In the context of a two-port network, \( Z \)-parameters (also known as impedance parameters) describe the relationship between the voltages and currents at the ports. Specifically, the \( Z \)-parameters are defined by the following set of equations:
1. \( V_1 = Z_{11}I_1 + Z_{12}I_2 \)
2. \( V_2 = Z_{21}I_1 + Z_{22}I_2 \)
where:
- \( V_1 \) and \( V_2 \) are the voltages at the two ports,
- \( I_1 \) and \( I_2 \) are the currents entering the two ports,
- \( Z_{11} \), \( Z_{12} \), \( Z_{21} \), and \( Z_{22} \) are the \( Z \)-parameters of the network.
### Condition of Symmetry for \( Z \)-Parameters
A two-port network is said to be symmetric if the \( Z \)-parameters satisfy the following condition:
\[ Z_{12} = Z_{21} \]
In other words, the off-diagonal elements of the \( Z \)-parameter matrix are equal.
This condition indicates that the network's behavior is reciprocal in terms of impedance. In practical terms, if you interchange the ports of a symmetric network, the impedance looking into one port will be the same as that looking into the other port.
### Why This Condition?
To understand why \( Z_{12} = Z_{21} \) represents symmetry, consider the following:
1. **Reciprocity Principle**: For a network to be reciprocal, the relationship between the voltages and currents should be such that the response at port 1 due to an excitation at port 2 should be the same as the response at port 2 due to an excitation at port 1. This symmetry in the impedance parameters reflects that reciprocal behavior.
2. **Matrix Representation**: The \( Z \)-parameter matrix for a two-port network is:
\[
\mathbf{Z} = \begin{bmatrix}
Z_{11} & Z_{12} \\
Z_{21} & Z_{22}
\end{bmatrix}
\]
For the network to be symmetric, the matrix must be equal to its transpose:
\[
\mathbf{Z}^T = \begin{bmatrix}
Z_{11} & Z_{21} \\
Z_{12} & Z_{22}
\end{bmatrix}
\]
This implies:
\[
\mathbf{Z} = \mathbf{Z}^T \text{, or } Z_{12} = Z_{21}
\]
### Conclusion
The condition \( Z_{12} = Z_{21} \) ensures that the two-port network has a symmetric \( Z \)-parameter matrix, which reflects reciprocal behavior and symmetrical impedance properties.