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For a homework problem, I am supposed to find the step response v(t) for the following circuit:

schematic

simulate this circuit – Schematic created using CircuitLab

Where the input is \$v_s(t) = 2u(t)\$, and the response \$v(t)\$ is the voltage across the capicator C1.

So, here's what I did. I converted the circuit to the s-domain and constructed a transfer function:

$$\frac{V(s)}{V_s(s)}=\frac{\frac{1}{sC}}{R_1+\frac{1}{sC}||(R_2+sL)}$$

And then simplifying the function and solving for V(s):

$$V(s) = \frac{LCs^2+R_2Cs+1}{R_1LC^2s^3+(R_1R_2C^2+LC)s^2+(R_1C+R_2C)s} V_s(s)$$

Since the input is converted to \$\frac{2}{s}\$ in the s-domain:

$$V(s) = \frac{LCs^2+R_2Cs+1}{R_1LC^2s^3+(R_1R_2C^2+LC)s^2+(R_1C+R_2C)s} \frac{2}{s}$$

Which does not make sense because then the final value would be:

$$v(\infty)= \lim_{s \to 0} sV(s) = \infty$$

Which is impossible because you cannot have infinite voltage. There has to be a limit. What am I doing wrong here?

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  • \$\begingroup\$ It is good that you did a reality check. \$\endgroup\$
    – copper.hat
    Commented Sep 16, 2014 at 18:42
  • \$\begingroup\$ Vxs8122-I suppose you know that the step response is a function in the time domain. Do you consider the problem as solved if you find the final value only? \$\endgroup\$
    – LvW
    Commented Sep 16, 2014 at 20:51
  • \$\begingroup\$ @LvW I know that, the final value is just for reality check. The solving part is incomplete because the final value did not make sense. \$\endgroup\$
    – vxs8122
    Commented Sep 16, 2014 at 22:53
  • \$\begingroup\$ @Vxs8122,OK-I see. Hence, you either need to solve the diff. equation of the system in the time domain or you need to apply the inverse Laplace transform to the function H(s)/s. \$\endgroup\$
    – LvW
    Commented Sep 17, 2014 at 7:40

1 Answer 1

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There seems to be an error in the approach of the transfer function:

$$\frac{V(s)}{V_s(s)}=\frac{\frac{1}{sC}}{R_1+\frac{1}{sC}||(R_2+sL)}$$

when the correct is:

$$ \frac{V(s)}{V_s(s)}=\frac{\frac{1}{sC}||(R_2+sL)}{R_1+\frac{1}{sC}||(R_2+sL)} $$

according to the voltage divider.

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  • \$\begingroup\$ Thank you. I just realized that mistake just few minutes ago. \$\endgroup\$
    – vxs8122
    Commented Sep 16, 2014 at 17:58

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