Laplace Transform Solutions of Transient Circuits

Dr. Holbert March 5, 2008

Lect13

EEE 202

Introduction
In a circuit with energy storage elements, voltages and currents are the solutions to linear, constant coefficient differential equations Real engineers almost never solve the differential equations directly It is important to have a qualitative understanding of the solutions
Lect13 EEE 202 2

Laplace Circuit Solutions

In this chapter we will use previously established techniques (e.g., KCL, KVL, nodal and loop analyses, superposition, source transformation, Thevenin) in the Laplace domain to analyze circuits The primary use of Laplace transforms here is the transient analysis of circuits

Lect13

EEE 202

Laplace Circuit Element Models

Here we develop s-domain models of circuit elements DC voltage and current sources basically remain unchanged except that we need to remember that a dc source is really a constant, which is transformed to a 1/s function in the Laplace domain

Lect13

EEE 202

Resistor
We start with a simple (and trivial) case, that of the resistor, R Begin with the time domain relation for the element v(t) = R i(t) Now Laplace transform the above expression V(s) = R I(s) Hence a resistor, R, in the time domain is simply that same resistor, R, in the s-domain

Lect13

EEE 202

Capacitor
Begin with the time domain relation for the element

d v(t) i(t) C dt
Now Laplace transform the above expression I(s) = s C V(s) C v(0) Interpretation: a charged capacitor (a capacitor with non-zero initial conditions at t=0) is equivalent to an uncharged capacitor at t=0 in parallel with an impulsive current source with strength Cv(0)
Lect13 EEE 202 6

Capacitor (contd.)
Rearranging the above expression for the capacitor

I(s) v(0) V(s) sC s

Interpretation: a charged capacitor can be replaced by an uncharged capacitor in series with a stepfunction voltage source whose height is v(0) Circuit representations of the Laplace transformation of the capacitor appear on the next page

Lect13

EEE 202

Capacitor (contd.)
i C( t ) Time Domain +

vC ( t )

IC ( s)
+ VC(s)
+

1/sC v(0) s

IC( s ) +
VC(s)

1/sC

Cv(0)

Laplace (Frequency) Domain Equivalents

Lect13 EEE 202 8

Inductor
Begin with the time domain relation for the element d i(t)
v(t) L dt

Now Laplace transform the above expression V(s) = s L I(s) L i(0) Interpretation: an energized inductor (an inductor with non-zero initial conditions) is equivalent to an unenergized inductor at t=0 in series with an impulsive voltage source with strength Li(0)
Lect13 EEE 202 9

Inductor (contd.)
Rearranging the above expression for the inductor V(s) i(0)
I(s) sL s

Interpretation: an energized inductor at t=0 is equivalent to an unenergized inductor at t=0 in parallel with a step-function current source with height i(0) Circuit representations of the Laplace transformation of the inductor appear on the next page
Lect13 EEE 202 10

Inductor (contd.)
Time Domain +

vL(t)

iL(0)

I L( s )
+ VL(s)
+

sL

IL(s) +
VL(s) sL

Li(0)

i(0) s

Laplace (Frequency) Domain Equivalents

Lect13 EEE 202 11

Analysis Techniques
In this section we apply our tried and tested analysis tools and techniques to perform transient circuit analyses
KVL, KCL, Ohms Law Voltage and Current division Loop/mesh and Nodal analyses Superposition Source Transformation Thevenins and Nortons Theorems
Lect13 EEE 202 12

Transient Analysis
Sometimes we not only must Laplace transform the circuit, but we must also find the initial conditions

Element Capacitor
Inductor

DC Steady-State I = 0; open circuit

V = 0; short circuit

Lect13

EEE 202

13

Class Examples
Drill Problems P6-4, P6-5

Lect13

EEE 202

14