How to Characterize a Diode
Characterizing a diode with basic bench instruments and control software
Characterizing an active electronic component such as a diode requires the test engineer to perform an I-V curve measurement. Other than using an I-V curve tracer, test engineers can use common instruments such as a digital multimeter and a DC power supply. The setup is simple — engineers will need to create a circuit loop using a DC power supply, a resistor, and the diode in series. To characterize the diode, it is important to check the polarity of the diode and apply voltages across the circuit with clear intentions on whether to forward or reverse bias the diode.
Apply voltages in an incremental step from zero voltage and make voltage measurements across the resistor and the diode. Use Ohm’s law to calculate the current flow through the diode by dividing the voltage values across the resistor and the resistor value itself. Plot the diode’s I-V characteristic curve with the current and voltage values across the diode. Engineers can use software programming or readily available instrument control application software to automate testing and plotting of the diode’s I-V characteristic curve.
Basic benchtop diode characterization system
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