What is a LOW VF Schottky diode?

  What is a LOW VF Schottky diode?

LOW VF Schottky diode is a semiconductor device with a lower forward voltage drop than ordinary Schottky diodes. It can be understood as an upgraded Schottky diode with better performance and lower voltage drop. Therefore, the lower the voltage drop of the LOW VF Schottky diode, the higher the efficiency. Therefore, the lower the voltage drop, the lower the heat generation, and the higher the efficiency of the LOW VF Schottky diode.



       The advantage of LOW VF Schottky diode is to reduce the ineffective loss of the power supply and improve the conversion efficiency of the power supply. The function of a lowvf Schottky diode is the same as that of a traditional Schottky diode. The difference between the two is the VF value and trench process. LOW VF Schottky diode is a forward-conducting device, and VF is a DC voltage drop, which is the loss generated during operation. The lower the loss, the better.




       The structure and characteristics of the LOW VF Schottky diode make it suitable for high-frequency rectification in low-voltage and high-current output situations, detection and mixing of very high frequencies (such as X-band, C-band, S-band and Ku-band), and Clamping in high-speed logic circuits. LOW VF Schottky diodes are also commonly used in integrated circuits, such as Schottky diodes. TTL integrated circuits have long been the mainstream of TTL circuits and are widely used in high-speed computers.


     

       The DC voltage of the LOW VF Schottky diode is reduced: Because the Schottky barrier height is lower than the PN junction barrier height, the forward conduction MOSFET and forward voltage drop are lower than the PN junction diode (about 0.2V lower). LOW VF Schottky diode has a high operating frequency: Because the minority carrier storage effect in the Schottky diode is very small, its frequency response is only limited by the RC time constant, so it is an ideal device for high-frequency fast switching. Its operating frequency can reach 100 GHz.




       LOW VF Schottky diodes are used as rectifier diodes and small signal detection diodes in microwave communication circuits. It is often used in communication power supplies, frequency converters, etc. A typical application is, in the switching circuit of the bipolar transistor BJT, the LOW VF Schottky diode is connected to the BJT clamp circuit, so that the transistor is actually in a very off state when the transistor is turned on, thereby improving the switching of the transistor. speed. This method is suitable for TTL internal circuits of typical digital integrated circuits, such as 74LS, 74ALS and 74AS.