ABSTRACT
This chapter presents the application of the Laplace transform (LT) to circuit analysis. The discussion naturally begins with the representation of circuit elements in the s-domain. Because the LT of a given function excludes values of the function for t < 0-, special consideration must be given to initial conditions in energy storage elements. This is followed by a discussion of the general procedure for analyzing circuits in the s-domain, including switching circuits, since the LT transform offers some unique advantages in these cases. The LT transform of circuit responses naturally leads to the concept of transfer function, which allows some important conclusions in terms of impulse response, stability, and sinusoidal steady-state response. In order to fully utilize the power of the LT approach, the circuit should be analyzed entirely in the s-domain. The chapter ends with interpretations of poles and zeros in the s-domain and the responses of first-order and second-order circuits.
