Magnitude and Phase of Transfer Function

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on the transfer function H(s) = 10/(s(s^2 + 80s + 400)) and the process of determining its magnitude and phase. The user successfully derived the magnitude but encountered confusion regarding the phase calculation, specifically the difference in the phase expression compared to the textbook. Clarifications were provided on how to compute the phase angle using the negative of the denominator's phase angle, emphasizing the importance of correctly handling signs in the arctangent function. Additionally, there was a discussion about the nuances of phase shifts and the relationship between the angles of the transfer function and its components. The conversation highlights the complexities involved in electrical engineering calculations, particularly in transfer functions.
zonedestruct
Messages
12
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



I am given the transfer function H(s) = 10/(s(s^2 + 80s +400)) where s = jω [j is the imaginary unit i] and I am trying to get it into its magnitude and phase components.

The Attempt at a Solution



I rearranged it to 1/(40jω(1+ 4jω/20 + (jω/20)^2)) which is the standard form for transfer functions. I am wanting to plot the bode plots so I took the 20 * log base 10 of the entire transfer function and got for the magnitude: -20log(40) - 20log(1/(jω))- 20log(1+ 4jω/20 + (jω/20)^2)
and for the phase I got: -90° - tan^-1((ω/5)/(1-ω^2/400))

but in my textbook when they show the bode plots for the phase it has - tan^-1(ω/(1-ω^2/400)) for one of the phase factors and I am not sure why my numerator is ω/5 and there one is just ω.

If you don't study electrical engineering and are not sure of some of the stuff I said then basically H(s) = 10/(s(s^2 + 80s +400)) where s = jω is a complex number and j is the same as the imaginary unit i, so I need help to put this complex number into its magnitude and phase, I am pretty sure i got the magnitude part right.

Please can anyone help me by at least showing me how to get the phase part of this complex number
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Since the numerator of your transfer function is purely real we can concentrate on the denominator; it's phase will be the negative of (180° shifted) the transfer function's phase.

## s ( s^2 + 80 s + 400 ) → \omega j (-\omega^2 + 80 j \omega + 400) ##

## -80 \omega^2 + j (400 \omega - \omega^3) ##

Divide through by 400ω:

## -\frac{\omega}{5} + j \left( 1 - \frac{\omega^2}{400} \right) ##

Looks like the book's solution is not correct.
 
The phase part is just tan-1{(imaginary part)/(real part)}.

As gneill pointed out, your transfer function phase angle will be the negative of the numerator phase angle, i.e.

ψ = - tan-1{(imaginary part)/(real part)} of the denominator.

{However, -ψ is not the same as ψ shifted by 180. E.g if ψ = 30 deg, -ψ is the same as 360 - 30 = 330 deg, not 30 - 180 or 30 + 180.}

Also, be careful to preserve numerator and denominator signs in the arc tan expression. So arc tan(-a/b) is not the same angle as arc tan(a/-b).
 
rude man said:
{However, -ψ is not the same as ψ shifted by 180. E.g if ψ = 30 deg, -ψ is the same as 360 - 30 = 330 deg, not 30 - 180 or 30 + 180.}
Good catch, rude man; That was a brain fart on my part :redface: I hate when that happens :smile:
 
gneill said:
Good catch, rude man; That was a brain fart on my part :redface: I hate when that happens :smile:

Don't feel bad! After writing that I wasn't so sure myself that what I wrote was really right! It's really something to think about - after all -V does = V at 180! Subtle business, electricity!

No to mention that what I wrote wasn't quite right anyway - the angle of the transfer function, not that of the numerator, is the negative of the angle of the denominator, as you of course had already pointed out. Oy vey!
 
Last edited:
Thread 'Have I solved this structural engineering equation correctly?'
Hi all, I have a structural engineering book from 1979. I am trying to follow it as best as I can. I have come to a formula that calculates the rotations in radians at the rigid joint that requires an iterative procedure. This equation comes in the form of: $$ x_i = \frac {Q_ih_i + Q_{i+1}h_{i+1}}{4K} + \frac {C}{K}x_{i-1} + \frac {C}{K}x_{i+1} $$ Where: ## Q ## is the horizontal storey shear ## h ## is the storey height ## K = (6G_i + C_i + C_{i+1}) ## ## G = \frac {I_g}{h} ## ## C...

Similar threads

Replies
3
Views
2K
Replies
9
Views
4K
Replies
3
Views
3K
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
6
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
2K
Back
Top