How does a clipper circuit limit the amplitude of a signal above or below a certain threshold?
1 Answer
A clipper circuit, also known as a limiter circuit, is an electronic circuit that limits the amplitude of a signal by cutting off or "clipping" the voltage above or below a certain threshold level. It is often used to prevent a signal from exceeding specified voltage limits and to protect sensitive components from overvoltage.
There are two main types of clipper circuits: the positive clipper and the negative clipper. Let's look at each of them:
Positive Clipper:
In a positive clipper circuit, the voltage level above a specified threshold is clipped or limited to that threshold level. When the input signal voltage is below the threshold, the output follows the input. However, when the input voltage exceeds the threshold, the output voltage is limited to the threshold voltage.
The circuit typically consists of a diode and a resistor connected in series. When the input voltage is positive and exceeds the threshold, the diode becomes forward-biased, allowing current to flow through the resistor, which creates a voltage drop across the resistor. This voltage drop effectively limits the output voltage to the threshold level.
Negative Clipper:
In a negative clipper circuit, the voltage level below a specified threshold is clipped or limited to that threshold level. When the input signal voltage is above the threshold, the output follows the input. However, when the input voltage goes below the threshold, the output voltage is limited to the threshold voltage.
The circuit also uses a diode and a resistor connected in series, but the diode is oriented in the opposite direction. When the input voltage is negative and goes below the threshold, the diode becomes forward-biased, allowing current to flow through the resistor, creating a voltage drop that limits the output voltage to the threshold level.
Both types of clipper circuits can be used together to perform full-wave clipping, where both the positive and negative excursions of the input signal are clipped.
Clipper circuits are commonly used in audio and video signal processing, communications, and various other electronic applications where voltage level limiting is necessary. By controlling the threshold level and the components used, different clipping levels can be achieved, allowing flexibility in adjusting the amplitude limitation according to specific requirements.
There are two main types of clipper circuits: the positive clipper and the negative clipper. Let's look at each of them:
Positive Clipper:
In a positive clipper circuit, the voltage level above a specified threshold is clipped or limited to that threshold level. When the input signal voltage is below the threshold, the output follows the input. However, when the input voltage exceeds the threshold, the output voltage is limited to the threshold voltage.
The circuit typically consists of a diode and a resistor connected in series. When the input voltage is positive and exceeds the threshold, the diode becomes forward-biased, allowing current to flow through the resistor, which creates a voltage drop across the resistor. This voltage drop effectively limits the output voltage to the threshold level.
Negative Clipper:
In a negative clipper circuit, the voltage level below a specified threshold is clipped or limited to that threshold level. When the input signal voltage is above the threshold, the output follows the input. However, when the input voltage goes below the threshold, the output voltage is limited to the threshold voltage.
The circuit also uses a diode and a resistor connected in series, but the diode is oriented in the opposite direction. When the input voltage is negative and goes below the threshold, the diode becomes forward-biased, allowing current to flow through the resistor, creating a voltage drop that limits the output voltage to the threshold level.
Both types of clipper circuits can be used together to perform full-wave clipping, where both the positive and negative excursions of the input signal are clipped.
Clipper circuits are commonly used in audio and video signal processing, communications, and various other electronic applications where voltage level limiting is necessary. By controlling the threshold level and the components used, different clipping levels can be achieved, allowing flexibility in adjusting the amplitude limitation according to specific requirements.