Switching diode tutorial

What is Switching Diode? – Characteristic, Symbol, Definition

Switching diode (also called a Pulse diode) – semiconductor diode used in pulse (discrete) systems. It mainly works as a keying device, which transmits a pulse in only one bias, forward-bias. Switching diode can work as a simple rectifier (it depends on the application, also as transient-voltage-suppression and detection diode).

switching diode symbol

Switching diode symbol

It is characterized by a very high work-rate (measured in nanoseconds, whereas for higher voltages – microseconds). In case of diode, which is operating as a keying device, its high quality is determined by the following parameters:

  • very low resistance in the forward bias and very high resistance in the reverse bias,
  • Switching process of the diode should occur as soon as possible (the least possible delay and no distortion of pulses).

Switching diode can be divided into two types that are relevant for the application

  • Low switching time diodes – they are manufactured with application of semiconductor materials with a wider band gap (for example for Gallium Arsenide GaAs trr < 0,1 ns).
    Schottky diodes have significantly shorter switching times (    trr of 100 ps) caused by very low M-S junction capacity,
  • Low decay time diodes (also called step-recovery diode) – in this kind of diode storage of charge takes place that has a crucial impact on the diode operating speed. It is used to generate rectangular pulses (tf decay time must be very small).

Permissible limits for the Switching diode

  • IFMAX – the maximum constant bias,
  • IFMMAX – peak, maximum permissible diode bias,
  • VRmax – maximum constant reverse voltage,
  • VRMmax – maximum peak reverse voltage,
  • Tj – permissible junction temperature.

Characteristic parameters of static and dynamic Switching diode

  • VF – a forward voltage at a determined IF forward current (the higher the current, the greater the charge is stored on the pn junction diode basis and the defusing process is slower)
  • IR – reverse current at a given VR reversing voltage (the higher the current, the faster the charge that is stored in the database will defuse – diode will switch faster)
  • capacitance of the diode (at determined reverse voltage and frequency),
  • trr – duration of diode switch (occasionally, instead of trr time, Qrr switching charge that is accumulated in connector is given).
Switching Diode

Illustration of the of diode switching process

 

 

Comments (2)

  1. Satya
    Reply
    11 months ago

    I have a question??
    How do you achieve the switching characteristics of diodes??
    Plzz help me

    1. admin
      Reply
      11 months ago

      The reverse recovery time trr refers to the time it takes for the switching diode to turn completely OFF from an ON state. Generally, electrons cannot be stopped immediately after operation turns OFF, resulting in some current flow in the reverse direction.The higher this leakage current is, the greater the loss. However, reverse recovery time can be shortened through heavy metal diffusion, material optimization, or by developing FRDs (Fast Recovery Diodes) that suppress ringing after recovery.

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