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What is Nonlinear Circuit – Nonlinear Circuit elements and analysis

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Nonlinear meaning the characteristic of a system that the output value is not directly proportional to the input.

In algebra, a linear operator or function f(x) is described as follows:

Additivity – f(x + y) = f(x) + f(y)

Homogeneity – f(αx) = αf(x)

If the above assumptions are not met, we have nonlinearity. In nature, most interactions are described by nonlinear functions. However, modelling reality is based on using the simplest possible mathematical tools and it often happens that non-linear phenomena are described by linear functions, e.g. Hooke’s law, where some area for relatively small stresses behaves almost linearly.

The basic measure of dependence is the linear correlation coefficient, which provides a measure of linear relationships between variables. In analytical problems, e.g. in economics, nonlinear relationships are often neglected and treated as neglected.

In nature, manifestations of interdependence are very common. There are also many other ways in which elements depend on each other to form a structure-network. An example is the food chain, which places an organism in a certain environment of other organisms with which it interacts in such a way that it can eat them or be eaten. The investigator of such phenomena must exercise great knowledge and ingenuity to describe nonlinear relationships accurately. He can use measures such as the Manhattan measure, which is the sum of distances between variables in a n-dimensional space. To reproduce hierarchy one can draw minimum range tree or graph with marked paths between objects. An example can be sociogram, which shows relations between people in a group.

In time series analysis, tools based on fractality are also useful. The economic crisis of 2007 caused non-linear models, previously neglected by economists, to enjoy popularity.

What is nonlinear circuit

An electric circuit element is called nonlinear if its characteristic y=f(x) or x=φ(y)is nonlinear, i.e., it cannot be described analytically by a simple equation (y=ax+b).

A nonlinear circuit elements, whether passive or active, is described by providing a continuous (graph) or discrete (table) set of independent variables and function values.

The nonlinear circuit elements in the circuit models are described using graphical symbols and a description of the nonlinear parameter.

nonlinear circuit symbols

Classification of nonlinear elements can be done based on different criteria. Depending on the course of the characteristic y=f(x) we distinguish between nonlinear elements:

(a) symmetrical f(x)=-f(-x),

(b) unsymmetrical f(x)≠-f(-x),

(c) unambiguous Each value x ∈ X corresponds to one and only one value y,

(d) equivocal there are such intervals of the independent variable x∈(x1,x2) that inside these intervals y=f(x) can take more than one value.

nonlinear circuit plots

Nonlinear circuit analysis

With the characteristics of the nonlinear elements in the circuit, it is possible to analyze the circuit by transfiguration and possibly graphical retransfiguration. Graphical methods of transfiguration of nonlinear circuit are carried out on the basis of Kirchhoff’s laws.

Combined Characteristics nonlinear circuit Analysis Method

For elements connected in series.

Consider a series connection of n resistors with characteristics given by equations.

nonlinear circuit analysis formula 1

The series connection results in

nonlinear circuit analysis formula 2

This equation defines the characteristics of the new element

nonlinear circuit analysis characteristics

If the voltage in the equivalent element of the series circuit is UX, then after obtaining the combined characteristic of RNL, the operating point P can be found on it and then the current in the circuit IX and the voltages on the circuit elements.

For elements connected in parallel

We consider a parallel connection of n resistors with characteristics defined by Eq.

nonlinear circuit analysis formula 4

The series connection results in.

nonlinear circuit analysis formula 5

nonlinear circuit analysis characteristics 2

If the current in the equivalent element of the parallel circuit is IX, then after obtaining the combined characteristic RNL, the operating point P is determined on it and then the supply voltage UX and the currents in the branches of the circuit.

Characteristic intersection method

For elements connected in series

If the supply voltage is constant and its fixed value does not change, then in order to determine the current Ix (the operating point on the combined characteristic) it is not necessary to determine the combined characteristic.  The method of intersecting the characteristic curves, so called “mirror reflection”, can be used.

Nonlinear circuit analysis procedure:

  1. we plot the characteristic of an element, e.g. Rn1,
  2. on the U axis measure a given value Ux of the voltage at the system terminals
  3. for element Rn2 we assume a coordinate system with the origin in point 0′ (distant from point 0 by Ux) and U axis having the opposite direction than for element Rn1,
  4. we plot the characteristics of RN2 in the new coordinate system,
  5. the working point of the circuit P is the intersection of the characteristics and its abscissa divides Ux into Un1 and Un2.

nonlinear circuit analysis characteristics 5

For elements connected in parallel.

If the current supplying circuit IX is known and it is known that it will not change or otherwise, only for this value of current we want to determine the voltages and currents in the branches, we can use the “mirroring” method.

Nonlinear circuit analysis procedure:

  1. plot the characteristics of an element, e.g. Rn1,
  2. measure a given value of Ix on the I axis,
  3. for element Rn2 assume a coordinate system with origin in point 0′ (distant from point 0 by Ix) and axis of current I having opposite direction than for element Rn1
  4. In the new coordinate system we plot the characteristics of Rn2,
  5. the circuit operating point P is the intersection of the characteristics and its ordinate divides Ix into In1 and In2.

nonlinear circuit analysis characteristics 6

Nonlinear circuit elements

Nonlinear circuit resistive elements

Resistive element:

nonlinear resistance element

Linear resistor:

FR(u,i) = u – Ri = 0

U = fR(i) = Ri

FR [u(t), i(t)] = 0

FR is an entangled algebraic function(no derivatives, integrals or any other operations on t.

FR (u,i) = 0

i = fG(u) = Gu

G = 1/R

The excitation can be either current or voltage.

FR(u, i) = 0

There exists a function fR such that u = fR(i), but there is no inverse function to fR. Such an element is called current dependent. The function fR is called the current-voltage characteristic.

nonlinear current voltage graph

The excitation of a current-dependent element can only be a current – with a voltage excitation the system is not solvable (there is no unambiguous solution).

There exists a function fG such that i = fG(u) but there is no inverse function to fG. Such an element is called voltage dependent. The function fG is called the voltage-current characteristic.

nonlinear characteristic voltage current

The excitation of a voltage dependent element can only be a voltage with current excitation the system is not solvable.

Both u = fR(i) and i = fG(u) can be determined. Then both current-voltage and voltage-current characteristics exist. They are monotonic functions. Such an element is called uncorrelated.

nonlinear characteristic voltage current 2

The excitation can be either current or voltage.

If neither current nor voltage can be unambiguously determined from the equation FR(u,i) = 0, then such an element is called a degraded element. It can be described by a system of parametric equations.

Nonlinear circuit capacitive elements

Capacitive element

Nonlinear capacitive element

Fc is an entangled algebraic function with no derivatives, integrals, or any other operations on t, i.e., Fc(u,q) = 0. We will assume that q = fc(u) can be determined.

Linear Condeser:

q = fc(u) = Cu, C = const

i(t) = d/dt (Cu) = C du/dt

Nonlinear capacitive element graph

 

Static capacitystatics capacitance nonlinear formula

Dynamic capacity

nonlinear dynamic capacitance formula

Nonlinear inductive element

nonlinear inductive element

FL is an entangled algebraic function with no derivatives, integrals, or any other operations on t, i.e.

nonlinear inductive element formula1

 

We will assume that it is possible to determinenonlinear inductive element formula 2

Linear Inductor:

linear inductorlinear inductor graph

Static inductancestatic inductor

Dynamic inductancedynamic inductor

An inductor on a ferromagnetic core:ferromagnetic inductor

The position of the operating point depends not only on I0 but also on the history of changes in this current.

 

References:

http://th.if.uj.edu.pl/~gulakov/life_corr/

https://zoise.wel.wat.edu.pl/dydaktyka/WEL%20niestacjonarne/Wyklady/05_Obwody_nieliniowe_pradu_stalego.pdf

http://www.zto.ita.pwr.wroc.pl/~deren/Wyklad%20EKEK00018/8.%20Obwody%20nieliniowe.pdf

Michal Pukala
Electronics and Telecommunications engineer with Electro-energetics Master degree graduation. Lightning designer experienced engineer. Currently working in IT industry.

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