EEE Unit 3 Diodes & Transistors

Ideal Diode

A diode that acts as a perfect conductor during forward bias and as an ideal insulator during reverse bias.

Forward Bias

A mode of operation where current flows from the p-side to the n-side of a diode.

Reverse Bias

A mode of operation where a diode allows a small current to flow from the n-side to the p-side, but ideally conducts no current in an ideal diode.

Depletion Region

The region around the p-n junction where mobile charge carriers are depleted, affecting the electric field that exists in the diode.

Surge Current

The maximum allowable value of current that a diode can conduct in forward bias before it gets damaged.

Ripple Factor

The ratio of the RMS value of the AC component of the output voltage to the DC component of the output voltage.

Half Wave Rectifier

A rectification circuit that allows only one half of the AC waveform to pass, resulting in pulsating DC.

Full Wave Rectifier

A rectification circuit that converts the complete cycle of alternating current into pulsating DC.

Bridge Rectifier

A type of full-wave rectifier that uses four diodes arranged in a bridge configuration to convert AC to DC.

Clipping Circuit

A circuit that limits or prevents portions of a waveform from exceeding certain voltage levels.

Clamping Circuit

A circuit that adjusts the DC level of an AC signal, restoring it to a desired level.

Voltage Multiplier

A circuit designed to produce a DC output voltage that is a multiple of the input AC voltage.

Transistor Current Gain (βDC)

The ratio of the collector current (IC) to the base current (IB) in a bipolar junction transistor.

Active Region

The region in BJT operation where the transistor acts as an amplifier, with both the base-emitter and collector-base junctions forward and reverse biased respectively.

Saturation

A condition in a BJT where it handles maximum collector current due to sufficiently high base current, leading to a minimal collector-emitter voltage.

Cutoff

The condition in a BJT where no base current flows, leading to negligible collector current and both junctions being reverse biased.

Common Collector Configuration

A transistor arrangement where the collector terminal is common to both the input and output circuits, resulting in current amplification.

Emitter Bias

A biasing technique where the bias resistor is connected to the emitter, providing stability against variations in current gain.

Voltage Divider Bias (VDB)

A biasing method that uses a voltage divider to establish a stable base voltage in transistor circuits.

Ripple Voltage

The residual periodic variation of the DC output voltage due to imperfections in the rectification process.