Large-signal performance of measurement-based diode models for nonlinear circuit simulation: a comparison

This paper presents a new, extensive investigation of the large-signal behaviour of two measurement based mathematical diode models. A physics-based dynamic nonlinear model of a p+n diode, and the Nonlinear Integral Model [1] derived from the former model's small-signal admittances are compared. Despite the exact agreement in DC and small-signal conditions, the large-signal behaviour of the two models is shown to be different. A varactor frequency multiplier design is developed to assess the impact of this model difference on the analysis and optimization of strongly nonlinear circuits.