User Guide

2 Primer: How to Optimize a Desi

Optimizin

a Diode

Biasin

Circuit—the

ective

Assume that you want to design a circuit that drives a current of

1 mA (±5 µA) through a diode (D1N914) using a 5 Vvoltage

source and a series resistor to control the current through the

diode. A circuit such as this is shown in Figure 2-1.

ure 2-1

Diode Biasing Design Example

Your objective is to find a value for resistor R1 so that current

through diode D1 falls in the range 0.995 mA to 1.005 mA.