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2.0: Prelude to Transfer Function Models

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    This chapter analyzes the transfer function models of physical systems developed in Chapter 1. The transfer function is obtained by the application of Laplace transform to the linear differential equation description of the system. The transfer function, denoted by \(G\left(s\right)\), is a rational function of a complex frequency variable, \(s\). Given the transfer function and an input, \(u\left(s\right)\), the response of the system can be computed as:

    \[y\left(s\right)=G\left(s\right)u\left(s\right). \nonumber \]

    The transfer function is a ratio of two polynomials is s. The zeros of the transfer function, i.e., those frequencies that elicit zero system response, are represented by the roots of numerator polynomial. The poles of the transfer function, i.e., those frequencies where the system response is undefined, are represented by the roots of denominator polynomial.

    The system impulse response, i.e., its response to a unit-impulse input, contains the natural modes of system response. The natural response includes terms of the form \(e^{p_it}\), where \(p_i\) is a pole of the transfer function. The natural response of a stable system dies out with time.

    The system step response, i.e., its response to a unit-step input, comprises both natural and forced responses, where the forced response is a constant value. Once system's natural response dies out, the output reaches a steady-state. The dc gain of the system denotes its gain to a constant input.

    System stability refers to the system being well-behaved and predictable under various operating conditions. The bounded-input bounded-output (BIBO) stability refers to the system response staying finite to every finite input, i.e., \(|y(t)|<N<\infty\) if \(|u(t)|<M<\infty\). The BIBO stability requires that the poles of the system transfer function are located in the open left-half of the complex \(s\)-plane.

    The frequency response function of a system, obtained by substituting \(s=j\omega\) in the transfer function, characterizes its response to sinusoidal inputs in the steady-state, which is a sinusoid at the input frequency. Further, the magnitude of the response is scaled by the gain of the system transfer function evaluated at the input frequency, and it has a phase contribution from the system transfer function. The frequency response function can be visualized on a Bode plot.


    This page titled 2.0: Prelude to Transfer Function Models is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Kamran Iqbal.

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