Semiconductor Devices: Diode Clippers

[@Muhammad-Salman-Saeed]

where i can find the notes of this book "Semiconductor Devices: Theory and Application. 2E by James M. Fiore"

[@silentrunner3067]

You can make an arbitrary voltage zener with a transistor and 2 resistors. example, NPN - E to ground, C to signal, B to center of resistor voltage divider between signal and ground. Resistor values picked to turn on transistor at desired zener voltage.

[@JurekPrzezdziecki]

Great! I'm your fan since now:)

[@krakamak]

I have never really heard about the third option, the biased diodes, but it looks like a really handy circuit. I guess this would be quite useful for a distortion circuit. But as I understand it, the component that would generate the bias voltage has to be able to sink current when these diodes open up, so that is something to look out for.

[@ElectronicswithProfessorFiore]

Perhaps, although most guitar distortion circuits (I assume that's what you are referring to) use an active device such as an op amp, BJT, or FET. This way, you can gain high input impedance and gain.

[@GTS00000]

I wonder if there is a decent SPICE alternative for Mac

[@ElectronicswithProfessorFiore]

Good question. I am not a Mac guy. Sorry. Anybody?

[@h7qvi]

Can make a triangle to sine shaper from diodes

[@ElectronicswithProfessorFiore]

Yes, you can. You can find an example of this in my Op Amps playlist (see "Function Synthesis").

[@h7qvi]

​@@ElectronicswithProfessorFioreThe shapers I've seen use the low level Ln(×) curvature of the diode rather than the high level zener-like piecewise-linear shapers

[@ElectronicswithProfessorFiore]

@@h7qvi I cover both Zener-based and biased diode approaches.

[@h7qvi]

@@ElectronicswithProfessorFiore I only saw high level piecewise linear diode shapers. The ones i mean work in the 0.5 to 1V range, but usually need a buffer circuit to get higher output. One such shaper in a function generator uses 3 lots of 4-diode rings iirc.