largesignal

Large-signal analysis, sometimes written as large-signal, is the study of systems under excitations that produce nonlinear responses over a broad range of operation. It emphasizes the full input–output relationship rather than linearized increments around a fixed operating point. This contrasts with small-signal analysis, which approximates nonlinear dynamics by linearizing about an equilibrium point to obtain tractable, time-invariant impulse or frequency responses.

In electrical engineering, large-signal modeling treats the complete nonlinear characteristics of devices and circuits. Nonlinear transistor models such as the Ebers–Moll model for BJTs, the BSIM family for MOSFETs, and diode I–V curves are used directly in time-domain simulations. Analysts often solve nonlinear differential equations or use piecewise-linear approximations to capture saturation, clipping, switching, and other nonlinear phenomena. Time-domain simulation tools, notably SPICE and its derivatives, are commonly employed to obtain transient responses to large, arbitrary excitations.

Applications span power electronics, radio frequency power amplifiers operating in compression, analog and digital circuits during large transients, and nonlinear dynamical systems in physics and biology. Large-signal analysis is essential when design goals include distortion, recovery from saturation, switching behavior, stability under large disturbances, or accurate transient prediction.

Overall, largesignal analysis provides a framework for understanding and predicting system behavior beyond the valid range of small-signal approximations, at the cost of requiring more complex models and computational resources.