Clipping or Limiting

Clipping is another application of semiconductor diodes. A circuit that cutoff a portion of the voltage that lies above or below a certain selected level is called clipping or limiting. The clipper that removes a part or full from the positive half cycle of the input signal is called positive clipper and that removes from the negative half cycle of the input signal is called negative clipper.

Clamping

Clamper circuit is another application of diode. These circuits are used to shift the DC level in either positive side or negative side of the input waveform without reducing its amplitude. These circuits are used in radar and communications equipment to change the reference level of a waveform without reducing its amplitude.

The two types of clamping circuits are:

1. Positive clamping – the bottom of the output waveform is clamped to the bias voltage in such a way so the output waveform is positive to the bias level.

2. Negative clamping – the top of the waveform is clamped to the bias voltage in such a way so the output waveform is negative to the bias level.

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