A hierarchical network approach to symbolic analysis of large-scale networks

A hierarchical approach to the problem of symbolic circuit analysis of large-scale circuits is presented in this paper. The methodology has been implemented in a computer program called SCAPP (Symbolic Circuit Analysis Program with Partitioning). The method solves the problem by utilizing a hierarchical network approach and the sequence of expressions concept rather than a topological approach and the single expression idea which have dominated symbolic analysis in the past. The result is a linear growth (for real circuits) in the number of terms in the symbolic solutions for the network approach versus the exponential growth exhibited by traditional methods. The analysis methodology uses a Reduced Modified Nodal Analysis (RMNA) technique that allows the characterization of symbolic networks in terms of only a small subset of the network variables (external variables). The analysis algorithm is most efficient when network partitioning is used. Partitioning results in a reduction in the number of terms in the symbolic solutions.>