T IME R ESPONSE OF R EACTIVE C I RCU I T S

After the rising edge, the current builds up, and the output voltage follows the current as
it increases exponentially, as shown in Figure 33(b). The current can reach a maximum
of Vp /R if the transient time is shorter than the pulse width (Vp = 10 V in this example).
When the pulse goes from its high level to its low level, an induced voltage with re-
versed polarity is created across the coil in an effort to keep the current equal to Vp /R. The
output voltage begins to decrease exponentially, as shown in Figure 33(c).
The exact shape of the output depends on the L/R time constant as summarized in Figure
34 for various relationships between the time constant and the pulse width. You should
note that the response of this RL circuit in terms of the shape of the output is identical to
that of the RC integrator. The relationship of the L/R time constant to the input pulse width
has the same effect as the RC time constant that was shown in Figure 4. For example,
when tW 6 5t, the output voltage will not reach its maximum possible value.

FIGURE 34 10 V
Vin tW
Illustration of the variation in RL 0
integrator output pulse shape with 10 V
time constant.
(a) 5 tW 0

10 V

(b) 5 0.5tW 0
Vout 10 V

(c) 5 0.25tW 0
10 V

(d) 5 0.1tW 0

EXAMPLE 6 Determine the maximum output voltage for the RL integrator in Figure 35 when a
single pulse is applied as shown. The rheostat is set so that the total resistance is 50 .
FIGURE 35
L

100 mH R1
25 V
10
Vin
Vout
0 R2
5 ms

Solution Calculate the time constant.

L 100 mH
t = = = 2 ms
R 50
Because the pulse width is 5 ms, the inductor charges for 2.5t. Use the exponential
formula derived from v = VF + (Vi - VF)e-Rt/L with Vi = 0 and t = L/R to calculate
the voltage.
vout(max) = VF (1 - e-t/t) = 25(1 - e-5ms/2ms)
= 25(1 - e-2.5) = 25(1 - 0.082) = 25(0.918) = 22.9 V

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Related Problem To what resistance must the rheostat, R2, be set for the output voltage to reach 25 V by
the end of the pulse in Figure 35?

EXAMPLE 7 A pulse is applied to the RL integrator in Figure 36. Determine the complete wave-
shapes and the values for I, VR, and VL.

10 V 5 mH
R
0 1.5 k
20 s

FIGURE 36

Solution The circuit time constant is

L 5 mH
t = = = 3.33 ms
R 1.5 k
Since 5t = 16.7 ms is less than tW, the current will reach its maximum value and re-
main there until the end of the pulse.
At the rising edge of the pulse,
i = 0A
vR = 0 V
vL = 10 V
The inductor initially appears as an open, so all of the input voltage appears across L.
During the pulse,
Vp
10 V
i increases exponentially to = = 6.67 mA in 16.7 ms
R 1.5 k
vR increases exponentially to 10 V in 16.7 ms
vL decreases exponentially to zero in 16.7 ms
At the falling edge of the pulse,
i = 6.67 mA
vR = 10 V
vL = -10 V
After the pulse,
i decreases exponentially to zero in 16.7 ms
vR decreases exponentially to zero in 16.7 ms
vL increases exponentially to zero in 16.7 ms
The waveforms are shown in Figure 37.

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FIGURE 37
6.67 mA

t ( s)
0 16.7 2 0 36.7

10 V

VR

t ( s)
0 16.7 2 0 36.7

10 V

VL

t ( s)
0 16.7 2 0 36.7

10 V

Related Problem What will be the maximum output voltage if the amplitude of the input pulse is in-
creased to 20 V in Figure 36?
Use Multisim files E20-07A and E20-07B to verify the calculated results in this example
and to confirm your calculation for the related problem. To simulate a single pulse,
specify a waveform with the given pulse width but a small duty cycle.

EXAMPLE 8 A 10 V pulse with a width of 1 ms is applied to the RL integrator in Figure 38.

Determine the voltage level that the output will reach during the pulse. If the source
has an internal resistance of 30 , how long will it take the output to decay to zero?
Draw the output voltage waveform.

10 V 500 mH
R
0 470
1 ms

FIGURE 38

Solution The inductor charges through the 30 source resistance plus the 470 external resistor.
The time constant is
L 500 mH 500 mH
t = = = = 1 ms
Rtot 470 + 30 500

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