18WuD2x

diode peak voltmeter • diplex reception 193
Regulated
+
voltage
Gunn
diode
diode oscillator, 1
Resonant
cavity
RFC
diode peak voltmeter A diode-type alternatingcurrent
(ac) voltmeter, in which the deflection of
the direct-current (dc) milliammeter or microammeter
is proportional to the peak value of the applied
ac voltage.
diode probe A test probe containing a diode used
as either a rectifier or demodulator.
diode recovery time The interval during which relatively
high current continues to flow after the
voltage across a semiconductor junction has been
abruptly switched from forward to reverse. Recovery
time is attributable to DIODE STORAGE.
diode rectification Conversion of alternating current
(ac) to pulsating direct current (dc) by diode
action.
diode rectifier 1. A diode device that converts alternating
current (ac) to pulsating direct current
(dc) in a power supply. 2. A small-signal diode device
that converts ac to dc in the automatic-gaincontrol
(AGC) circuit of a superheterodyne
receiver. Also called AGC rectifier.
diode resistor 1. A resistor usually operated with
a diode. 2. A voltage-variable resistor utilizing the
(usually forward) resistance of a semiconductor
diode.
diode storage The charge carriers (electrons and
holes) remaining within a pn junction for a short
time after forward bias has been either removed
or switched to reverse polarity.
diode storage time See DIODE RECOVERY TIME.
diode switch See DIODE GATE.
diode sync separator A diode used in a television
receiver circuit to separate and deliver the sync
pulses from the composite video signal.
diode temperature stabilization 1. Keeping the
temperature of a diode at a constant level. 2. Using
the temperature-resistance characteristic of a
forward-biased semiconductor diode to stabilize a
circuit (such as a transistor amplifier stage) (i.e.,
to prevent variations caused by temperature
changes).
diode tester See DIODE CHECKER.
diode transistor 1. See UNIJUNCTION TRANSIS-
TOR. 2. A semiconductor diode whose operation
simulates that of a transistor by means of pulsed
operation that alternately makes the single junction
an emitter or collector. 3. A transistor connected
to operate solely as a diode.
diode-transistor logic Abbreviation, DTL. Logic
circuitry in which a diode is the logic element and
a transistor acts as an inverting amplifier.
diode-type meter A rectifier-type alternatingcurrent
(ac) meter consisting of a semiconductor
diode(s) and a direct-current (dc) milliammeter or
microammeter. The diode rectifies the ac input,
the resulting dc deflecting the meter.
diode varactor A conventional semiconductor
diode or rectifier used as a makeshift varactor
(voltage-variable capacitor).
diode variable resistor See DIODE VARISTOR.
diode varistor A conventional diode used as a
makeshift varistor (voltage-variable resistor).
diode voltage reference See ZENER VOLTAGE
REFERENCE.
diode voltage regulator See ZENER VOLTAGE
REGULATOR.
DIP Abbreviation of DUAL IN-LINE PACKAGE.
dip 1. A distinct decrease in the value of a varying
quantity, followed by an increase [e.g., the sudden
drop, followed by a rise, in collector current
when a bipolar-transistor radio-frequency (RF)
power amplifier is tuned through resonance]. 2.
Also called magnetic inclination. The slanting of a
compass needle, resulting from the orientation of
the geomagnetic lines of flux, with respect to the
earth’s surface. It varies, depending on magnetic
latitude.
dip adapter An external accessory that allows a radio-frequency
(RF) signal generator to be used as
a DIP METER.
dip coating 1. Applying a protective coat of insulating
material to a conductor or component by
dipping it into the liquid material, then draining
and drying it. Compare SPRAY COATING. 2. The
coat applied in this way.
dip encapsulation Embedding a component or circuit
in a protective block of insulating material
(such as a plastic) while the material is in a liquid
state, and then allowing the material to harden in
ambient air or in an oven.
dip impregnation Saturating a component or material
(such as absorbent film) with a substance
(such as oil or wax) by dipping or vacuum forcing.
diplexer A coupler that permits two or more transmitters
to operate simultaneously into a single
antenna.
diplex operation 1. Simultaneous transmission or
reception of two signals using a single antenna.
2. Simultaneous transmission or reception of two
signals on a single carrier.
diplex reception The reception of signals while
transmitting with the same antenna.