Designing a PCB with the DEX PCB Designer > Designs > PCB Design > Spice Simulation > Devices

In SPICE (Simulation Program with Integrated Circuit Emphasis), diodes are modeled to simulate the behavior of real-world diodes in electronic circuits. Diodes are semiconductor devices that allow current to flow in one direction while blocking it in the opposite direction. SPICE provides various diode models to accurately capture the behavior of diodes under different operating conditions.

The most common types of diode models in SPICE include ideal diode models and more advanced models that consider non-ideal characteristics, temperature effects, and more. Here are some key diode models in SPICE:

Ideal Diode Model

The ideal diode model is the simplest representation of a diode in SPICE. It assumes that the diode has an infinite reverse resistance (blocks all reverse current) and zero forward voltage drop (conductive when forward-biased). The ideal diode model does not consider reverse recovery time or other non-ideal effects.

Non-Ideal Diode Models

More advanced diode models in SPICE consider non-ideal characteristics, such as reverse recovery time, temperature effects, and series resistance. These models provide a more accurate representation of diode behavior over a wide range of conditions.

Some of the advanced diode models include:

Diode Level 1 Model: This model includes the diode's saturation current, reverse breakdown voltage, and parasitic series resistance. It is suitable for simple diode behavior analysis.

Diode Level 3 Model: This model is more comprehensive and includes additional parameters to account for temperature effects, high-frequency behavior, and more accurate reverse recovery characteristics.

Schottky Diode Model: Schottky diode models are used for Schottky barrier diodes, which have different characteristics compared to regular PN-junction diodes.

Diode models in SPICE are used to analyze diode behavior in various circuit applications, such as rectifiers, voltage clamps, voltage regulators, and more. Depending on the accuracy required for your simulation and the complexity of the circuit, you can choose the appropriate diode model that suits your design needs. Keep in mind that while ideal diode models are simple to use, they do not capture all the nuances of real-world diode behavior.