Mini courses

Network Theory Complete Mini Course

A structured mini course covering DC and AC circuit analysis, network theorems, resonance, two-port networks, and transient analysis for ECE students.

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DC AnalysisTheoremsAC PhasorsResonanceTransientsM1M2M3M4M5StartComplete

Course overview

This course covers circuit analysis techniques used throughout ECE: KVL and KCL-based mesh and nodal analysis, network theorems, AC phasor analysis, resonance circuits, two-port parameters, and transient behavior of RC and RL circuits. The course progresses from DC resistive networks in the first module to frequency-domain and two-port analysis in later modules. Students who complete the course can solve any planar circuit using systematic methods, determine Thevenin and Norton equivalents, analyze RLC resonance, and find natural and forced responses of first and second-order circuits.

Details

Target audience: First-year and second-year B.Tech ECE students taking Network Theory or Circuit Analysis, and GATE aspirants reviewing the Networks section.

Duration: 10 to 13 hours across 5 modules

Prerequisites

  • Ohm's law and basic resistive circuit concepts
  • Algebra and basic trigonometry
  • Introductory knowledge of calculus for transient module

Learning outcomes

  • Write and solve mesh and nodal equations for circuits containing dependent sources
  • Apply Thevenin's and Norton's theorems to reduce complex networks to simple equivalents
  • Compute phasor voltages and currents in AC circuits and calculate real, reactive, and apparent power
  • Determine the resonant frequency, bandwidth, and Q factor for series and parallel RLC circuits
  • Find Z, Y, h, and ABCD parameters for a two-port network from its circuit description
  • Compute the complete transient response of first-order RC and RL circuits for step and impulse inputs

Modules

Module 1: DC Circuit Analysis
Topics
  • KVL and KCL formulation
  • Mesh analysis with dependent sources
  • Nodal analysis and supernode technique
  • Source transformation
  • Superposition theorem
Article slugs
mesh-nodal-analysissource-transformation-techniquesuperposition-theorem-circuits
Lab slug: dc-circuit-analysis-lab
Module 2: Network Theorems
Topics
  • Thevenin's theorem derivation and applications
  • Norton's theorem and conversion
  • Maximum power transfer theorem
  • Reciprocity theorem
  • Millman's theorem for parallel branches
Article slugs
thevenin-norton-theoremmaximum-power-transfermillman-reciprocity-theorems
Lab slug: network-theorems-lab
Module 3: AC Phasor Analysis
Topics
  • Phasor representation of sinusoidal quantities
  • Impedance of R, L, and C elements
  • AC mesh and nodal analysis
  • Power factor, real power, and reactive power
  • Three-phase balanced circuit analysis
Article slugs
phasor-analysis-ac-circuitsac-power-factor-calculationthree-phase-circuit-analysis
Lab slug: ac-phasor-lab
Module 4: Resonance and Two-Port Networks
Topics
  • Series RLC resonance: resonant frequency and Q factor
  • Parallel resonance and anti-resonance
  • Two-port Z, Y, h, and ABCD parameters
  • Relationship between two-port parameter sets
  • Cascading of two-port networks
Article slugs
rlc-resonance-q-factortwo-port-parameters-z-y-hcascading-two-port-networks
Lab slug: resonance-two-port-lab
Module 5: Transient Analysis
Topics
  • Natural and step response of first-order RC and RL circuits
  • Initial and final conditions for inductors and capacitors
  • Second-order RLC circuit step response
  • Overdamped, underdamped, and critically damped cases
  • Laplace-domain approach to transient circuit analysis
Article slugs
first-order-rc-rl-transientsecond-order-rlc-responselaplace-transient-circuits
Lab slug: transient-analysis-lab