Details

The plotted output voltage is computed by solving the system of three differential equations from applying Kirchhoff’s voltage law to each of the three loops of the circuit. We have in mind the high-voltage, low-current application in vacuum-tube audio amplifiers.

The voltage-current characteristic of the rectifier (the function in the program) is typical of a solid-state diode; however, the parameter allows the inclusion of significant internal resistance typical of a vacuum-tube rectifier. The rectifier provides half-wave rectification; we can mimic full-wave rectification by using a full-wave rectified input voltage.

Ripple amplitude (rms) is computed and reported as a percentage of the mean output voltage. This is done by sampling over the last several computed cycles. For large inductance values, transient low-frequency "ringing" causes difficulties in the computation of the ripple amplitude. We attempt to remove the ringing using the Fourier transform. While this improves matters considerably, one should increase the parameter in order to obtain more accurate ripple amplitude calculation for large inductance values. (Unfortunately, the additional computation will cause the controls to become less responsive.)

An input amplitude control is provided for convenience. Input amplitude is 1/2 peak-to-peak, or rms.