4.2 DIODES AS SWITCHES
A physical switch either makes or breaks a contact between two nodes, meaning the resistance between the nodes is either 0 or ∞. When electronic devices are used as switches, no physical contact is either made or broken; the resistance between the nodes is made either too small (ideally 0) or too large (ideally ∞). Diodes can be used as switches. We shall discuss the application of semiconductor and Zener diodes as switches in this section.
4.2.1 The Semiconductor Diode as a Switch
A semiconductor diode, used as a switch, is ON when forward-biased and OFF when reverse-biased. As such, this device may be used as a static switch. The voltage between the anode (A) and the cathode (K) is ideally zero; and hence, the resistance ...
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