Wang Algebra: From Theory to Practice

Wang algebra was initiated by Ki-Tung Wang as a short-cut method for the analysis of electrical networks. It was later popularized by Duffin and has since found numerous applications in electrical engineering and graph theory. This is a semi-tutorial paper on Wang algebra, its history, and modern applications. We expand Duffin’s historic notes on Wang algebra to give a full account of Ki-Tung Wang’s life. A short proof of Wang algebra using group theory is presented. We exemplify the usefulness of Wang algebra in the design of T-coils. Bridged T-coils give a significant advantage in bandwidth, and were widely adopted in Tektronix oscilloscopes, but design details were guarded as a trade secret. The derivation presented in this paper, based on Wang algebra, is more general and simpler than those reported in literature. This novel derivation has not been shared with the public before.