# Solving diode circuit with iteration - why doesn't it work?

We are given the information that the forward voltage drop of the diode $V_D$ is 0.7 V @ 1 mA. Applying KVL, we get: $-V_{DD} + R \cdot I_D + V_D = 0$

We know that $I_D = I_S \cdot e^{\frac{V_D}{V_T}}$. Plugging in $V_D = 0.7\text{ V}, I_D= 1 \text{mA}, V_T= 25 \text{mV}$, we find that $I_S = 6.9144 \cdot 10^{-16} \text{A}$.

Rearranging the 1st equation, we have $V_D = V_{DD} - R \cdot I_D = 5 - 10\text{k} × 6.9144 \cdot 10^{-16} × e^{\frac{VD}{0.025}}$.

According to my understanding, we can solve this by iteration. We pick a value of $V_D$, say 0.7 V, plug it in the RHS of the last equation and we should end up with a better approximation. Repeat until we are satisfied with the result. However this does not work and I end up with a garbage value.

Anyone knows why?

simulate this circuit – Schematic created using CircuitLab

• I cleaned up your formulas using MathJax, please double check if they are still as you intended. – jippie Oct 18 '13 at 19:35

Your electrical analysis is fine, it is really just a question of which numerical method to use, since the equation cannot be solved analytically.

Different numerical methods are appropriate for different situations. I'm not quite sure what the problem with using your method is in this circuit, but I think it is because the slope is so steep with the 10k resistor that the next estimate overshoots the correct value by way too much.

A different numerical method that can work is basically a binary search. The key to notice is that the function $A - B e^{x}$ is strictly decreasing, so that if the left hand $V_D$ is too low, you know the right hand $V_D$ is too high. By hand the process looks something like this (Python):

>>> def vd1(vd0):
...   return 5-6.9144e-12*math.exp(vd0/0.025)
...
>>> vd1(0.7)
-4.999999845336939
>>> vd1(0.6)
4.8168436139454105
>>> vd1(0.65)
3.646647188565237
>>> vd1(0.675)
1.3212056451829235
>>> vd1(0.68)
0.5067104283223642
>>> vd1(0.678)
0.8521709473357619
>>> vd1(0.679)
0.6828948324788575
>>> vd1(0.6791)
0.6655918288722198
>>> vd1(0.67905)
0.6742519821744661
>>> vd1(0.67902)
0.6794397665027283


So $V_D \approx 0.679$V.

I know it is a really late answer but it may help other people with the same question. The analysis you've done is correct, the issue is that the iterative method depends on convergence, that is, you need to come up with some type of function that converges to a value (~0.7V for a diode).

The equation you are trying to do the iterative method on doesn't converge (because of the exponential function that you have on the right hand side. You may want to re-write your expression in terms of logarithm function as it is shown here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diode_modelling#Iterative_solution

The reason as to why your approach doesn't work comes from iterative analysis theory. I am no expert in it, but it has to do with finding a convergent function.