(a) A student wants to use two p-n junction diodes to convert alternating current into direct current. Draw the labelled circuit diagram she would use and explain how it works. (b) Give the truth table and circuit symbol for a NAND gate.
Solution
(a) Two diodes are used in a centre-tapped full-wave rectifier: the ac feeds a centre-tapped transformer, each secondary end connects to one diode, and the load is between the centre tap and the common output. In one half-cycle D1 is forward biased and conducts; in the next half-cycle D2 conducts; both drive current through the load in the same direction, converting ac to unidirectional (dc) output. (b) A NAND gate gives Y=A⋅B; its truth table is 00→1,01→1,10→1,11→0, and its symbol is the AND-gate symbol with a small circle at the output. Full-wave rectifier; NAND: Y=A⋅B.