Laplace Transforms

1. Standard notation in dynamics and control

Chapter 3

(shorthand notation)

2. Converts mathematics to algebraic operations

3. Advantageous for block diagram analysis

 Laplace Transform

L(f (t)) =  f (t)e-st dt
0

Example:

 a a
Chapter 3

a −st 
L(a)=  ae dt = − e  = 0 −  −  =
-st

0
s 0
 s s
 
1  1
L(e )=  e e dt =  e
-bt -bt -st -(b+s)t
dt = -e − ( b +s)t
 =
0 0
b+s 0 s+b

 df  df -st
L(f ) = L    e dt =
= sL(f) − f(0)
 dt  0 dt
Usually define f(0) = 0 (e.g., the error)
Chapter 3
Chapter 3
Chapter 3
 Example 1
Solve the ODE,
dy
5 + 4y = 2 y (0) = 1 (3-26)
dt
First, take L of both sides of (3-26),
Chapter 3

5 ( sY ( s ) − 1) + 4Y ( s ) =
2
s
Rearrange,
5s + 2
Y (s) = (3-34)
s ( 5s + 4 )
Take L-1,
−1 
5s + 2 
y (t ) = L  
 s ( 5s + 4 ) 
From Table 3.1 (line 11),
y ( t ) = 0.5 + 0.5e−0.8t (3-37)
 Example 2:

d3y d2y dy
3
+ 6 2 + 11 + 6 y = 4
dt dt dt
y( 0 )= y( 0 )= y( 0 )= 0
Chapter 3

4
s Y(s)+ 6s Y(s)+11sY(s) + 6Y (s) =
3 2

s
Rearranging,
4
Y(s)=
( s 3 + 6s 2 + 11s + 6) s

4 α α α α
= 1+ 2 + 3 + 4
s(s +1 )(s + 2 )(s + 3 ) s s + 1 s + 2 s + 3
 2 2 2 2/3
Take inverse of L.T. (Y(s)= − + − )
3s s +1 s + 2 s+3

2 −t −2 t 2 −3t
y(t)= − 2e + 2e − e
Chapter 3

3 3
2
t → y(t) → t = 0 y (0) = 0.
3
 Laplace transforms can be used in process
control for:
1. Solution of differential equations (linear)
Chapter 3

2. Analysis of linear control systems

(frequency response)

3. Prediction of transient response for

different inputs