A vector-space approach to the theory of linear n-port networks

The theory of linear (active and passive) networks is investigated from a vector-space viewpoint. It is shown that any linear
n
-port
{\cal N}
can be associated with a linear operator
R
and characterized through the kernel or hyperkernel of
R
. More precisely,
{\cal N}
may be associated with a whole class of linear operators. Some of the corresponding matrices (that will be called "canonical") allow a unified treatment for the usual matrix descriptions of n-ports. This also provides a new derivation of the rules for the change of external variables in the description of
{\cal N}
, as well as some results about the connectability of two
n
-port networks.