Name: Chethan Kumar. D USN: 1PI07EC027 Topic: Varactor Diode

NAME : CHETHAN KUMAR.
D
USN : 1PI07EC027
TOPIC : VARACTOR DIODE
VARACTOR DIODE
INTRODUCTION :
• A diode is simply a PN junction.
Diode Symbol
• Diode behaves differently in forward and

reverse bias conditions.
IDEAL DIODE:
In an ideal diode, current flows freely through
the device when forward biased, having no
resistance.
In an ideal diode, when reverse biased, it would

have infinite resistance, causing zero current
flow.
PRACTICAL DIODE:
 A practical diode does offer some resistance to current
flow when forward biased. Since there is some
resistance, there will be some power dissipated .
Therefore, there is a practical limit to the amount of
current a diode can conduct without damage.
A reverse biased diode has very high resistance.

Excessive reverse bias can cause the diode to conduct.
VARACTOR:
 Varactor diode is a specialized diode that
changes its level of capacitance depending on
the level of reverse bias applied to the diode.
 Varactor diode is also known as Varicap

diode or variable capacitance diode or Tuning
diode.
 The varactor diode or varicap diode is shown in
circuit diagrams or schematics using a symbol that
combines the diode and capacitor symbols.
Varactor Symbol
This diode is used as a varactor or varicap(variable
capacitance) capacitor rather than a rectifying
diode.
VARACTOR CHARACTERISTICS:
Any PN junction has a junction capacitance

that is a function of the voltage across the
junction.
The capacitance across the junction of
varactor diode is given by,
Cj = C0 (1+VR/VB)-n
Where C0 is the junction capacitance for zero
bias,
VR is the magnitude of reverse bias voltage
below breakdown,
VB is the barrier potential and
n is a constant
n=0.5 for alloy and 0.33 for diffused junctions
EQUIVALENT CIRCUIT :
Here Cj is the junction

capacitance, Rj is the junction
reverse resistance and Rs is the
diode bulk resistance.
 Since Rj is very large and it is
in shunt with Cj it is negligible.
The simplified model is a

series combination of Cj and
VARACTOR OPERATION :
A capacitor consists of two l
plates with an insulating
e dielectric between them.
The capacitance and the amount of charge

that can be stored depends on the area of the
plates and the distance between them.
 C = ЄA/d
Varactor as a capacitor:
 The N-type region and the P-type regions of a
diode can be considered to be the two plates and
the region between them - the depletion region is
the insulating dielectric.
Capacitance is inversely proportional to the

depletion region thickness.
Cj α 1/Wd
If the reverse bias voltage is changed, the size of the
depletion region also changes.
Generally, the depletion region thickness is proportional

to the square root of the applied voltage; and capacitance
is inversely proportional to the depletion region
thickness. Thus, the capacitance is inversely proportional
to the square root of applied voltage.
 The plot of capacitance across the junction
against the reverse bias voltage is as shown
below.
APPLICATIONS :
Varactors are principally used as a voltage-controlled
capacitor, rather than as rectifiers.
1) In tuning circuits:
Varactor diodes are commonly found in communication
equipment where electronic tuning is a necessity.
Varactor diode provides an electrically controllable
capacitance, which can be used in tuning circuits.
2) In VCO:
A voltage-controlled oscillator or VCO is an electronic
oscillator whose frequency of oscillation is controlled
by a voltage input. For high-frequency VCOs the
voltage-controlled element is commonly a varicap
diode.
3) In Frequency multiplier :
They can also be used as a frequency multiplier or a
harmonic generator where a resonant circuit tunes to
the desired harmonic.
SUMMARY :
• A varactor is also known as a variable
capacitance diode or a varicap. It provides an
electrically controllable capacitance, which can
be used in tuned circuits.
• It is small and inexpensive, which makes its

use advantageous in many applications.
THANK YOU

Name: Chethan Kumar. D USN: 1PI07EC027 Topic: Varactor Diode

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NAME : CHETHAN KUMAR.

• Diode behaves differently in forward and

In an ideal diode, when reverse biased, it would

A reverse biased diode has very high resistance.

 Varactor diode is also known as Varicap

Any PN junction has a junction capacitance

Here Cj is the junction

The simplified model is a

The capacitance and the amount of charge

Capacitance is inversely proportional to the

Generally, the depletion region thickness is proportional

• It is small and inexpensive, which makes its

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