Part IB Paper 6: Information Engineering LINEAR SYSTEMS AND CONTROL Glenn Vinnicombe

HANDOUT 2 Impulse responses, step responses and transfer functions.

transfer function

u(s)

G(s)

y(s) = G(s)u(s)

y(t)=

u(t)

g(t)

Laplace transform pair

= u(t) g(t) = g(t) u(t) impulse response

u()g(t ) d

Summary
The impulse response, step response and transfer function of a Linear, Time Invariant and causal (LTI) system each completely characterize the input-output properties of that system. Given the input to an LTI system, the output can be deterermined: In the time domain: as the convolution of the impulse response and the input. In the Laplace domain: as the multiplication of the transfer function and the Laplace transform of the input.

They are related as follows: The step response is the integral of the impulse response. The transfer function is the Laplace transform of the impulse response.

Contents
2 Impulse responses, step responses and transfer functions. 2.1 Preliminaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.1.1 Denition of the impulse function . . . . . . . . . . 2.1.2 Properties of the impulse function . . . . . . . . . . 2.1.3 The Impulse and Step Responses . . . . . . . . . . . 2.2 The convolution integral . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.2.1 Direct derivation of the convolution integral . . . . . 2.2.2 Alternative statements of the convolution integral . 2.3 The Transfer Function (for ODE systems) . . . . . . . . . . . 1 4 4 5 6 7 7 8 9

2.3.1 Laplace transform of the convolution integral . . . . 10 2.4 The transfer function for any linear system . . . . . . . . . 11 2.5 Example: DC motor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 2.5.1 Impulse Response of the DC motor . . . . . . . . . . 15 2.5.2 Step Response of the DC motor . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 2.5.3 Deriving the step response from the impulse response 17 2.6 Transforms of signals vs Transfer functions of systems . . 17 2.7 Interconnections of LTI systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 2.7.1 Simplication of block diagrams . . . . . . . . . . . 19 2.8 More transfer function examples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

2.9 Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

2.1 Preliminaries
2.1.1 Denition of the impulse function

The impulse can be dened in many dierent ways, for example:

a)

1
T t

or b)

1
T t

(area= 1 in each case.)

as 0.

taking limits, as 0 = (t T ) T t

impulse at t = T (impulse occurs when argument= 0)

functions a) and b) have the same properties in the limit:

4

Note: The convergence, as 0, occurs in the sense that both

2.1.2 Properties of the impulse function

Consider a continuous function f (t), and let h (t) denote the pulse approximation to the impulse ( (a) on previous page): 1/ if /2 < t < /2 h (t) = 0 otherwise

f (t)

T Let

h (t T )
t

1 f (t) dt I = f (t)h (t T ) dt = T 2 Now, I = 1

T+ 2

1 T+ 2 f (t) dt = T 2

1 max f (t) T /2t T +/2

and also I

t = 1 min f (t) T /2t T +/2

So, it must be the case that lim0 I = f (T ), that is

0

lim

f (t)h (t T ) dt =f (T )
5

A similar argument leads to the same result for the triangular approximation to the impulse ( dened above as (b) ). Formally, the unit impulse is dened as any function (t) which has the property

f (t)(t T ) dt = f (T )

(Strictly speaking, (t) is a distribution rather than a function.)

Laplace transform of (t):

L (t)} =

(t)est dt =

es 0 = 1

2.1.3

The Impulse and Step Responses

Denition: The impulse response of a system is the output of the system when the input is an impulse, (t), and all initial conditions are zero. Denition: The step response of a system is the output of the system when the input is a step, H(t), and all initial conditions are zero. where H(t) is the unit step function 1 if t 0 H(t) = 0 if t < 0 If you know the impulse response of a system, then the response of that system to any input can be determined using convolution, as we shall now show:
6

2.2 The convolution integral

2.2.1 Direct derivation of the convolution integral
LTI system

u(t)

(impulse response = g(t))

y(t)

INPUT

OUTPUT

impulse response (t) (t ) g(t) g(t )

u()(t )

u()g(t ) u()g(t ) d

u()(t ) d

u(t)

Hence, the response to the input u(t) is given by:

y(t) =

u()g(t )d

2.2.2

Alternative statements of the convolution integral

The convolution integral

y(t) = is abbreviated as

u()g(t )d

y(t) = u(t) g(t)

Let T = t , so = t T and d = dT It follows that

y(t) =

u(t T )g(T ) dT

= g(t) u(t)

NOTE: in either form of the convolution integral,

the arguments of u() and g() add up to t

If, in addition, g(t) = 0 for t < 0 (CAUSALITY) u(t) = 0 for t < 0 (standing assumption), then as g(t ) = 0 for t < 0 (i.e. > t )

t
y(t) =

u()g(t ) d as u() = 0 for < 0

and also as u(t ) = 0 for t < 0 (i.e. > t )

t
y(t) =

u(t )g() d as g() = 0 for < 0

8

2.3 The Transfer Function (for ODE systems)

As an alternative to convolution, the response of a linear system to arbitrary inputs can be determined using Laplace transforms. This is clear when the system is described as a linear ODE: For example, if a linear system has input u and output y satisfying the ODE d2 y du dy + y = a + bu + dt dt dt 2 = y(0) = u(0) = 0, and if all initial conditions are zero, i.e. dt t =0 then taking Laplace transforms gives s 2 y(s) + s y(s) + y(s) = a s u(s) + bu(s) or s 2 + s + y(s) = a s + b u(s)
dy

and so y(s) = as + b s 2 + s + u(s)

Transfer function
(the The function 2a s +b is called the transfer function from u(s) s +s + input) to y(s) (the output). Clearly the same technique will work for higher order linear ordinary dierential equations (with constant coecients). For such systems, the transfer function can be regarded as a placeholder for the coecients of the dierential equation.

2.3.1

Laplace transform of the convolution integral

We have seen that both convolution with the impulse reponse (in the time domain) and multiplication by the transfer function (in the Laplace domain) can both be used to determine the output of a linear system. What is the relationship between these techniques? Assume that g(t) = u(t) = 0 for t < 0,

L g(t) u(t)

=L

g()u(t ) d

=
0

est

g()u(t ) d dt

=
0

est g()u(t ) dt d

Note that is constant for the inner integration, and let T = t , which implies t = T + and dt = dT , giving

(so est = esT es )

L g(t) u(t) =

0 es esT g()u(T ) dT d
0

=
0

es g()d

esT u(T )dT

= L g(t) L u(t)

= g(s) u(s)

In words, a Laplace transform (easy when you get used to them) turns a convolution (always hard!) into a multiplication (very easy).

10

2.4 The transfer function for any linear system

It follows from the result of the previous section that, if y(t) = g(t) u(t) is the response of an LTI system with impulse response g(t) to the input u(t), then we can also write

y(s) = G(s) u(s)

where G(s) = Lg(t) is called the transfer function of the system. It follows that all LTI systems have transfer functions (given by the Laplace transform of their impulse response).

transfer function

u(s)

G(s)

y(s) = G(s)u(s) y(t)= g(t) u(t)

u(t)

g(t)

impulse response

We shall use the notation x(s) to represent the Laplace transform of a signal x(t), and uppercase characters to represent transfer functions (e.g. G(s)).

11

In general a system may have more than one input. In this case, the transfer function from a particular input to a particular output is dened as the Laplace transform of that output when an impulse is applied to the given input, all other inputs are zero and all initial conditions are zero. This is most easily seen in the Laplace domain: If an LTI system has an input u and an output y then we can always write y(s) = G(s)u(s) + other terms independent of u. G(s) is then called the transfer function from u(s) to y(s) . (Or, the transfer function relating y(s) and u(s) ) Here the other terms could be a result of non-zero initial conditions or of other non-zero inputs (disturbances, for example). NOTE: Remember that although the transfer function is dened in terms of the impulse response, it is usually most easily calculated directly from the systems dierential equations.

12

2.5 Example: DC motor

The following example will illustrate the impulse and step responses and the transfer function. We take the input to the motor to be the applied voltage e(t), and the output to be the shaft angular velocity := (t). R i L J K(t) B

e(t)

1) 2) 3)

(t) = Ki(t) (t) B(t) = J (t) e(t) = Ri(t) + L

Linearized motor equation Newton

di(t) + K(t) Kircho dt

Find the eect of e(t) on (t): Take Laplace Transforms, assuming that (0) = i(0) = 0:

(s) = K i(s) 1)
(s) B (s) 2) =J

s (s) (0)
s i(s) i(0) + K (s)

+L (s) = R i(s) 3) e

13

 (s) to leave one equation relating e (s) We can now eliminate i(s) and and (s) : First 1) and 2) give: K i(s) = (Js + B)(s) and rearranging 3) gives: + K (s) (s) = (Ls + R)i(s) e putting these together leads to (s) = (Ls + R) e (Js + B) + K (s) K

or, in the standard form (outputs on the left) (s) = K (s) e (Ls + R)(Js + B) + K 2 k (s) e = (sT1 + 1)(sT2 + 1)

for suitable denitions of k, T1 and T2 (assuming real roots). That is,

output
(s) =

input
k (s) e (T1 s + 1)(T2 s + 1)

Transfer Function
k (s) to (s) We call G(s) = (sT +1)(sT +1) the transfer function from e 1 2 (s)). (or, relating (s) and e

The diagram (s) e G(s) (s)

represents this relationship between the input and the output: By using Laplace transforms, all LTI blocks can be treated as multiplication by a transfer function. For the lego NXT motor we have k 2.2, T1 54ms and T2 1ms, as demonstrated in lectures.
14

2.5.1 Impulse Response of the DC motor

To nd the impulse response, we let e(t) = (t) which implies (s) = 1 e and put (0) = i(0) = 0. So, (s) = Split into partial fractions: (s) =k 1 1 = T1 T2 T2 T1 1 1 + s + 1/T2 s + 1/T1 1 1 + sT2 + 1 1 1 sT1 + 1 k 1 (T2 s + 1)(T1 s + 1) unit impulse

k T1 T2

Hence, (t) = k T1 T2 e.g.

50

et/T2
Fast Transient T2 1ms

et/T1
Slow Transient T1 54 ms

k (T1 T2 )

slow transient total impulse response

40

30

20

(rad/sec)

10

initial value= 0 (= lims 0 s (s) )

10

20

fast transient

30

k (T1 T2 )

40

50

0.05

0.1

0.15

0.2

0.25

0.3

t (sec)
15

2.5.2

Step Response of the DC motor

To nd the step response, we let e(t) = H(t) which implies that (s) = e and put (0) = i(0) = 0 (as for the impulse response.) So, (s) =

1 s

1 k (T2 s + 1)(T1 s + 1) s

Split into partial fractions: T1 1 1 1 T2 (s) = k + 1 1 s T1 T2 T1 T2 s + T2 s + T1

Hence, (t) = k H(t) + T2 T1 et/T2 et/T1 T1 T2 T1 T2 Fast Transient

2.5

Slow Transient step total step response

1.5

(rad/sec)

0.5

kT2 (T1 T2 )

fast transient

0.5

initial slope= 0
slow transient

1.5

kT1 (T1 T2 )

2.5

0.05

0.1

0.15

0.2

0.25

0.3

t (sec)

16

2.5.3

Deriving the step response from the impulse response

For a system with impulse response g(t), the step response is given by
t t

y(t) = i.e.

g()H(t ) d =

g() d

step response = integral of impulse response Check this on the example. Make sure you understand where the term H(t) in the step response comes from.

2.6 Transforms of signals vs Transfer functions of systems

Mathematically there is no distinction, but in practice they have dierent interpretations G(s) Signals L1 G(s) 1
1 s 1 s +a s 2 +2

Systems y(s) = G(s) u(s) y(t) = u(t)

t

(t) H(t) eat sin(t) (t T ) y(t) =

u()d
0

(integrator) (lag)

y(t) + ay(t) = u(t) y(t) + 2 y(t) = u(t) y(t) = u(t T )

esT

(delay)

In each case, the signal is the impulse response of the system.

17

2.7
a)

Interconnections of LTI systems

x(s) F (s) + v(s) y(s) + G(s)

H(s)

(s) z

represents the equations:

(s) + G(s)y(s) v(s) = F (s)x

and

(s) = H(s)v(s) z
(s) = H(s) F (s)x(s) = z + G(s)y(s) = H(s)F (s) x(s) + H(s)G(s) y(s)

transfer function (s) from x(s) to z

(s) + r

transfer function (s) from y(s) to z

y(s)

b)

(s) e

G(s)

K(s) represents the simultaneous equations: (s) = r (s) K(s)y(s) e and (s) y(s) = G(s)e

(s) G(s)K(s)y(s) = y(s) = G(s)r (s) = (1 + G(s)K(s))y(s) = G(s)r = y(s) = G(s) (s) r 1 + G(s)K(s)

18

2.7.1

Simplication of block diagrams

Recognizing that blocks represent multiplications, and using the above formulae, it is often easier to rearrange block diagrams to determine overall transfer functions, e.g. from u(s) to y(s) below. u(s) + + G3 (s) G1 (s) G2 (s) + K1 (s) y(s)

u(s) + +

G1 (s)G2 (s)

y(s) G3 (s) 1 + G3 (s)K1 (s)

u(s) +

G1 (s)G2 (s)G3 (s) 1 + G3 (s)K1 (s)

y(s)

G1 (s)G2 (s)G3 (s) 1 + G3 (s)K1 (s) y(s) = u(s) G1 (s)G2 (s)G3 (s) 1 1 + G3 (s)K1 (s) or y(s) =

G1 (s)G2 (s)G3 (s) u(s) 1 + G3 (s)K1 (s) G1 (s)G2 (s)G3 (s)

19

2.8

More transfer function examples

To obtain the transfer function, in each case, we take all initial conditions to be zero. The following three systems all have the same transfer function (a 1st order lag) 1) Spring/damper system k

y(t) = k(x y) y = = +y =x y k

x(t)

s y(s) + y(s) = x(s) k

s + 1 y(s) = x(s) k y(s) = 1 x(s) Ts + 1

T = /k

Step Response: x(s) = 1 1 T 1 = y(s) = = s s(sT + 1) s sT + 1 y(t)

y(t) = H(t) et/T

20

2) RC network
R

x(t)

y(t)

i=C

dy xy = dt R

+y =x RC y

= =

(RCs + 1)y(s) = x(s) y(s) = 1 x(s) Ts + 1 T = RC

3) Water Heater q(t)

(J/s)
(assuming perfect mixing i.e. all the water in the tank is at the

i m (kg/s)

M(kg)

same temperature, o ) specic heat capacity

0 + mc( q = Mc o i ) = = o (s) = q (s) (s) + mc (Mcs + mc) i 1 1 o (s) = 1 (s) + (s) q Ts + 1 mc Ts + 1 i

T = M/m

input

disturbance

21

2.9 Key Points

The step response is the integral (w.r.t time) of the impulse response. The transfer function is the Laplace transform of the impulse response. By using transfer functions, block diagrams represent simple algebraic relationships (all blocks become multiplications).

22