Sensitivity analysis of lossy nonuniform multiconductor transmission lines based on the Lax‐Wendroff technique

This paper applies the Lax‐Wendroff technique, usually used in fluid dynamics, to transmission line sensitivity analysis. A second‐order‐accurate Lax‐Wendroff difference scheme for sensitivity analysis of both uniform and nonuniform transmission lines is derived. Based on this scheme, a new method for analyzing multiconductor transmission line sensitivity, which does not need to be decoupled, is presented by combining with matrix operations. Using numerical experiments, the proposed method is compared with the characteristic method and the fast Fourier transform approach. With the presented method, the sensitivity of a nonlinear circuit including nonuniform multiconductor transmission lines is analyzed and the results are verified by the HSPICE perturbation method. The proposed method can be applied to either linear or nonlinear circuits, which include lossy nonuniform multiconductor transmission lines and is proved to be efficient. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

An efficient piecewise‐linear DC analysis method for general non‐linear circuits

The convergence problems of conventional DC analysis can be partly avoided by using piecewise‐linear analysis. This paper proposes a piecewise‐linear DC analysis method that can efficiently handle arbitrary couplings between non‐linear circuit elements. Piecewise‐linear modelling of the non‐linear circuit elements is automatically performed during simulation, using simplicial subdivisions. The number of linear regions, and thereby iterations, is considerably reduced by combining the common parts of separate simplicial subdivisions. Due to these reasons and since the method is formulated with the commonly used modified nodal approach, it has been possible to implement the method in the general‐purpose circuit simulator APLAC. The correct operation of the method is demonstrated with three examples. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Hyperreal transients on transfinite distributed transmission lines and cables

A prior work showed how non‐standard analysis could be used to derive hyperreal transients in transfinite electrical networks containing lumped inductors, capacitors, resistors and sources. In this work, hyperreal transients are derived for transfinite electrical networks whose parameters are distributed. In particular, explicit expressions are derived for hyperreal transients on uniform transmission lines and cables that ‘extend beyond infinity’ transfinitely. This requires a substantially altered technique as compared to the prior work. The present one uses a different kind of truncation procedure that reduces the transfinite line or cable to a conventionally infinite one and then expands the latter in steps to ‘fill out’ the transfinite line or cable. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A combined approach for the identification of continuous non‐linear systems

The identification of a non‐linear continuous output‐only system from a time series is considered for the case that the functional form of the model is not known beforehand. To estimate both functions and parameters, a combination of non‐parametric modelling based on non‐linear regression and parametric modelling based on a multiple shooting algorithm is proposed. This strategy to determine non‐linear differential equations is exemplified on experimental data from a chaotic circuit where an accurate reconstruction of the observed attractor is obtained. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

An interval algorithm for finding all solutions of non‐linear resistive circuits

In this letter, an efficient algorithm is proposed for finding all solutions of non‐linear (not piecewise‐linear) resistive circuits. This algorithm is based on interval analysis, the dual simplex method, and the contraction methods. By numerical examples, it is shown that the proposed algorithm could find all solutions of systems of 500–700 non‐linear circuit equations in acceptable computation time. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Constructive approximation of non‐linear discrete‐time systems

It is known that large classes of approximately‐finite‐memory maps can be uniformly approximated arbitrarily well by the maps of certain non‐linear structures. As an application, it was proved that time‐delay networks can be used to uniformly approximate arbitrarily well the members of a large class of causal nonlinear dynamic discrete‐time input–output maps. However, the proof is non‐constructive and provides no information concerning the determination of a structure that corresponds to a prescribed bound on the approximation error. Here we give some general results concerning the problem of finding the structure. Our setting is as follows. There is a large family 𝒢 of causal time‐invariant approximately‐finite‐memory input‐output maps G from a set S of real d‐vector‐valued discrete‐time inputs (with d⩾1) to the set of ℝ‐valued discrete‐time outputs, with both the inputs and outputs defined on the non‐negative integers 𝒵₊. We show that for each ϵ>0, any Gϵ𝒢 can be uniformly approximated by a structure map H(G, ·) to within tolerance ϵ, and we give analytical results and an example to illustrate how such a H(G, ·) can be determined in principle. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Hyperreal waves on transfinite,terminated, distortionless and lossless,transmission lines

A prior work (Graphs and Networks: Transfinite and Nonstandard, Chapter 8. Birkhauser: Boston, Cambridge, MA, 2004) examined the propagation of an electromagnetic wave on a transfinite transmission line—transfinite in the sense that infinitely many one‐way infinite transmission lines are connected in cascade. That there are infinitely many such one‐way infinite lines results in the wave propagating without ever reflecting at some discontinuity. The present work examines the case where the cascade terminates after only finitely many one‐way infinite transmission lines, with the result that reflected waves are now produced at both the far end as well as at the initial end of the transfinite transmission line. The questions whether the reflected waves are infinitesimal or appreciable and whether they sum to an infinitesimal or appreciable amount are resolved for both distortionless and lossless lines. Finally, the generalization to higher ranks of transfiniteness is briefly summarized. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Towards analog implementations of PWL two‐dimensional non‐linear functions

This paper deals with the circuit implementation of non‐linear algebraic bivariate functions. The synthesis procedure is based on a piecewise‐linear approximation technique and on a corresponding circuit architecture, whose basic element is a circuit block with the input/output function y(x) = max(0; x). Some known CMOS circuit structures that can be used to obtain such a block are considered, and their main advantages and drawbacks are pointed out. The static and dynamic features of both the single circuit block and the overall architecture for two‐dimensional PWL functions are illustrated by way of examples. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Adaptive output tracking for a class of non‐linear time‐delay systems

In this paper the output tracking control problem for a class of non‐linear time delay systems with some unknown constant parameters is addressed. Such a problem is solved in the case that the non‐linear time‐delay system has full delay relative degree and stable internal dynamics. It is supposed moreover that the output and its time derivatives until n?1, where n is the length of the state vector (euclidean part), do not depend explicitly on the unknown parameters. This work is the first step towards the application of the methodologies of adaptive control for non‐linear delayless systems, based on tools of differential geometry, to non‐linear time‐delay systems too. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The method of lines for the analysis of composite‐metal lossy microstrip lines

A full‐wave analysis of the composite‐metal microstrip lines is presented. The effects of the composite metal to the loss of the microstrip lines are accurately investigated, which are often avoided by other methods. The metal layers of the microstrip lines are considered as lossy inhomogeneous layers. The effects of the thickness of the Au layer and Ti layer are given, respectively. And the reasons that lead to the differences between them are discussed for the first time by analyzing the longitudinal electric field on the strip. The results are compared with other published data. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Adaptive estimation and rejection of unknown sinusoidal disturbances through measurement feedback for a class of non‐minimum phase non‐linear MIMO systems

This paper develops an adaptive estimation method to estimate unknown disturbances in a class of non‐minimum phase non‐linear MIMO systems. The unknown disturbances are generated by an unknown linear exosystem. The frequencies, phases and amplitudes of the disturbances are unknown, the only available information of the disturbances is the number of distinctive frequencies. The system considered in this paper is a class of MIMO non‐linear systems in the output feedback form which can be non‐minimum phase. The proposed estimation algorithm provides exponentially convergent estimates of system states, unknown disturbances in the system and frequencies of the disturbances characterized by the eigenvalues of the exosystem. Moreover, based on the stabilization controller for the disturbance free system, the estimates of the disturbances are used to solve the disturbance rejection problem. The unknown disturbances are compensated completely with the stability of the whole closed‐loop system. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Considerations on the equivalence between non‐uniform transmission lines

We investigate the relation of equivalence between non‐uniform lossless transmission lines (LC lines or lines, for short) with sectionally smooth distributed parameters (series inductance L(x) and shunt capacitance C(x) per unit length, x being the spatial variable). The equivalence condition is derived by heuristic and well‐grounded inference. The condition provides us with the basis on which we can generate by rote a line equivalent to a fixed original line according to a specified change of spatial variable (elasticity function). The concept of intermediary lines between a pair of equivalent lines is introduced to enhance precise understanding of the condition and the procedure to generate equivalent lines. In addition, fused parameters are defined as a generalization of distributed parameters, in terms of which the argument and formulas are developed in a brief and inclusive manner. It is shown to be possible, on generating equivalent lines, to preassign a fused parameter of the equivalent line or one of the associated intermediary lines instead of specifying the elasticity function. Equivalent lines thus obtained are called conditioned equivalent lines. We discuss how to get conditioned equivalent lines as well as equivalency tests of arbitrarily given pair of LC lines to present some comprehensible and promising methods involving a versatile, graphical technique. We also refer to such interesting topics as a normalization of LC lines, a kind of conservation law of fused parameters between equivalent lines and the scope of realizable characteristics by LC lines conditioned in an arbitrary way. Some formerly known equivalence conditions are located appropriately in the context of our theory. Further, the equivalence condition is shown to be not only sufficient but also necessary for LC lines whose distributed parameters may have a finite number of points of discontinuity by invoking a theorem for an inverse scattering problem. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Existence and uniqueness of solutions for DC networks containing non‐linear ideal op amps

In this paper we are concerned with networks obtained by connecting independent sources, linear resistors and non‐linear ideal op amps. A necessary and sufficient condition for the existence and uniqueness of solutions for every positive output saturation voltage of the op amps and every value of the independent sources is found. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

On simplex‐based piecewise‐linear approximations of non‐linear mappings

Simplex‐based piecewise‐linear (PWL) approximations of non‐linear mappings are needed when the robust PWL analysis is used to directly solve non‐linear equations. This paper proposes a straightforward technique for transforming the well‐known approximations into another form. This new form is computationally more efficient, since it preserves the sparse structure of the original Jacobian matrix. Furthermore, this new form of PWL approximation explicitly relates the simplex‐based PWL analysis to the conventional formulation of the Katzenelson algorithm. The proposed transform technique is also extended to treat groupwise‐separable mappings and, finally, non‐separable but sparse mappings that arise in real‐life simulation of large electronic circuits. In this paper, all these (transformed) simplex‐based PWL approximations are compared in terms of their generality and efficiency. The computational efficiency of the PWL approximation that utilizes sparsity is validated with realistic simulations. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

An accurate time‐domain model of transmission lines with frequency‐dependent parameters

Linear lossy two‐conductor transmission line can be modelled as dynamic two ports in the time domain, via the describing input and transfer impulse responses. This convolution technique is very effective when dealing with networks composed of transmission lines with frequency‐dependent parameters and non‐linear and/or time‐varying circuits. The paper carries out an accurate analysis of this model, in the most general case of lines with frequency‐dependent parameters. For such lines it is not possible to evaluate analytically the impulse responses, nor is it possible to catch them numerically, due to the presence of irregular terms, such as Dirac pulses, terms that numerically behave as Dirac pulses, and functions of the type 1/t^ρ with 0 < ρ <1. A simple method is proposed to evaluate exactly all the irregular terms of the impulse responses: once these irregular parts have been extracted, the regular remainders are easily evaluated numerically. This method is applied to analyse lines with frequency‐dependent parameters of practical interest, such as superconductor transmission lines, power lines above a finite conductivity ground, lines with frequency‐dependent dielectric losses and lines with normal and anomalous skin‐effect. Numerical simulations are carried out for illustration. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

On the dispersion of a non‐orthogonal TLM cell

The numerical dispersion of a non‐orthogonal transmission line matrix (TLM) algorithm is for the first time investigated. First of all, the dispersion relation is derived in the most general possible case. Then, the validation is carried out in the analysis of a simple one‐dimensional example. Results show that the theory is in excellent agreement with the numerical simulation. Numerical results concerning various cell shape dispersion characteristics are presented and show some relatively weak numerical dispersion even for rather highly distorted cells. Finally, some indications concerning cell shape selection to minimize the non‐orthogonal TLM cell are proposed. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Uniform approximation of time‐invariant non‐linear systems

An Erratum has been published for this article in International Journal of Circuit Theory and Applications 2004; 32(6):633. It is shown that the elements of a large class of time‐invariant non‐linear input–output maps can be uniformly approximated arbitrarily well, over infinite time intervals, using a certain structure that can be implemented in many ways using, for example, radial basis functions, polynomial functions, piecewise linear functions, sigmoids, or combinations of these functions. For the special case in which these functions are taken to be certain polynomial functions, the input–output map of our structure is a generalized finite Volterra series. Results are given for the case in which inputs and outputs are defined on ?. The case in which inputs and outputs are defined on the half‐line ?₊ is also addressed, and in both cases inputs need not be functions that are continuous. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Transient analysis of coupled non‐uniform transmission line using finite element method

This paper presents a finite element time domain model for a numerical solution of a coupled non‐uniform transmission line problem. On the basis of the finite element method, a novel numerical procedure for the solution of a system of the non‐uniform multi‐conductor transmission line equations in the time domain is presented. The results obtained by the proposed method have been compared with the solution obtained using the finite difference time domain method, and an excellent correlation has been demonstrated. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Frequency‐dependent modeling of transmission lines using bergeron cells

This paper proposes using Bergeron's equivalent circuit with traveling time equal to the simulation time step as an element for frequency‐dependent modeling of transmission lines for electromagnetic transient (EMT) simulations of power systems. According to the simulation time step used, a transmission line is divided into aforementioned Bergeron's equivalents, each of which is called a ‘Bergeron cell’ in this paper. In this way, the traveling‐wave nature of a line is represented by the cascaded Bergeron cells. Then, the frequency‐dependent loss nature of the line is represented by a matrix partial fraction expansion, and this is inserted at each connection point of the Bergeron cells in the form of a multiphase Norton equivalent. Since the frequency‐dependent loss is modeled in the dimension of impedance, the change of the line length is easily taken into account by a simple multiplication. This methodology thus allows variable‐length modeling and completely avoids modal decomposition in both model identification and EMT simulation stages. The proposed methodology is applied to the frequency‐dependent modeling of overhead and submarine‐cable transmission lines, and its accuracy is assessed.     

On hyperbolic laws of capacitor discharge through self‐timed digital loads

A new model to predict the dynamic behavior of a self‐timed autonomous digital system powered by a capacitor is derived. The model demonstrates the hyperbolic shape of the discharging process on the capacitor. It allows a symbolic analysis of the discharging process for complex digital loads comprised of series (stack) and parallel configurations of digital circuits. For example, for a stack configuration, important non‐trivial relationships between the hyperbolic discharging rates have been derived based on the knowledge of the velocity saturation index (alpha) of the semiconductor devices used in the digital part. For a realistic (modern complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) devices) value of alpha = 1.5, the discharging process for a stack of two identical circuits proceeds nearly three times slower than that of any of the stand‐alone circuits. This shows a potential way of extending the lifetime of the energy sources by means of stacking self‐timed circuits. Although the analysis is based on configurations consisting of ring oscillators in CMOS technology, the analysis method can be extended to other types of self‐timed systems and other semiconductor technologies in which the instantaneous switching activity of the digital load is determined by the instantaneous voltage levels provided by the capacitive power transfer mechanism. The analytical derivations have been validated by simulations and experiments carried out with real hardware. © 2014 The Authors. International Journal of Circuit Theory and Applications published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.