NetAna Documentation
version 3.3.0


               

NetAna is a program developed to solve sets of linear equations using matrix algebra to solve electrical network voltage and current values. Python, and Python-Matplot were used to create the multi-platform program. The GUI was handcrafted using Python's built in Tkinter.

NetAna is used to analyze DC and AC networks using either Node or Mesh equations. NetAna uses a network specification (component values) and driving voltages or currents and in the case of an AC network the frequency range. Any text editor can be used to create, edit, and save the network specification file. The "spec." file must be saved with an ".txt" extension. Once the specification filename is selected, the network equations are entered into a matrix (grid table). This matrix is “Submitted”, stored in a file. The network is then analyzed producing an analysis report displayed in a pop up window. Next a plot of the gain and phase angle can be produced. This plot can also be saved to a file providing the user with a complete report and plot for documenting the performance of the network.


Program Reserved Keywords

The following words/symbols are used in defining the network/circuit specification. The specification in typed into the program editor or your favorite text edited and saved with the ".txt" extendsion.  The specificatioon may be typed in either lowercase or uppercase. Python is case senesitve but, this program scans the specification file and converts the text to uppercase before evaluating the specification. The reserved words below are shown in upper case even though they can be entered in lower case.


NODES MASHS VG IG L*
C* R* VGLIST IGLIST FREQ
TF GOALS GOAL?


Keyword Usage

NODES

This word is required to be defined for node analysis and specifes the number of nodes in the network. Example "nodes = 5" to specify a five node network.

MASHS



This word is required to be defined for mash analysis and specifies the number of mashs in the network. Example "mashs = 4" to specify a four mash network.

VG


This word defines the voltage generator value when doing mash analysis. When 'VG' is used. the program will do mash analysis. Example "VG = 10.0'  will specify a 10.0 volt generator.

IG


This word defines the current generator value when doing node analysis. When 'IG' is used, the program will do node analysis. Example: "Ig = 0.500' will specify a 500 millampere current generator.

L*


L must be the first character of a word to define an inductor value. Normally the usage would be ",L1, L2, L3, L4 ......... " or "l1, l2, l3, l4 .... " but, the usage of the lower case L may be confused for the number 1. Example:  L23 = 25.0e-3  ( 25.0 millihenry )

C*
C is the first character of a value definition for a capacitor - see above L* for usage. Example: c1 = 0.1e-6  ( 0.1 microfarad )

R*


R must be the first character of the word to define resistor values. Examples: r1 = 10e3 ,  R2 = 10,000.0,  r4 = 1e6, R3=2*R2   where values are in ohms.

VGLIST


Used to define mulitple voltage sources (mash analysis). Example: vglist = [e1, e2, 0, 0, e2]
This defines two voltage sources driving three mashs ( mashs 1, 2, and 5) where mashs are the current loops.
The first element of the list is the voltage source for meash 1. In the above 'vglist' voltage 'e2' is driving mash 2 and 5.

IGLIST


Used to define multiple current sources (node analysis). Example:    iglist = [i1, i2, 0, 0, 0, e1*y3]
This defines three current sources in a six node network. Current source at node six is the product of voltage e1 and admittance y3.

FREQ


This keyword is used when doing AC analysis only. It defines the 'start, stop, increment, label' frequency range that will be used in the analysis.
Example: FREQ=(100,500,10, "Hz") defines a frequency range starting at 100 Hz to 500 Hz in steps of 10 Hz. And defines the frequency label used the label the response plot.

TF


The 'TF' (Transfer Function) keyword is used the define the output of the analysis program. Example; TF = ("(i2-i3) * R3", "Volts") defines, for mash analysis, the voltage across  resistor  R3. During analysis all mash currents are solved and during node anlysis all node voltage are solved. The second parameter passed to the TF is a label, used for  DC analysis only, used in writing the output report. If in the above example the output to be in millivolts instead of volts, the TF is written as TF = ("(i2-i3)*R3*1e3"," mv") note that the first parameter must be scaled by 1e3 (1000) to get millivolts.

GOALS


The GOALS keyword is only used in DC analysis. It defines the number of goals, similar to transfer functions. Example: GOALS=3 specifies that there are three output goals or expressions to be solved for using the network elements, currents, or voltages. During Mash Analysis all loop currents are solved and during Node Analysis all node voltages are solved.

GOAL?


GOAL? means Goal1......GoalN. where N is defined by keywprd GOALS above.
Assuming Node Analysis:
Example: Goal1 = ("(e1-e2) / R2 * 1000", "ma.")  # find current in R2
        Goal2 = ("e1-e2", "volt")  # find voltage across R2 assuming R2 connected between nodes 1 and 2.

Program Usage

Once the program is running, a frame with a top menu bar and four buttons will be visible to the user.  Depress the "Enter Sepc. File Name" button and select the "Spec." file.  The 'spec' (specification) file is a plain text file with an extension '.txt' that contains the program keywords. See the included Demo files in the 'Examples' folder included with this distribution.

Next depress the 'Enter Network Equations' button. A zero filled grid (table) will appear if this is the first analysis run of this network. Fill in the grid with the network equations. The equation cells in the grid are unique in that no 's' or 'jw' symbols are entered in the cells, only component symbols. The reactances are computed by the program. Therefore, all the capacitor and inductance symbols must be entered with their C's and L's. If this network has been analyzed before, the grid will come up with the network equations already entered as used in the last run. The equation can be edited any time this grid frame is open. When all equations have been entered, depress the 'Submit' button on the grid dialog frame. This will save the equations in a file with an '.equ' extension.

Note: A feature has been added to version 1.0.0 allowing the user to specify the network equations and connections in a xxxxx.net file documented below.

Once the equations have been saved as above, the 'Analyze Network' should be pressed. If all goes well a new window will pop up displaying the output report data. When doing DC analysis the report will show all the loop current values for Mash analysis plus any GOAL values or all the node voltage values plus GOAL values when doing Node Analysis.

When doing AC Analysis the report will show the transfer function (TF), magnitude and phase values verses frequency as defined by the FREQ specification.

Once a network/circuit  has been analyzed three files will be created and maybe an optional forth file may be created. These three files should be kept together in order to re-run the analysis with the same 'spec' and equations.

  1. mynetwok.txt -- user input 'spec' file
  2. mynetwork.report -- program generated output response file
  3. mynetwork.equ -- equation file
  4. mynetwork.net -- optional connection list file
  5. xxxxx.png -- plot image file, you apply name as you save it.


Plot Network Report

After viewing the output report, the output may be plotted by depressing the 'Plot Network Report' button. You may save the plot by depressing the lower right button on the plot frame. If you want to print either the saved report or plot files, use one of the standard printing methods, depending on the computer platform being used.

Net Connection List

Version 1.0.0 has added a feature that allows the user to create a network connection text file that will be used to fill in the grid when the "Enter Network Equations" button is depressed if the ".equ" file does not exist.

Starting with version 3.2.0 when the "Save Button", in the equations dialog, is pressed NetAna will always write/update a "xxxxxx.net" file. The "xxxxxx.net" file is provided to document the project network connections.

The project can be recreated using the .spec and .net files. The Net file will only be used to load the equation if the corresponding xxxxxx.equ file extension is renamed such as "xxxxxx.equ.bak" or deleted or does not exist.

An example of a connection file is shown below for the "BainterFilter":

BF.net


Net data format is as follows:
    Column 1 is the node or mutual node equation. Note that all mutual node equations are negative, have a minus sign.
    Column 2 is the node number.
    Column 3 is either zero indicating a main node or a non zero number indicating a mutual node number.

When entering data in the first data column be sure to include the symbols for the reactive components. The reactive component must be exposed (shown). Data may be entered in either upper or lower case.
 Example: R1 is in series with C1; Y1 = 1.0/R1 + C1 and  Y1 is connected between node 4 and 5       
 Y1+C1,4,5 as long as Y1 is defined in the spec. file. Such as R1=10e3 and Y1=1/R1.
When creating this .net file you can create a comment using the "#" symbol any place in the line and the rest of the line will be treated as a comment. The xxxxxxx.net file will only be used if an xxxxxx.equ file does not exist. If you depress the "Save" button in the Equation Dialog grid display the equation information  will be saved in the xxxxxx.equ file. As long as the xxxxxxx.equ file exists, the xxxxxxxx.net file will not be used. If you edit the .net file, you must then delete the respective .equ file, then the new net file will be used.