The Normal Family of Linear Systems

Abstract

The normal family of linear (time-variant) n-ports is introduced as the most natural extension of ordinary scalar driving-point immittance behaviour. The normality induces a certain symmetry and simplicity which merits due emphasis in future n-port research investigations. As an application of the concept of normality the overdamped-underdamped criterion is extended to n-ports. Also, an interesting problem of maximal power transfer is solved and the absolute energy invariant index calculated. This paper invites attention to the development of circuit synthesis procedures based on the algebraic structure of the normal family.