It is possible to describe or represent a network by equations that are expressed in Laplace transforms. In such a case, we can define the behaviour of network by network functions. Driving-point functions and transfer functions are the principal network functions.
In this chapter, we describe first how an inductor and a capacitor can be represented in terms of Laplace transforms. Then we find the driving-point functions of simple networks. Subsequently, the concept of a transfer function is introduced. Then we find the driving-point functions and the transfer functions of some networks. Some network configurations are used repeatedly and they are described. The properties of network functions are also described. The analysis of network functions can be carried out in time domain or frequency domain. We take up the topic of time-domain analysis and the frequency-domain analysis in the chapters to follow.
The topics covered in this chapter are as follows: