This link extends GunnsBasicPotential with a model of an electrical diode, which is a conductor that allows current in the forward direction but opposes current in the reverse direction. This also models the normal voltage drop that occurs across the junction in real diodes for forward current. This voltage drop is in addition to the drop due to the current through the conductance.

The link defines "forward" from Port 0 to Port 1. When there is a forward voltage that is greater than the junction voltage drop, i.e. Port 0 voltage is higher than Port 1 voltage plus the junction voltage drop, this state is called "forward bias" and the diode has a high conductance. When there is a "reverse bias", i.e. Port 0 has lower voltage than Port 1 plus the voltage drop, then the diode switches to a low conductance, thus limiting reverse current. The forward and reverse conductances and the voltage drop are configurable.

The GunnsElectRealDiode link can be attached to nodes in the same ways that a GunnsBasicConductor can.

Port Connection Rules (These are limitations on the port connection to nodes that the link enforces in run-time):

• Ports 0 and 1 cannot connect to the same non-Ground node.

Other Rules (These are extra rules you should always try to follow):

• In general, try to combine conductors in series into a single conductor whenever possible. This diode is a fancy conductor. Other conductors in series, such as simple resistors, could be included in this diode's forward and reverse conductances instead. See more about this in GunnsBasicConductor.

Configuration Data Parameters:

• forwardConductance (default = 0.0 (1/ohm), must be >=0): This is the conductance of the diode when it is forward-biased. Diodes normally have a high forward conductance.
• reverseConductance (default = 0.0 (1/ohm), must be >=0): This is the conductance of the diode when it is reverse-biased. Diodes normally have a very small reverse conductance. Note that this link does not constrain how large a value you can use, but if you use an unrealistically large value, the link performance can become unpredictable.
• voltageDrop (default = 0.0 (v), must be >=0): This is the normal junction voltage drop. Silicon diodes typically have a drop of 0.7 volts. Note that this link does not constrain how large a value you can use, but if you use an unrealistically large value, the link performance can become unpredictable.

Input Data Parameters:

• malfBlockageFlag (default = false): Initial state of the blockage malfunction activation flag.
• malfBlockageValue (default = 0.0, must be (0-1)): Initial state of the blockage malfunction activation value. A value of 0.0 is the same as no blockage at all, and 1.0 is an open-circuit -- it completely blocks all current and isolates the port nodes from each other (although parallel flow paths still apply).

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