ABSTRACT
This chapter introduces analytical methods commonly applied toward the study, analysis, and design of transfer function models of physical systems. The transfer function characterizes the input-output behavior of a physical system and is obtained by the application of Laplace transform to the linear differential equation model of the system. The poles and zeros of the transfer function reveal important characteristics of the system response. Stability is a desired characteristic of any dynamic system. Stability, in general terms, refers to the system being well behaved and in control under various operating conditions. Stability of a physical system is related to energy dissipation in the system. Stability is guaranteed in the case of systems built with passive components that either store or dissipate energy. Energy dissipation occurs due to friction, electrical resistance, thermal resistance, and so on. Asymptotic stability implies that the residual energy in a system decays to zero over time.
