Measuring the damping frequency from an oscilloscope reading

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SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on measuring the damping frequency from oscilloscope readings in a circuit analyzed using LTSpice. The key equations provided are for calculating the damped exponent and undamped frequency of oscillation, specifically: $$\sigma = -\zeta \omega_n$$ and $$\omega = \sqrt{(1 - \zeta ^2)\omega^2_n}$$. The participants clarify that the frequency of the green signal (Vc4(t)) represents the damped frequency, while the undamped natural frequency is the frequency at which the output would oscillate without damping elements. The natural frequency is inherently included in the transfer function of the circuit.

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  • Understanding of damping ratios and natural frequency in oscillatory systems
  • Familiarity with LTSpice for circuit simulation
  • Knowledge of transfer functions in electrical circuits
  • Basic proficiency in interpreting oscilloscope readings
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Boltzman Oscillation
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Homework Statement
From the oscilloscope reading, find the undamped frequency of oscillation, damped exponent, and damped frequency of oscillation if the damping ratio is .1.
Relevant Equations
shown below
I know the following equations for if the damping ratio is less than 1:
$$\sigma = -\zeta \omega_n$$
$$\omega = \sqrt{(1 - \zeta ^2)\omega^2_n}$$
I am given the following circuit that I built on LTSpice:
cirucit.png

Measuring the voltage between node 2 and ground (blue), and the voltage Vc4(t) (green) I get the following reading:
1570766890109.png

what is the undamped frequency of oscillation, damped exponent, and damped frequency of oscillation? All I really need is the undamped natural frequency because I will be able to use the formulas to find the rest. How can I find it? Is it just the frequency of the green signal? Vc4(t)?
 
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The frequency of the green squiggle is the damped frequency of oscillation. You'd have to use your equation to solve for the undamped frequency.
 
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Anachronist said:
The frequency of the green squiggle is the damped frequency of oscillation. You'd have to use your equation to solve for the undamped frequency.
Ah I guessed as much. In a critically damped scenario i get the following reading:
1570777882082.png

this time the blue line is my capacitor voltage. I am asked for the undamped frequency, is this just the frequency of the rising portion of the signal?
 
Boltzmann Oscillation said:
I am asked for the undamped frequency, is this just the frequency of the rising portion of the signal?
It is the natural frequency of the circuit i.e. the frequency with which the output would oscillate had there been no damping element(s).
 
cnh1995 said:
It is the natural frequency of the circuit i.e. the frequency with which the output would oscillate had there been no damping element(s).
Ah so without the resistors.
 
Boltzmann Oscillation said:
Ah so without the resistors.
Yes, but you can't find it by removing the resistors in the original circuit. The natural frequency term appears automatically in the transfer function.
 

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