UNIT-4,5 NOTES
UNIT-4,5 NOTES
UNIT-4,5 NOTES
Q8) List out the Differences between P-Type and N-Type Semi Conductor Materials.
The electric potential between P and N-regions changes when an external potential is supplied to
the PNjunction terminals. As a result, the flow of the majority of carriers is altered, allowing
electrons and holes to diffuse through the PNjunction.
The diode is thought to be in the forward bias state if the applied voltage reduces the width of the
depletion layer, and reverse bias if the applied voltage increases the width of the depletion layer.
Q10) Explain in detail about Forward Bias and Reverse Bias Condition of P-NJunction Diode.
Ans) Forward Bias
The PNjunction is forward-biased when the P-type is connected to the positive terminal of the
battery and the N-type is connected to the negative terminal. In this condition, the applied electric
field and the built-in electric field at the PNjunction are in opposing directions. As a result, the
depletion area becomes thinner and less resistant. When the applied voltage is high, the resistance
of the depletion area becomes insignificant. At 0.6 V, the resistance of the depletion zone in
silicon becomes absolutely insignificant, allowing current to flow freely.
Q11) Explain the Working Phenomenon of Zener Diode in Reverse Bias Conditions.
Ans) AZener Diode, also referred to as a breakdown diode, is a specially doped semiconductor
device engineered to function in the reverse direction. When the voltage across a Zener diode’s
terminals is reversed and reaches the Zener Voltage (also known as the knee voltage), the junction
experiences a breakdown, allowing current to flow in the opposite direction. This phenomenon,
known as the Zener Effect, is a key characteristic of Zener diodes.
AZener diode functions similarly to a regular diode when forward-biased. However, in reverse-
biased mode, a small leakage current flows through the diode.
Avalanche Breakdown
Avalanche breakdown occurs in both normal diodes and Zener diodes when subjected to high
reverse voltage. When a significant reverse voltage is applied to the PNjunction, the free
electrons gain enough energy to accelerate at high velocities. These high-velocity electrons collide
with other atoms, causing the ejection of additional electrons. This continuous collision process
generates a large number of free electrons, resulting in a rapid increase in electric current through
the diode. In the case of a normal diode, this sudden surge in current could permanently damage it.
However, a Zener diode is specifically designed to withstand avalanche breakdown and can handle
the sudden current spike. Avalanche breakdown typically occurs in Zener diodes with a Zener
voltage (Vz) greater than 6V.
Zener Breakdown
When the reverse bias voltage applied to a Zener diode approaches its Zener voltage, the electric
field within the depletion region becomes strong enough to attract and remove electrons from
their valence band. These valence electrons, energized by the intense electric field, break free
fromtheir parent atoms. This phenomenon takes place in the Zener breakdown region, where even
a slight increase in voltage leads to a rapid surge in electric current.
Q12) List out the differences between Zener Break down and Avalanche Breakdown.
Q14) For the Circuit shown in figure determine the Maximumand Minimumvalue of Zener Current.
The diode is forward biased during the positive half cycle of the AC voltage & acts as a closed
switch and the diode is reverse biased during the negative half cycle and acts as an open switch.
The circuit diagrams are shown below.
We Know that IRMS = IM/2 and IDC = IM/∏ for Half Wave Rectifier; Substituting the above Values we
get the Value of Ripple factor = 1.21
Efficiency
The efficiency of a rectifier is the ratio of the output DC power to the input AC power. It is
denoted by ᾐ.
2 2
ᾐ= PDC / PAC ; Where PDC = I DC RL ; PAC = I RMS / (RS + RF +RL) ; (here RL >>>RF +RS);
& IRMS = IM/2 and IDC = IM/∏ ;
Applications
1. Power supplies for low-power devices.
2. Battery chargers.
3. Simple DC power systems.
4. Audio and radio frequency applications.
5. Medical devices (e.g., ECG monitors).
Q16) Explain the operation of Bridge Rectifier with a neat diagram.
Ans) ABridge rectifier is a type of full-wave rectifier that uses four or more diodes in a bridge
circuit configuration to efficiently convert alternating (AC) current to a direct (DC) current. The
main advantage of this configuration is the absence of the expensive centre-tapped transformer.
Therefore, the size and cost are reduced.
Construction
The construction of a bridge rectifier is shown in the figure below. The bridge rectifier circuit is
made of four diodes D1, D2, D3, D4, and a load resistor RL. The four diodes are connected in a
closed-loop configuration
Ripple Factor
It is defined as the ratio of the RMS value of the AC component of the input voltage to the DC
component of the output voltage. It is denoted as ɣ.
We Know that IRMS = IM/√2 and IDC = 2IM/∏ for Half Wave Rectifier; Substituting the above Values we
The circuit of the full wave rectifier consists of a step-down transformer and two diodes that are
connected and centre tapped. The output voltage is obtained across the connected load resistor.
During the positive half cycle, diode D1is forward biased as it is connected to the top of the
secondary winding while diode D2 is reverse biased as it is connected to the bottomof the
secondary winding. Due to this, diode D1will conduct acting as a short circuit or Closed Switch and
D2 will not conduct acting as an open circuit or open Switch.
During the negative half cycle, the diode D1is reverse biased and the diode D2 is forward biased
because the top half of the secondary circuit becomes negative and the bottomhalf of the circuit
becomes positive. Thus in a full wave rectifiers, DC voltage is obtained for both positive and
negative half cycle.
Ripple Factor
It is defined as the ratio of the RMS value of the AC component of the input voltage to the DC
component of the output voltage. It is denoted as ɣ.
We Know that IRMS = IM/√2 and IDC = 2IM/∏ for Half Wave Rectifier; Substituting the above Values we
get the Value of Ripple factor = 0.48.
Efficiency
The efficiency of a rectifier is the ratio of the output DC power to the input AC power. It is
denoted by ᾐ.
2 2
ᾐ= PDC / PAC ; Where PDC = I DC RL ; PAC = I RMS / (RS + RF +RL) ; (here RL >>>RF +RS);
Inductor Filter
● Blocks High Frequency Noise and maintains a stable DC Output.
● Resists change in Current , filters out High Frequency Variations.
● Effective at filtering low frequency Noise.
● Provides better Voltage Regulation.
● Larger and Heavier more expensive and complex.
● PI Filter : Configured in a “ pi” shape , combining advantages.
● Applications : Based on Size, weight and Cost.
Q20) Compare Rectifier Parameters.
Rectifier
Rectification is the process of converting an alternating voltage or current into corresponding
direct (DC) quantity. The input to a rectifier is ac whereas its output is unidirectional pulsating
DC. Usually a full wave rectifier or a bridge rectifier is used to rectify both the half cycles of the
ac supply (full wave rectification).
DC Filtration
The rectified voltage fromthe rectifier is a pulsating DC voltage having very high ripple content.
But this is not we want, we want a pure ripple free DC. Hence a filter is used. Different types of
filters are used such as capacitor filter, LC filter, Choke input filter, π type filter.
Regulation
The output voltage or current will change or fluctuate when there is change in the input fromac
mains or due to change in load current at the output of the regulated power supply. This problem
can be eliminated by using a regulator. Aregulator will maintain the output constant even when
changes at the input or any other changes occur. Transistor series regulator, Fixed and variable IC
Q22) Explain about the Construction of Transistor. List out the types of Transistor.
Ans) ABJT consists of three layers of semiconductor material, typically silicon (Si) or germanium
(Ge), with two junctions.
Base: The middle section of the transistor is known as the base. It is a Thin, lightly doped
semiconductor layer. The base forms two circuits, the input circuit with the emitter and the
output circuit with the collector. The emitter-base is forward-biased and offers low resistance to
the circuit. The collector-base junction is in reverse bias and offers higher resistance to the
circuit. The base of a transistor is lightly doped and very thin due to which it offers the majority
charge carrier to the base.
2. Collector: The section that collects the majority of the charge carrier supplied by the emitter is
called a collector. Heavily doped (Less than Emitter) semiconductor layer. The collector-base
junction is always reverse biased. The collector section of the transistor is moderately doped, but
larger in size so that it can collect most of the charge carrier supplied by the emitter.
3. Emitter: The emitter supplies a large section of majority charge carriers. Heavily doped
semiconductor layer. The emitter is always forward biased with respect to the base so that it
supplies the majority charge carrier to the base. The emitter of a transistor is heavily doped and
moderate in size.
There are two major types of BJT’s. NPNTransistor ( Majority Electrons ; Minority Holes) & PNP
Transistor ( Majority Holes ; Minority Electrons)
PNP Transistor
The P-N-P transistor consists of two p-type semiconductors that sandwich a n-type
semiconductor. Here, Holes are the majority charge carriers while electrons are the minority
charge carriers. So Current Conduction is mainly due to Holes in PNP Transistor.
The positive terminal of the source is connected with the Emitter terminal and the negative
terminal is connected with the Base terminal. Thus, the Emitter-Base junction is connected in
forward bias. Similarly, the positive terminal of the second source is connected with the Base
terminal and the negative terminal is connected with the Collector terminal. Thus, the Collector-
Base junction is connected in reverse bias.
Due to the type of bias the Emitter-Base depletion region is narrow and the collector-base
depletion region is wide. The Emitter-base junction is in the forward bias, thus a very large number
of holes fromthe emitter cross the depletion region and enter the Base but very few electrons
enter in Emitter fromthe base and recombine with the holes. The loss of holes in the emitter
should be equal to the number of electrons present in the Base layer, but the number of electrons
in the Base is very small because it is a very lightly doped and thin region. Thus nearly all the holes
cross the depletion region and enter the Base region. Due to this movement of electrons, current is
generated. This is the Emitter current (IE) and holes are the majority of charge carriers in the
I/P Characteristics
The curve plotted between emitter current IE and the emitter-base voltage VEB at constant
collector base voltage VCB is called input characteristic curve. The input characteristic curve is
shown in the figure below.
The following points are taken into consideration fromthe characteristic curve.
When the value of the voltage base current increases the value of emitter current increases
slightly. The junction behaves like a better diode. The emitter and collector current is independent
of the collector base voltage VCB.
The emitter current IE increases with the small increase in emitter-base voltage VEB. It shows
that input resistance is small.
The value of collector base voltage VCB increases with the increases in the collector-base current.
The value of input resistance is very low, and their value may vary froma few ohms to 10 ohms.
O/P Characteristics
In common base configuration, the curve plotted between the collector current and collector base
voltage VCB at constant emitter current IE is called output characteristic. The following points
fromthe characteristic curve are taken into consideration.
The active region of the collector-base junction is reverse biased, the collector current IC is
almost equal to the emitter current IE. The transistor is always operated in this region.
The curve of the active regions is almost flat. The large charges in VCB produce only a tiny change
in IC The circuit has very high output resistance ro.
When VCB is positive, the collector-base junction is forward bias and the collector current
decrease suddenly. This is the saturation state in which the collector current does not depend on
Advantages
High input impedance, Low output impedance, Unity voltage gain , High current gain , Good thermal
stability, Low noise susceptibility, Simple biasing, High stability
Disadvantages
Unity voltage gain (no amplification) , Limited power handling capability , Not suitable for high-
frequency applications, Difficulty in impedance matching, Limited current sourcing capability
Applications
Impedance matching , Voltage followers, Buffer amplifiers, Audio equipment (pre-amplifiers, line
drivers), Power management (voltage regulators), Current sources, Active filters, Audio effects
processors, Instrumentation amplifiers, Medical equipment (ECG, EEG)
Q 27) Compare CB, CE & CC Configurations of a Transistor.
Gain Plot
The gain plot for a common emitter (CE) amplifier is a frequency response curve that shows the
gain in decibels (dB) plotted against frequency. The ideal gain of an amplifier should remain the
same for any input signal frequency, resulting in a straight line parallel to the frequency axis.
However, in practice, the gain is reduced at lower and higher frequencies due to various factors
Lower frequencies: Coupling capacitors and the emitter bypass capacitor reduce the gain. Higher
frequencies: The capacitance internal to the transistor and stray capacitance due to the wiring
reduce the gain. The voltage gain of a CE amplifier can be calculated using the formula (gain
=Vout/ Vin), where (Vin) is the input AC voltage and (Vout) is the output AC voltage . The gain of a
CE amplifier can be increased by adding an emitter resistor bypass capacitor.