Precision Rectifiers

What are Precision Rectifiers?

We know that the rectifiers are the circuits which use diodes
to convert AC to DC.
The major limitation of these circuits is that they cant rectify
voltages below 0.7V i.e. the cut-in voltage of the diode. Due
to this, the output of the conventional rectifier is distorted.
To achieve precision rectification we need a circuit which can
precisely rectify voltages having amplitude less than 0.7V.
This can be achieved by using op-amp along with diodes &
these circuits are called as precision rectifiers.

Types of Precision Rectifiers :1. Precision Half Wave Rectifiers:

Non-inverting half wave rectifier
Inverting half wave rectifier

2. Precision Full Wave Rectifiers

Precision Half Wave Rectifi er s

Non-inverting half wave rectifier:As shown in the figure, the noninverting half wave rectifier
consists of a non-inverting
amplifier with a diode in the
feedback loop of an op-amp.
The analysis of this circuit can be
done by considering two cases:
1. When input is positive (Vin>0V)
2. When input is negative (Vin<0V)

Case 1:
When the input is positive, it is amplified by the operational
amplifier and it turns the diode on.
There is current in the load and, because of the feedback, the
output voltage is equal to the input.

Case
2:

When the input voltage is negative, there is a negative

voltage on the diode, so it works like an open circuit,
there is no current in the load and the output voltage is
zero.

Fig. Input & output waveforms for non-inverting

half wave rectifier

Inverting half wave rectifier:As shown in the figure, the

inverting half wave rectifier
consists of two diodes & two
resistors and op-amp is connected
in the inverting configuration.
The analysis of this circuit can be
done by considering two cases:
1. When input is positive (Vin>0V)
2. When input is negative (Vin<0V)

Case 1:
When the input is positive, current flows through R1 and
diode D2 becomes forward biased and D1 is reverse biased.
As the current flowing through R2 is zero, the output voltage
is equal to the input.

Case
2:

When the input voltage is negative, diode D2 is OFF and

diode D1 is ON.
With these diode states, circuit acts like an inverting
amplifier and output is given as, Vi for Vi<0V
If R1 & R2 are made equal, then Vo = -Vi .

Fig. Input & output waveforms for inverting half

wave rectifier

Precision Full Wave Rectifiers

Vn1
Vp1

Vn2
Vp2

The precision full wave

rectifier accepts an AC
signal at the input,
inverts either the
negative or positive
half, and delivers both
the inverted and noninverted halves at the
output.

Case 1:

When the input is positive, inverting side of 1st op-amp will

force its output to swing negative, thus forward biasing D1 &
reverse biasing D2.
Since no current flows through resistance R connected
between Vn1 & Vp2, both are equipotential i.e. Vn1=Vp2=0V.
From the equivalent circuit shown above , the output voltage
can be given as,

Case
2:

When the input is negative, the output voltage of A1 swings

to positive, making diode D1 reverse biased and diode D2
forward biased.
Consider the equivalent circuit, by applying KCL at node a
we get,
Now consider equivalent circuit of A2, Vo in terms of V is
given as,
Substituting value of V we get,

Fig. Input & output waveforms for full wave rectifier