APPLICATION OF THE LAPLACE TRANSFORM

TO CIRCUIT ANALYSIS
LEARNING GOALS
Laplace circuit solutions
Showing the usefulness of the Laplace transform
Circuit Element Models
Transforming circuits into the Laplace domain
Analysis Techniques
All standard analysis techniques, KVL, KCL, node,
loop analysis, Thevenins theorem are applicable
Transfer Function
The concept is revisited and given a formal meaning
Pole-Zero Plots/Bode Plots
Establishing the connection between them
Steady State Response
AC analysis revisited
LAPLACE CIRCUIT SOLUTIONS
We compare a conventional approach to solve differential equations with a
technique using the Laplace transform
) ( ) ( ) ( t
dt
di
L t Ri t v
S
+ = : KVL
t
C C
C
C
e K t i t
dt
di
L t Ri
o
= = + ) ( 0 ) ( ) (
equation ary Complement
p C
i i i + =
L
R
e LK e RK
t
C
t
C
= = +

o o
o o
0 ) (
p p
K t i = ) (
case this for solution Particular
p S
RK v = = 1
t
L
R
C
e K
R
t i

+ =
1
) (
0 0 0 0 = < = ) i( for t (t) v
S
conditions boundary Use
0 ; 1
1
) ( >
|
|
.
|

\
|
=

t e
R
t i
t
L
R
Take Laplace transform of the equation
(

+ =
dt
di
L s RI s V
S
L ) ( ) (
) ( ) 0 ( ) ( s sI i s sI
dt
di
= =
(

L
) ( ) (
1
s LsI s RI
s
+ =
) (
1
) (
Ls R s
s I
+
=
L R s
K
s
K
s L R s
L
s I
/ ) / (
/ 1
) (
2 1
+
+ =
+
=
R
s I L R s K
R
s sI K
L R s
s
1
| ) ( ) / (
1
| ) (
/ 2
0 1
= + =
= =
=
=
0 ; 1
1
) ( >
|
|
.
|

\
|
=

t e
R
t i
t
L
R
) ( ) ( ) ( t
dt
di
L t Ri t v
S
+ =
L
Initial conditions
are automatically
included
No need to
search for
particular
or comple-
mentary
solutions
Only algebra
is needed
P
a
r
t
i
c
u
l
a
r
Comple
mentary
LEARNING BY DOING
0 ), ( > t t v Find
KCL using Model
dt
dv
C
R
v v
S

S
v
0 =

+
R
v v
dt
dv
C
S
S
v v
dt
dv
RC = +
L
) ( ) ( s V s V
dt
dv
RC
S
= +
(

L
) ( ) 0 ( ) ( s sV v s sV
dt
dv
= =
(

L
s
s V t u v
S S
1
) ( ) ( = =
0 ) 0 ( 0 , 0 ) ( = < = v t t v
S
Initial condition
given in implicit
form
In the Laplace domain the differential
equation is now an algebraic equation
s
s V s RCsV
1
) ( ) ( = +
) / 1 (
/ 1
) 1 (
1
) (
RC s s
RC
RCs s
s V
+
=
+
=
Use partial fractions to determine inverse
RC s
K
s
K
RC s s
RC
s V
/ 1 ) / 1 (
/ 1
) (
2 1
+
+ =
+
=
1 | ) ( ) / 1 (
1 | ) (
/ 1 2
0 1
= + =
= =
=
=
RC s
s
s V RC s K
s sV K
0 , 1 ) ( > =

t e t v
RC
t
CIRCUIT ELEMENT MODELS
The method used so far follows the steps:
1. Write the differential equation model
2. Use Laplace transform to convert the model to an algebraic form
For a more efficient approach:
1. Develop s-domain models for circuit elements
2. Draw the Laplace equivalent circuit keeping the interconnections and replacing
the elements by their s-domain models
3. Analyze the Laplace equivalent circuit. All usual circuit tools are applicable and all
equations are algebraic.
) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( s RI s V t Ri t v = =
) ( ) (
) ( ) (
s I t i
s V t v
S S
S S

sources t Independen
. . .
) ( ) ( ) ( ) (
) ( ) ( ) ( ) (
s BV s I t Bv t i
s AI s V t Ai t v
C D C D
C D C D
= =
= =
sources Dependent
Resistor
Capacitor: Model 1
) 0 ( ) (
1
) (
0
v dx x i
C
t v
t
+ =
}
) 0 ( ) ( ) ( Cv s CsV s I =
Source transformation
) 0 (
1
) 0 (
Cv
Cs
s
v
I
eq
= =
s
v
s I
Cs
s V
) 0 (
) (
1
) ( + =
Impedance in series
with voltage source
Capacitor: Model 2
Impedance in parallel
with current source
s
s I
dx x i
t
) (
) (
0
=
(

}
L
Inductor Models
)) 0 ( ) ( ( ) ( ) ( ) ( i s sI L s V t
dt
di
L t v = =
) 0 ( ) ( i s sI
dt
di
=
(

L
s
i
Ls
s V
s I
) 0 ( ) (
) ( + =
LEARNING BY DOING
A i 1 ) 0 ( =
Determine the model in the s-domain and the expression for
the voltage across the inductor
Inductor with
initial current
Equivalent circuit in
s-domain
1
1
) ( ) ( 1 ) (
+
= =
s
s V s I s V
Law s Ohm'
) ( ) 1 ( 1 s I s + = : KVL
Steady state for t<0
ANALYSIS TECHNIQUES
All the analysis techniques are applicable in the s-domain
LEARNING EXAMPLE Draw the s-domain equivalent and find the voltage in both
s-domain and time domain
0 ) 0 ( 0 , 0 ) ( = < =
o S
v t t i
One needs to determine the initial voltage
across the capacitor
1
3
) (
+
=
s
s I
S
) (
1
|| ) ( s I
Cs
R s V
S o
|
.
|

\
|
=
1
10 3
/ 1
/ 1
) (
1
) (
3
+

+
=
+
=

s RC s
C
s I
Cs
R
Cs
R
s V
S o
25 . 0 ) 10 25 )( 10 10 (
6 3
= =

RC
1 4 ) 1 )( 4 (
120
) (
2 1
+
+
+
=
+ +
=
s
K
s
K
s s
s V
o
40 | ) ( ) 1 (
40 | ) ( ) 4 (
1 2
4 1
= + =
= + =
=
=
s o
s o
s V s K
s V s K
| | ) ( 40 ) (
4
t u e e t v
t t
o

=
LEARNING EXAMPLE
theorem. s Norton' and s Thevenin' tion, transforma source
ion, superposit analysis, loop analysis, node using Find ) (t v
o
Assume all initial conditions are zero
Node Analysis
0
1
) ( ) (
12
) (
4
1
1
=

+
s
s V s V
s
s
s V
s
o
1
V @ KCL
0
1
) ( ) (
2
) (
1
=

+
s
s V s V s V
o o
o
KCL@V
s
2
0 ) ( ) 2 1 ( ) ( 2
12 4
) ( ) ( ) 1 (
1
2
1
2
= + +
+
= +
s V s s sV
s
s
s V s s V s
o
o
) 1 (
2
s +
s 2
2
) 1 (
) 3 ( 8
) (
s
s
s V
o
+
+
=
Could have
used voltage
divider here
s
s V
1
2
) (
1
+
Loop Analysis
s
s I
4
) (
1
=
1 Loop
s
s I s I
s
s I s I s
12
) ( 2 ) (
1
)) ( ) ( (
2 2 1 2
= + +
2 Loop
2
2
) 1 (
) 3 ( 4
) (
+
+
=
s
s
s I
2
2
) 1 (
) 3 ( 8
) ( 2 ) (
+
+
= =
s
s
s I s V
o
Source Superposition
Applying current source
Current divider
'
2
I
'
4
( ) 2
1
2
o
s
V s
s
s
s
=
+ +
Voltage divider
s
s
s
s V
o
12
1
2
2
) (
"

+ +
=
2
" '
) 1 (
) 3 ( 8
) ( ) ( ) (
+
+
= + =
s
s
s V s V s V
o o
o
Applying voltage source
Source Transformation
The resistance is redundant
Combine the sources and use current
divider
|
.
|

\
|
+
+ +
=
2
12 4
2
1
2 ) (
s s
s
s
s
s V
o
2
) 1 (
) 3 ( 8
) (
+
+
=
s
s
s V
o
Using Thevenins Theorem
Reduce this part
s
s
s
s
s
s V
OC
12 4 4 12
) (
+
= + =
Only independent sources
s
s
s
s
Z
Th
1 1
2
+
= + =
s
s
s
s
s V
o
12 4
1
2
2
) (
2
+
+
+
=
Voltage
divider
2
) 1 (
) 3 ( 8
) (
+
+
=
s
s
s V
o
Using Nortons Theorem
2
12 4 / 12 4
) (
s
s
s
s
s
s I
SC
+
= + =
Reduce this part
s Z
Th
=
2
12 4
2
1
2 ) (
s
s
s
s
s
s V
o
+
+ +
=
2
) 1 (
) 3 ( 8
) (
+
+
=
s
s
s V
o
Current
division
LEARNING EXAMPLE
zero be to conditions initial all Assume voltage the Determine ). (t v
o
. Three loops, three non-reference nodes
. One voltage source between non-reference
nodes - supernode
. One current source. One loop current known
or supermesh
. If v_2 is known, v_o can be obtained with a
voltage divider
Selecting the analysis technique:
Transforming the circuit to s-domain
s
s V s V
12
) ( ) (
1 2
= : constraint Supernode
0
1
) (
) ( 2
/ 2
) (
2
) (
2 1 1
=
+
+ +
s
s V
s I
s
s V s V
: supernode KCL@
2
) (
) (
1
s V
s I = : variable g Controllin
) (
1
1
) (
2 0
s V
s
s V
+
= : divider Voltage
s s V s V / 12 ) ( ) (
2 1
= : algebra the Doing
s s V s I / 6 2 / ) ( ) (
2
+ =
( )
0 ) 1 /( ) (
) / 6 2 / ) ( ( 2 / 12 ) ( ) 1 )( 2 / 1 (
2
2 2
= + +
+ +
s s V
s s V s s V s
) 5 4 (
) 3 )( 1 ( 12
) (
2
2
+ +
+ +
=
s s s
s s
s V
) 5 4 (
) 3 ( 12
) (
2
+ +
+
=
s s s
s
s V
o
Continued ...
theorem s Thevenin' using Compute ) (s V
o
-keep dependent source and controlling
variable in the same sub-circuit
-Make sub-circuit to be reduced as simple
as possible
-Try to leave a simple voltage divider after
reduction to Thevenin equivalent
s V
OC
/ 12
2
/ 12
'
0 ' 2
/ 2
/ 12
2
/ 12
s V
I
I
s
s V s V
OC
OC OC

=
=

s
s V
OC
12
) ( =
' 0 I =
0 ) / 2 /( " 2 " " 2 = s I I I I
SC
+

s / 12
s I / 6 "=
s
s
I
SC
) 3 ( 6 +
=
3
2
) (
) (
+
= =
s s I
s V
Z
SC
OC
TH
2
1 12
( )
2
1
3
12( 3)
( 4 5)
o
V s
s
s
s
s
s s s
=
+ +
+
+
=
+ +
Continued Computing the inverse Laplace transform
Analysis in the s-domain has established that the Laplace transform of the
output voltage is
) 5 4 (
) 3 ( 12
) (
2
+ +
+
=
s s s
s
s V
o
) 1 2 )( 1 2 ( 5 4
2
j s j s s s + + + = + +
) 1 2 ( ) 1 2 ( ) 1 2 )( 1 2 (
) 3 ( 12
) (
*
1 1
j s
K
j s
K
s
K
j s j s s
s
s V
o
o
+ +
+
+
+ =
+ + +
+
=
) ( ) cos( | | 2
) ( ) (
1 1
*
1 1
t u K t e K
j s
K
j s
K
t
Z +
+ +
+
+

|
| o | o
o
5
36
| ) (
0
= =
= s o o
s sV K
Z = Z =
Z Z
Z
=
+
+
=
+ =
+ =
57 . 161 79 . 3 43 . 198 79 . 3
) 90 2 ( 43 . 153 5
45 2 12
) 2 )( 1 2 (
) 1 1 ( 12
1 2
| ) ( ) 1 2 (
1
j j
j
j s
s
o
V j s K
) ( 57 . 161 cos( 59 . 7
5
36
) (
2
t u t e t v
t
o
|
.
|

\
|
+ + =

1 ) 2 (
2
+ + = s
( ) | | 1 ) 2 ( 1 ) 2 (
) 2 (
1 2
) 3 ( 12
) (
2
2
2
1
2
+ +
+
+ +
+
+ =
+ +
+
=
s
C
s
s C
s
C
s s
s
s V
o
o
) ( ] sin cos [
) ( ) (
) (
2 1
2 2
2
2 2
1
t u t C t C e
s
C
s
s C
t
| |
| o
|
| o
o
o
+
+ +
+
+ +
+

5 / 36 | ) (
0
= =
= s o o
s sV C
] ) 2 ( [ ) 1 ) 2 (( ) 3 ( 12
2 1
2
C s C s s C s
o
+ + + + + = +
5 / 12 6 10 / 36 2 12 2
2 2
= = = = C C C s
o
5 / 36 0 :
1 1
= + = C C C
o
2
s of ts coefficien Equating
) ( sin
5
12
) cos 1 (
5
36
) (
2 2
t u t e t e t v
t t
o
(

=

One can also use
quadratic factors...
TRANSIENT CIRCUIT ANALYSIS USING LAPLACE TRANSFORM
For the study of transients, especially transients due to switching, it is important
to determine initial conditions. For this determination, one relies on the properties:
1. Voltage across capacitors cannot change discontinuously
2. Current through inductors cannot change discontinuously
LEARNING EXAMPLE
0 ), ( > t t v
o
Determine
A i V v
L C
1 ) 0 ( , 1 ) 0 ( = =
it shortcircu are inductors
circuit open are capacitors case DC For
Assume steady state for t<0 and determine
voltage across capacitors and currents
through inductors
) 0 ( L
i


+
) 0 (
C
v
Circuit for t>0
Use mesh analysis
Laplace
1
4
) 1 (
2 1
+ = +
s
sI I s
1
1
)
2
1 (
2 1
= + + +
s
I
s
s sI
2 3 2
1 2
) (
2
2
+ +

=
s s
s
s I
s
s I
s
s V
o
1
) (
2
) (
2
+ =
2 3 2
7 2
) (
2
+ +
+
=
s s
s
s V
o
Now determine the inverse transform
roots conjugate complex < 0 4
2
ac b
4
7
4
3
4
7
4
3
) (
*
1 1
j s
K
j s
K
s V
o
+ +
+
+
=
4
7
4
3
1
) (
4
7
4
3
j s
o
s V j s K
+ =
|
|
.
|

\
|
+ =
Z = 5 . 76 14 . 2
) ( ) cos( | | 2
) ( ) (
1 1
*
1 1
t u K t e K
j s
K
j s
K
t
Z +
+ +
+
+

|
| o | o
o
3
4
7
( ) 4.28 cos( 76.5 )
4
t
o
v t e t

=
Circuit for t>0
TRANSFER FUNCTION
) (s X
) (s Y
System with all
initial conditions
set to zero
) (
) (
) (
s X
s Y
s H =
x a
dt
dx
a
dt
x d
a
dt
x d
a
y b
dt
dy
b
dt
y d
b
dt
y d
b
o
m
m
m
m
m
m
o
n
n
n
n
n
n
+ + + + =
+ + + +

1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
...
...
equation
al differenti a is system the for model the If
) (s Y s
dt
y d
k
k
k
=
(

L
zero are conditions initial all If
) ( ) ( ... ) (
) ( ) ( ... ) (
0 1
0 1
s X a s sX a s X s a
s Y b s sY b s Y s b
m
m
n
n
+ + + =
+ + +
) (
...
...
) (
0 1
0 1
s X
a s a s a
b s b s b
s Y
m
m
n
n
+ + +
+ + +
=
0 1
0 1
...
...
) (
a s a s a
b s b s b
s H
m
m
n
n
+ + +
+ + +
=
1 ) ( ) ( ) ( = = s X t t x o
function impulse the For
The inverse transform of H(s) is also
called the impulse response of the system
If the impulse response is known then one
can determine the response of the system
to ANY other input
H(s) can also be interpreted as the Laplace
transform of the output when the input is
an impulse and all initial conditions are zero
LEARNING EXAMPLE response impulse has network A u(t) e t h
t
= ) (
) ( 10 ) ( ) (
2
t u e t v t v
t
i o

= input the for , response, the Determine
In the Laplace domain, Y(s)=H(s)X(s)
) ( ) ( ) ( s V s H s V
i o
=
1
1
) ( ) ( ) (
+
= =

s
s H t u e t h
t
2
10
) ( ) ( 10 ) (
2
+
= =

s
s V t u e t v
i
t
i
) 2 )( 1 (
10
) (
+ +
=
s s
s V
o
2 1
2 1
+
+
+
=
s
K
s
K
10 | ) ( ) 1 (
1 1
= + =
= s o
s V s K
10 | ) ( ) 2 (
2 2
= + =
= s o
s V s K
( ) ) ( 10 ) (
2
t u e e t v
t t
o

=
Impulse response of first and second order systems
First order system
t
t
t
t
Ke t h
s
K
s H

=
+
= ) (
1
) (
Normalized second order system
2
0 0
2
2
0
2
) (
e e
e
+ +
=
s s
s H
1
2
0 0 2 , 1
= e e s : poles
t t
e K e K t h
) 1 (
2
) 1 (
1
2
0 0
2
0 0
) (
+
+ =
>
e e e e
network Overdamped : 1 : 1 Case
network d Underdampe : 1 : 2 Case <
2
0 0 2 , 1
1 e e = j s : poles
) 1 cos( ) (
2
| e
e
+ =

t Ke t h
o
t
o
network damped Critically : 1 : 3 Case =
LEARNING EXAMPLE
) (
) (
) (
s V
s V
s H
i
o
= function transfer the Determine
Transform the circuit to the Laplace
domain. All initial conditions set to zero
Mesh analysis
2 1
2 ) ( I I s V
i
=
2 1
1
1 0 I
sC
s I
|
.
|

\
|
+ + + =
) (s V
i
) (
1
) (
2
s I
sC
s V
o
=
C s s
C
s V
o
/ 1 ) 2 / 1 (
) 2 / 1 (
) (
2
+ +
=
25 . 0 25 . 0
2 , 1
j s = = : poles 8F C a)
25 . 0
2 , 1
= = s : poles 16F C b)
073 . 0 , 427 . 0
2 , 1
= = s : poles 32F C c)
LEARNING EXAMPLE
Determine the transfer function, the type of damping and the
unit step response
Transform the circuit to the Laplace
domain. All initial conditions set to zero
0 =
+
V
0
1
) (
1
) (
1
= +
s
s V s V
o
0
1
) ( ) (
1
) (
1
) (
1
) ( ) (
0 1 1 1 1
=

+ + +
s V s V s V
s
s V s V s V
S
: = ) ( ) (
1
s sV s V
o
16
1
2
1
32
1
) (
) (
2
+ +
=
s s
s V
s V
S
o
25 . 0
0
2
= e e
o
o
e 2 1 =
s
s V
S
1
) ( = response step Unit
2
4
1
) 32 / 1 (
) (
|
.
|

\
|
+
=
s s
s V
o
2
12 11
) 25 . 0 ( 25 . 0 +
+
+
+ =
s
K
s
K
s
K
o
5 . 0 | ) (
0
= =
= s o o
s sV K
2
12 0.25
( 0.25) ( ) | 0.125
o s
K s V s
=
= + =
2
11
0.25
( 0.25) ( )
0.5
o
s
d s V s
K
ds
=
( +

= =
( ) ( ) ) ( 5 . 0 125 . 0 5 . 0 ) (
25 . 0
t u e t t v
t
o

+ =
Second order networks: variation of poles with damping ratio
Normalized second order system
2
0 0
2
2
0
2
) (
e e
e
+ +
=
s s
s H
1
2
0 0 2 , 1
= e e s : poles
network d Underdampe : 1 : 2 Case <
2
0 0 2 , 1
1 e e = j s : poles
u cos =
LEARNING EXAMPLE
R Ls
Cs
Cs
s V
s V
s G
in
o
v
+ +
= =
1
1
) (
) (
) (
LC
s
L
R
s
LC
1
1
2
+
|
.
|

\
|
+
=
L
R
LC
o o
= = e e 2 ,
1
2
2000 =
o
Use
poles. of Variation
e
POLE-ZERO PLOT/BODE PLOT CONNECTION
Bode plots display magnitude and phase information of
e j s
s G
=
| ) (
They show a cross section of G(s)
5 2
) (
2
2
+ +
=
s s
s
s G
Cross section
shown by Bode
If the poles get closer to
imaginary axis the peaks
and valleys are more
pronounced
Cross section
Front view
Due to symmetry
show only positive
frequencies
Amplitude Bode plot
Uses log scales
STEADY STATE RESPONSE
) ( ) ( ) ( s X s H s Y =
Response when all initial conditions are zero
Laplace uses positive time functions. Even for sinusoids the response contains
transitory terms
EXAMPLE
)) ( ] [cos ) ( ( ) ( ,
1
1
) (
2 2
t u t t x
s
s
s X
s
s H e
e
=
+
=
+
=
e e e e j s
K
j s
K
s
K
j s j s s
s
s Y

+
+
+
+
=
+ +
=
*
2 2 1
1 ) )( )( 1 (
) (
( ) ) ( ) cos( | | 2 ) (
2 2
t u K t K Ke t y
t
Z + + =

e
transient
Steady state response
If interested in the steady state response
only, then dont determine residues
associated with transient terms
terms transient +
+
+

=
(

|
|
.
|

\
|
+
+

=
o o
x
o
M
o
M
j s
K
j s
K
j s
X
j s
X
s H s Y
x
e e e e
*
2
1
) ( ) (
) (
2
1
| ) ( ) (
o M j s o x
j H X s Y j s K
o
e e
e
= =
=
( ) 2| | cos( ) transient terms
x o x
y t K t K e = +Z +
)) ( cos( | ) ( | ) (
o o o M ss
j H t j H X t y e e e Z + =
( )
|
|
.
|

\
|
+
+

= + =

o
M
o
M
t j t j
M
M
j s
X
j s
X
s X e e
X
t u t X
e e
e
e e
2
1
) (
2
) ( cos
For the general case
If ( ) cos( ) ( )
( ) | ( ) | cos( ( ) )
o M
ss o o o M
x t X t u t
y t X H j t H j
e u
e e e u
= +
= +Z +
LEARNING EXAMPLE
Determine the steady state response
Transform the circuit to the Laplace domain.
Assume all initial conditions are zero
1 1 1
1
KCL@V : 0
2
2
1
i
V V V V
s
s

+ + =
+
1
1
2
1
V
s
V
o
+
= : divider Voltage
4 4 3
) ( ) (
4 4 3
) (
2
2
2
2
+ +
=
+ +
=
s s
s
s H s V
s s
s
s V
i o
10 , 2 = =
M o
X e
Z =
+ +
= 45 354 . 0
4 ) 2 ( 4 ) 2 ( 3
) 2 (
) 2 (
2
2
j j
j
j H
If ( ) cos( ) ( )
( ) | ( ) | cos( ( ) )
o M
ss o o o M
x t X t u t
y t X H j t H j
e u
e e e u
= +
= +Z +
V t t y
s
) 45 2 cos( 54 . 3 ) ( + =
LEARNING EXTENSION
0 ), ( > t t v
oss
Determine
If ( ) cos( ) ( )
( ) | ( ) | cos( ( ) )
o M
ss o o o M
x t X t u t
y t X H j t H j
e u
e e e u
= +
= +Z +
12 , 2 = =
M o
X e
Transform circuit to Laplace domain.
Assume all initial conditions are zero
s
s
1
) (s V
i
Thevenin
) (
1
1
) (
1
1
1
) ( s V
s
s V
s
s
s V
i i OC
+
=
+
=
1
1
1
1
||
1
, 1 || ) (
2
+
+ +
=
+
+ = + =
s
s s
s
s
s
s s Z
Th
) (
) ( 2
2
) ( s V
s Z
s V
OC
Th
o
+
=
) (
3 3
2
) (
2
s V
s s
s V
i o
+ +
=
) (s H
Z
=
+
=
+ +
=
46 . 99 08 . 6
2
6 1
2
3 6 4
2
) 2 (
j j
j H
) (
1
1
1
1
2
2
) (
2
s V
s
s
s s
s V
i o
+

+
+ +
+
=
) 46 . 99 2 cos(
08 . 6
2
12 ) ( = t t v
oss
APPLICATION
LAPLACE