Nodal Analysis and Two Dependent Current Sources

In summary, the conversation discusses a circuit with two voltage-controlled current sources and the calculation of voltage gain using the nodal method. The conductance matrix and its determinants are mentioned, with suggestions for corrections. The correct values for voltage gain are calculated and a shortcut method for obtaining the voltage gain expression is also mentioned. The conversation ends with a clarification about the use of a current source instead of a voltage source in the calculations.
  • #1
Young_Scientist23
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TL;DR Summary
The topis is related to the usage of nodal analysis in the circuit having two dependent current sources.
Hello,

I came up with a circuit that has two independent voltage-controlled current sources. I want to calculate voltage gain: ##G_{U} = \frac{U_{2}}{U_{1}}##. Moreover, I want to practice the nodal method at the same time. Below I'm sending schematic with marked nodes V1, V2, V3 and V4.
Fig.png


I derived the circuit conductance matrix G and I want to calculate the mentioned gain by determining the determinants of the matrix i.e.:

$$U_{1} = V_{1} = \frac{\Delta_{1}}{\Delta}$$
$$U_{2} = V_{4} = \frac{\Delta_{4}}{\Delta}$$

Unfortunately, the determinants are zero and I don't know why. Can you suggest what I may be doing wrong? I'm sending derived matrix.

Eqn.png


Regards,
Tom
 
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  • #2
You have a couple of mistakes in your conductance matrix. Also you need a source of voltage driving the input before you can have any output. If the right hand column vector is all zeroes, when you use that to replace one of the columns in the conductance matrix you get a determinant of zero. Include a driving source Vs as I've shown. You don't need to calculate the voltage at V1 since that will be a given, namely Vs.

YSci.png

Finish working it out and post your result. If you're interested, I'll show you a shortcut method to get the voltage gain expression.
 
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  • #3
The Electrician said:
You have a couple of mistakes in your conductance matrix. Also you need a source of voltage driving the input before you can have any output. If the right hand column vector is all zeroes, when you use that to replace one of the columns in the conductance matrix you get a determinant of zero. Include a driving source Vs as I've shown. You don't need to calculate the voltage at V1 since that will be a given, namely Vs.

View attachment 328953
Finish working it out and post your result. If you're interested, I'll show you a shortcut method to get the voltage gain expression.
Thank you for the response and correction. Yep, I've made mistakes in G matrix (those typos have been made during writting matrices for this forum). I calculated ##\Delta_{1}## and ##\Delta_{2}## according to your suggestions: $$\Delta_{1} = \frac{Vs(R2+R3+R4)}{R2R3R4R5}$$
$$\Delta_{2} = - \frac{aVs(bR5+1)}{R3R5}$$
what gives
$$V_{1} = VsR1$$
$$V_{4} = - \frac{aVsR1R2R4(bR5+1)}{R2+R3+R4}$$

and finally voltage gain is:
$$G_{U} = - \frac{aR2R4(bR5+1)}{R2+R3+R4}$$

I'm confused due to "current values vector", because You just add voltage Vs there. It is correct ? We can treat this as some kind of "constant term"/any parameter nor variable direcly related to current ? I was quite confused when I saw that (why is not ##\frac{Vs}{R1}##.

If you're interested, I'll show you a shortcut method to get the voltage gain expression.
I'll be appriciate if you can tell something more about this shorcut :)

Regards,
Tom
 
  • #4
You are correct to be skeptical of the Vs variable; it should just be a current Is.:frown: If you use Is in all your calculations, you will get the result you already got.

To do the shortcut, form the admittance (conductance) matrix, invert it to form the impedance matrix. The voltage gain from node j to node k is given by the ratio of the (k,j) element of the impedance matrix to the (j,j) element. In other words, Gu = Z(k,j)/Z(j,j) = Z(4,1)/Z(1,1) in your case.

This works for any pair of nodes. It will give you the reverse voltage gain from node 4 to node 1, or from node 2 to node 3. It assumes that the stimulus applied to the input node is a voltage source.
YSci2.png
 
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  • #5
Thank you for explanation ! :smile:
 

1. What is nodal analysis?

Nodal analysis is a method used to analyze electric circuits by examining the voltages at different nodes or points in the circuit. It is based on Kirchhoff's Current Law, which states that the sum of currents entering a node must equal the sum of currents leaving the node.

2. How do you apply nodal analysis to circuits with two dependent current sources?

To apply nodal analysis to circuits with two dependent current sources, you must first choose a reference node and assign a voltage variable to each node in the circuit. Then, using Kirchhoff's Current Law, you can write equations for each node in terms of the voltage variables. Finally, you can solve the resulting system of equations to find the voltages at each node.

3. What is the difference between a dependent and independent current source?

An independent current source is a circuit element that maintains a constant current regardless of the voltage across it. A dependent current source, on the other hand, is a circuit element whose current is determined by the voltage across another element in the circuit.

4. Can nodal analysis be used for circuits with more than two dependent current sources?

Yes, nodal analysis can be used for circuits with any number of dependent current sources. The process is the same as for circuits with two dependent current sources, but the resulting system of equations will have more variables and may be more complex to solve.

5. What are the limitations of nodal analysis?

Nodal analysis is most effective for circuits with a large number of nodes and relatively few voltage sources. It may become more complex and time-consuming for circuits with many voltage sources or a large number of dependent current sources. Additionally, nodal analysis assumes that all elements in the circuit are linear, which may not always be the case.

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