2.20 V ix = 0.80 A

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P10.26* The circuit diagram of a simple voltage regulator is:

P10.33* iab ≅ 1.4 A v ab ≅ 2.9 V

P10.37* (a) D1 is on and D2 is off. V = 10 volts and I = 0.

(b) D1 is on and D2 is off. V = 6 volts and I = 6 mA.
(c) Both D1 and D2 are on. V = 30 volts and I = 33.6 mA.

P10.46* For the circuit of Figure P10.46a, v = 0.964 V .

For the circuit of Figure P10.46b, v = 1.48 V.

P10.47*

P10.54* C = 833 µF

P10.58* For a half-wave rectifier, C = 20833 µF .

For a full-wave rectifier, C = 10416 µF .

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P10.70*

P10.72*

P10.75*

We must choose the time constant RC >> T, where T is the period of the
input waveform.

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P10.81*

P10.85* IDQ = 100 mA rD = 0.202 Ω

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 Practice Test

T10.1 (a) First, we redraw the circuit, grouping the linear elements to the left
of the diode.

Then, we determine the Thévenin equivalent for the circuit looking back
from the diode terminals.

Next, we write the KVL equation for the network, which yields
VT = RT iD + v D . Substituting the values for the Thévenin voltage and
resistance, we have the load-line equation, 3 = 200iD + v D . For iD = 0 , we
have v D = 3 V which are the coordinates for Point A on the load line, as
shown below. For v D = 0 , the load-line equation gives iD = 15 mA which
are the coordinates for Point B on the load line. Using these two points
to plot the load line on Figure 10.8, we have

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 The intersection of the load line and the diode characteristic gives the
current at the operating point as iD ≅ 9.6 mA.

(b) First, we write the KCL equation at the top node of the network,
which yields iD + v D / 25 = 40 mA. For iD = 0 , we have v D = 1 V which are
the coordinates for Point C on the load line shown above. For v D = 0 , the
load-line equation gives iD = 40 mA which plots off the vertical scale.
Therefore, we substitute iD = 20 mA , and the KCL equation then yields
v D = 0.5 V . These values are shown as point D. Using Points C and D we
plot the load line on Figure 10.8 as shown above. The intersection of the
load line and the diode characteristic gives the current at the operating
point as iD ≅ 4.2 mA.

T10.2 If we assume that the diode is off (i.e., an open circuit), the circuit
becomes

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Writing a KCL equation with resistances in kΩ, currents in mA, and
v − 12 v x − ( −16)
voltages in V, we have x + = 0 . Solving, we find that
1 2
v x = 2.667 V. However, the voltage across the diode is v D = v x , which
must be negative for the diode to be off. Therefore, the diode must be
on.

With the diode assumed to be on (i.e. a short circuit) the circuit

becomes

Writing a KCL equation with resistances in kΩ, currents in mA and

v − 12 v x − ( −16) v x
voltages in V, we have x + + = 0 . Solving, we find that
1 2 4

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 v x = 2.286 V. Then, the current through the diode is
v
iD = i x = x = 0.571 mA. Of course, a positive value for iD is consistent
4
with the assumption that the diode is on.

T10.3 We know that the line passes through the points (5 V, 2 mA) and (10 V, 7
mA). The slope of the line is -1/R = -∆i/∆v = (-5 mA)/(5 V), and we have
R = 1 kΩ. Furthermore, the intercept on the voltage axis is at v = 3 V.
Thus, the equivalent circuit for the device is

T10.4 The circuit diagram is:

Your diagram may be correct even if it is laid out differently. Check to

see that you have four diodes and that current flows from the source
through a diode in the forward direction then through the load and
finally through a second diode in the forward direction back to the
opposite end of the source. On the opposite half cycle, the path should
be through the other two diodes and through the load in the same
direction as before. Notice in the diagram that current flows downward
through the load on both half cycles.

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T10.5 An acceptable circuit diagram is:

Your diagram may be somewhat different in appearance. For example, the

4-V source and diode B can be interchanged as long as the source polarity
and direction of the diode don't change; similarly for the 5-V source and
diode A. The parallel branches can be interchanged in position. The
problem does not give enough information to properly select the value of
the resistance, however, any value from about 1 kΩ to 1 MΩ is acceptable.

T10.6 An acceptable circuit diagram is:

The time constant RC should be much longer than the period of the
source voltage. Thus, we should select component values so that
RC >> 0.1 s.

T10.7 We have
kT 1.38 × 10 −23 × 300
VT = = = 25.88 mV
q 1.60 × 10 −19
nV 2 × 25.88 × 10 −3
rd = T = = 10.35 Ω
I DQ 5 × 10 −3

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The small-signal equivalent circuit for the diode is a 10.35 Ω resistance.

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