Diode Circuits

A diode is a semiconductor electronic device that allows current to flow unidirectionally, from the diode’s anode to its cathode, depending on whether the anode to cathode’s voltage difference is sufficiently positive. This is called forward biasing. In reverse biasing, the diode is OFF. Physically, a diode is a p–n junction. A Zener diode is a special diode that can also conduct from cathode to anode if the reverse voltage reaches a specific breakdown voltage level. Diode applications include voltage rectification, which is a part of the conversion from AC to DC, signal limiting and clamping, and protection of critical components. Zener diodes serve as DC voltage references. Such diodes provide the DC voltage regulation in the AC to DC conversion. The main ADS tool for studying the curves of electronic components, such as diodes, is DC simulation. Sometimes it is useful to conduct multiple parameter sweep studies assisted by ADS parameter sweep. It is also demonstrated how ADS can be used to create customized components, such as Zener diode with a variable breakdown voltage.