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# Diode

Piecewise linear diode in electrical systems

## Library

Electrical Elements

## Description

The Diode block models a piecewise linear diode. If the voltage across the diode is bigger than the Forward voltage parameter value, then the diode behaves like a linear resistor with low resistance, given by the On resistance parameter value, plus a series voltage source. If the voltage across the diode is less than the forward voltage, then the diode behaves like a linear resistor with low conductance given by the Off conductance parameter value.

When forward biased, the series voltage source is described with the following equation:

$V=Vf\left(1-{R}_{on}{G}_{off}\right),$

where

 V Voltage Vf Forward voltage Ron On resistance Goff Off conductance

The Ron.Goff term ensures that the diode current is exactly zero when the voltage across it is zero.

## Dialog Box and Parameters

### Parameters Tab

Forward voltage

Minimum voltage that needs to be applied for the diode to become forward-biased. The default value is 0.6 V.

On resistance

The resistance of a forward-biased diode. The default value is 0.3 Ω.

Off conductance

The conductance of a reverse-biased diode. The default value is 1e-8 1/Ω.

### Variables Tab

Use the Variables tab to set the priority and initial target values for the block variables prior to simulation. For more information, see Set Priority and Initial Target for Block Variables.

## Ports

The block has the following ports:

+

Electrical conserving port associated with the diode positive terminal.

-

Electrical conserving port associated with the diode negative terminal.