ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONICS ENGINEERING

DEPARTMENT

Electronic Devices and Circuits Manual

ACTIVITY 6: Clipping Circuits

6.1 Program Outcomes (POs) Addressed by the Activity

a. ability to apply knowledge of mathematics and science to solve engineering problems

b. ability to design and conduct fieldworks, as well as to analyze and interpret data

c. ability to function on multidisciplinary teams

6.2 Activity’s Intended Learning Outcomes (AILOs)

At the end of this activity, the student shall be able to:
a. sketch the expected output waveform of a clipper circuit given different types of
input

b. calculate the output voltage of a clipper network using a square wave or sinusoidal
input signal

c. evaluate the precision of the experiment conducted

6.3 Objectives of the Activity

The objective of this activity is to:

a. become familiar with the function and operation of clippers

6.4 Principle of the Activity

The primary function of clippers is to “clip” away a portion of an applied alternating

signal. The process is typically performed by a resistor diode-diode combination, but DC
batteries are also incorporated to provide additional shifts or “cuts” of the applied voltage. The
analysis of clippers with square-wave inputs is the easiest to perform since there are only two
levels of input voltage to be concerned about. Each level can be treated as a DC input and the

ACTIVITY 6: CLIPPING CIRCUITS 1

output voltage for the corresponding time determined. For sinusoidal and triangular inputs,
various instantaneous values can be treated as DC levels and the output level determined. Once a
sufficient number of plot points for ѵ˳ have been determined, the output voltage can be sketched
in total. Once the basic behavior of clippers is established, the effect of the placement of
elements in various positions can be predicted and the analysis completed with less effort and
less concern about accuracy.

6.5 Materials/Equipment

Instruments:
1 unit Oscilloscope
1 unit DMM

Components:
Resistors:

1 piece 2.2-kΩ

Diodes:
2 pieces Silicon

Supplies:
1 unit Power supply
1 unit Function generator

6.6 Circuit Diagrams / Figures / Source Codes (if Applicable)

Figure 6.1

ACTIVITY 6: CLIPPING CIRCUITS 2

 Figure 6.6

Figure 6.11

6.7 Procedure/s

Part 1. Threshold Voltage

Determine the threshold voltage for the silicon diodes using the diode-checking
capability of the DMM or a curve tracer. Round off the hundredths place when recording in the
designated space below. If the diode-checking capability or curve tracer is unavailable assume
Ѵᴛ = 0.7 Ѵ of the silicon diode and 0.3 Ѵ for the germanium diode.

VT(Si)=____________

Part 2. Parallel Clippers

a. Construct the clipping network of fig. 6.1. Record the measured resistance value and
voltage of the power supply. Note that the input 8 Ѵ p-p square wave at a frequency of
1000 Hz.

ACTIVITY 6: CLIPPING CIRCUITS 3

 b. Using the measured values of R, E, VT calculate the voltage Vo when the applied square
wave is +4V. That is, for the interval when the input is +4V what is the level of V o? Show
all the details of your calculations to determine Vo.

(calculated) Vo =_____________

c. Repeat Part 2b when the applied square wave is -4 V.

(calculated) Vo =_____________

d. Using the results of Parts 2(b) and 2(c) set the input square wave and sketch the expected
waveform for vo using the horizontal axis of Fig. 6.2 as the Vo = 0 V line. Use a vertical
sensitivity of 2V/cm and a horizontal sensitivity of 0.5 ms/cm.

e. Using the sensitivities provided in Part 2(d) set the input square wave and record v o on
Fig. 6.3 using the oscilloscope. Be sure to present the Ѵo= 0 V line using the GND
position of the coupling switch ( and the DC position to view the waveform).

f. Reverse the battery of Fig. 6.1 and using the measured values of R, E, and VT calculate
the level of Vo for the time interval when Vᵢ= +4 V.

(calculated) Vo =___________

g. Repeat Part 2(f) for the time interval when Vᵢ= -4 V.

(calculated) Vo =____________

h. Using the results of Parts 2(f) and 2(g) sketch the expected waveform for v o using the
horizontal axis of Fig. 6.4 as the Vo= 0 V line. Use the same sensitivities provided in part
2(d).

i. Set the input square wave and record v o on Fig. 6.5 using the oscilloscope. Be sure to
preset the Vo= 0 V line using the GND position of the coupling switch (and the DC
position to view the waveform)

Part 3. Parallel Clippers (continued)

ACTIVITY 6: CLIPPING CIRCUITS 4

 a. Construct the network of Fig. 6.6. Record the measured value of the resistance. Note that
the input is now a 4 Ѵp-p square wave at f = 1000 Hz.

b. Using the levels of VT determined in Part 1 calculate the level of Vo for the interval when
Vᵢ= +2 V.

(calculated) Vo =___________

c. Repeat Part 3 (b) for the time interval when Vᵢ= -2 V.

(calculated) Vo =___________

d. Using the results of Parts 3(b) and 3(e) sketch the expected waveform for vo using the
horizontal axis of Fig. 6.7 as the Vo= 0 V line. Insert your chosen vertical and horizontal
sensitivities below:

Vertical Sensitivity=________________
Horizontal Sensitivity=________________

e. Using the sensitivities chosen in part 3(d) set the input square wave and record vo on Fig.
6.8 using the oscilloscope. Be sure to preset the V o= 0 V line using the GND position of
the coupling switch (and the DC position to view the waveform).

Part 4. Parallel Clippers (Sinusoidal Input)

a. Rebuild the circuit of Fig. 6.1 but change the input signal to an 8 Ѵp-p sinusoidal signal
with the same frequency (1000 Hz).

ACTIVITY 6: CLIPPING CIRCUITS 5

 b. Using the results of Part 2 and any analysis technique sketch the expected output
waveform for vo on Fig. 6.9. In particular find Vo when the applied signal is at its positive
and negative peak and zero volts. Also list the chosen vertical and horizontal sensitivities
below:

(calculated) Vo when Vi = +4V is = ________

(calculated) Vo when Vi = -4V is = ________
(calculated) Vo when Vi = 0V is = ________
Vertical sensitivity = ________
Horizontal sensitivity = ________

c. Using the sensitivities in Part 4(b) set the input sinusoidal waveform and record vo on
Fig. 6.10 using the oscilloscope. Be sure to present the V o= 0 V line using the GND
position of the coupling switch.

Part 5. Series Clippers

a. Construct the circuit of Fig. 6.11. Record the measured resistance value and DC level of
power supply. The applied signal is an 8 Ѵp-p square wave at a frequency of 1000 Hz.

b. Using the measured values of R, E, and VT calculate the voltage Vo for the time interval
when Vᵢ= +4 V.

(calculated) Vo =___________

c. Repeat Part 5(b) for the time interval when Vᵢ= -4 V.

(calculated) Vo =___________

d. Using the results of Parts 5(b) and 5(c) sketch the expected waveform for vo using the
horizontal axis of Fig. 6.12 as the Vo= 0 V line. Insert your chosen vertical and horizontal
sensitivities below:

ACTIVITY 6: CLIPPING CIRCUITS 6

 Vertical Sensitivity=________________
Horizontal Sensitivity=________________

e. Using the sensitivities in Part 5(d) set the input square wave and record vo on Fig. 6.13
using the oscilloscope. Be sure to preset the Vo= 0 V line using the GND position of the
coupling switch (and the DC position to view the waveform).

f. Reverse the battery of Fig. 6.11 and using the measured values of R, E and VT calculate
the level of Vo for the time interval when Vᵢ= +4 V

(calculated) Vo =___________

g. Repeat Part 5(f) for the time interval when Vᵢ= -4 V.

(calculated) Vo =___________

h. Using the results of Parts 5 (f) and 5(g) sketch the expected waveform for vo using the
horizontal axis of Fig. 6.14 as the Vo = 0 V line . Use the following sensitivities:

Vertical: 2V/cm
Horizontal: 0.5 ms/cm

i. Using the sensitivities provided in Part 5(h) set the input square wave and record vo on
Fig. 6.15 using the oscilloscope. Be sure to preset the Vo = 0 V line using GND position
of the coupling switch (and the DC position to view waveform).

Part 6. Series Clippers (Sinusoidal Input)

a. Rebuild the circuit of Fig. 6.11 but change the input signal to an 8 Ѵp-p sinusoidal signal
with the same frequency (1000 Hz).

b. Using the results of Part 5 and any analysis technique sketch the expected output
waveform for vo on Fig. 6.16. In particular, find Vo when the applied signal is at its

ACTIVITY 6: CLIPPING CIRCUITS 7

 positive and negative peak and zero volts. Use vertical sensitivity of 2 V/cm and a
horizontal sensitivity of 0.5 ms/cm.

(calculated) Vo when Vi = +4V is = ________

(calculated) Vo when Vi = -4V is = ________
(calculated) Vo when Vi = 0V is = ________

c. Using the sensitivities in Part 6(b) set the input sinusoidal waveform and record vo on
Fig. 6.17 using the oscilloscope. Be sure to preset the V o= 0 V line using the GND
position of the coupling switch.

6.8 Activity Report

Section: Date Performed:

Course Code: Date Submitted:
Course Title:
Instructor:
Group No.: Activity No.:
Group Members: Signature:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

6.8.1 Data and Results

Calculated:

ACTIVITY 6: CLIPPING CIRCUITS 8

 Figure 6.2

Measured:

Figure 6.3

Calculated:

ACTIVITY 6: CLIPPING CIRCUITS 9

 Figure 6.4

Measured:

Figure 6.5

Calculated:

ACTIVITY 6: CLIPPING CIRCUITS 10

 Figure 6.7

Measured:

Figure 6.8

Calculated:

Figure 6.9

ACTIVITY 6: CLIPPING CIRCUITS 11

 Measured:

Figure 6.10

Calculated:

Figure 6.12

Measured:

ACTIVITY 6: CLIPPING CIRCUITS 12

 Figure 6.13

Calculated:

Figure 6.14

Measured:

ACTIVITY 6: CLIPPING CIRCUITS 13

 Figure 6.15

Calculated:

Figure 6.16

ACTIVITY 6: CLIPPING CIRCUITS 14

 Measured:

Figure 6.17

6.8.2 Calculations

6.8.3 Observations (if applicable)

ACTIVITY 6: CLIPPING CIRCUITS 15

 How does the waveform on Fig. 6.3 compare with the predict result of Fig. 6.2?

How does the waveform on Fig. 6.4 compare with the predicted result of Fig. 6.5?

How does the waveform on Fig. 6.8 compare with the predicted result of Fig. 6.7?

How does the waveform on Fig. 6.10 compare with the predicted result of Fig. 6.9?

How does the waveform on Fig. 6.13 compare with the predicted result of Fig. 5(d)?

How does the waveform on Fig. 6.15 compare with the predicted pattern of Fig. 6.14?

How does the waveform on Fig. 6.17 compare with the predicted result of Fig. 6.16?

ACTIVITY 6: CLIPPING CIRCUITS 16

 6.8.4 Conclusion/s

6.8.5 Rating (include Rubric)

Pre-initiation Initiating Implementing Refining Sustaining

Criteria
1 2 3 4 5

1. Activity Member does not Member follows good Member follows good Member follows good Member follows good and
Conduct follow good and safe and safe laboratory and safe laboratory and safe laboratory safe laboratory practice at
laboratory practice in practice some of the practice most of the practice at all times in all times in the conduct of
the conduct of activity. time in the conduct of time in the conduct of the conduct of activity. activity and encourages
activity. activity. others to do the same.
2.Equipment Member is unable to Member is able to Member is able to Member is able to Member is able to operate
Operation and operate the equipment operate equipment and operate equipment and operate the equipment the equipment and
Material and instruments. instrument with much instrument with and instruments with instruments with ease and
Handling supervision. supervision. ease and with without supervision.
minimum supervision.
3. Data The group has The group has The group has The group has The group has
Collection presented mostly presented relevant but presentedrelevant presentedrelevant presentedrelevant complete
irrelevant data. incompleteandinaccura partial but accurate and andalmost complete and accurate data.
te data. relevant data. but accurate data.

ACTIVITY 6: CLIPPING CIRCUITS 17

4. Data There are many There are some Analysis is partially Analysis is correct. Analysis is correct. The
Analysis and inaccuracies in inaccuracies in correct. The group The group recognized group recognized some
Evaluation analysis. The group did analysis. The group recognized some errors some errors and errors and inaccuracies in
not attempt to make didattempt to make and inaccuracies in the inaccuracies in the the processed, manipulated
some links to prior some links to prior processed, processed, and presented data. The
knowledge. knowledge. manipulated and manipulated and group is able to relate
presented data. The presented data. The presented data to other
group is able to make group is able to make knowledge.
some links to prior some links to prior
knowledge. knowledge.

5. Results The group has no The group has vague The group has clear The group has clear The group has clear and
Interpretation interpretation of data interpretation of data and logical and logical logical interpretation of
and has invalid and conclusion is interpretation of data interpretation of data data and is able to draw
conclusion. fundamentally flawed. and/ attempts to and is able to draw suitable accurate
identify trends from some conclusions from conclusions from the data
the data. the data.

Total Score
Mean Score = (Total Score / 5)

Percentage Score = (Total Score / 25) x 100%

ACTIVITY 6: CLIPPING CIRCUITS 18