2. 2
System modeling
• The Laplace transform is used to convert differential equations that describe
the dynamics of control systems into algebraic equations in the Laplace
domain.
• This allows us to represent the system transfer function, which relates the
input and output of the system, as a ratio of polynomials in the Laplace
variable s.
3. 3
An example of Laplace system modeling for an electrical circuit. Suppose we have a simple
RC (Resistor-Capacitor) circuit with a voltage source connected to it. We want to model the
behavior of the voltage across the capacitor over time using the Laplace transform.
The RC circuit consists of a resistor (R) and a capacitor (C) connected in series to a voltage
source (V(t)). The voltage across the capacitor is denoted by Vc(t).
The differential equation that describes the behavior of the RC circuit is:
RC * dVc(t)/dt + Vc(t) = V(t)
Now, we can take the Laplace transform of both sides of the differential equation to solve
for the Laplace-transformed voltage across the capacitor, which we will denote as Vc(s):
L[RC * dVc(t)/dt] + L[Vc(t)] = L[V(t)]
Using the Laplace transform properties, we get:
RC * s * Vc(s) - RC * Vc(0) + Vc(s) = V(s)
where:
V(s) is the Laplace transform of V(t).
Vc(0) is the initial voltage across the capacitor (at t=0).
Now, we can solve for Vc(s) to find the Laplace-transformed voltage across the capacitor:
Vc(s) = V(s) / (RC * s + 1)
4. 4
Cont’d
This equation represents the Laplace-transformed voltage across the capacitor in the
frequency domain. To get the time-domain voltage, we need to take the inverse Laplace
transform of Vc(s).
The inverse Laplace transform of Vc(s) can be found using tables or by using partial
fraction decomposition. After finding the inverse Laplace transform, we will have the
time-domain expression for Vc(t), which represents the voltage across the capacitor as a
function of time.
By performing Laplace system modeling on this RC circuit, we can analyze its transient
and steady-state behavior, calculate the response to different input signals, and design
control strategies to optimize its performance for specific applications.
5. 5
Conclusion
• The Laplace transform is extensively applied in control systems for analysis,
design, and characterization of system behavior