Half-Wave Rectifier

A half-way rectifier is a simple way to turn an AC signal into DC with diodes. It only lets the positive part of the AC cycle through, which can then be smoothed out using a capacitor to reduce the ripple.

To summarize:

• $V_{AC}>0$ means that the diode conducts
• $V_{AC}<0$ means that the diode does not conduct

Adding a capacitor will result in the input charging the capacitor, which will stay higher than $V_{AC}$ and smooth the output signal. This is the dashed line in the diagram below.

• $C$ acts like a “charge gas tank” when the diode is blocking.
• The “bumpiness” of the signal is called “ripple”.
• As $C$ increases, ripple decreases.
• Called “bulk decoupling capacitor”