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- Modeling the Diode for Micro-Cap III
- (c) copyright Spectrum Software 1988-89
- January 1989
-
- Input parameters for the Diode Model:
-
- IS Saturation current (Amperes).
- RS Bulk resistance (ohms).
- N Forward Emission coefficient.
- TT Transit time (seconds).
- CJO Zero-bias capacitance (Farads).
- VJ Built-in potential (Volts).
- M Grading coefficient.
- EG Energy gap (eV).
- XTI Temperature exponent for IS.
- KF Flicker noise coefficient.
- AF Flicker noise exponent.
- BV Breakdown voltage (Volts).
- RL Junction leakage resistance (ohms).
-
-
- * Saturation current (IS): To estimate the saturation current
- for the diode, a one-point measurement is needed. This is
- labeled as Vd1(IS, RS) and Id1(IS, RS) in PEP. These values can be
- obtained from the Forward current vs Forward voltage curve given
- in databooks. Note that these data must be obtained from the low
- end of the curve. Typically, you should pick VF below 0.7 volts.
- Do not attempt to pick a large value for Vd1 for this estimation.
- It will give a very small value for IS which is impractical. If
- RS is computed, IS can be affected. Refer to the equation in the
- Reference Manual for this relationship.
-
- * Bulk resistance (RS): To estimate the bulk resistance of the
- diode, you need two sets of data points from the IF vs VF curve.
- These parameters are labeled as Vd1(IS, RS), Id1(IS, RS),
- Vd2(RS), and Id2(RS). Vd1 and Id1 are the same data used for
- estimating IS and Vd1 must be kept low. Vd2 and Id2 are obtained
- from the high end of the IF vs VF curve. Typically, at this
- point you should see a slight curvature of the I-V curve. Vd2
- should be in the range of 0.8 to 1.1 volts.
-
- * Emission coefficient (N): Use a default value of 1.0 for N.
- You can change this parameter directly from PEP or MC3.
-
- * Transit time (TT): This parameter is computed from the Reverse
- Recovery time graph. At times, the required data are given in a
- table format. The parameters required for this estimation are:
- Trr(TT), IF(TT) and IR(TT) in PEP. Usually, the graph gives a
- ratio of IF/IR. It is recommended that you select IF/IR = 1.0.
- Using this ratio, you can obtain Trr from the graph. If you have
- chosen IF/IR=1.0, then the equation used to estimate Trr becomes:
- TT = 1.44 * Trr.
-
- * Zero-bias capacitance (CJO): CJO can be computed from the
- Junction Capacitance graph. To estimate CJO, two other
- parameters must be computed first, they are, M and VJ. A one-
- point measurement is needed for this estimation (CJ at VR).
- Choosing VR equal to 10 volts is recommended. At 10 volts,
- obtain the value of CJ from the graph directly. Although, VR is
- the reverse voltage the diode, you must enter a positive number
- in PEP. The program will take care of the sign change. The
- equation used for this estimation is:
- CJ = CJO / (1 - (-VR)/VJ)^M
-
- * Grading coefficient (M): The grading coefficient can be
- computed using two sets of data points from the Junction
- Capacitance curve. They are labeled as: Vd1(M), Id1(M), Vd2(M)
- and Id2(M) in PEP. These parameters should be taken from the
- linear portion of the curve. In addition, Vd1 and Vd2 must be
- larger than VJ for the approximation to hold. Cj1 must be
- greater than Cj2 and Vr2 must be greater than Vr1. It is quite
- difficlt to curve-fit these data to obtain an accurate value for
- M. After several tries, if you are still unable to obtain a
- reasonable value, use the default value of 0.5 or using an
- intuitive value of 0.33 if the slope is quite gentle and 0.50 if
- the slope is quite steep. A value of 0.33 denotes a linearly-
- graded junction and 0.5 denotes an abrupt junction.
-
- * Built-in potential (VJ): The built-in potential can be
- computed using two sets of data points from the Junction
- Capacitance curve. They are labeled as: Vd1(VJ), Id1(VJ),
- Vd2(VJ) and Id2(VJ) in PEP. Prior to computing VJ, you must
- obtain M since the equation used for computing VJ requires M.
- Vr1 must be taken near 0 volts and Vr2 must be below 10 volts.
- The computed value of VJ should not be greater than the energy
- gap of the diode. If you have difficulty obtaining a reasonable
- value of VJ after several tries, use the default value of 0.75
- volts. Both M and VJ are difficult parameters to extract.
-
- * Temperature exponent for IS (XTI): This parameter is entered
- directly in PEP or MC3. A good value for silicon diodes is 3.0.
-
- * Flicker noise coefficient (KF): This parameter is used in
- noise analysis in the AC module. You can enter this parameter
- directly in PEP or MC3. The default value is 0.
-
- * Flicker noise exponent (AF): This parameter is used in noise
- analysis in the AC module. You can enter this parameter directly
- in PEP or MC3. The default value is 1.
-
-
- * Breakdown voltage (BV): This parameter is the breakdown
- voltage of the diode. Unless you plan to operate the diode
- in the breakdown region (as for example in a Zener diode),
- it is recommended that you set BV to a value of 1000 or greater.
- Typical values for type of diodes are between 200 to 500 volts.
- Although the actual breakdown voltage given in databooks has a
- lower value, during the operating point calculation the value may
- temporarily exceed the stated breakdown, producing false convergence.
- If the value is 1000 or larger, the model completely ignores the
- breakdown effect, even during the operating point calculation.
-
- * Junction leakage resistance (RL): RL is used to model the
- leakage through the diode when the diode is reverse-biased. The
- default value is 1E12 ohms. This parameter can be entered
- directly from PEP or MC3.
-
- Notes:
- ------
- - Zener diodes can be modeled by specifying BV as the zener
- voltage. In this case, RS, should be set to a small value, for
- example, 0.01 ohms. IS is assigned as the reverse saturation
- current current given is databooks. If this value cannot be
- obtained, set IS to 1E-9. Since the diode is operating in the
- reverse region, CJO can be of importance. Use the above methods
- the estimate, CJO, VJ and M. If the capacitance curve is not
- given, use a typical value of several hundred picofarads.
-
- - For ideal diodes, TT can be set to a zero value.
-
- - A larger RS will make the forward region slope gentle. This
- can be used to limit the forward current through the diode.
- However, be careful when choosing the value of RS. It should not
- be too big. If BV is small and RS is large, it might lead to
- false convergence when the program is calculating it's initial
- operating point for your circuit.
-
- - Most data used in preparing Micro-Cap III library are obtained
- from the Typical value column. At times, you might need to
- change the parameters to reflect your own needs. Every effort
- has been made to model the devices accurately, but the user should
- always be aware that models only approximate the real devices.
-
- - After you have computed CJO, you should check this value with
- the graph. If the capacitance is smaller than the capacitance
- value close to zero, you should try another set of data for M and
- VJ. CJO should be close to the capacitance at 0.1 volt.
-
- Flow Diagram for Diode parameters extraction
-
- Enter N
- |
- Compute RS
- Vd1, Id1, Vd2, Id2
- |
- Compute IS
- Vd1, Id1
- |
- -----------> Compute M
- | Cj1, Vr1, Cj2, Vr2
- Try again | |
- if values | Compute VJ
- are not | Cj1, Vr1, Cj2, Vr2
- reasonable.| |
- | Compute CJO
- | Cj(Vr), Vr
- -----------< |
- Compute TT
- Trr, IF, IR
- |
- Enter FC
- |
- Enter BV
- |
- Enter EG
- |
- Enter RL
- |
- Enter KF
- |
- Enter AF
- |
- Enter XTI
-
- Instead of computing M and VJ, you can enter them directly. All
- direct entries override the computed values.
-