electronics design patterns

taxonomy, illustration, explanation of most reusable electronic design patterns.

precision rectifier

23 May 2020 » signal_chain

svg schematics by matt-chv is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

Precision Rectifier

The precision rectifier or also called super diode.

When the VIN<0, there is a negative voltage on the diode, so it works like an open circuit, no current flows through the load, and the output voltage is zero.

When VIN>0, it is amplified by the operational amplifier, which switches the diode on. Current flows through the load and, because of the feedback, the output voltage is equal to the input voltage.

\[VOUT = max(VIN,0)\]