1

Chapter 6
FIRST- AND SECOND-ORDER
TRANSIENT CIRCUITS

© Kenneth Kahuma
 2

Learning goals
 By the end of this chapter, the students should be able
to:
 Calculate the initial values for inductor currents and
capacitor voltages in transient circuits.
 Determine the voltages and currents in first-order
transient circuits.
 Determine the voltages and currents in second-order
transient circuits.
 3

First-Order Circuits

GENERAL FORM OF THE RESPONSE EQUATIONS

 In first-order transient circuits , the solution of these
circuits (i.e., finding a voltage or current) requires
solving a first-order differential equation of the form.
𝑑𝑥(𝑡)
+ 𝑎𝑥 𝑡 = 𝑓(𝑡)
𝑑𝑡
If 𝑥 𝑡 = 𝑥𝑝 𝑡 is the solution to the above DE and
𝑥 𝑡 = 𝑥𝑐 𝑡 is any solution to the homogeneous DE.
𝑑𝑥(𝑡)
+ 𝑎𝑥 𝑡 = 0
𝑑𝑡
Then 𝑥 𝑡 = 𝑥𝑝 𝑡 + 𝑥𝑐 𝑡
 4
GENERAL FORM OF THE
RESPONSE EQUATIONS
𝑥𝑝 𝑡 is called the particular integral solution, or forced
response, and 𝑥𝑐 𝑡 is called the complementary
solution, or natural response.
Let 𝑓 𝑡 = 𝐴 (𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡)
𝑑𝑥(𝑡)
+ 𝑎𝑥 𝑡 = 𝐴
𝑑𝑡
The Integrating factor, is given by, 𝐼𝐹 = 𝑒 𝑎𝑑𝑡 = 𝑒 𝑎𝑡
𝑎𝑡
𝑑𝑥(𝑡)
𝑒 + 𝑎𝑥 𝑡 𝑒 𝑎𝑡 = 𝐴𝑒 𝑎𝑡
𝑑𝑡
𝑎𝑡 𝐴 𝑎𝑡
Thus 𝑒 𝑥 𝑡 = 𝑒 +𝑐
𝑎
𝑥 𝑡 = 𝐾1 + 𝐾2 𝑒 −𝑡/𝜏
 5
GENERAL FORM OF THE
RESPONSE EQUATIONS
 𝐾1 is referred to as the steady-state solution: the value
of the variable 𝑥 𝑡 as 𝑡 → ∞ when the second term
becomes negligible.
 The constant 𝜏 is called the time constant of the
circuit. The second term in the above equation is a
decaying exponential that has a value, if 𝜏 > 0, of 𝐾2
for t=0 and a value of 0 for 𝑡 = ∞.
 6
GENERAL FORM OF THE
RESPONSE EQUATIONS

Figure 6.2: Time-constant illustration

 7
Analysis of First-Order Circuits
using Differential Equations

Figure 6.2
 8
Analysis of First-Order Circuits
using Differential Equations
Consider the circuit shown in Fig. 6.2a. At time t=0 the
switch closes. The KCL equation that describes the
capacitor voltage for time t>0 is
𝑑𝑣(𝑡) 𝑣 𝑡 − 𝑉𝑠
𝐶 + =0
𝑑𝑡 𝑅
𝑑𝑣(𝑡) 𝑣 𝑡 𝑉𝑠
+ =
𝑑𝑡 𝑅𝐶 𝑅𝐶
The general solution is given by:
𝑣 𝑡 = 𝐾1 + 𝐾2 𝑒 −𝑡/𝜏
Substituting this general solution into the DE and
equating constant and exponential terms gives
 9
Analysis of First-Order Circuits
using Differential Equations
𝐾1 = 𝑉𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝜏 = 𝑅𝐶
𝑣 𝑡 = 𝑉𝑠 + 𝐾2 𝑒 −𝑡/𝑅𝐶
where 𝑉𝑠 , is the steady-state value and RC is the
network’s time constant. 𝐾2 is determined by the initial
condition of the capacitor. For example, if the capacitor
is initially uncharged (that is, the voltage across the
capacitor is zero at t=0 ), then
0 = 𝑉𝑠 + 𝐾2 𝑜𝑟 𝑜𝑟 𝐾2 = −𝑉𝑠
Hence, the complete solution for the voltage v(t) is
𝑣 𝑡 = 𝑉𝑠 − 𝑉𝑠 𝑒 −𝑡/𝑅𝐶
 10
Analysis of First-Order Circuits
using Differential Equations
 The circuit in Fig. 6.2b can be examined in a similar
manner. The KVL equation that describes the inductor
current for t>0 is
𝑑𝑖(𝑡)
 𝐿 + 𝑅𝑖 𝑡 = 𝑉𝑠
𝑑𝑡
 Solving this gives
𝑅
𝑉𝑠 − 𝐿 𝑡
 𝑖 𝑡 = + 𝐾2 𝑒
𝑅
𝑉𝑠
 Where is the steady-state value and L/R is the
𝑅
circuit’s time constant. If there is no initial current in
the inductor at, then at t=0
 11
Analysis of First-Order Circuits
using Differential Equations
𝑉𝑠 𝑉𝑠
0 = + 𝐾2 𝑜𝑟 𝐾2 = −
𝑅 𝑅
𝑉𝑠 𝑉𝑠 − 𝑅 𝑡
Hence 𝑖 𝑡 = − 𝑒 𝐿 is the complete solution.
𝑅 𝑅
Note that if we wish to calculate the voltage across the
resistor, then
𝑅
− 𝐿 𝑡
𝑉𝑅 𝑡 = 𝑅𝑖 𝑡 = 𝑉𝑠 1 − 𝑒
Therefore, we find that the voltage across the capacitor
in the RC circuit and the voltage across the resistor in
the RL circuit have the same general form. A plot of
these functions is shown in Fig. 6.2c.
 12
Analysis of First-Order Circuits
using Differential Equations
 Example I
 Consider the circuit. Assuming that the switch has
been in position 1 for a long time, at time t=0 the
switch is moved to position 2. We wish to calculate the
current i(t) for t>0.
 13
Analysis of First-Order Circuits
using Differential Equations
 At t=0- the capacitor is fully charged and conducts no
current since the capacitor acts like an open circuit to
dc. The initial voltage across the capacitor can be
found using voltage division. As shown in the figure.
3𝑘
 𝑉𝑐 0 − = 12 = 4𝑉
6𝑘+3𝑘
 14
Analysis of First-Order Circuits
using Differential Equations
 The network for t>0 is shown below. The KCL
equation for the voltage across the capacitor is
𝑣 𝑡 𝑑𝑣(𝑡) 𝑣 𝑡
 + 𝐶 + =0
𝑅1 𝑑𝑡 𝑅2
 15
Analysis of First-Order Circuits
using Differential Equations
 Using the component values, the equation becomes
𝑑𝑣(𝑡)
 + 5𝑣 𝑡 = 0
𝑑𝑡
 𝑣 𝑡 = 𝐾2 𝑒 −𝑡/𝜏
 Substituting into the DE gives 𝜏 = 0.2 𝑠, Thus
 𝑣 𝑡 = 𝐾2 𝑒 −𝑡/0.2 𝑉
 Using the initial condition 𝑉𝑐 0 − = 𝑉𝑐 0 + = 4𝑉 we
find that the complete solution is
 𝑣 𝑡 = 4𝑒 −𝑡/0.2 𝑉
𝑣 𝑡 4 −𝑡/0.2
 Then 𝑖 𝑡 = = 𝑒 𝑚𝐴
𝑅 3
 16

Example 2
 The switch in the network in Fig. 6.4 opens at t=0.
Find the output voltage 𝑣0 (𝑡)

Figure 6.4
 17

PULSE RESPONSE
 Thus far we have examined networks in which a
voltage or current source is suddenly applied. As a
result of this sudden application of a source, voltages
or currents in the circuit are forced to change abruptly.
 A forcing function whose value changes in a
discontinuous manner or has a discontinuous
derivative is called a singular function. Two such
singular functions that are very important in circuit
analysis are the unit impulse function and the unit step
function.

© Niwareeba Roland
 18

Unit Step Function

 The unit step function is defined by the following
mathematical relationship:
0 𝑡<0
𝑢 𝑡 =
1 𝑡>0

The unit step is dimensionless, and therefore a voltage

step of 𝑉0 volts or a current step of 𝐼0 amperes is
written as 𝑉0 𝑢(𝑡) and 𝐼0 𝑢(𝑡) respectively.
 19

Unit step function

 If we use the definition of the unit step, it is easy to
generalize this function by replacing the argument t by
𝑡 − 𝑡0 . In this case
0 𝑡 < 𝑡0
 𝑢 𝑡 − 𝑡0 =
1 𝑡 > 𝑡0
 20

Example
 Consider the circuit shown in Fig. 6.6a. The input
function is the voltage pulse shown in Fig. 6.6b. Since
the source is zero for all negative time, the initial
conditions for the network are zero 𝑣𝐶 0 − = 0 .
 The response 𝑣0 𝑡 for 0<t<0.3 is due to the
application of the constant source at t=0 and is not
influenced by any source changes that will occur later.
At t=0.3s, the forcing function becomes zero, and
therefore 𝑣0 𝑡 for t>0.3s is the source-free or
natural response of the network. Let us determine the
expression for the voltage 𝑣0 𝑡 .
 21

Example

Figure 6.6
 22

Example
 𝐹𝑜𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑜𝑑 0 < 𝑡 < 0.3
 𝑖1 = 𝑖𝑐 + 𝑖0
𝑣 𝑡 −𝑣𝑐 (𝑡) −6 𝑑𝑣𝐶 (𝑡) 𝑣𝐶 (𝑡)
 = 100 × 10 +
6𝑘 𝑑𝑡 12𝑘
𝑑𝑣𝐶 (𝑡)
 + 2.5𝑣𝐶 𝑡 = 15
𝑑𝑡

The general solution is 𝑣𝐶 𝑡 = 𝐾1 + 𝐾2 𝑒 −𝑡/𝜏

Substituting into the DE and recognising that
𝑣𝐶 ∞ = 0 gives 𝜏 = 0.4𝑠 , 𝐾1 = 6 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐾2 = −6
Thus is 𝑣𝐶 𝑡 = 6 − 6𝑒 −2.5𝑡 𝑉
 23

Example
𝑣𝐶 𝑡 1 1 −2.5𝑡
 𝑖0 (𝑡) = = − 𝑒 𝑚𝐴
12𝑘 2 2
 𝑣0 𝑡 = 𝑖0 𝑡 × 8𝑘 = 4 − 4𝑒 −2.5𝑡 𝑉. This is the response
for 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑜𝑑 0 < 𝑡 < 0.3𝑠
𝑣0 0.3 + = 4 − 4𝑒 −2.5×0.3 = 2.11𝑉
 Since the source is zero for t>0.3s the final value for
𝑣0 𝑡 as 𝑡 → ∞ is zero. Therefore, the expression
for𝑣0 𝑡 for t>0.3s is
 𝑣0 𝑡 = 2.11𝑒 −2.5(𝑡−0.3) 𝑉 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑡 > 0.3𝑠
 The term 𝑒 −2.5(𝑡−0.3) indicates that the exponential
decay starts at t=0.3s.
 24

Example
0 𝑡<0
 𝑣0 𝑡 = 4 1 − 𝑒 −2.5𝑡 𝑉 0 < 𝑡 < 0.3𝑠
2.11𝑒 −2.5(𝑡−0.3) 𝑉 𝑡 > 0.3𝑠
 25

Second-Order Circuits
 Consider the two basic RLC circuits shown in Fig. 6.8.
We assume that energy may be initially stored in both
the inductor and capacitor.
 Figure 6.8 Parallel and series RLC circuits.

Figure 6.8 Parallel and series RLC circuits.

 26

Second-Order Circuits
 The node equation for the parallel RLC circuit is
𝑣 1 𝑡 𝑑𝑣
 + 𝑣 𝑥 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑖𝐿 𝑡0 + 𝐶 = 𝑖𝑠 (𝑡)
𝑅 𝐿 𝑡0 𝑑𝑡
 Similarly, the loop equation for the series RLC circuit is
1 𝑡 𝑑𝑖
 𝑅𝑖 + 𝑡 𝑖 𝑥 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑣𝐶 𝑡0 + 𝐿 = 𝑣𝑠 (𝑡)
𝐶 0 𝑑𝑡
 If the two equations are differentiated with respect to t.
𝑑2𝑣 1 𝑑𝑣 𝑣 𝑑𝑖𝑠
 𝐶 2 + + =
𝑑𝑡 𝑅 𝑑𝑡 𝐿 𝑑𝑡
𝑑2 𝑖 𝑑𝑖 𝑖 𝑑𝑣𝑠
 𝐿 2 + 𝑅 + =
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡 𝐶 𝑑𝑡
 These are second order DEs with constant coefficients.
 27

THE RESPONSE EQUATIONS

 The Des are of the form
𝑑 2 𝑥(𝑡) 𝑑𝑥(𝑡)
 2 + 𝑎1 + 𝑎2 𝑥(𝑡) = 𝑓(𝑡)
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡
 𝑥 𝑡 = 𝑥𝑝 𝑡 + 𝑥𝑐 (𝑡)
𝑨
 If 𝑓 𝑡 = 𝐴, 𝒙 𝒕 = + 𝒙𝒄 (𝒕)
𝒂𝟐
 The Homogeneous equation is
𝑑 2 𝑥(𝑡) 𝑑𝑥(𝑡)
 + 𝑎1 + 𝑎2 𝑥(𝑡) = 0
𝑑𝑡 2 𝑑𝑡
 28

THE RESPONSE EQUATIONS

 For our analysis, this equation can be written as
𝑑 2 𝑥(𝑡) 𝑑𝑥(𝑡)
 2 + 2𝜉𝜔0 + 𝜔0 2 𝑥(𝑡) = 0
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡
 Where 𝑎1 = 2𝜉𝜔0 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑎2 = 𝜔0 2
 The characteristic equation is
 𝑠 2 + 2𝜉𝜔0 𝑠 + 𝜔0 2 = 0
 𝜉 is the exponential damping ratio.
 𝜔0 is the undamped natural frequency.
 29

THE RESPONSE EQUATIONS

 Solving the characteristic equation gives.
−2𝜉𝜔0 ± 4𝜉 2 𝜔0 2 −4𝜔0 2
𝑠= = −𝜉𝜔0 ± 𝜔0 𝜉 2 − 1
2
 Therefore the two values of 𝑠1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑠2 are:
 𝑠1 = −𝜉𝜔0 + 𝜔0 𝜉 2 − 1
 𝑠2 = −𝜉𝜔0 − 𝜔0 𝜉 2 − 1
 In general the complementary solution of the DE is:
 𝑥𝑐 𝑡 = 𝐾1 𝑒 𝑠1 𝑡 + 𝐾2 𝑒 𝑠2 𝑡
 30

THE RESPONSE EQUATIONS

 𝐾1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐾2 are constants that can be evaluated via the
initial conditions, 𝑥 0 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑑𝑥 0 /𝑑𝑡
 Since
 𝑥 𝑡 = 𝐾1 𝑒 𝑠1 𝑡 + 𝐾2 𝑒 𝑠2 𝑡
 Then 𝑥 0 = 𝐾1 + 𝐾2
𝑑𝑥 𝑡 𝑑𝑥 0
 And |𝑡=0 = = 𝑠1 𝐾1 + 𝑠2 𝐾2
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡
 𝑥 0 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑑𝑥 0 /𝑑𝑡 are two simultaneous equations to
be solved for 𝐾1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐾2
 31

Case 1: 𝝃 > 𝟏. Overdamped.

 The natural frequencies 𝑠1 and 𝑠2 are real and
unequal; therefore, the natural response of the
network described by the second-order differential
equation is of the form
 𝑥𝑐 𝑡 = 𝐾1 𝑒 −(𝜉𝜔0 −𝜔0 𝜉 2 −1)𝑡 2
+ 𝐾2 𝑒 −(𝜉𝜔0+𝜔0 𝜉 −1)𝑡
 This indicates that the natural response is the sum of
two decaying exponentials.
 32

Case 2: 𝝃 < 𝟏. Underdamped.

 The roots of the characteristic equation are complex, given by:
 𝑠1 = −𝜉𝜔0 + 𝑗𝜔0 1 − 𝜉 2 = −𝜎 + 𝑗𝜔𝑑
 𝑠2 = −𝜉𝜔0 − 𝑗𝜔0 1 − 𝜉 2 = −𝜎 − 𝑗𝜔𝑑
 Where 𝜎 = 𝜉𝜔0 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝜔𝑑 = 𝜔0 1 − 𝜉 2 .Thus the natural frequencies
are complex numbers. The natural response is then of the form
 𝑥𝑐 𝑡 = 𝑒 −𝜉𝜔0 𝑡 (𝐴1 cos 𝜔0 1 − 𝜉 2 𝑡 + 𝐴2 sin 𝜔0 1 − 𝜉 2 𝑡
 Where 𝐴1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐴2 are constants evaluated from the initial
conditions. This illustrates that the natural response is an
exponentially damped oscillatory response.
 33
Case 3: 𝝃 = 𝟏 Critically
damped.
 Therefore 𝑠1 = 𝑠2 = −𝜉𝜔0 .
 In the case where the characteristic equation has
repeated roots, the general solution is of the form:
 𝑥𝑐 𝑡 = 𝐵1 𝑒 −𝜉𝜔0 𝑡 + 𝐵2 𝑡𝑒 −𝜉𝜔0 𝑡
 Where 𝐵1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐵2 are constants derived from the initial
conditions.
 The three cases are compared in Figure 6.9.
 34
overdamped, critically
damped, and Underdamped

Figure 6.9: Comparison of overdamped, critically damped, and

Underdamped responses.
 35

Exercise
1. A parallel RLC circuit has the following circuit
parameters: R=1Ω, L=2 H, and C=2 F. Compute the
damping ratio and the undamped natural frequency
of this network.
2. A series RLC circuit consists of R=2 Ω , L=1 H, and
a capacitor. Determine the type of response
exhibited by the network if (a) C = 1/2 F, (b) C=1 F,
and (c) C=2 F.
 36

Example 1
 Consider the parallel RLC circuit shown in Fig. 6.10.

Figure 6.10: Parallel RLC circuit

 37

Example 1
 The second-order differential equation that describes
the voltage v(t) is.
𝑑2𝑣 1 𝑑𝑣 𝑣
 + + =0
𝑑𝑡 2 𝑅𝐶 𝑑𝑡 𝐿𝐶
 Comparing with the previous equations, the damping
term is 1/2𝑅𝐶 and the undamped natural frequency is
1/ 𝐿𝐶. If 𝑅 = 2𝛺, 𝐶 = 1/5 𝐹, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐿 = 5𝐻. the equation
becomes
𝑑2𝑣 𝑑𝑣
 + 2.5 +𝑣 =0
𝑑𝑡 2 𝑑𝑡
 38

Example 1
 Let us assume that the initial conditions on the storage
elements are 𝑖𝐿 0 = −1𝐴 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑣𝑐 0 = 4𝑉
Let us find the node voltage v(t) and the inductor
current.
 The characteristic equation is
 𝑠 2 + 2.5𝑠 + 1 = 0
 𝑠1 = −2 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑠2 = −0.5
 Since the roots are real and unequal, the circuit is
overdamped, and v(t) is of the form
 𝑣 𝑡 = 𝐾1 𝑒 −2𝑡 + 𝐾2 𝑒 −0.5𝑡
 39

Example 1
 The initial conditions are now employed to determine
the constants 𝐾1 and 𝐾2 . Since 𝑣 𝑡 = 𝑣𝑐 (𝑡)
 𝑣𝑐 0 = 4 = 𝐾1 + 𝐾2
 The second equation needed to determine 𝐾1 and 𝐾2
is normally obtained from the expression
𝑑𝑣 𝑡
 = −2𝐾1 𝑒 −2𝑡 − 0.5𝐾2 𝑒 −0.5𝑡 .
𝑑𝑡
 The node equation for the circuit can be written as
𝑑𝑣(𝑡) 𝑣 𝑡
 𝐶 + + 𝑖𝐿 𝑡 = 0 or
𝑑𝑡 𝑅
 40

𝑑𝑣(𝑡) 1 𝑖𝐿 𝑡
 =− 𝑣 𝑡 −
𝑑𝑡 𝑅𝐶 𝐶
𝑑𝑣(0) 1 𝑖𝐿 0
 At 𝑡 = 0, =− 𝑣 0 − = −2.5 4 −
𝑑𝑡 𝑅𝐶 𝐶
5 −1 = −5
 Thus −5 = −2𝐾1 − 0.5𝐾2
 Solving the two simultaneous equations gives
𝐾1 = 2 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐾2 = 2.
 Therefore 𝑣 𝑡 = 2𝑒 −2𝑡 + 2𝑒 −0.5𝑡 𝑉
 The response curve is shown in the Figure 6.11
 41

Example 1

Figure 6.11: Overdamped response.

 42

Example 1
 The inductor current is related to 𝑣 𝑡 𝑏𝑦
1
 𝑖𝐿 𝑡 = 𝑣 𝑡 𝑑𝑡
𝐿
1 −2𝑡 4 −0.5𝑡
 𝑖𝐿 𝑡 = − 𝑒 − 𝑒 𝐴
5 5
 In comparison with RL and RC circuits, the response
of this RLC circuit is controlled by two time constants.
The first term has a time constant of ½ s and the
second term has a time constant of 2 s.
 43

Example II
 The series RLC circuit shown in Fig. 6.12 has the
following parameters: 𝐶 = 0.04 𝐹, 𝐿 = 1𝐻, 𝑅 =
6𝛺, 𝑖𝐿 0 = 4𝐴 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑣𝐶 0 = −4𝑉

Figure 6.12: Series RLC circuit.

 44

Example II
 The equation for the current in the circuit is given by the
expression
𝑑2 𝑖 𝑅 𝑑𝑖 𝑖
 + + =0
𝑑𝑡 2 𝐿 𝑑𝑡 𝐿𝐶
 The damping term is 𝑅/2𝐿 and the undamped natural
frequency is 1/ 𝐿𝐶.
 Substituting the circuit elements gives.
𝑑2 𝑖 𝑑𝑖
 + 6 + 25𝑖 = 0
𝑑𝑡 2 𝑑𝑡
 Characteristic equation is 𝑠 2 + 6𝑠 + 25 = 0
 𝑠1 = −3 + 𝑗4 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑠2 = −3 − 𝑗4
 45

Example II
 Since the roots are complex, the circuit is Underdamped, and the
expression for i(t) is
 𝑖 𝑡 = 𝐾1 𝑒 −3𝑡 cos 4𝑡 + 𝐾2 𝑒 −3𝑡 sin 4𝑡
 Using the initial conditions, we find that
 𝑖 0 = 4 = 𝐾1
 And
𝑑𝑖
= −4𝐾1 𝑒 −3𝑡 sin 4𝑡 − 3𝐾1 𝑒 −3𝑡 cos 4𝑡 + 4𝐾2 𝑒 −3𝑡 cos 4𝑡 − 3𝐾2 𝑒 −3𝑡 sin 4𝑡
𝑑𝑡
𝑑𝑖(0)
 And thus = −3𝐾1 + 4𝐾2
𝑑𝑡
𝑑𝑖(0)
 𝑅𝑖 0 +𝐿 + 𝑣𝐶 0 = 0
𝑑𝑡
𝑑𝑖 0 𝑅 𝑣𝐶 0
 Or =− 𝑖 0 − = −20
𝑑𝑡 𝐿 𝐿
 Thus −3𝐾1 + 4𝐾2 = −20
 46

Example II
 This gives 𝐾2 = −2. Thus
 𝑖 𝑡 = 4𝑒 −3𝑡 cos 4𝑡 − 2𝑒 −3𝑡 sin 4𝑡 𝐴
 The voltage across the capacitor could be determined
via KVL using this current:
𝑑𝑖(𝑡)
 𝑅𝑖 𝑡 +𝐿 + 𝑣𝐶 𝑡 = 0
𝑑𝑡
𝑑𝑖(𝑡)
 𝑣𝐶 𝑡 = −𝑅𝑖 𝑡 − 𝐿
𝑑𝑡
 Substituting the preceding expression for i(t) into this
equation yields
 𝑣𝐶 𝑡 = −4𝑒 −3𝑡 cos 4𝑡 + 22𝑒 −3𝑡 sin 4𝑡 𝑉
 A plot of the function is shown in Fig. 6.13:
 47

Example II

Figure 6.13: Underdamped response.

 48

Example III

Figure 6.14: Series-parallel RLC circuit.

 49

Example III
 The two equations that describe the network are
𝑑𝑖(𝑡) 𝑑𝑣(𝑡) 𝑣 𝑡
 𝐿 + 𝑅1 𝑖 𝑡 + 𝑣 𝑡 = 0 and 𝑖 𝑡 = 𝐶 +
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡 𝑅2
𝑑2𝑣 1 𝑅1 𝑑𝑣 𝑅1 +𝑅2
 + + + 𝑣 =0
𝑑𝑡 2 𝑅2 𝐶 𝐿 𝑑𝑡 𝑅2 𝐿𝐶
 If the circuit parameters and initial conditions are
1
 𝑅1 = 10 𝛺, 𝐶 = 𝐹, 𝑅2 = 8𝛺, 𝐿 = 2 𝐻, 𝑣𝐶 0 =
8
1
1𝑉 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑖𝐿 0 = 𝐴
2
𝑑2𝑣 𝑑𝑣
 The DE becomes + 6 + 9𝑣 = 0
𝑑𝑡 2 𝑑𝑡
 50

Example III
 The characteristic equation is
 𝑠 2 + 6𝑠 + 9 = 0
 Hence the roots are
 𝑠1 = −3 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑠2 = −3
 Since the roots are real and equal, the circuit is
critically damped. The term v(t) is then given by the
expression
 𝑣 𝑡 = 𝐾1 𝑒 −3𝑡 + 𝐾2 𝑡𝑒 −3𝑡
 Since 𝑣 𝑡 = 𝑣𝐶 (𝑡)
 𝑣 0 = 𝑣𝐶 0 = 1 = 𝐾1
 51

Example III
 In addition,
𝑑𝑣 𝑡
 = −3𝐾1 𝑒 −3𝑡 + 𝐾2 𝑒 −3𝑡 − 3𝐾2 𝑒 −3𝑡
𝑑𝑡
𝑑𝑣 𝑡 𝑖(𝑡) 𝑣 𝑡
 However = −
𝑑𝑡 𝐶 𝑅2 𝐶
 Setting these two expressions equal to one another
and evaluating the resultant equation at t=0 yields
 3 = −3𝐾1 + 𝐾2 . Thus 𝐾2 = 6
 𝑣 𝑡 = 𝑒 −3𝑡 + 6𝑡𝑒 −3𝑡
 52

Example III
 The current i(t) can be determined from the nodal
analysis equation at v(t):
𝑑𝑣(𝑡) 𝑣 𝑡
𝑖 𝑡 = 𝐶 +
𝑑𝑡 𝑅2
1 −3𝑡 3
𝑖 𝑡 = 𝑒 − 𝑡𝑒 −3𝑡 𝐴
2 2
 A plot of this critically damped function is shown in Fig.
6.15.
 53

Example III

Figure 6.15: Critically damped response

 54

Comments/Questions