classification of network

Classification of Network

Resistance, inductance and capacitance are called network parameters and may be in the form of lumped or distributed.

There are different types of classifications of networks:

1. Linear circuits: It is a circuit whose parameters remain constant with change in voltage or current. Examples are a resistance, inductance or capacitance.
2. Non-linear Circuits: It is a circuit whose parameters change with voltage or current. A semi-conductor resistor is an example of this circuit.

A linear circuit obeys ohm’s Law i.e current remains directly proportional with applied voltage, while in non linear circuit, ohm’s Law is not satisfied.

3. Unilateral Circuit: when the direction of current is changed, the characteristics or properties of the circuit may change. Example; diode, transistors etc.
4. Bilateral circuit: when with change in direction of current, the characterstics or properties of the circuit may not change, it is then called bilateral circuit. Mostly, elements made of high conductivity materials are bilateral circuits.
5. Active Network: It is a network which contains one or more than one source of e.m.f. An active network consists of an active element like a battery or transistor.

6. Passive Network: When a network does not contain any source of e.m.f., it is called passive network. A passive network consists of resistance, inductance or capacitance as passive element. A passive network does not contains any source of energy and the input port serve as load terminal. It may have output terminal.
7. Lumped and Distributed Network: physically separate network elements like R, L, or C are know as lumped elements. A transmission line or a cable is an example of distributed parameter network as throughout the line they are not physically separate. If the network is fabricated with its element in lumped form, it is called lumped network and if in distributed form it is called as distributed network.
8. Recurrent and Non Recurrent Network: when a large circuit consists of similar network one after another, the network is called as recurrent network or cascade network or ladder network. A single network is called as non-recurrent network.

Port in Network

1. One Port Network: Any active or passive network having only two terminals can be represented by an one port network.

2. Two Port Network: If a network consists of two pair of terminals where one pair of terminals can be designated as input, the other pair being output, it is called a two port network.

3. n- Port Network: if the network representation contains of :n”-number of pairs of terminals, it is called a n port network.