1

Loop (Mesh) Analysis

2
Loop Analysis
Nodal analysis was developed by applying
KCL at each non-reference node.
Loop analysis is developed by applying
KVL around loops in the circuit.
Loop (mesh) analysis results in a system
of linear equations which must be solved
for unknown currents.
3
Another Summing Circuit
+

V
out
1kO
1kO
1kO
V
1 V
2
+

+

The output voltage V of this circuit is
proportional to the sum of the two input
voltages V
1
and V
2
.
4
Steps of Mesh Analysis
1. Identify mesh (loops).
2. Assign a current to each mesh.
3. Apply KVL around each loop to get an
equation in terms of the loop currents.
4. Solve the resulting system of linear
equations.
5
Mesh 2
1kO
1kO
1kO
1. Identifying the Meshes
V
1 V
2 Mesh 1
+

+

6
Steps of Mesh Analysis
1. Identify mesh (loops).
2. Assign a current to each mesh.
3. Apply KVL around each loop to get an
equation in terms of the loop currents.
4. Solve the resulting system of linear
equations.
7
1kO
1kO
1kO
2. Assigning Mesh Currents
V
1 V
2 I
1
I
2
+

+

8
Steps of Mesh Analysis
1. Identify mesh (loops).
2. Assign a current to each mesh.
3. Apply KVL around each loop to get an
equation in terms of the loop currents.
4. Solve the resulting system of linear
equations.
9
Voltages from Mesh Currents
R
I
1
+
V
R
V
R
= I
1
R
R
I
1
+
V
R
I
2
V
R
= (I
1

I
2
) R
10
3. KVL Around Mesh 1
V
1
+ I
1
1kO + (I
1
I
2
) 1kO = 0
I
1
1kO + (I
1
I
2
) 1kO = V
1

1kO
1kO
1kO
V
1 V
2 I
1
I
2
+

+

11
3. KVL Around Mesh 2
(I
2
I
1
) 1kO + I
2
1kO + V
2
= 0
(I
2
I
1
) 1kO + I
2
1kO = V
2

1kO
1kO
1kO
V
1 V
2 I
1
I
2
+

+

12
Steps of Mesh Analysis
1. Identify mesh (loops).
2. Assign a current to each mesh.
3. Apply KVL around each loop to get an
equation in terms of the loop currents.
4. Solve the resulting system of linear
equations.
13
Matrix Notation
The two equations can be combined into a
single matrix/vector equation.
(

=
(

O + O O
O O + O
2
1
2
1
k 1 k 1 k 1
k 1 k 1 k 1
V
V
I
I
14
(

+
+
(

=
(

) ( ) (
) ( ) (
3 2 3
3 2 1
2
1
2
1
R R R
R R R
I
I
E
E
(

+
+
(

=
) ( ) (
) ( ) (
) (
) (
3 2 3
3 2 1
3 2
3
2
1
1
R R R
R R R
R R
R
E
E
I
Cramers Rule
15
(

+
+
(

+
=
) ( ) (
) ( ) (
) (
) (
3 2 3
3 2 1
2
1
3
2 1
2
R R R
R R R
E
E
R
R R
I
16
4. Solving the Equations
Let: V
1
= 7V and V
2
= 4V
Results:
I
1
= 3.33 mA
I
2
= 0.33 mA
Finally
V
out
= (I
1
I
2
) 1kO = 3.66V
17
Another Example
1kO
2kO
2kO
12V 4mA
2mA
I
0
+

18
Mesh 2
Mesh 3
Mesh 1
1. Identify Meshes
1kO
2kO
2kO
12V 4mA
2mA
I
0
+

19
2. Assign Mesh Currents
I
1
I
2
I
3
1kO
2kO
2kO
12V 4mA
2mA
I
0
+

20
Current Sources
The current sources in this circuit will have
whatever voltage is necessary to make the
current correct.
We cant use KVL around any mesh
because we dont know the voltage for the
current sources.
What to do?
21
Current Sources
The 4mA current source sets I
2
:
I
2
= 4 mA
The 2mA current source sets a constraint
on I
1
and I
3
:
I
1
I
3
= 2 mA
We have two equations and three
unknowns. Where is the third equation?
22
1kO
2kO
2kO
12V 4mA
2mA
I
0
I
1
I
2
I
3
The
Supermesh
surrounds
this source!
The
Supermesh
does not
include this
source!
+

Supermesh
23
3. KVL Around the Supermesh
-12V + I
3
2kO + (I
3
- I
2
)1kO + (I
1
- I
2
)2kO = 0

I
3
2kO + (I
3
- I
2
)1kO + (I
1
- I
2
)2kO = 12V
24
Matrix Notation
The three equations can be combined into
a single matrix/vector equation.
(
(
(

=
(
(
(

(
(
(

O + O O O O

V 12
mA 2
mA 4
1k 2k 2k 1k 2k
1 0 1
0 1 0
3
2
1
I
I
I
25
4. Solve Using MATLAB
>> A = [0 1 0; 1 0 -1;
2e3 -1e3-2e3 2e3+1e3];
>> v = [-4e-3; 2e-3; 12];
>> i = inv(A)*v
i = 0.0012
-0.0040
-0.0008
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Solution
I
1
= 1.2 mA
I
2
= 4 mA
I
3
= 0.8 mA

I
0
= I
1
I
2
= 5.2 mA
27
Advantages of Nodal Analysis
Solves directly for node voltages.
Current sources are easy.
Voltage sources are either very easy or
somewhat difficult.
Works best for circuits with few nodes.
Works for any circuit.
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Advantages of Loop Analysis
Solves directly for some currents.
Voltage sources are easy.
Current sources are either very easy or
somewhat difficult.
Works best for circuits with few loops.
29
Disadvantages of Loop Analysis
Some currents must be computed from
loop currents.
Does not work with non-planar circuits.
Choosing the supermesh may be difficult.

FYI: Spice uses a nodal analysis approach