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ME 413 Systems Dynamics & Control

Chapter Two: Laplace transform

Chapter 2
Laplace Transform
A. Bazoune

2.1 INTRODUCTION
Laplace Transform is one of the most important mathematical tools available for
modeling and analyzing linear systems.

2.2 COMPLEX NUMBERS, COMPLEX VARIABLES, AND


COMPLEX FUNCTIONS

Complex Numbers

Using

the

notation

j = 1 ,

one

can

express all complex numbers in engineering calculations as

z = x + jy
where

is the real part and

are real and that

jy

is the imaginary part. Notice that both

and

is the only imaginary quantity in the expression above.

z
y

x
Fig. 2-1 Complex plane representation of a complex number

z.

The Magnitude, or absolute value, of z is defined as the length of the directed


segment shown in Fig. 2-1.

Magnitude of z = z = x 2 + y 2
The angle of z is the angle that the directed line segment makes with the positive
real axis. A counterclockwise rotation is defined as the positive direction for
the measurement of angles.

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ME 413 Systems Dynamics & Control

Chapter Two: Laplace transform

angle of z = = tan

(y x)

A complex number can be written in rectangular form as:

z ( cos + j sin )

z = x + jy
z=

rectangular form

and in polar form as

z = z
z= ze

polar form

In converting complex numbers from rectangular to polar from , we use

z= z =

= tan
1

x +y ,
2

To convert complex numbers from polar to rectangular form, we employ

x = z cos ,

y = z sin

Complex Conjugate.
defined as

The complex conjugate of

z = x + jy is

z = x jy

The complex conjugate of z thus has the same real part as z and an imaginary
part that is the negative of the imaginary part of z as shown in Fig. 2-2. Notice
that

x
y

z
Fig. 2-2 Complex number

and its complex conjugate

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z.

ME 413 Systems Dynamics & Control

Chapter Two: Laplace transform

z = x + jy = z = z ( cos + j sin )
z = x jy = z ( ) = z ( cos j sin )
The power series expansions of cos

Eulers Theorem.

sin are, respectively,

cos = 1

2!

and

sin =

3!

Thus

cos + j sin = 1 + j +

4!
5

Since

e = 1+ x +
x

it follows that

+L

( j )

2!

+L

7!

6!

5!

( j )

( j )

3!

2!

and

4!

+L

+L

3!

cos + j sin = e

Using the above relation, one can express the sine and cosine in complex form.
Noting that

e j

is the complex conjugate of

e j

and that

e = cos + j sin
e

= cos j sin

By adding the above expressions together, we find that


j

cos =

e +e

2
while by subtracting the second expression above from the first one, we obtain
j

sin =

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e e
2j

ME 413 Systems Dynamics & Control

Chapter Two: Laplace transform

Complex Algebra.
Equality of complex numbers.

Two complex numbers

z1

and

z2

are said to be equal if and only if their real parts are equal and their imaginary parts
are equal. So if two complex numbers are written

z1 = x1 + jy1 ,
Then

z1 = z2

if and only if

x1 = x2

and
and

z2 = x2 + jy 2

y1 = y 2 .

Addition. Two complex numbers

z1

and

z2

in rectangular form can be

added by adding the real parts and the imaginary parts separately:

z1 + z2 = ( x1 + jy1 ) + ( x2 + jy 2 ) = ( x1 + x2 ) + j ( y1 + y 2 )
Subtraction.
Subtracting one complex number from another can be
considered as adding the negative of the former:

z1 z2 = ( x1 + jy1 ) ( x2 + jy 2 ) = ( x1 x2 ) + j ( y1 y 2 )
Multiplication. If a complex number is multiplied by a real number, the
result is a complex number whose real and imaginary parts are multiplied by that
real number:

az = a ( x + jy ) = ax + jay ,

( a = real number)

If two complex numbers appear in rectangular form and we want the product in
rectangular form, multiplication is accomplished by using the fact that j = 1 . Thus,
2

if two complex numbers are written

z1 = x1 + jy1 ,

z2 = x2 + jy 2

Then

z1z2 = ( x1 + jy1 )( x2 + jy 2 ) = x1x2 + jx1y 2 + jy1x2 + j 2 y1y 2


= ( x1x2 y1y 2 ) + j ( x1y 2 + y1x2 )
In polar form, multiplication of two complex numbers can be done easily. The
magnitude of the product is the product of the two magnitudes, and the angle of the
product is the sum of the two angles. So if two complex numbers are written

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ME 413 Systems Dynamics & Control

Chapter Two: Laplace transform

z1 = z1 1 ,
then

z2 = z2 2

z1z2 = z1 z2 (1 + 2 )
Multiplication by j.

It is important to note that multiplication by

equivalent to a counterclockwise rotation by

90o.

is

For example, if

z = x + jy
then

jz = j ( x + jy ) = jx + j 2 y = y + jx

or, noting that

j = 1 90 , if
z = z

then

jz = 1 90 z = z ( + 90 )

Fig. 2-3 illustrates the multiplication of a complex number

by

by

j.

j.

z
jz

Fig. 2-3 Multiplication of a complex number

Division.
complex number

If a complex number

z2 = z2 2
z1
z2

z1 = z1 1

, then

z1 1
z2 2

z1
z2

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(1 2 )

is divided by another

ME 413 Systems Dynamics & Control

Chapter Two: Laplace transform

That is, the result consists of the quotient of the magnitudes and the difference of
the angles. Division in rectangular form can be done by multiplying the denominator
and numerator by the complex conjugate of the denominator. For instance,

z1
z2

( x + jy )
( x + jy )
1

(x
(x

+ jy1 )( x 2 jy 2 )

+ jy 2 ) ( x 2 jy 2 )

1
424
3

complex Conjugate of z 2

(x x
1

(x x
1

(x

Division by j.

90o.

2
2

+ y1 y 2 ) + j ( x 2 y1 x1 y 2 )

(x

z
j

+j

(x y

Division by

For example, if

then

+ y1 y 2 )
+ y2

+ y2

2
2

(x

x1 y 2 )

+ y2

is equivalent to a clockwise rotation by

z = x + jy

( x + jy ) ( x + jy ) j
=

jj

jx y
1

= y jx

or,

z
j

z
1 90

= z 90

Fig. 2-4 illustrates the division of a complex number

by

j.

by

j.

z/ j
Fig. 2-4 Division of a complex number

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ME 413 Systems Dynamics & Control

Chapter Two: Laplace transform

Powers and roots.

Multiplying

by

times, we obtain

z = ( z ) = z n
n

Extracting the

1/ n th power.

n th root of a complex number is equivalent to raising the number to

z1 n = ( z )

1n

For instance, calculate

(8.66 j5)

=z

1n

=?

Remember :
The real part = x = 8.66
The imaginary part = y = 5
The magnitude = z =
The angle = = tan
Therefore,

( 8.66 j 5 )

()
y

= 10 30

x +y
2

= tan

8 .66 + 5 = 10
2

( )
5

8.66

= 30

= 1000 90 = 0 j1000 = j1000 .


o

Remarks. It is important to note that

zw = z w
z+w z + w
Complex Variable.

A complex variable has a real part and an


imaginary part, both of which are constant. If the real part or the imaginary part (or
both) are variables, the complex number is called a complex variable. In the
Laplace transformation, we use the notation s to denote a complex variable; that is,

s = + j
where

is the real part and

is the imaginary part. (Notice that both

and

are real.)

Complex Function.
has a real part and an imaginary part, or

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A complex function

F ( s ) , a function of s

ME 413 Systems Dynamics & Control

Chapter Two: Laplace transform

F ( s ) = Fx + jFy
where

Fx

and

Fy

are real quantities.

F ( s ) = F ( s ) = Fx2 + Fy2

Magnitude of
Angle of

F ( s ) = = tan 1 Fy Fx

The angle is measured counterclockwise from the positive real axis. The complex
conjugate of

F (s)

is

F ( s ) = Fx jFy .

Complex functions commonly encountered in linear systems analysis are singlevalued functions of s and are uniquely determined for a given value of s . Typically,
such functions have the form

F (s) =

F ( s ) = 0 are called zeros. That is,


s = z1 , s = z2 ,L , s = zm are zeros of F ( s ) .

Points at which

Points at which

K ( s + z1 )( s + z2 )L ( s + zm )
( s + p1 )( s + p2 )L( s + pn )

F ( s ) = are called poles. That is,


s = p1 , s = p2 ,L , s = pn are poles of F ( s ) .

k multiple factors ( s + p ) , then


s = p is called a multiple pole of order k or repeated pole of
multiplicity k . If k = 1 , the pole is called a simple pole.
If the denominator of

F (s)

involves

Example

G( s) =

K ( s + 2 )( s + 10 )
s ( s + 1)( s + 5 )( s + 15 )

G ( s ) are values of s
s = 2, s = 10

Zeros of

Poles of

G (s)

are values of

which make

G ( s ) = 0 , that is

which make

G ( s ) = , that is

s = 0 , s = 1, s = 5
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Simple and distinct poles

ME 413 Systems Dynamics & Control

Chapter Two: Laplace transform

s = 1 5 , s = 1 5 double pole or (pole of multiplicity 2)


Since for large values of

(when

s )
G (s) =

G (s)

possesses a triple zero at

infinity are included,


To summarize:
and five poles,

k
s3

( s = , , ) ( pole of multiplicity 3). If points at

G ( s ) has the same number of poles as zeros.


G ( s ) has five zeros, ( s = 2 , 10 , , , )

( s = 0, 1, 5, 15, 15)

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ME 413 Systems Dynamics & Control

Chapter Two: Laplace transform

2.3 LAPLACE TRANSFORMATION


What is the Laplace Transform?
It is a solution technique that transforms differential equations in the time domain
into algebraic equations in the s-domain.

Why use Laplace Transform?


The Laplace transform is a powerful tool formulated to solve a wide variety of
Initial-Value Problems (IVP). The strategy is to transform the difficult differential
equations into simple algebraic problems where solutions can be easily obtained. One
then applies the Inverse Laplace transform to retrieve the solutions of the original
problems. This can be illustrated as follows:

L 1

Definition
The Laplace Transform

F ( s) of f (t ) is defined as

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ME 413 Systems Dynamics & Control

Chapter Two: Laplace transform

f (t ) = a time function such that f (t ) = 0 for t < 0


s = a complex variable
F ( s ) = Laplace transform of f (t )

where

Exponential Function:

Consider the exponential function shown

in Fig. 2-5:

f (t)

for t < 0

0
f (t ) = t
Ae

for t 0

where A and are constants. The Laplace


transform of f (t ) can be obtained as follows

Ae t
t
Fig. 2-5. Exponential function

A
+s t
F ( s ) = L Ae t = Ae t e st dt = A e ( ) dt =
s +
0
0

Step Function: Consider a step function as shown in Fig. 2-6:

0
f (t ) =
A
where

for t < 0

f (t )

for t > 0

is a constant. Notice that this is a

special case of the exponential function Ae


where = 0. The step function is undefined at
t = 0 . Its Laplace Transform is given by:

t
Fig. 2-6. Step function

A
F (s ) = L f (t ) = L [ A ] = Ae st dt =
s
0
The step function whose height is unity is called a unit-step function. The unit step

t = t0 is frequently written as 1( t t0 ) . The previous


step function whose height is A can be written as A1( t ) . The Laplace Transform of

function that occurs at time

the unit-step function that is defined by

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ME 413 Systems Dynamics & Control

Chapter Two: Laplace transform

for t < 0
for t > 0

0
1(t ) =
1
is

1
F (s ) = L 1(t ) = 1e st dt =
s
0

t = t0 corresponds to a constant signal


t equals t0 .

Physically, a step function occurring at time


suddenly applied to the system at time

Ramp Function: Consider a ramp function as shown in Fig. 2-7

0
f (t ) =
At

for t < 0
for t 0

f (t )

f (t ) = At

where A is a constant. The Laplace Transform


of the ramp function is:

slope = tan = A

F (s ) = L [ At ] = A te st dt

Fig. 2-7. Ramp function

To evaluate the above integral we use the formula for the integration by parts

udv = uv | vdu

where in this case

u = At

du = A
1
v = e st
s

dv = e st dt

Substituting these expressions into equation the above integral leads to the
following expression:

Ate st
Ae st
|0 +
dt
F (s ) = L [ At ] = Ate dt =
s
s
0
0
st

( Ae ) |
= (0 0) +
st

s2

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=0

( A ) = A
s2

s2

ME 413 Systems Dynamics & Control

Chapter Two: Laplace transform

Sinusoidal Function: The Laplace Transform of the sinusoidal function

for t < 0
0
f (t ) =
A sin ( t ) for t 0

Fig. 2-8. Sinusoidal function

where

and

are constants, is obtained as follows. Noting that

e j t = cos t + j sin t
sin t

and

and

e j t = cos t j sin t

cos t can be written as

sin t =

1 j t
e e j t )
(
2j

and

cos t =

1 j t
e + e j t )
(
2

Hence

A
A 1
A 1
L [ A sin t ] = ( e j t e j t ) e st dt =

2j 0
2 j s j 2 j s + j
=

A s + j s + j A 2 j
A
= 2

= 2
2
2
2
2
s +
2j
2 j s + s +

Similarly

A
A 1
A 1
L [ A cos t ] = ( e j t + e j t ) e st dt =
+
20
2 s j 2 s + j
=

A s + j + s j A 2 s
As
= 2

= 2
2
2
2
2
2
s +
2 s + s +
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ME 413 Systems Dynamics & Control

f (t )
from

Remark:

Chapter Two: Laplace transform

The Laplace Transform of any Laplace transformable function

f (t )

can be obtained by multiplying

to

by

e st

and then integrating the product

Once we now the method of obtaining the Laplace Transform,

however, it is not necessary to derive the Laplace transform of

f (t )

each time.

Laplace Transform Tables can conveniently be used to find the transform of a given
function

f (t ) .

Refer to Table 2.1 of the Textbook. Notice that the Laplace

Transforms provided in Tables in general are valid for

0t <

Translated Functions: Let us obtain the Laplace transform


translated function

f ( t )1( t )

where

0.

This function is zero for

of the

t < .

f (t )1(t )

f (t )1(t )

t
0
Fig. 2-9 Function

f ( t )1( t )

and translated function

By definition, the Laplace transform of

f ( t )1( t )

f ( t )1( t )
is

L f (t )1(t ) = f (t )1(t )e st dt
0

Let

= t , then
t = 0 =

, t and dt = d

and

f ( t )1( t )e

st

dt =

f ( )1( ) = 0

for

< 0,

s ( + )

Noting that

f ( )1( )e

we can change the lower limit from

Thus

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to

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ME 413 Systems Dynamics & Control

f ( )1( )e

Chapter Two: Laplace transform

d = f ( )1( ) e

s ( + )

=e

f ( )e

d = f ( )e s e s d

s ( + )

d = e s F (s )

where

F ( s ) = L f (t ) = f (t ) e st dt
0

and also

L f (t )1(t ) = e s F (s )

Pulse Function: Consider the pulse function shown in Fig. 2-10

f (t ) = t 0
0

where

and

t0

f (t )

for 0 < t < t0


for t < 0, t0 < t

A
t0

are constants. The pulse function

may be considered as a step function of height

A t0
by

that begins at

negative

beginning at

t =0

step

and that is superimposed

function

of

height

t = t0 ; that is ,

A t0

t0

Fig. 2-10 A pulse function

f (t ) =

t0

1( t )

A
t0

1( t t 0 )

f (t )

A
1( t )
t0

A
1( t t0 )
t0

A
t0

t0

Then the Laplace Transform of

f (t ) = L 1(t ) L
t0

t0

f (t )

t0

is obtained as

A
A 1 A 1 st 0 A

1
t
t
1 e st 0
(
)
0 =

e =
t 0s
t0
t0 s t0 s

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ME 413 Systems Dynamics & Control

Chapter Two: Laplace transform

Impulse Function: The impulse function is a special limiting case of the


pulse function. Consider the impulse function

lim A

f ( t ) = t 0 t0
0

for 0 < t < t0

f (t )

t0 0

for t < 0, t0 < t

t0

Fig. 2-11 depicts the impulse function shown


in Fig. 2-10 as t0 approaches 0.

t
Fig. 2-11. Impulse function

Since the height of the impulse function


the impulse is equal to

and the duration is t0 , the area under

A / t0

As the duration

A.

t0

approaches 0, the height

A / t0

approaches infinity, but the area under the impulse remains equal to A. Notice that
the magnitude of the impulse is measured by its area. Referring to the transformed
equation previously derived for the pulse function, i.e.,

L [ f ( t )] = A (1 e )
ts
s t0

the Laplace Transform of the impulse function is shown to be

A (1 e
[ f ( t )] = lim
ts

t0 0

s t0

) = lim

t0 0

d
dt0

A (1 e
d
dt 0

s t0

)
= lim

(t s )

t0 0

A ( se

s t0

(s)

) = A

Thus the Laplace Transform of the impulse function is equal to the area under the
impulse. The impulse function whose area is equal to unity is called the unit
impulse function or the Dirac delta function. The unit impulse function occurring
at

t = t0

is usually denoted by

( t t ) = 0
0

( t t0 ) =

( t t0 ) = 1

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for

t t0

for

t = t0

ME 413 Systems Dynamics & Control

Chapter Two: Laplace transform

Relationships among Singular Functions


The ramp, step, and impulse functions represent a family of functions, which as
shown in Fig. 2-12 are related by successive integrations.

(t )

u s (t )

u r (t )
1.0

1.0

Time

Time

L (t ) = 1

L u s (t ) =

1
s

1.0
Time

L u r (t ) =

1
s2

Fig. 2-12 The relationship between singularity functions.

Time Shifting of Singularity Functions


The singularity functions may be used to describe transient inputs that take place at

t = 0 . The discontinuity associated with each function occurs when


the function argument is zero; therefore, a step that occurs at time t 0 may be
written as u s (t t 0 ) since t t 0 = 0 at t = t 0 . This property may be used to

a time other than

synthesize a transient function from a sum of singularity functions; for example, Fig.

()

()

2-13 shows the function u t = u s t 2u s t t 0 + ur t 2 ur t 3 .

u (t )

u (t )

2 u t
s ( )
1

1
2

u r (t 2 )

1 2 3 4

2
1
t

u r (t 3)

2u s (t 1)

Fig. 2-13 A transient function

1
2

1 2

3 4

u ( t ) = u s ( t ) 2u s ( t 1) + ur ( t 2 ) ur ( t 3 )

synthesized from unit singularity functions

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ME 413 Systems Dynamics & Control

Chapter Two: Laplace transform

Multiplication of f ( t ) by e
If

f (t )

is Laplace transformable, its Laplace transform being

Laplace transform of

f (t )

f (t ) = e

Example

F (s) ,

is

f (t ) e dt = f (t )e
st

( s + )t

dt = F ( s + )

+ 2

= F (s)

Find Laplace transform of

and

e t sin t

L [cos t ] =
s
and

s
= G (s)
2
+ 2

e t cos t

Solution

e t sin t = F ( s + ) =

2
(s + ) + 2

e t cos t = G ( s + ) =

s +

and

2
(s + ) + 2

Laplace Transform Theorems


Differentiation Theorem

L
L

dt f ( t ) = sF ( s ) f ( 0 )

d2
2
&
dt 2 f ( t ) = s F ( s ) sf ( 0 ) f ( 0 )

Similarly for the nth derivative of

then the

Given Laplace transforms of

L [sin t ] =
s

f ( t ) , we obtain

( n 1)
dn

n
n 1
n 2 &
dt n f (t ) = s F (s ) s f (0) s f (0) L f (0)

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ME 413 Systems Dynamics & Control

Chapter Two: Laplace transform

( n 1)

In the above, the following quantities


of

f ( t ) , df ( t ) / dt , L, d
Example

n 1

f ( t ) / dt

f ( 0 ) , f& ( 0 ) , L, f ( 0 )
n 1

represent the values

respectively, evaluated at

t = 0.

Given

Find the Laplace transform F(s) of f(t).

Solution

Using the Differentiation Theorem on the first two terms

leads to:

Using the definition of the Laplace transform on the remaining term gives:

From these results, the Laplace transform F(s) of the given equation can be
expressed as:

Rearranging this expression by factoring leads to:

Solving this expression for X(s) gives the following answer:

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ME 413 Systems Dynamics & Control

Chapter Two: Laplace transform

Final Value Theorem (FVT)

lim [ f (t ) ] = lim s F ( s )
t

Example

s 0

Given:

Find the final value of x(t).

Solution

To solve this problem, use the Final Value Theorem (FVT)

lim [ f (t ) ] = lim s F ( s )
t

s 0

Substituting the given expression into this equation leads to the solution:

Initial Value Theorem (IVT)

f (0+ ) = lim s F ( s )
s

Example

Given:

Find the initial value of x(t), i.e. find x(0).

Solution To solve this problem, use the Initial Value Theorem (IVT):

Substituting the given expression into this equation leads to the solution:
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ME 413 Systems Dynamics & Control

Chapter Two: Laplace transform

For this example, as "s" goes to infinity, all terms involving "s" in the numerator and
denominator cancel. (Note that if there was one extra "s" term in the denominator
than there was in the numerator, this extra term would not be cancelled out and the
entire expression would go to zero.)

Integration Theorem

Example

t
F (s )
f (t )dt =
s
0

Given:

Find Laplace transform of the given expression. (Hint: Let f(t) = At)

Solution

To solve this problem, use the integration theorem:

Substituting the result for F(s) obtained in the previous example leads to
the solution:

Use of MATLAB

Example

Use MATLAB to find Laplace Transform of

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f ( t ) = t cos(3t )

ME 413 Systems Dynamics & Control

Chapter Two: Laplace transform

Matlab Solution

>>
>>

syms t s
f = t*cos(3*t);

Then the Laplace transform of f is given by


>>
>>

F
F
F
F

= laplace(f)
=1/(s^2+9)*cos(2*atan(3/s))
= simplify(expand(F))
=(s^2-9)/(s^2+9)^2

Thus we obtain the Laplace transform

F (s) =

Example

Matlab Solution

>>
>>

syms t s
f=3*t-5*sin(2*t);

s2 9

(s

+ 9)

Use MATLAB to find Laplace Transform of

f ( t ) = 3t 5cos(2t )

Then the Laplace transform of f is given by


>>
F = laplace(f)
F=3/s^2-10/(s^2+4)
>>
F = simplify(expand(F))
F =-(7*s^2-12)/s^2/(s^2+4)
Thus we obtain the Laplace transform

7 s 2 + 12
F (s) = 2 2
s ( s + 4)

2.4 INVERSE LAPLACE TRANSFORMATION


The inverse Laplace transformation refers to the process of finding the time function

f ( t ) from the corresponding Laplace transform F ( s ) ; i.e.,

f (t ) = L

[ F (s ) ]

Several methods are available for finding the inverse Laplace transforms

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ME 413 Systems Dynamics & Control

Chapter Two: Laplace transform

1. Use Tables of Laplace transforms


2. Use partial-fraction expansion method.

Partial-Fraction
Transforms

Expansion

for

Finding

Inverse

Laplace

If F ( s ) , the Laplace transform of f ( t ) , is broken up into components

F ( s ) = F1 ( s ) + F2 ( s ) + F3 ( s ) + L

+F

(s)

and if the inverse Laplace transform of F1 ( s ) , F2 ( s ) , F3 ( s ) , L , F

( s ) , are readily

available then

L 1 [ F (s )] = L 1 F1 ( s ) + L 1 F2 ( s ) + L
= f 1 (t ) + f 2 (t ) + L

+ f n (t )

+ L 1 F

( s )

where f1 ( t ) , f 2 ( t ) , L , f n ( t ) are the inverse Laplace transform of F1 ( s ) , F2 ( s ) ,

L, F

( s ) , respectively.
F (s ) =

F ( s ) frequently occurs in the form

N (s )
, m = deg N ( s ) < deg D ( s ) = n
D (s )

where N ( s ) and D ( s ) are polynomials in s and the degree of D ( s ) is not higher


than the degree of N ( s ) . Notice that applying the partial-fraction expansion
technique in the search for the inverse Laplace transform of F ( s ) = N ( s ) / D ( s )
requires that the poles of D ( s ) (roots of the denominator) must be known in
advance. Consider F ( s ) written in the factored form

F (s ) =

N ( s ) K ( s + z 1 )( s + z 2 )L ( s + z n )
=
D (s )
( s + p1 )( s + p 2 )L ( s + p n )

p1 , p2 , K , pn and z1 , z2 , K , zn are either real or complex quantities, but for


each pi or zi there will occur the complex conjugate of pi or zi , respectively. Here
where

the highest power of s in N ( s ) is assumed to be higher than that in D ( s ) .

Notice that if the degree of the numerator is greater than (or equal to) that of the
denominator, then polynomial division must be performed so that the remainder
polynomial is of a lower degree than D ( s ) . For instance,

23/36

ME 413 Systems Dynamics & Control

Chapter Two: Laplace transform

s3 +2
s + 2
,
=s + 2
2
s +1
s +1
Case I.

deg ( s + 2 ) < deg ( s + 1 )


2

Distinct Real Poles

In this case, F ( s ) can be expanded into a sum of partial fractions

F (s ) =

N (s )
r1
r2
rn
=
+
+L+
D ( s ) ( s + p1 ) ( s + p 2 )
(s + pn )

where rk ( k = 1, 2,K , n ) are constants. The coefficient

rk is called the residue at the

s = pk . The value of rk can be found by multiplying both sides of the above

pole at

equation

( s + pk )

and letting s = pk , which gives

r ( s + pk ) r2 ( s + pk )
N (s)
r ( s + pk )
r ( s + pk )
= 1
+
+L+ k
+L+ n
= rk
( s + pk )

D ( s ) s = p ( s + p1 )
s + p2 )
s + pk )
s + pn ) s = p
(
(
(

k
k
We see that all the expanded terms drop out with the exception of
residue

rk is found from

N (s )
rk = ( s + p k )

D ( s ) s = p

(2.6)

Since

rk

p t
L1
= rk e k
(s + pk )

f ( t ) is obtained as

f (t ) = L 1 [ F (s ) ] = r1e p1t + r2e p 2t + L + rk e p k t

Example

Find the inverse Laplace transform of

F (s) =

rk .Thus the

Solution

s+3
( s + 1)( s + 2 )

The partial fraction expansion of F ( s ) is

F (s) =

s+3
r
r2
= 1 +
( s + 1)( s + 2 ) ( s + 1) ( s + 2 )
24/36

t 0

ME 413 Systems Dynamics & Control

Chapter Two: Laplace transform

where r1 and r2 are found by using Equation (2.6)

( s + 3) = ( s + 3) = 1 + 3 = 2
r1 = ( s + 1)

( s + 1) ( s + 2 ) s =1 ( s + 2 ) s =1 1 + 2

( s + 3) = ( s + 3) = 2 + 3 = 1
r2 = ( s + 2 )

( s + 1) ( s + 2 ) s =2 ( s + 1) s =2 2 + 1

Thus

F (s) =

s+3
2
1
=
+
( s + 1)( s + 2 ) ( s + 1) ( s + 2 )

2
1
1
t
2t
f (t ) = L 1 [ F (s ) ] = L 1
+L
= 2e e
( s + 1)
(s + 2)

t 0

Use of MATLAB: Use MATLAB to find the inverse Laplace Transform of the above
example

F (s) =

s+3
( s + 1)( s + 2 )

>> syms t s
>> F = (s+3)/((s+1)*(s+2))
Then the inverse Laplace transform of f

(t )

is given by

>> F = ilaplace(f)
f =2*exp(-t)-exp(-2*t)
>> pretty(f)
2 exp(-t) - exp(-2 t)
Thus we obtain the Laplace transform

f ( t ) = L1 [ F ( s ) ] = 2e t e 2t

Example

t0

Obtain the inverse Laplace transform of

F (s) =

s 3 + 5s 2 + 9 s + 7
( s + 1)( s + 2 )

25/36

ME 413 Systems Dynamics & Control

Chapter Two: Laplace transform

Solution

Since the degree of the numerator is higher than that of the denominator
polynomial, we must divide the numerator by the denominator

F (s ) = s + 2 +

s +3
2
1
= s + 2+
+
1) ( s + 2 )
( s + 1)( s + 2 )
( s +4
144
2444
3
previous example

Notice that

F (s)

L (t ) = 1

and

d (t )
= s , so the inverse Laplace transform of
dt

is given by

f (t ) =

Case II.

d
( t ) + 2 ( t ) + 2e t e2t
dt

t0

Complex Conjugate Poles

Consider a function F ( s ) that involves a quadratic factor

s 2 + as + b in the

denominator. If this quadratic factor has a pair of complex conjugate poles, then it is
better not to factor this term in order to avoid complex numbers. For example, if

F ( s ) is given as

F ( s) =
where a 0 and b 0 , and

p(s)

s ( s 2 + as + b )

s 2 + as + b = 0

has a pair of complex conjugate poles,

then expand F ( s ) into the following partial-fraction expansion form:

F ( s) =

Example

c
ds + e
+ 2
s s + as + b

Obtain: the inverse Laplace transform of

F ( s) =

2 s + 12
s + 2s + 5
2

Solution 1: Use of Complex Numbers


26/36

ME 413 Systems Dynamics & Control

Chapter Two: Laplace transform

Notice that the poles of the denominator are

s1,2 =
Therefore

F (s )

F (s ) =

b b 2 4ac 2 4 4 1 5 2 16
=
=
= 1 j 2 .
2a
2
2
can be written as

2s + 12
2s + 12

=
=
+
s 2 + 2s + 5 ( s + 1 + j 2 )( s + 1 j 2 ) s + 1 + j 2 s + 1 j 2

where the constants

and

that can be found as before

( s + 1 + j 2 ) ( 2s + 12 )
( 2 ( 1 j 2 ) + 12 ) = 10 j 4 = 1 j 5
=
2
( s + 1 + j 2 ) ( s + 1 j 2 ) s =1 j 2 ( 1 j 2 + 1 j 2 ) j 4

( s + 1 j 2 ) ( 2s + 12 )
(s + 1 + j 2) (s + 1 j 2)

Notice that

=
s = 1+ j 2

( 2 ( 1 + j 2 ) + 12 ) = 10 + j 4 = 1 + j 5

( 1 + j 2 + 1 + j 2 )

is the complex conjugate of

into the expression of

+j4

Substitute the values of

F (s )

5
5
j
1
+
2s + 12
2 +
2
F (s ) = 2
=
s + 2s + 5 s + 1 + j 2 s + 1 j 2
1 j

and

5 1+ j 2 t
5 1 j 2 t

f (t ) = L 1 [ F (s ) ] = 1 j e ( ) + 1 + j e ( )
2
2

5
5
= e t e j 2t j e t e j 2t + e t e j 2t + j e t e j 2t
2
2
j 2t
j 2t
j 2t

e j 2t
+e
t e
t e
= 2e

+ j 5e
2
2

j 2t
e j 2t + e j 2t
e j 2t
t e
5
e
= 2e t

2j
2

144244

3
144244
3
cos( 2t )

= 2e t cos ( 2t ) 5e t sin ( 2t )
27/36

sin ( 2t )

and

ME 413 Systems Dynamics & Control

Chapter Two: Laplace transform

Solution 2: Completing The square

The expression of

can be written in general as

F (s)

F (s) =

cs + d
s + 2as + a 2 + 2
2

where a and are positive real. It is clear that the denominator in the above
expression is a complete square, i.e., it can be written as

s 2 + 2as + a 2 + 2 = ( s 2 + a 2 ) + 2

F ( s ) into the following form


c ( s + a ) + d ca
cs + d
cs + d
=
=
F (s) = 2
2
s + 2as + a 2 + 2 ( s + a )2 + 2
(s + a) + 2

Lets us write the expression of

c(s + a)

d ca

c(s + a)

(s + a) + 2 (s + a) + 2 (s + a) + 2
2

d ca

2
(s + a) + 2

The inverse Laplace transform is then

( s + a ) d ca -1

+
L

2
2
2
2

s
a
s
a
+
+
+
+
(
)
(
)

d ca at
= ce at cos t +
e sin t

f (t ) = L

[ F ( s)] = c L

-1

-1

In our example we have

F (s) =

2 s + 12
2 s + 12
2 s + 12
= 2
=
2
2
s + 2s + 5 1
s4
+24
2s +
31 + 4{ ( s + 1) + 2
2

=( s +1)

Thus we have

f (t )

22

a = 1, = 2, c = 2, d = 12. Therefore, substitute into the expression of

28/36

ME 413 Systems Dynamics & Control

Chapter Two: Laplace transform

d ca a t
f ( t ) = L 1 [ F ( s ) ] = ce a t cos t +
e sin t

12 2 1 t
= 2e t cos 2t +
e sin 2t
2 3
1424
=5

= 2e cos 2t + 5e sin 2t = e t ( 2cos 2t + 5sin 2t )


t

Method 2: Use of Complex numbers


This method is a lengthy process we will see it in a separate problem in the help
session.

Case III.

Multiple Poles

Consider the following expression of


As can be seen

F (s)

has poles

of multiplicity 3 . Hence

F (s) =
where

( s + 1)

( s + 1)

s = 1, 1, 1. Thus we say F ( s ) has a pole s = 1

B(s)
b3
b2
b1
=
+
+
3
2
A ( s ) ( s + 1) ( s + 1) ( s + 1)

are determined as follows. By multiplying both sides of the last


, we obtain

( s + 1)
Then, letting

( s + 1)

can be written in the following form

s 2 + 2s + 3

b1 , b2 , and b3

equation by

F (s)

F (s) =

s 2 + 2s + 3

s = 1,

B(s)
2
= b3 + b2 ( s + 1) + b1 ( s + 1)
A( s )

(2.7)

Equation (2.7) gives

3 B(s)
= b3
( s + 1)

A
s
(
)

s =1
Also differentiation of both sides of Equation (2.7) gives

If we let

d
3 B(s)
s
+
1
(
)

= b2 + 2b1 ( s + 1)
ds
A( s )
s = 1, in Equation (2.8), then

29/36

(2.8)

ME 413 Systems Dynamics & Control

Chapter Two: Laplace transform

d
3 B(s)
s
+
1
= b2
(
)

ds
A ( s ) s =1
By differentiating both sides of Equation (2.8) with respect to

s , we obtain

d2
1 d2
3 B(s)
3 B(s)
s
+
=
b

b
=
s
+
1
2
1
(
)
(
)

1
1
ds 2
A( s )
A( s )
2! ds 2
Therefore

3 B(s)
3 s + 2s + 3

b3 = ( s + 1)
= ( s + 1)

A ( s ) s =1

( s + 1)

= ( 1) + 2 ( 1) + 3 = 2
2

s =1

2
d
d
3 B(s)
3 s + 2s + 3

b2 = ( s + 1)
=
( s + 1)

3
ds
A ( s ) s =1 ds
( s + 1) s=1

d
= s 2 + 2 s + 3
= [ 2 s + 2]s =1 = 2 ( 1) + 2 = 0
s =1
ds

2
1 d2
1 d2
3 B(s)
3 s + 2s + 3

b1 =
s + 1)
s + 1)
=

2 (
2 (
3

A ( s ) s =1 2! ds
2! ds
( s + 1) s=1

1 d
1
=
[ 2s + 2]s=1 = [ 2]s=1 = 1
2! ds
2!

Therefore

F (s) =
and

( s + 1)

( s + 1)

1
( s + 1)

f (t ) = L 1 [ F (s ) ] = t 2e t + 0 + e t

t 0

2.5 SOLVING LINEAR, TIME INVARIANT


DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS

The Laplace transform method yields the complete solution (complementary solution
and particular solution) of linear, time invariant, differential equations. Classical
methods for finding the complete solution of a differential equation require the
evaluation of integration constants from the initial conditions. In the case of Laplace
transform method, however, this requirement is unnecessary because the initial

30/36

ME 413 Systems Dynamics & Control

Chapter Two: Laplace transform

conditions are automatically included in the Laplace transform of the differential


equation.

Example

y "+ y = t ,

Solve:

Initial Value Problem (IVP)

y ( 0 ) = 1,

y '( 0) = 1

Solution

By writing the Laplace transform of

y (t )

as

L y (t ) =Y ( s ) , we obtain

L y& (t ) = sY ( s ) y ( 0 )
L y&& (t ) = s 2Y ( s ) s y ( 0 ) y& ( 0 )
y ( 0 ) = y& ( 0 ) = 0 , the above transforms become

For zero initial conditions, i.e.,

L y& (t ) = sY ( s )
L y&& (t ) = s 2Y ( s )
Step 1:

Take Laplace Transform (LT) of both sides of the above equation:

s 2 Y (s ) sy (0) y '(0) + Y{
(s ) = 1/
s2
{
1444
424444
3
L y L t
L y "

or

(s
Step 2:

Let

Solving for Y

(s )

+ 1) Y (s ) =

1
+ s +1
s2

gives

Y (s ) =

1
s
1
+ 2
+ 2
2
s ( s + 1) ( s + 1) ( s + 1)

Q (s ) =

1
1
1
= 2 2
2
s
s ( s + 1)
( s + 1)

Therefore

31/36

ME 413 Systems Dynamics & Control

Y (s ) =
Step 3:

Chapter Two: Laplace transform

1
1
s
1
1
s
2
+ 2
+ 2
= 2+ 2
2
s
( s + 1) ( s + 1) ( s + 1) s ( s + 1)

Solving

y (t ) = L

1
s 2 + L

s
2
= t + cos(t )
( s + 1)

The diagram below summarizes the approach

y "+ y =t ,
y ( 0) =1, y '( 0) =1

y (t ) = L

1
s 2 + L

s 2 Y (s ) sy (0) y '(0) + Y{
(s ) = 1/
s2
{
1444
424444
3
L y L t
L y "

L 1

s
2

( s + 1)

Y (s ) =

y (t ) = t + cos(t )

Example

Find the solution

x (t )

1
s
+ 2
2
s
( s + 1)

of the following Initial Value

Problem (IVP)

&&
x + 3 x& + 2 x = 0,

x ( 0 ) = a,

x& ( 0 ) = b

where a and b are constants.

Solution

Step 1: Take LT of both sides of the given equation to obtain an algebraic equation
X(s)
By writing the Laplace transform of

x (t )

32/36

as

L x (t ) = X ( s ) , we obtain

ME 413 Systems Dynamics & Control

Chapter Two: Laplace transform

L x& (t ) = sX ( s ) x ( 0 )
L x&& (t ) = s 2 X ( s ) s x ( 0 ) x& ( 0 )
Take Laplace transform of both sides of the given equation

s 2 X ( s ) s x ( 0 ) x& ( 0 ) + 3 sX ( s ) x ( 0 ) + 2 X ( s ) = 0
1442443
1
424
3
14444244443
L x& (t )

L x&&(t )

By substituting the initial conditions

x ( 0 ) = a,

L x (t )

x& ( 0 ) = b

into the last equations,

one obtains

s 2 X ( s ) a s b + 3 sX ( s ) a + 2 X ( s ) = 0
or

s 2 + 3s + 2 X ( s ) = as + b + 3a

Step 2: Solving for

X ( s ) , we obtain
X (s) =

as + b + 3a
K
K
= 1 + 2
2
s14
3s +32 s + 1 s + 2
+24
=( s +1)( s + 2 )

since

X (s)

has distinct poles,

K1

and

K2

can be found easily

K1 =

( s + 1) ( as + b + 3a )
( a ( 1) + b + 3a )
=
( 1 + 2 )
( s + 1) ( s + 2 ) s=1

K2 =

( s + 2 ) ( as + b + 3a )
( a ( 2 ) + b + 3a )
=
( 2 + 1)
( s + 2 ) ( s + 1) s=2

Thus

X (s) =
Step 3: Take

= 2a + b

= ( a + b)

2a + b a + b

s +1 s + 2

L 1 X ( s ) to obtain the time domain solution x (t )

33/36

ME 413 Systems Dynamics & Control

Chapter Two: Laplace transform

2a + b
1 a + b
x (t ) = L 1 X ( s ) = L 1

L
s + 2
s + 1
t 0
= ( 2a + b )e t ( a + b )e 2t

Example

Find the solution

x (t )

of the following Initial Value

Problem (IVP)

&&
x + 2 x& + 5 x = f (t ),
where

x ( 0 ) = 0,

x& ( 0 ) = 0

f (t )

f (t ) is a function given by its graph.


3

Solution
t

Step 1: Find the explicit expression of


The function

f (t )

f (t ) given on the RHS of the IVP is a step function u (t ) with height

equals to 3. and

L [u (t )] = L [3] = 3 s

Step 2: Take LT of both sides of the given equation to obtain an algebraic equation

X (s )

Remember that we have zero initial conditions. For zero initial conditions, i.e.,

x ( 0 ) = x& ( 0 ) = 0 , the above transforms become

L x& (t ) = sX ( s )
L x&& (t ) = s 2 X ( s )
Take Laplace transform of both sides of the given equation

s 2 X ( s ) + 2 sX ( s ) + 5 X ( s ) =
Solving for

X ( s ) , we obtain
X (s) =

where

K1 , K 2

and

K3

3
s

3
K1
cs + d
=
+
2
s ( s 2 + 2s + 5) s s + 2s + 5

are found as follows

34/36

ME 413 Systems Dynamics & Control

Chapter Two: Laplace transform

3 = K1 ( s 2 + 2 s + 5 ) + ( cs + d ) s
or

3 = ( K1 + c ) s 2 + ( 2 K1 + d ) s + 5 K1
By comparing coefficients of the
equation respectively, we obtain

s2 , s

s 0 terms: 5K1 = 3

and

s0 ,

terms on both sides of this last

K1 = 3/ 5

s1 terms: 2 K1 + d = 0 d = 2 K1 = 2(3/ 5) = 6 / 5
s 2 terms: K1 + c = 0 c = K1 = 3/ 5
Thus

X (s) =

( 3/ 5) + ( 3/ 5) s + ( 6 / 5) = ( 3/ 5) + ( 3/ 5) s + ( 6 / 5)
3
=
2
2
s
s1
+24
2 s +35
s
s ( s 2 + 2s + 5)
( s + 1) + 22
4
= s 2 + 2 s +1+ 4

3/
5
3/
5
s
6
/
5

(
)
(
)
(
)
1
x (t ) = L 1 X ( s ) = L 1
+L

2
+
+
s
2
s
5
s
14
24
3

=s 2 + 2 s +1+ 4

1 ( 3/ 5 )
1 ( 3/ 5 ) s + ( 6 / 5 )

=L
+L
2
2
s
( s + 1) + 2

42444
3
144
G (s )

The second term of the last equation can be written according to the completing the
square rule. Thus we have a = 1, = 2, c = 3 / 5, d = 6 / 5. Therefore substitute into
the expression of

f (t )

35/36

ME 413 Systems Dynamics & Control

Chapter Two: Laplace transform

d ca at
G (t ) = L 1 [G (s ) ] = ce at cos t +
e sin t

3 6
5 5
3 t

e t sin 2t = 3 e t cos 2t 3 e t sin 2t


= e cos 2t +
5
2
5
10

144244
3
=

3
5

Hence

3/
5
s
6
/
5

(
)
(
)
1

2
s
2
s
5
+
+
14
24
3

=s 2 + 2 s +1+ 4

3 3
3
= e t cos 2t e t sin 2t
5 5
10

( 3/ 5 )
x (t ) = L 1 X ( s ) = L 1
+L
s

36/36

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