Finding all solutions of piecewise‐linear circuits

A new algorithm is given for solving the d.c. piecewise‐linear equations of non‐linear electronic circuits. The device models are assumed, with little loss of generality, to be made of 2‐terminal piecewise‐linear resistors and linear controlled sources. Unlike other methods, this algorithm guarantees that all solutions will be found in a finite number of steps. The method depends crucially on a recent development which allows a multi‐dimensional piecewise‐linear function to be represented in a closed canonical form. This highly compact representation requires only a minimum amount of computer storage and is responsible for the efficiency of the algorithm.