ELECTRONICS LABORATORY

DIODE WAVE SHAPING CIRCUITS

Diode Wave Shaping Circuits

Course – Section : ECE20L-2_E01_4Q1920

Group Number : 2

Group Members : Raymund Tanap, Rosstel Mallare, Joseph Salazar & Joseph Ibuyan

Date : June 19, 2020

Grade :

Remarks :

Course Instructor : Febus Reidj Cruz

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DIODE WAVE SHAPING CIRCUITS

Introduction:

This activity covers the components, topologies, design constraints and transfer characteristics
of the different diode wave shaping circuits, such as: limiting circuits or clippers in Part 1, level
shifters or clampers in Part 2, and voltage multipliers in Part 3.

Let us use the LTSPICE to run simulations and determine the characteristics of diode wave shaping
circuits. Here is a link about ‘Getting Started with LTSPICE’:
https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/getting-started-with-ltspice/all

Part 1: Diode Clipper

1.1 Connect the circuit of Positive Clipper in LTSPICE tool, as shown in Figure 1.1. The student or group
may use another kind of rectifier diode for diode D1; another value of resistance for resistor R1 and
resistor R2; and another dc offset, amplitude, and frequency for sine wave voltage source V1. Take
the photo of your own circuit diagram drawn in LTSPICE tool, and place it in Figure 1.2. (One way to
capture the screen in LTSPICE is: View > Paste Bitmap.)

Fig. 1.1. Positive Clipper Circuit (sample). Fig. 1.2. Connection of Positive Clipper.

1.2 Include a SPICE directive in your schematic diagram. In Figure 1.1, the directive is .tran 1m 30m. This
directive describes the transient simulation with a time step of 1 ms and a time stop of 30 ms. The
resulting waveform in transient simulation is similar with the display of oscilloscope instrument,
wherein the x-axis is also time. In Figure 1.1, the input V1 is a sine-wave voltage source with 0 V dc
level, 5 V amplitude, and 100 Hertz frequency. With a time stop of 30 ms and with 100 Hz sine wave
input (10 ms period), the simulation results displayed 3 cycles as shown in Figure 1.3. For your
simulation, set the transient simulation to display 5 complete cycles. Run your simulation, and show
the waveforms of input voltage V1 and output voltage across R2. Take a photo of your waveforms,
and place it in Figure 1.4.
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Fig. 1.3. Positive Clipper Voltages (sample). Fig. 1.4. Input and Output Voltages of Positive Clipper.

1.3 Write the transfer equation of your positive clipper circuit. Express the output voltage in terms of the
input voltage.
During the positive half-cycle, the diode is in forward biased therefore 𝑉0 = 0.7 which is the Potential Barrier for a
silicon diode. For the negative half-cycle, the diode is in reverse biased therefore 𝑉0 = 𝑉𝑖 − 𝐼𝑅1 where 𝑉𝑖 corresponds
to all the negative values during the negative alternation.

1.4 Describe the operation of diode positive clipper.

For a diode positive clipper, the diode is in forward biased during the positive half-cycle of the sinusoidal input
waveform. Limiting the positive half-cycle of the input which results to a clipping in the positive half-cycle of the
output.

1.5 Connect the circuit of Negative Clipper in LTSPICE tool, as shown in Figure 1.5. The student or group
may use another kind of rectifier diode for diode D1; another value of resistance for resistor R1 and
resistor R2; and another dc offset, amplitude, and frequency for sine wave voltage source V1. Take
the photo of your own circuit diagram drawn in LTSPICE tool, and place it in Figure 1.6.

Fig. 1.5. Negative Clipper Circuit (sample). Fig. 1.6. Connection of Negative Clipper.

1.6 The sample waveforms of negative clipper circuit in Figure 1.5 is shown in Figure 1.7. For your
simulation, set the transient simulation to display 5 complete cycles of input voltage V1 and output
voltage across R2. Take a photo of your waveforms, and place it in Figure 1.8.
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Fig. 1.7. Negative Clipper Voltages (sample). Fig. 1.8. Input and Output Voltages of Negative Clipper.

1.7 Write the transfer equation of your negative clipper circuit. Express the output voltage in terms of the
input voltage.
During the positive half-cycle, the diode is in reversed biased therefore 𝑉0 = 𝑉𝑖 − 𝐼𝑅1 , where 𝑉𝑖 corresponds to all the
negative values during the negative alternation of the input waveform. While during the positive half-cycle, the diode
is in forward biased therefore 𝑉0 = 0.7, the potential Barrier for a silicon diode.

1.8 Describe the operation of diode negative clipper.

The diode is forward biased during the negative half cycle of the sinusoidal waveform and limits it to 0.7 volts, the
potential barrier for a silicon diode. Since the diode clips the negative half cycle of the input voltage, it is therefore
called a negative clipper circuit.

1.9 Connect the circuit of Biased Clipper in LTSPICE tool, as shown in Figure 1.9. The student or group
may use another kind of rectifier diode for diode D1; another value of resistance for resistor R1 and
resistor R2; another dc offset, amplitude, and frequency for sine wave voltage source V1; and another
voltage level for dc voltage source V2. Take the photo of your own circuit diagram drawn in LTSPICE
tool, and place it in Figure 1.10.

Fig. 1.9. Biased Clipper Circuit 1 (sample). Fig. 1.10. Connection of Biased Clipper Circuit 1.

1.10 Set the transient simulation to display 5 complete cycles of input voltage V1 and output voltage
across R2. Take a photo of your waveforms, and place it in Figure 1.11.
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Fig. 1.11. Input and Output Voltages of Biased Clipper Circuit 1.

1.11 Write the transfer equation of your biased clipper circuit 1. Express the output voltage in terms of
the input voltage.
During the positive half-cycle, the diode is in forward biased which gives 𝑉0 = 0.7 + 𝑉2, where 𝑉2 correspond to
the other dc voltage source and 0.7 is the potential barrier of a silicon. For the negative half-cycle of, the diode is in
reverse biased the equation, can be expressed as 𝑉0 = 𝑉𝑖 − 𝐼𝑅1 .

1.12 Describe the operation of biased clipper circuit 1.

Biased clipper circuit 1, removes a small portion of the input sinusoidal waveform during positive half-cycle. This is
due to the diode being in forward biased. Addition of another DC source contributes an increase in DC level.
Whenever the input is less than 0.7 V, the diode then changes into reverse bias.

1.13 Connect another circuit of biased clipper, as shown in Figure 1.12. Use the same components from
Figure 1.10. Take the photo of your own circuit diagram, and place it in Figure 1.13.

Fig. 1.12. Biased Clipper Circuit 2 (sample). Fig. 1.13. Connection of Biased Clipper Circuit 2.
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1.14 Set the transient simulation to display 5 complete cycles of input voltage V1 and output voltage
across R2. Take a photo of your waveforms, and place it in Figure 1.14.

Fig. 1.14. Input and Output Voltages of Biased Clipper 2.

1.15 Write the transfer equation of your biased clipper circuit 2. Express the output voltage in terms of
the input voltage.
During the positive half-cycle, the diode is in forward biased which gives 𝑉0 = 0.7 − 𝑉2, where 𝑉2 correspond to
the second DC voltage source and 0.7 is the potential barrier of a silicon. For the negative half-cycle of, the diode
is in reverse biased, the equation can be expressed as 𝑉0 = 𝑉𝑖 − 𝐼𝑅1 .

1.16 Describe the operation of diode biased clipper 2.

Biased clipper circuit 2, removes a small portion of the input sinusoidal waveform during positive half-cycle
when the diode being in forward biased. The addition of the other DC source decreased the DC level causing its
amplitude to be less than 0. Whenever the input is less than 0.7 V, the diode then changes into reverse bias.

1.17 Connect another circuit of biased clipper, as shown in Figure 1.15. Use the same components from
Figure 1.10 and Figure 1.12. Take the photo of your own circuit diagram, and place it in Figure 1.16.

Fig. 1.15. Biased Clipper Circuit 3 (sample). Fig. 1.16. Connection of Biased Clipper Circuit 3.
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1.18 Set the transient simulation to display 5 complete cycles of input voltage V1 and output voltage
across R2. Take a photo of your waveforms, and place it in Figure 1.17.

Fig. 1.17. Input and Output Voltages of Biased Clipper 3.

1.19 Write the transfer equation of your biased clipper circuit 3. Express the output voltage in terms of
the input voltage.
During the positive half-cycle, the D1 is in forward biased which gives 𝑉0 = 0.7 + 𝑉2, where 𝑉2 correspond to the
second DC voltage source and 0.7 is the potential barrier of a silicon. For the negative half-cycle of, D2 is in forward
biased, the equation can be then expressed as 𝑉0 = 0.7 + 𝑉3.

1.20 Describe the operation of diode biased clipper 3.

Biased clipper circuit 3, removes a small portion of the input sinusoidal waveform during both negative and positive
half-cycle when one diode is in forward biased. The addition of the other DC sources contributes to an increase in the
DC level resulting to a clipping in both the negative and positive half-cycle. Diodes D1 and D2 takes as the input
waveform alternates, whenever the input is less than 0.7 V, one changes into reverse bias.
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Part 2: Diode Clamper

2.1 Connect the circuit diagram of Diode Clamper using the LTSPICE tool, as shown in Figure 2.1. The
student or group may use another kind of rectifier diode for diode D1; another value of capacitance
for capacitor C1; another value of resistance for resistor R2; and another dc offset, amplitude, and
frequency for sine wave voltage source V1. Take the photo of your own circuit diagram, and place it
in Figure 2.2. (One way to capture the screen in LTSPICE is: View > Paste Bitmap.)
2.2

Fig. 2.1. Diode Clamper Circuit (sample). Fig. 2.2. Connection of Diode Clamper Circuit.

2.3 The sample waveforms of clamper circuit in Figure 2.1 is presented in Figure 2.3. The waveforms of
input voltage V1, V(in); output voltage across resistor R2, V(out); and voltage across capacitor C1,
V(in)-V(out) are exhibited in Figure 2.3. For your simulation, set the transient simulation to also display
5 complete cycles of input voltage V1, output voltage across R2, and voltage across capacitor C2. Take
a photo of your waveforms, and place it in Figure 2.4.

Fig. 2.3. Waveforms of Diode Clamper Circuit (sample).

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Fig. 2.4. Waveforms of Diode Clamper Circuit.

2.4 From the waveforms of your diode clamper circuit in Figure 2.4, answer the following: What is the
peak-to-peak voltage of the input voltage V1? What is the peak-to-peak voltage of the output voltage
across R2? What is the peak voltage of voltage across capacitor C1? What is the dc level of the input
voltage V1? What is the dc level of the output voltage across R2?

Vin(pk-pk) = 10 Vpk-pk
Vout(pk-pk)= _ 7.2206362Vpk-pk
VC1(pk) = _ 4.9722505Vpk-pk
Vin(dc) =_5V
Vout(dc) = 888.40555mV

2.5 Briefly discuss the operation of a diode clamper circuit.

A Clamper Circuit is a circuit adds DC levels to an AC signal. Shifting the positive and negative peaks of the
signals can at desired levels. When the diode is forward biased it allows current to pass through, clamping the
voltage. When the diode is reverse biased, no current flows through it and the voltage across its terminals remains
unaffected. A simple clamper circuit comprises of a capacitor, a diode, a resistor and sometimes a DC battery.

2.6 To understand the design constraint involving the diode clamper circuit, let us change the value of
your capacitance C1 to vary the time constant of your clamper circuit in Figure 22. Run again transient
simulations with different time constants. Take a photo of the waveforms of input voltage V1, output
voltage across R2, and voltage across capacitor C1, and place them in Table 2.1. (See Table 2.2 for an
example on how to fill up Table 2.1, using Figure 2.1 and Figure 2.3.)

Table 2.1. Clamper Circuit with Different Time Constants (clamper)

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Frequency of Input Voltage V1, fin 100 Hz

Period of Input Voltage V1, Tin 0.01

Condition C1 R2 clamper Photo of Voltage Waveforms of Clamper Circuit

1µF 100Ω 0.1µs

clamper
= 0.01Tin

0.1µF 100Ω 1ms

clamper
= 0.1Tin

0.1mF 100Ω 0.01 s

clamper = Tin

1mf 100 Ω 0.1 s

clamper
= 10Tin

0.01f 100 Ω 1s

clamper
= 100Tin

2.7 Based on the results in Table 2.1, discuss the effect of time constant of clamper circuit to the voltage
across capacitor C1 and to the output voltage across R2.
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The time constant determines the output of a clamper circuit. The load resistor and capacitor affects
vertical or downward shift which takes place in the output waveform with respect to the input signal. Since
the main function of a clamper circuit is to shift the DC level or the reference level of the signal to the desired level
without changing the shape of the waveform.

2.8 Based on the results in Table 2.1, what time constant of clamper circuit provides the best output
voltage? Briefly discuss your answer.
In a good clamper circuit, the circuit time constant t = RC should be at least ten times the time period of the input
signal voltage. The values for the resistor R and capacitor C should be determined from the time constant equation of
the circuit, t = RC. The values must be large enough to make sure that the voltage across the capacitor C does not
change significantly during the time interval the diode is non-conducting.

Table 2.2. Example - Clamper Circuit with Different Time Constants (clamper).
Frequency of Input Voltage V1, fin 100 Hz
Period of Input Voltage V1, Tin 1/100Hz = 10 ms

Condition C1 R2 clamper Photo of Voltage Waveforms of Clamper Circuit

clamper
10 µF 1 kΩ 10 ms
= Tin
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Part 3: Voltage Multiplier

3.1 Connect in LTSPICE the circuit diagram of Diode Voltage Doubler in Figure 3.1. The student or group
may use another kind of rectifier diode for diodes D1 and D2; another value of capacitance for
capacitors C1 and C2; and another dc offset, amplitude, and frequency for ac sine-wave voltage source
V1. Notice that net names (in, a, out) are attached to the wires. These net names becomes convenient
when adding traces of voltage waveforms. For example, if we want to plot the voltage across capacitor
C1, we can add the trace for the expression V(in)-V(a). Now, take the photo of your own circuit
diagram drawn, and place it in Figure 3.2.

Fig. 3.1. Voltage Doubler (sample).

Fig. 3.2. Connection of Voltage Doubler.

3.2 Set the transient simulation to display 10 complete cycles of input voltage V1. Run your simulation,
and show the waveforms of input voltage V1, voltage across the capacitor C1, and output voltage
across C2. Figure 3.3 shows the example of simulation waveforms for the voltage doubler circuit in
Figure 3.1. Now, take a photo of your own waveforms, and place it in Figure 3.4.

Fig. 3.3. Waveforms of Voltage Doubler (sample).

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Fig. 3.4. Waveforms of Voltages in Voltage Doubler.

3.3 From the simulation results in Figure 3.4, measure the peak voltage of input voltage V1 and output
voltage across capacitor C1.

Vin(pk) = 10 Vpk-pk . Vout(pk) = 18.64 V pk-pk .

Briefly explain the discrepancy between the input voltage and output voltage.
The discrepancy shows that the output voltage was not entirely doubled, since the silicon diodes are not ideal it
contains a barrier potential of 0.7 V. The output also appeared to be shifted with respect to the input. This is due
to presence of capacitors which adds DC level in the output.

3.4 Briefly explain the operation of Diode Voltage Doubler.

When positive half of the input signal is applied, diode D2 gets forward biased. Due to this, it behaves as a short
circuit and current flows through the diode. This current charges the capacitor C2 up to the peak value of the
applied input signal. At the same time, the positive half of the input signal reverse biases the diode D1. Due to this
current does not flow through that portion of the circuit. This input ac voltage gets doubled by the circuit and a
double amplitude dc signal is achieved at the output.
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3.5 Connect in LTSPICE the circuit diagram of Diode Voltage Tripler in Figure 3.5. The student or group
may use another kind of rectifier diode for diodes D1, D2 and D3; another value of capacitance for
capacitors C1, C2 and C3; and another dc offset, amplitude, and frequency for ac sine-wave voltage
source V1. Attach net names to wires, such as in, a, b, and c. These net names are helpful when adding
traces of voltage waveforms. Now, take the photo of your own circuit diagram drawn, and place it in
Figure 3.6.

Fig. 3.5. Voltage Tripler (sample).

Fig. 3.6. Connection of Voltage Tripler.

3.6 Set the transient simulation to display 20 complete cycles of input voltage V1. Run your simulation,
and show the waveforms of: input voltage V1, voltage across the capacitor C1, voltage across
capacitor C2, voltage across capacitor C3, and output voltage across node in and node c. Take a photo
of your waveforms, and place it in Figure 3.7.

Fig. 3.7. Waveforms of Voltages in Voltage Tripler Circuit.

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3.7 Based on the simulation results in Figure 3.7, determine the peak voltages of input voltage V1 and of
output voltage across node in and node c.

Vin(pk) = 10 Vpk-pk . Vout(pk) = 28 Vpk-pk .

Briefly explain the discrepancy between the input voltage and output voltage.
The discrepancy shows that the output voltage was not entirely tripled, since the silicon diodes are not ideal it
contains a barrier potential of 0.7 V. The output also appeared to be shifted with respect to the input. This is due
to presence of capacitors which adds DC level in the output.

3.8 Briefly explain the operation of Diode Voltage Tripler.

A voltage tripler circuit is a circuit in which the output voltage is triple the amplitude of the input voltage.
This voltage tripling effect is achieved through the use of capacitors. Individuals capacitors to charge up to the input
voltage, having an additive effect. The result is triple the input voltage. Diodes are used to block capacitors from
discharging once they are charged.

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