GATE EE 2020 Set 1 — Question 40
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Analog & Digital Electronics → Diode Circuits → Maximum Power Transfer
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Question
Consider the diode circuit shown below. The diode, , obeys the current-voltage characteristic , where , , is the voltage across the diode and is the current through it. The circuit is biased so that voltage, and current, . If you had to design this circuit to transfer maximum power from the current source () to a resistive load (not shown) at the output, what values of and would you choose?
Correct answer
(D) Small R₁ and large R₂.
Solution
To transfer maximum power from the current source to an external resistive load connected at the output terminals:
1.Maximize current to the load: The current splits between the diode , the resistor , and the output load. To maximize the current reaching the load, the parallel paths (diode and ) should draw as little current as possible. This requires the resistance of these paths to be very high. Thus, should be large.
2.Minimize voltage drop to the load: The resistor is in series with the load. Any current flowing to the load causes a voltage drop across (), which reduces the voltage available at the load terminals. To maximize the output power (), this series voltage drop should be minimized. Thus, should be small.
Therefore, the optimal design choice is small and large .Continue learning with Success Tracker
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