Diode logic uses diodes as electrical switches to create Boolean “AND” and “OR” logic gates in circuits. Boolean logic is similar to search engine logic, with high and low voltages representing “true” and “false” outputs. Diode logic gates can only be used for simple functions and cannot be linked together without errors. Diode logic uses […]
A junction diode is a semiconductor crystal with two electrical terminals that conducts current in one direction. It can change AC to DC, sense temperature, protect circuits, create and perceive light, and form logic gates. When a forward bias voltage is applied, current flows easily, while a reverse bias voltage widens the depletion layer and […]
A diode clamp limits AC supply voltage or audio signals to a preset value using one or two Zener diodes in parallel with the power or signal. It can control the amplitude of a signal by clipping half or both halves of the waveform. Zener diodes limit the voltage to a predetermined level, and resistors […]
A diode’s forward voltage drop is the voltage that occurs when current passes through it. It is independent of current and varies by diode type. Forward bias allows current flow, while reverse bias does not and can cause damage. Different diodes have different forward voltage drops. A diode forward voltage refers to the voltage drop […]
Silicon diodes are semiconductors that allow electric current to flow in one direction while limiting it in another. They are made by adding small amounts of other elements to pure silicon, creating a pn junction. The diode has a forward bias of 0.7 volts and can protect other devices in a circuit. Zener diodes can […]
A diode bridge is an array of four diodes that rectifies AC power to produce a stable DC output. Diodes allow current to flow in one direction, breaking one half of the AC cycle. Capacitors can smooth out the remaining AC ripple. Diode bridges are used in various applications, from small power supplies to large […]
A standard diode can fail and cause damage when a signal’s voltage becomes too high, but an avalanche diode intentionally initiates the avalanche effect to conduct excessive power away from the circuit to ground. Avalanche diodes are used to protect circuits from unwanted or unexpected voltages. Diodes are devices that block the passage of an […]
A diode allows electric current to flow in one direction and contains two electrodes acting as semiconductors. It can convert AC to DC and be used for rectification, switching, and producing signals such as light. LEDs are a type of diode that produce light when current passes through them. In plain language, a diode is […]
A PiN diode has a large intrinsic region that slows down voltage. It is used as an RF switch, in photovoltaic cells, and as an emergency shunt for power overloads. Doping creates variable areas in the semiconductor. A PiN diode is a type of diode that contains a semiconductor with a very large intrinsic region […]
Diode clocks use LED lights to create patterns and numbers. Some designs are retro while others are more modern. Diode watches vary in price depending on the materials used in their construction. A diode clock is a specific type of clock that uses somewhat modern technology to present a digital readout. Diode watches follow the […]
A diode mixer is used in AM radio circuits to combine and modulate two signals together to create the desired frequency. It uses the nonlinear response properties of a single diode to create frequency permutations of the two input signals. The output can be composed of the sum or difference of the frequencies, but unwanted […]
The tunnel diode is a high-speed electronic component used in circuits and is a specific form of semiconductor. It was invented by physicist Leo Esaki in 1957 and is capable of operating at microwave frequencies. The diode’s design and materials contribute to its fast processing speed, making it useful in amplifiers, signal processors, frequency converters, […]
A Schottky diode has a metal-semiconductor junction, resulting in lower forward voltage drop and faster switching action. It is ideal for use as a rectifier, mixer or detector diode in radio systems. The diode was not invented by Walter H. Schottky, but his formula led to its creation. A Schottky diode, sometimes called a hot […]
A Zener diode is a voltage reference device that uses the reverse bias characteristics of a PN junction. It has a low reverse breakdown voltage and can be used as a simple voltage regulator. It can be connected to a voltage follower device like an NPN BJT emitter follower circuit to provide a regulated voltage. […]
