Simulation of piecewise-linear circuits in state space

The author summarizes supporting theory appropriate to the systematic modeling of piecewise linear (time-invariant) systems using state-space methods. State-dependent decision vectors and logic-based mask matrices are used to cope with the variable-structure nature of such systems in order to extend the range of the modeling method. Among the topics discussed are the inclusion of deterministic input functions, including impulses, in an augmented-state, undriven (zero-input) system; hybrid (mixed continuous-time and sampled-data) models; and management of the movement of the state vector among linear subsystems. An example from the area of power-electronic circuits is presented