Sensitivity Analysis and Models of Nonlinear Circuits

Sensitivity analysis of general nonlinear circuits is considered using the concepts of state space. It is shown that sensitivity functions may be obtained by calculating the responses of a dependent linear model, topologically equivalent to the original, with element values and driving functions determined by partial derivatives of the characteristics and responses of the original circuit components. The sensitivity parameter may be taken as explicit in any one of the circuit parameters. The solution of the sensitivity functions from the model involves basically the same program as is used to obtain the solution of the original circuit and both solutions may be generated simultaneously.