Apply Thevenin’s Theorem to Solve a Negative Resistance Circuit, or Current Source

The circuit in Figure 1 is a good example of applying Thevenin’s Theorem to solve a circuit with dependent supplies. It is a negative resistance circuit and it was posted in this forum with a call for solution verification for IL as a function of Vin. With some clever resistor values, the circuit can also be a current source with RL its load. Since this fits very well with my plans to write more about Thevenin’s Theorem, I decided to post the solution here.

negative-resistance-circuit

Figure 1


While the nodal analysis can be used, it is prone to mistakes. That is why I prefer Thevenin’s Theorem. It is an elegant solution to finding currents and voltages in networks. For complex circuits, Thevenin’s Theorem can be nested, as I showed in this article: How to Apply Thevenin’s Theorem – Part 2. Nested Thevenin Sources Method.

Back to our circuit. Thevenin’s Theorem says that circuits with voltage and current sources as well as resistors are electrically equivalent to one single voltage source and one resistor in series with the source. If we consider RL the Thevenin source load, the entire circuit in Figure 1 can be reduced as in Figure 2.

thevenin source equivalent circuit

Figure 2

Therefore, if we calculate VTH and RTH, we can find IL.

Since VTH is the Thevenin voltage with no load, let’s eliminate RL from our circuit. Figure 3 shows the new circuit with RL eliminated. I replaced our op amp with a dependent source for convenience. If you need to know why, read this article: An Ideal Operational Amplifier Simulation Model.

negative-resistance-circuit-with-vcvs

Figure 3

In this simplified circuit we can apply the nodal analysis. Figure 3 shows that VTH is

thevenin-voltage-eq1 (1)

and since I2 can be written as

i2-current-eq2 (2)

VTH becomes


thevenin-voltage-eq3
(3)

I don’t like to carry large equations when solving circuits, especially when I have dimensionless ratios. So I always note a ratio of resistors like R1/(R1+R2) with a letter, say, K1.

The same circuit in Figure 3 shows that VTH is equal with the voltage drop across R4, because the voltage between the op amp inputs is negligible. As a result, VTH is the output voltage times the attenuation ratio R4/(R3+R4). Again, let’s note this ratio with K. So, if Vo is


output-voltage-eq4
(4)

replacing it in equation (3) and also replacing R1/(R1+R2) with K1, VTH equation becomes

thevenin-voltage-eq5 (5)

Solving for VTH,


thevenin-voltage-eq6
(6)

The fraction that multiplies Vin is a constant and has no dimensions. Let’s note it with K2. In this case VTH becomes:


thevenin-voltage-eq7
(7)

Next, let’s find RTH. From the circuit inspection in Figure 3 one realizes that it is easier to calculate the short circuit current, at the Thevenin’s source. Figure 4 shows the short circuit and the Isc current.

short circuit current current calculation

Figure 4

Therefore, Isc is


short-circuit-current-eq8
(8)

And since RTH is

thevenin-resistance-eq9 (9)

by replacing Isc, RTH becomes

thevenin-resistance-eq10 (10)

And now we can calculate IL. Looking back at Figure 2, IL can be expressed as the ratio between VTH and RTH+RL.

il-current-eq11 (11)

After replacing RTH in equation (11) with expression (10), and VTH with (7) , the result is

il-solution-eq12 (12)

>>> <<<

This result shows the circuit behavior as a negative resistance at Vin input. If the current flows into Vin, the resistance seen by Vin is negative. This happens when Vin is less than the drop on RL. The adjustments can be done with R2.

If R2 is not connected (mathematical infinity) K1 is 0 and K2 is 1, and IL becomes Vin / (R1 + RL). The current through R1 is positive, and the circuit presents a positive resistance at Vin.

Connecting R2, as R2 decreases the op amp output starts sending a current back into RL. Further decreasing R2 results in 1-K1/K to be negative and K2 becomes negative. That is the point when IL * RL is greater than Vin, the current in R1 reverses, and the circuit behaves as a negative resistance.

5 thoughts on “Apply Thevenin’s Theorem to Solve a Negative Resistance Circuit, or Current Source”

  1. How do you get equation 1. Please elaborate.
    No current goes into opamp terminals, so we don’t need a model for the opamp. correct?
    The ckt will reduce to Vin with R1 in series and Vo with R2 in series.

    Reply
    • VTH comes from the loop equation for VTH, R1 and Vin. Since there is no current in the Op Amp terminals, the voltage drop on R1 is the current through R2 times R1.

      “The ckt will reduce to Vin with R1 in series and Vo with R2 in series.”
      Correct. In the first stage of the calculation, when we eliminate RL, R1 and R2 have the same current, and that is I2. This is shown in equation 2: I2 = (Vo-Vin)/(R1+R2).

      “No current goes into opamp terminals”
      Correct.

      “so we don’t need a model for the opamp”
      That is correct. I used the model to show that the Op Amp can be considered a voltage-controlled-voltage-source, for ease in understanding and calculation. But, yes, one can apply Thevenin’s Theorem without the model, just by leaving the Op Amp in place.

      Another reason for using the model is to show, with another example, how to apply Thevenin’s Theorem for solving circuits with dependent sources.

      Reply
  2. great explanation. Would you ever consider publishing an Amazon Kindle Edition of any of your books?

    A person can have up to 3500 books on a Kindle and it only weighs 8 ounces.

    Sincerely, Cathy

    Reply
  3. I must have stared at EQ. 2 for 15 minutes trying to understand why it was (Vo-Vin)/(R2+R1) rather than (Vo-Vth)/R2. I calculated Vth to be the same when using Superposition which was my default method of choice. It’s all clear now.

    Reply

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