Laplace Transform

In obtaining the Laplace Transform, any function f(t) is initially

decayed artificially by an exponential factor 𝑒 −𝜎𝑡 , so that new
function always becomes integrable.

However, the decay would correspond to an exponential rise (rather

than a decay) with negative time.

Laplace transform is thus defined only for causal functions (functions

that are caused and hence are of zero value before time zero).

Laplace Transform of a time function f(t) is thus defined as

∞
𝐿[𝑓 𝑡 ] = 𝐹(𝑠) = න 𝑓(𝑡) 𝑒 −𝑠𝑡 . 𝑑𝑡
0

where 𝒔 = 𝝈 + 𝒋 𝝎 is the Laplace operator

Laplace operator s is also a complex form of frequency. Laplace
Inverse Transform takes the form

1 𝜎+𝑗∞
𝑓(𝑡) = න 𝐹(𝑆) 𝑒 𝑠𝑡 . 𝑑𝑠
2𝜋𝑗 𝜎−𝑗∞

It is seen that the form of the transform has simplified from that of the
Fourier Transform, but not the inverse.
It is very rarely that the Inverse transform is calculated in this manner.
It is generally obtained from a knowledge of transforms of common
functions, generally found in tabulated form.

The Laplace Transform is very useful in circuit transient analysis as it

can convert differential equations to linear algebraic equations
 Response of a linear Passive Bilateral
Network
𝒆(𝒕) Linear 𝒓(𝒕)
Passive
Bilateral
Response r(t) would be related to the input e(t) by an ordinary linear
differential equation.
𝒓(𝒕) = 𝑭(𝒑) . 𝒆(𝒕)
𝑑
𝑊ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑝 = = 𝑑𝑖𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑜𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑜𝑟
𝑑𝑡

Consider an exponential excitation function est

𝑒(𝑡) = 𝑒 𝑠𝑡 → 𝑟(𝑡) = 𝐹(𝑝) . 𝑒 𝑠𝑡 = 𝑒 𝑠𝑡 . 𝐹(𝑠)
Thus for an exponential excitation, the system has a transfer function
𝑟 𝑡
equal to 𝐹(𝑠).
𝑒 𝑡

Any non-repetitive (or even repetitive) function may be broken up

into a series of exponentials.

Coefficients of these exponentials are given by the Laplace

Transform.

Thus for any other excitation 𝑒(𝑡), if the Laplace Transform 𝐸(𝑠) is
considered, it will be related to the Laplace Transform 𝑅(𝑠) of the
response 𝑟(𝑡) by the transfer function 𝐹(𝑠).

Thus for any causal excitation 𝑒(𝑡),

𝑹(𝑺) = 𝑭(𝑺) . 𝑬(𝑺)

One of the advantages of the Laplace Transform is that it converts
ordinary differential equations in to algebraic equations, so that the
solution is fairly simple.

The inverse transform is then obtained to get the time response.

Let us now consider the Laplace Transform of some special causal

functions.
 Laplace Transform of Special Causal
Functions
(a) Unit impulse function 𝜹(𝒕)
Unit impulse has a value 0 at all values of t other than at t = 0 where it
has an infinite magnitude. Integral of unit impulse function over time
is equal to 1.

∞
∞
𝐿[𝛿 𝑡 ] = න 𝛿(𝑡) 𝑒 −𝑠𝑡 . 𝑑𝑡 = 1
0

∞
𝐿[𝛿 𝑡−𝑡0 ] = න 𝛿(𝑡−𝑡0 ) 𝑒 −𝑠𝑡 . 𝑑𝑡 = 𝑒 −𝑠𝑡0
0
(b) Unit step function H(𝒕)

Unit step has a value 0 for values of 𝒕 < 𝟎 and a value of 1 for 𝒕 > 𝟎.

𝑯(𝒕)

∞ ∞
1
𝐿[𝐻 𝑡 ] = න 𝐻(𝑡) 𝑒 −𝑠𝑡 . 𝑑𝑡 =න 1. 𝑒 −𝑠𝑡 . 𝑑𝑡 =
0 0 𝑠

𝑯(𝒕)

∞ ∞ −𝑠𝑡0
𝑒
𝐿[𝐻 𝑡−𝑡0 ] = න 𝐻(𝑡−𝑡0 ) 𝑒 −𝑠𝑡 . 𝑑𝑡 = න 1. 𝑒 −𝑠𝑡 . 𝑑𝑡 =
0 𝑡0 𝑠
𝒕𝟎 𝒕
(c) Causal exponential function 𝒆𝒂𝒕 .H(𝒕)

𝑒 𝑎𝑡 𝐻(𝑡)

∞ ∞
1
𝐿[𝑒 𝑎𝑡 𝐻 𝑡 ] =න 𝑒 𝑎𝑡 𝐻(𝑡) 𝑒 −𝑠𝑡 . 𝑑𝑡 =න 1. 𝑒 −(𝑠−𝑎)𝑡 . 𝑑𝑡 =
0 0 𝑠−𝑎
(d) Causal sinusoidal function 𝒔𝒊𝒏(𝝎𝒕 + ∅).H(𝒕)

∞
𝐿[sin 𝜔𝑡+∅ .𝐻 𝑡 ] = න sin 𝜔𝑡 + ∅ . 𝐻(𝑡) 𝑒 −𝑠𝑡 . 𝑑𝑡
0

∞
= න sin 𝜔𝑡 + ∅ . 𝑒 −𝑠𝑡 . 𝑑𝑡 = 𝐹(𝑠)
0

∞
∞
𝑒 −𝑠𝑡 𝑒 −𝑠𝑡
𝐹(𝑠) = sin 𝜔𝑡 + ∅ อ − න 𝜔. cos 𝜔𝑡 + ∅ . . 𝑑𝑡
−𝑠 0 −𝑠
0

∞
sin(∅) 𝜔 𝜔2 𝑒 −𝑠𝑡
= + . cos 𝜔𝑡 + ∅ . อ − න 2 . sin 𝜔𝑡 + ∅ . 𝑒 −𝑠𝑡 . 𝑑𝑡
𝑠 𝑠 −𝑠 𝑠
0
 𝒅𝒇(𝒕)
(e) Laplace Transform of the Causal derivative
𝒅𝒕

Note: Unlike in case of ordinary derivative, transform of derivative

also keeps information about initial condition
(f) E𝒙𝒑𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒂𝒍 𝒎𝒖𝒍𝒕𝒊𝒑𝒍𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒐𝒇 𝒆𝒂𝒕 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝒅𝒐𝒎𝒂𝒊𝒏

An exponential multiplication of eat in the time domain corresponds to a

shift of a in the s-domain.
(g) A Shift in the time domain
A shift of a in time domain 𝑓 𝑡 − 𝑎 . 𝐻 𝑡 − 𝑎 , Corresponds to an
exponential decay in the s-domain
(h) For a periodic waveform 𝒇(𝒕) with period T

Using a change of variables, may be re-written as

Since the function is periodic,

The transforms of other causal functions may be similarly obtained.
Transient Analysis of Circuits using Laplace
Transform
Electrical Circuits are usually governed by linear differential
equations.

Since derivatives and integrals get converted to multiplications and

divisions in the s-domain, solution of circuit equations can be
converted to solution of algebraic equations.

First consider representation of the three basic circuit components in

Laplace Transform analysis.

Resistors: represented by an impedance of value R even in the s-

domain.
Inductor: represented by an impedance of value 𝐿𝑠 and either a series
voltage source or a parallel current source. These sources represent the
initial energy stored in the inductor at time t = 0. Thus the initial
current 𝑖(0− ) appears.

1
Capacitor: represented by an impedance of value and either a series
𝐶𝑠
voltage source or a parallel current source.
Transient Analysis
Using these circuits, and the transforms of source voltages and/or
currents, the system transients could be obtained.

You would by now have realized that this method is much less tedious
than the solution of the differential equations to find the transient
solutions and then substituting the initial and final conditions
applicable.
Example:
Find the Laplace transform of the below waveform.
Example:
Find the Laplace transform of the below waveform.

𝜔 𝜔 𝜔
Example:
Determine the transient voltage appearing across the capacitor when
the switch is closed at time t = 0. Capacitor C is initially uncharged..
This can be split up as follows.

Using the tables, the inverse transform is then given as

Example:
In a series LC circuit, initially the capacitor is charged to a voltage of Vo
and the inductor does not carry any current. At time t = 0, a step
voltage of magnitude E is applied to the series combination.
Determine the transient voltage across L.

𝒕=𝟎
Example:
Figure shows a circuit which has reached steady state with switch
closed. If the switch S is opened at time t=0, obtain an expression for
the ensuing current through the inductor.
𝒕=𝟎
Note the directions of
the two sources.
These correspond to
the directions of the
initial voltage across
the capacitor and the
initial current through
the inductor.