On the applicability of the self-linearization technique for linearizing real PN junction based circuits

Abstract

New theoretical and experimental results pertaining to the self-linearization phenomenon are presented. The possibility of linearizing the U - I characteristics of a real PN junction by means of only one linear resistance is investigated. The effect of the junction diffusion capacitance is also investigated. A highly accurate approximation for the frequency-dependent coefficients of the first, second, and third harmonics is developed. Dual series and parallel linearizing circuits are theoretically analyzed and experimentally tested. The results show that the third-order and all even-order nonlinearities are suppressed. Measurements of dc U - I characteristics and high-frequency spectra of linearized (to the fifth order) PN junction based circuits of both series and parallel configurations are presented. The linearity is enhanced by a factor exceeding 40 dB. The presented principle and circuits can be applied to both discrete and integrated circuits. At present, this linearization phenomenon seems to be a rather promising method.