NETWORK FUNCTIONS

A port may be regarded as a pair of terminals in which the current into one terminal equals the
current out of the other. A one-port network is completely specified when the voltage-current
relationship at the terminals of the port is given.

A network function is the Laplace transform of an impulse response. Its format is a ratio of two
polynomials of the complex frequencies. Consider the general two-port network shown in figure
below. The terminal voltages and currents of the two-port can be related by two classes of network
functions, namely, the driving point functions and the transfer functions.

The driving point functions relate the voltage at a port to the current at the same port.

Thus, these functions are a property of a single port. For the input port the driving point impedance
function 𝑍𝑖𝑛 is defined as:
𝑉𝑖𝑛
𝑍𝑖𝑛 =
𝐼𝑖𝑛
The output port driving point functions are denned in a similar way. The transfer functions of the
two-port relate the voltage (or current) at one port to the voltage (or current) at the other port. The
possible forms of transfer functions are:
1. The voltage transfer function, which is a ratio of one voltage to another voltage.
2. The current transfer function, which is a ratio of one current to another current.
3. The transfer impedance function, which is the ratio of a voltage to a current.

4. The transfer admittance function, which is the ratio of a current to a

voltage.
 - V1,V2, I1 and I2 are related using two-port network parameters
Two-port parameters

A general two-port network, shown in figure below, has two pairs of voltage and current
relationships. The variables are 𝑉1 , 𝑉2 , 𝐼1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐼2 .

Two of these are dependent variables; the other two are independent variables. There are six
possible sets of equations describing a two-port network. We will discuss the four most useful
descriptions here.

The z parameters or Open-circuit/impedance parameters

A particular set of equations that describe a two-port network are the z-parameter equations. The
describing equations are:

𝑉1 = 𝑧11 𝐼1 + 𝑧12 𝐼2

𝑉2 = 𝑧21 𝐼1 + 𝑧22 𝐼2
The individual z parameters are defined by:
𝑉1 𝑉1
𝑧11 = 𝐼2 = 0 𝑧12 = 𝐼1 = 0
𝐼1 𝐼2

𝑉2 𝑉2
𝑧21 = 𝐼2 = 0 𝑧22 = 𝐼1 = 0
𝐼1 𝐼2

The individual parameters are specified only when the current in one of the ports is zero.
For example, let us find the open-circuit parameters for the T circuit shown in the figure below.

We obtain the z parameters by inspection as:

 𝑉1 𝑉1
𝑧11 = │𝐼2 = 0 = 𝑍𝑎 + 𝑍𝑏 𝑧12 = │𝐼1 = 0 = 𝑍𝑏
𝐼1 𝐼2

𝑉2 𝑉2
𝑧22 = │𝐼1 = 0 = 𝑍𝑏 + 𝑍𝑐 𝑧21 = │𝐼2 = 0 𝑍𝑏
𝐼2 𝐼1

Note that 𝑧21 = 𝑧12. When the open-circuit transfer impedances of a two-port network are equal,
the network is said to be reciprocal.

Most two-port networks, whether passive or active, can be characterized by a set of open-circuited
parameters. The procedures to be followed in obtaining the z-parameters for any circuit in general
can be stated as:

 write a set of node equations with the voltages at the ports 𝑉1 and 𝑉2, and other node
voltages within the two-port 𝑉3, 𝑉4, …, 𝑉𝑘 as the dependent variables. The independent
variables are the currents 𝐼1 and 𝐼2 which we will take to be current sources.
 then proceed to write a set of node equations.
𝐼1 = 𝑛11 𝑉1 + 𝑛12 𝑉2 + 𝑛13 𝑉3 + ⋯ . +𝑛1𝑘 𝑉𝑘
𝐼2 = 𝑛21 𝑉1 + 𝑛22 𝑉2 + 𝑛23 𝑉3 + ⋯ . +𝑛2𝑘 𝑉𝑘
0 = 𝑛31 𝑉1 + 𝑛32 𝑉2 + 𝑛33 𝑉3 + ⋯ . +𝑛3𝑘 𝑉𝑘
….
0 = 𝑛𝑘1 𝑉1 + 𝑛𝑘2 𝑉2 + 𝑛𝑘3 𝑉3 + ⋯ . +𝑛𝑘𝑘 𝑉𝑘
Where 𝑛𝑖𝑗 represents the admittance between the ith and jth nodes, i.e,

1
𝑛𝑖𝑗 = 𝐺𝑖𝑗 + 𝑠𝐶𝑖𝑗 + 𝑠𝐿
𝑖𝑗
Solving for 𝑉1 and 𝑉2, from the above equations we have:
∆11 ∆21
𝑉1 = 𝐼1 + 𝐼
∆ ∆ 2
∆12 ∆22
𝑉2 = 𝐼1 + 𝐼
∆ ∆ 2
∆ ∆
𝑧11 = ∆11 𝑧21 = 12∆
∆21 ∆22
𝑧12 = 𝑧22 =
∆ ∆
Where ∆ and ∆𝑖𝑗 are the determinant and cofactors respectively.

Admittance/ short circuit/ y- parameters

If we write a set of mesh equations for the two port network, then the voltages𝑉1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑉2 would
become independent sources, and the currents 𝐼1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐼2 would be just two of the dependent mesh
currents. Consider the general set of mesh equations:
 𝑉1 = 𝑚11 𝐼1 + 𝑚12 𝐼2 + 𝑚13 𝐼3 + ⋯ . +𝑚 𝐼𝑘
𝑉2 = 𝑚21 𝐼1 + 𝑚22 𝐼2 + 𝑚23 𝐼3 + ⋯ . +𝑚2𝑘 𝐼𝑘
0 = 𝑚31 𝐼1 + 𝑚32 𝐼2 + 𝑚33 𝐼3 + ⋯ . +𝑚3𝑘 𝐼𝑘
….
0 = 𝑚𝑘1 𝐼1 + 𝑚𝑘2 𝐼2 + 𝑚𝑘3 𝐼3 + ⋯ . +𝑚𝑘𝑘 𝐼𝑘

where 𝑚𝑖𝑖 represents the sum of the impedances in the ith mesh and 𝑚𝑖𝑗 is the common
impedance between mesh i and mesh j. Solving the set of mesh equations for 𝐼1 and 𝐼2 we
obtain the following equations.
∆11 ∆21
𝐼1 = 𝑉1 + 𝑉
∆ ∆ 2
∆12 ∆22
𝐼2 = 𝑉1 + 𝑉
∆ ∆ 2
The short-circuit admittance parameters are defined as:

𝐼1 = 𝑦11 𝑉1 + 𝑦12 𝑉2
𝐼2 = 𝑦21 𝑉1 + 𝑦22 𝑉2
∆𝑗𝑖
𝑦𝑖𝑗 = ⁄ for all i,j.
∆
Example: Find the y parameters for the following bridged network.

The y parameters are expressed explicitly as

 Hybrid/ h- parameters
A two-port network can be represented using the h-parameters. The describing
equations for the h-parameters are

or in matrix form, can be put as:

V1  h11I1  h12V2
V1   h11 h12   I1 
I 2  h21I1  h22V2  I   h  
 2   21 h22  V2 
The h-parameters can be found as follows:
V1
h1 1 
V1 h12 
I1 V2  0
V2 I1  0

I2 I2
h2 1  h22 
I1 V2  0 V2 I1  0

Equivalent circuit based on these equations:

I1 h11 I2

+ +

V1 + h22
h12V2  V2
h21I1
 

The h-parameters are also called hybrid parameters since they contain both
open-circuit parameters (𝐼1 = 0) and short-circuit parameters (𝑉2 = 0).

Example: a simplified equivalent circuit of a bipolar junction transistor is shown in figure below,
find its h-parameters.
 ABCD/ Transmission parameters
A two-port network can be described by transmission parameters.
 Used to express the sending end voltage and current in terms of receiving end voltage and
current

The describing equations are:

V1  AV2  BI 2 Or in matrix form: V1  A B   V2 

 I   C D  
 1    I 2 
I1  CV2  DI2

The parameters are obtained as:

I1
V C
A 1 V2
V2 I 2 0
I 2 0

V1 I1
B D
I2 V2 0 I2 V2 0

Example: Find the ABCD parameters of the following ideal transformer.

 Solution: the defining equations are

Or, in matrix form:

so that the transmission matrix of the ideal transformer is:

Note, incidentally, that the ideal transformer does not possess an impedance or admittance matrix
because the self- and mutual inductances are infinite.

RELATION BETWEEN TWO PORT PARAMETERS

If a two-port network can be represented by different set of parameters, then there exists
relationships between parameters.
E.g. relationships between z and y parameters:
1
Z-parameters V1   z11 z12   I1   I1   z11 z12  V1 
V    z   I   z   
 2   21 z22   I 2   2   21 z22  V2 

 I1   y11 y12  V1 

y-parameters I    y y22  V2 
 2   21

from this relationship, it can be deduced that:

1
 y11 y12   z11 z12 
y 
 21 y22   z21 z22 
 z 22  z12 
 z z11  ,  z  z11z22  z12z21
z 
1
=  21
z
z22 z12
y11  y12   y21  
z21
y22 
z11
z z z z
parameter conversion table
 z  y T  h 

H
z11 
h22
To go from one set of parameters to another, locate the set of parameters you are in, move along
the vertical until you are in the row that contains the parameters you want to convert to – then
compare element for element

TRANSFER FUNCTIONS USING TWO-PORT PARAMETERS

In this section we will examine how to determine driving-point and transfer functions of a two-
port by use of two-port parameters. These functions fall into two broad categories. The first applies
to two-ports without load and source impedances. These transfer functions can be described by
means of z or y parameters alone.
𝑉2
Example 1: derive the expressions for the open-circuit voltage ratio ⁄𝑉 by using Z parameters
1
first and y parameters next.
𝐼
Example 2: derive the short-circuit current ratio 2⁄𝐼 of a two-port using z and y parameters.
1

The second category of two-port transfer functions are those including source or load impedances.
These transfer functions are functions of the two-port parameters z, h, or y and the source and/or
load impedance.
𝐼
Example: derive the transfer admittance 2⁄𝑉 of a two-port network that is terminated in a resistor
1
of R ohms, as given in figure below.

Fig. Two port z-par. equivalent

Fig. Two port y-par. equivalent

 𝑉
Next, suppose we are required to find the transfer function 2⁄𝑉 for the two-port network terminated at both
𝑔
ends, as shown in figure below.
We first write the two mesh equations

Let us consider the hybrid equivalent circuit shown in figure below.

Observe the voltage-controlled source ℎ22 𝑉2 at port 1 and the current controlled source ℎ21 𝐼1 at
port 2. Let us find the input impedance 𝑍𝑖𝑛
Solving for V2

By substitution:

So that

INTERCONNECTION OF TWO-PORTS

Complex large network can be modeled with interconnected two-port networks

 Simplify the analysis /synthesis
 Simplify the design
Parameters of interconnected two-port networks can be obtained easily depending on the type
of parameters and type of connections:
  Series: z parameters
 Parallel: y parameters
 Cascade: transmission parameters

Series :z parameters
I1a I2a
+ + I1 I2
+ V1a za +
V2a
+ +
V1   V1 z V2
I1b I2b V2  
 + +
V1b zb V2b 
 
[z] = [za] + [zb]

Parallel: y parameters

I1a I2a
+ +
V1a ya V2a I1 I2
I I2
 
+ + + +
V1 V2 V1 y V2
I1b I2b
   
+
+
V1b yb V2b
 

[y] = [ya] + [yb]

In connecting two-ports in series or in parallel, we must be careful that the individual character of
a two-port network is not altered when connected in series or parallel with another two-port.
Therefore, to insure that a two-port network does not interfere with the internal affairs of the other,
ideal transformers are used to provide the necessary isolation.

Cascade: T parameters

I1 I1a -I2a I1b -I2b -I2

+ + + +
+ +
V1a Ta V2a V1b V2b
V1 Tb V2
     

I1 -I2
+ +
V1 T V2
 

[T] = [Ta][Tb]

Example: calculate the overall transmission matrix of a gyrator in tandem with a T network shown in figure
below. Note: The ideal gyrator is an impedance inversion device where
2
𝑍𝑖𝑛 = 𝑎2 𝑌𝐿 = 𝑎 ⁄𝑍 , 𝑍𝑖𝑛 , 𝑍𝐿 , a are input impedance, load impedance, gyration resistance respectively.
𝐿

If we regard the gyrator as a two-port, its denning equations are

so that the transmission matrix of the gyrator is

We see that for the gyrator 𝐴𝐷 − 𝐵𝐶 = −1 which a nonreciprocal device.

The overall transmission matrix of the configuration in figure above is obtained by the product of the
individual transmission matrices:

When summarizing the interconnection of two ports network:

1. When two-ports are connected in parallel, find the y parameters first, and, from the y parameters, derive
the other two-port parameters.
2. When two-ports are connected in series, it is usually easiest to find the z parameters.
3. When two-ports are connected in tandem, the transmission matrix is generally easier to obtain.

ANALYSIS OF LADDER NETWORKS

In this section we will consider a simple method of obtaining the network functions of a ladder network in
a single operation. This method depends only upon relationships that exist between the branch currents and
node voltages of the ladder.

Consider the network shown in figure below, where all the series branches are given as impedances and all
the parallel branches are given as admittances. If the v denote node voltages and i denote branch currents,
then the following relationships apply.
Fig. Ladder Network

Consider the following network for which the following the node voltage and branch current relationships
apply

From the above, one can perceive that each equation depends upon the two previous equations only.

In writing these equations, we begin at the 2-2' port of the ladder and work towards the 1-1' port.
Each succeeding equation takes into account one new immittance. We see, further, that with the
exception of the first two equations, each subsequent equation is obtained by multiplying the
equation just preceding it by the immittance that is next down the line, and then adding, to this
product the equation twice preceding it. For example, we see that 𝐼2 (𝑠) is obtained by multiplying
the preceding equation 𝑉2 (𝑠) by the admittance 𝑌4 (𝑠)
The next immittance is 𝑍3 (𝑠). We obtain by multiplying the previous equation to obtain
𝐼2 (𝑠)𝑍3 (𝑠) then we add to this product the equation twice preceding it, 𝑉2 (𝑠), to obtain
𝑉𝑎 = 𝐼2 𝑍3 + 𝑉2 The process is then easily mechanized according to the following rules:
(1) alternate writing node voltage and branch current equations;

(2) the next equation is obtained by multiplying the present equation by the next immittance (as
we work from one port to the other), and adding to this product the results of the previous equation.

Using this set of equations, we obtain the input impedance 𝑍𝑖𝑛 (𝑠) by dividing the equation for 𝑉1
𝑉
by the equation for 𝐼1 . We obtain the voltage-ratio transfer function 2⁄𝑉 by dividing the first
1
equation 𝑉2 (𝑠)by the last equation 𝑉1 (𝑠). We obtain other network functions such as transfer
immittances and current ratios in similar manner. Note that every equation contains 𝑉2 as a factor.
In taking ratios of these equations, the 𝑉2 (𝑠) term is canceled. Therefore, our analysis can be
simplified if we let 𝑉2 = 1
If the first equation of the set were a current variable 𝐼𝑖 (𝑠) instead of the voltage 𝑉2 (𝑠), the
subsequent equations would contain the current variable 𝐼𝑖 (𝑠) as a factor, which we could also
normalize to 𝐼𝑖 (𝑠) = 1 . An example in which the first equation is a current rather than a voltage
equation may be seen by determining the y parameters of a two-port network.
Before we embark upon some numerical examples, it is important to note that we must represent
the series branches as impedances and the shunt branches as admittances. We must use the total
impedance or admittance of a branch in writing the equations for the ladder.
Example 1: find the voltage ratio, the current ratio, the input impedance and the transfer impedance
for the network shown below.

We must represent the series branches as impedances and the shunt branches as admittances as shown on
the right figure.

Example 2: Find the short-circuit admittance functions network in figure below.

Solution: To obtain the short-circuit functions, we must short circuit the 2-2' port as shown on then right.