Clipper and Clamper Circuits

Clippers
Clipper circuits, also called limiter circuits, are used to eliminate
portion of a signal that are above or below a specified level.
The level here is referred to as clip value, V. To find V, use KVL
at L1
The equation is : V V
B
- V = 0 V = V
B
+ V





Then, set the conditions
If Vi > V, diode conducts, hence Vo = V
If Vi < V, diode off, open circuit, no current flow, Vo = Vi
L1
Vi
V = V
B
+ V
Clippers
Other clipping circuits can be constructed by reversing the diode,
or the polarity of the voltage V
B
.
V = V
B
- V
conditions: Vi > V off, Vo = Vi

Vi < V conducts, Vo = V

V = - V
B
+ V

conditions: Vi > V conducts, Vo = V

Vi < V off, Vo = Vi
V = - V
B
- V

conditions: Vi > V off, Vo = Vi

Vi < V conducts, Vo = V
Parallel Based Clippers
Positive and negative clipping can be performed simultaneously
by using a double limiter or a parallel-based clipper.



The parallel-based clipper is designed with two diodes and two
voltage sources oriented in opposite directions.
This circuit is to allow clipping to occur during both cycles;
negative and positive
EXAMPLE 1
Consider the parallel clip circuit shown below.
Assume the V
Z1
= 6V and V
Z2
= 4V and V =
0.7V. Given vi = 10 sin t, sketch v
O
Clampers
Clamping shifts the entire signal voltage
by a dc level.
Consider, the sinusoidal input voltage
signal, v
I
.
1st 90
0
, the capacitor is charged up to
the peak value of Vi which is V
M.
Then, as Vi moves towards the ve
cycle,
the diode is reverse biased.
Ideally, capacitor cannot discharge,
hence Vc = V
M
By KVL, we get
NOTE: The input signal is shifted by a dc
level; note that the peak-to-peak value is
the same
Clampers
STEP 1: Knowing what value that the capacitor is charged to. Using KVL,
V
C
+ V
B
V
S
= 0 V
C
= V
M
V
B
STEP 2: When the diode is reversed biased and V
C
is already a constant
value

V
O
V
S
+ V
C
= 0 V
O
= V
S
V
C
.

A clamping circuit that includes an independent voltage source V
B
.
Peak value V
M
EXAMPLES clampers with ideal diode
C
+

Vo

-
5V
+

Vi

-
Vi
t
-10
10
Vi
t
-8
10
C
+

Vo

-
5V
+

Vi

-
Step 1: V
C
- V
B
V
i
= 0 V
C
= 10 + 5 = 15V

Step 2: V
O
V
i
+ V
C
= 0 V
O
= V
i
15.
-5
-25
What if the diode is non-ideal?
C
+

Vo

-
5V
+

Vi

-
Vi
t
-10
10
The diode is a non-ideal
with V = 0.7V
Step 1: V
C
+ V + V
B
V
i
= 0 V
C
= 10 + 5 0.7 = 14.3V
Step 2: V
O
V
i
+ V
C
= 0 V
O
= V
i
14.3.
-4.3
-24.3
Multiple Diode Circuits
DIODE I
D
V
D
OFF 0 V
D
< V
ON I
D
> 0

V
D
= V
OR GATE
V1 V2 VO
Vo = voltage
across R
D1 and D2 off; no current flow, 0 0 0
D1 off, D2 on, current flow,
Vo V2 + V = 0
0 5V ( 1 ) 4.3V
D1 on, D2 off, current flow,
Vo V1 + V = 0
5V ( 1 )

0 4.3V
Both on, using both loops will
give the same equation
5V ( 1 ) 5V ( 1 ) 4.3V
V1 V2 VO
Both on, using both loops will
give the same equation
0 0 0.7
D1 on, D2 off 0 5V ( 1 ) 0.7
D1 off, D2 on 5V ( 1 )

0 0.7V
Both are off; open circuit no
current flowing through R since
no GND destination
5V ( 1 ) 5V ( 1 ) 5V
AND GATE
Vo = node
voltage