Voltagedepends

Voltagedepends is a term used in electronics to denote devices or models in which one or more electrical properties vary as a function of the voltage applied across the component. In this sense, a voltagedepend device is defined by a functional relationship between voltage and another electrical quantity, such as current, conductance, or output signal. The behavior is typically nonlinear and can be time- or history-dependent depending on the device.

Modeling voltagedepends involves describing the relationship with an I-V curve or a transfer function. Circuit simulations implement voltagedepends as nonlinear elements, often using a nonlinear resistor with conductance that changes with voltage, a voltage-controlled current source, or a set of piecewise or continuous equations. Some voltagedepends devices also incorporate state variables that evolve with time or with the history of voltage and current, as seen in memristive systems.

Examples of voltagedepends behavior include diodes and transistors, where current or conductance varies with the applied voltage, and devices like varistors and Zener diodes, which exhibit distinct voltage thresholds. Threshold switches and certain neuromorphic components show strong voltage-dependent changes in conductance. Memristors are a broader class where the present state depends on the integral of prior voltage or current, producing memory effects.

Voltagedepends concepts are central to nonlinear circuit design, voltage regulation, switching, signal conditioning, and emerging computational architectures. They are often described alongside related notions such as nonlinearity, voltage-controlled elements, and voltage-dependent resistive or conductive behaviors. See also nonlinear I-V characteristics, VCR and VCCS elements, and memristive devices.