Electronic Circuits 1

Graph theory and

systematic analysis
Contents:
• Graph theory
• Tree and cotree
• Basic cutsets and loops
• Independent Kirchhoff’s law equations
• Systematic analysis of resistive circuits
• Cutset-voltage method
• Loop-current method

Prof. C.K. Tse: Graph Theory &

Systematic Analysis 1
 Graph and digraph
♦ Consists of branches and nodes
♦ Describes the interconnection of the elements

Graph

Digraph— arrows
indicate directions of
currents and voltages’
polarities

Prof. C.K. Tse: Graph Theory &

Systematic Analysis 2
 Sign convention
♦ Stick to the following sign convention

♦ Current direction — same as arrow direction

♦ Voltage polarity — arrow goes from + to – through the element

+V –

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Systematic Analysis 3
Loop
♦ A loop is a set of branches of a graph forming a closed path.

♦ For example,
♦ branches a, c, d
♦ branches a, b, e, c

Prof. C.K. Tse: Graph Theory &

Systematic Analysis 4
 Cutset
♦A cutset is a set of branches of a graph, which
upon removal will cause the graph to separate into
two disconnected sub-graphs.

Examples: branches f, b, d, c

SPECIAL CASE
Branches emerging from a node form a cutset

always a cutset

Prof. C.K. Tse: Graph Theory &

Systematic Analysis 5
Kirchhoff’s laws again
KVL — same as before.

KCL — more generally stated in terms of cutset

with appropriately chosen directions

Usually the cutset separates the graph into two subgraphs. We may say that
the sum of currents going from one sub-graph to the other is zero.

Prof. C.K. Tse: Graph Theory &

Systematic Analysis 6
 KCL
The following are all KCL equations
for the circuit below:

–Ia + Ib + Id = 0
I c + I d + Ib = 0
Ic + Id + Ie = 0

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Systematic Analysis 7
Problem: Find Iy
Usual way:
Find Iz
Then find Ix
Then find Iw
Then we get Iy
Iw
Alternative way:
Using KCL for an
appropriate
cutset, the
problem is as
simple as
Iy + 5 + 3 = 0!

Prof. C.K. Tse: Graph Theory &

Systematic Analysis 8
Tree and co-tree
A tree is a set of branches of a graph which
contains no loop. Moreover, including one more
branch to this set will create a loop.

Thus, a tree is a maximal set of branches that

contains no loop.

After a tree is chosen, the remaining branches

form a co-tree.
— tree
…. co-tree

Prof. C.K. Tse: Graph Theory &

Systematic Analysis 9
Basic relations
Let

n = number of nodes
b = number of branches
t = number of tree branches
l = number of co-tree branches

We have, for all planar graphs,

t=n–1

l=b–t = b–n+1

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Systematic Analysis 10
Basic cutsets
A basic cutset is a cutset containing only one
tree branch.

So, there are t basic cutsets in a graph.

In this example, the basic cutsets are

{ 1, 3, 6 }
{ 2, 3, 5 }
{ 4, 5, 6 }

tree branches

The importance of basic cutsets is the

formulation of independent KCL equations:

Prof. C.K. Tse: Graph Theory &

Systematic Analysis 11
Basic loops
A basic loop is a loop containing only one co-tree
branch.

So, there are t basic cutsets in a graph.

In this example, the basic cutsets are

{ 1, 2, 3 }
{ 2, 4, 5 }
{ 1, 4, 6 }

co-tree branches

The importance of basic loops is the formulation of

independent KVL equations:

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Systematic Analysis 12
Independent KCL/KVL equations
A different choice of tree gives a different set of basic cutsets and basic
loops.

The set of independent KCL and KVL equations found is not unique.

But any set of independent KCL and KVL equations gives essentially the
same information about the circuit. So, it doesn’t matter which tree is
chosen.

Once a tree is chosen, a set of independent KCL and KVL equations is found.
Any other KCL or KVL equation is derivable from the independent set. That
means, we DON’T NEED to find more than t KCL or b–t KVL
equations, since anything more than the basic set is redundant and
a waste of effort!

Prof. C.K. Tse: Graph Theory &

Systematic Analysis 13
Matrix representations
There are three fundamental matrices representing the graph of a given
circuit:

1. Node-incidence matrix (A-matrix)

2. Basic cutset matrix (Q-matrix)
3. Basic loop matrix (B-matrix)

They are very useful in computer-aided systematic analysis.

Prof. C.K. Tse: Graph Theory &

Systematic Analysis 14
Node-incidence matrix (A-matrix)
The A-matrix describes the way a circuit is connected. It is very important in
computer simulation.

The columns in a A-matrix correspond to the branches; and the rows

correspond to the nodes.

Prof. C.K. Tse: Graph Theory &

Systematic Analysis 15
 Basic cutset matrix (Q-matrix)
The Q-matrix describes the way the basic
cutset is chosen.
Each column corresponds to a branch
(b columns).
Each row corresponds to a basic cutset
(t rows).

Construction
For each row:
Put a “+1” in the entry corresponding
to the cutset tree branch.
Put a “0” in the entry corresponding to
other tree branches.
Put a “+1” or “–1” in the entry
corresponding to each cutset co-tree
branch; “+” if it is consistent with the
tree branch direction and “–”
otherwise. Q = [ 1 | Q1 ]
Prof. C.K. Tse: Graph Theory &
Systematic Analysis 16
 Basic loop matrix (B-matrix)
The B-matrix describes the way the basic
loop is chosen.
Each column corresponds to a branch
(b columns).
Each row corresponds to a basic loop
(b–t rows).

Construction
For each row:
Put a “+1” in the entry corresponding
to the loop co-tree branch.
Put a “0” in the entry corresponding to
other co-tree branches.
Put a “+1” or “–1” in the entry
corresponding to each loop tree branch;
“+” if it is consistent with the co-tree
branch direction and “–” otherwise.
B = [ B1 | 1 ]
Prof. C.K. Tse: Graph Theory &
Systematic Analysis 17
Relationship between Q and B

Q = [ 1 | Q1 ] B = [ B1 | 1 ]

It is always true that Q1 = – B1T or B1 = – Q1T

Thus, once we have Q, we know B, and vice versa.

Prof. C.K. Tse: Graph Theory &

Systematic Analysis 18
Applications
The basic cutset and loop matrices will be used
to formulate independent Kirchhoff’s law
equations. This will give much more efficient
solution to circuit analysis problems.

Mesh —enhanced— General loop analysis

Nodal —enhanced— General cutset analysis

Prof. C.K. Tse: Graph Theory &

Systematic Analysis 19
 Recall: mesh analysis
Mesh analysis
— good for circuits without current sources

Problem occurs when circuits have a current source: WASTE OF EFFORT!

WHY?

The unknowns are actually partially known!

Prof. C.K. Tse: Graph Theory &

Systematic Analysis 20
 Redundancy in mesh analysis
USUAL MESH ANALYSIS:

Obviously if we define the unknowns according

to the usual mesh-analysis.

We have 2 equations with 2 unknowns.

This is UNNECESSARY because the current

source actually gives the current values
indirectly! I1 – I 2 = 1 A.

CLEVER METHOD:

We define unknowns such that the 1A source is

exactly one of the unknowns. Then, we save an
equation!

So, we have 1 equation with 1 unknown.

Prof. C.K. Tse: Graph Theory &

Systematic Analysis 21
Another example

Usual mesh assignment:

CLEVER METHOD:

We define unknowns such that the 1A source

and 2A source are exactly the unknowns. Then,
we save two equations!

So, we have 0 equation with 0 unknown.

Prof. C.K. Tse: Graph Theory &

Systematic Analysis 22
 Question

How to make the clever method a general method

suitable for all cases?

Prof. C.K. Tse: Graph Theory &

Systematic Analysis 23
 Redundancy in nodal analysis
USUAL NODAL ANALYSIS:

Obviously if we define the unknowns according

to the usual nodal analysis, V1, V2 and V 3
+ + +
we have 3 equations with 3 unknowns. V1 V2 V3
– – –
This is UNNECESSARY because the voltage
source actually gives the voltage values
indirectly! V 1 – V 2 = 2 V.

CLEVER METHOD:

We define unknowns such that the 2V source is

+ V1 – +
exactly one of the unknowns. Then, we save an
+ V3
equation! Here, we use branch voltages.
V2 –
–
So, we have 2 (cutset) equations with 2
unknowns.

Prof. C.K. Tse: Graph Theory &

Systematic Analysis 24
 Another example

+ + +
USUAL NODAL ANALYSIS:
V1 V2 V3
– – –

CLEVER METHOD:

We define unknowns such that the sources

+ V1 – + V2 – +
overlap with unknown branches. Then, we save
V3
three equations! Here, we use branch voltages.
–
So, we have 0 equation with 0 unknown.

Prof. C.K. Tse: Graph Theory &

Systematic Analysis 25
 Same question

How to make the clever method a general method

suitable for all cases?

Prof. C.K. Tse: Graph Theory &

Systematic Analysis 26
Key to systematic methods
Graph theory

•Tree / basic cutset KCL equations

•Co-tree / basic loop KVL equations

The first step is

define an appropriate tree!

Hint: where should we put all the voltage sources?

Prof. C.K. Tse: Graph Theory &

Systematic Analysis 27
Standard tree
Take branches into the tree according to the
following priority:

All voltage-source branches

All resistor branches that do not close a path

The remaining all go to the co-tree.

The co-tree will have all the current sources.

Prof. C.K. Tse: Graph Theory &

Systematic Analysis 28
 Standard tree

number of nodes n = 4
number of branches b = 5
number of tree branches t = n–1 = 3

Prof. C.K. Tse: Graph Theory &

Systematic Analysis 29
Two systematic approaches
Once the tree is chosen, we have two possible
approaches to solve the problem:

1. Cutset-voltage approach (c.f. nodal)

Unknowns are tree voltages

Set up KCL equations based on basic cutsets

2. Loop-current approach (c.f. mesh)

Unknowns are co-tree (link) currents

Set up KVL equations based on basic loops

Prof. C.K. Tse: Graph Theory &

Systematic Analysis 30
 Cutset-voltage
1
approach
Step 1:
+ Start with the digraph. Choose a tree. Define
2S 1S
V1 unknowns as the tree voltages. Label all voltages.
– 1 3
2A Step 2:
1V Write the KCL equations for each basic cutset
4 2S (except those corresponding to voltage
–+ sources)

2 + 5 Cutset 1:
V2 2S Cutset 2:
– +
1S –
⇒
3V

2 ⇒

Prof. C.K. Tse: Graph Theory &

Systematic Analysis 31
 Loop-voltage approach
Step 1:
4 2Ω
Start with the digraph. Choose a tree. Define
unknowns as the co-tree currents. Label all currents.

1Ω Step 2:
Write the KVL equations for each basic loop
+
3 2 3Ω (except those corresponding to current
7V –
sources)

7A Loop 1:
1 Loop 2:

2Ω 5 1Ω

Prof. C.K. Tse: Graph Theory &

Systematic Analysis 32
 Choice of method
Cutset-voltage method: Loop-current method:

Equations to be solved Equations to be solved

= t – (number of voltage sources) = b – t – (number of current sources)

= n – 1 – (number of voltage sources) = b – n + 1 – (number of current

sources)

CHOOSE THE SIMPLEST!

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Systematic Analysis 33
 Question!!
So far, we have only focused on finding

EITHER the tree voltages

OR the co-tree currents

How about other branch currents and voltages?

Can you verify the following:

Once we know either the tree voltages or the co-tree currents, we can
derive everything else in the circuit.

Prof. C.K. Tse: Graph Theory &

Systematic Analysis 34
 Sherlock Holmes’ search
Cutset-voltage method: voltage current
Tree: Voltage sources
? KCL B-cutset
Resistors ? Ohm’s law
Co-tree: Resistors ? KVL B-loop ? Ohm’s law
Current sources ? KVL B-loop

Loop-current method: voltage current

Tree: Voltage sources
? ? KCL B-cutset
? KCL B-cutset
Resistors
? Ohm’s law
Co-tree: Resistors ? Ohm’s law
Current sources ? KVL B-loop
Prof. C.K. Tse: Graph Theory &
Systematic Analysis 35
Conclusion
„ Graph theory
„ Take advantage of topology
„ Cutset-voltage approach
„ Aim to find all tree voltages initially
„ Loop-current approach
„ Aim to find all cotree currents initially

Prof. C.K. Tse: Graph Theory &

Systematic Analysis 36