Author(s)

Feim Ridvan Rasim, Sebastian M. Sattler

Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Chair of Reliable Circuits and Systems Paul-Gordan, Erlangen, Germany.

In this work a method called “signal flow graph (SFG)” is presented. A signal-flow graph describes a system by its signal flow by directed and weighted graph; the signals are applied to nodes and functions on edges. The edges of the signal flow graph are small processing units, through which the incoming signals are processed in a certain form. In this case, the result is sent to the outgoing node. The SFG allows a good visual inspection into complex feedback problems. Furthermore such a presentation allows for a clear and unambiguous description of a generating system, for example, a netview. A Signal Flow Graph (SFG) allows a fast and practical network analysis based on a clear data presentation in graphic format of the mathematical linear equations of the circuit. During creation of a SFG the Direct Current-Case (DC-Case) was observed since the correct current and voltage directions was drawn from zero frequency. In addition, the mathematical axioms, which are based on field algebra, are declared. In this work we show you in addition: How we check our SFG whether it is a consistent system or not. A signal flow graph can be verified by generating the identity of the signal flow graph itself, illustrated by the inverse signal flow graph (SFG⁻¹). Two signal flow graphs are always generated from one circuit, so that the signal flow diagram already presented in previous sections corresponds to only half of the solution. The other half of the solution is the so-called identity, which represents the (SFG⁻¹). If these two graphs are superposed with one another, so called 1-edges are created at the node points. In Boolean algebra, these 1-edges are given the value 1, whereas this value can be identified with a zero in the field algebra.

Analog, Feedback, Network Theory, Symbolic Analysis, Signal Flow Graph, Transfer Function

Rasim, F. and Sattler, S. (2017) Analysis of Electronic Circuits with the Signal Flow Graph Method. Circuits and Systems, 8, 261-274. doi: 10.4236/cs.2017.811019.