Engineering Write the differential equation that's equivalent to this transfer function

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on deriving the differential equation equivalent to the transfer function given by the equation (s^5 + 3s^4 + 2s^3 + 4s^2 + 5s + 2) C(s) = (s^4 + 2s^3 + 5s^2 + s + 1) R(s). Participants clarify the transition from the Laplace domain to the time domain, specifically how the input r(t) is represented as t^3 u(t). The final expression includes a Dirac delta function, 18δ(t), indicating initial conditions. The conversation reveals confusion regarding the treatment of initial conditions and the use of the unit step function u(t).

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Laplace transforms and their properties, specifically L{f^(n)(t)} = s^n F(s) – s^(n-1) f(0) – ...
  • Familiarity with differential equations and their representation in both the Laplace and time domains.
  • Knowledge of the unit step function u(t) and the Dirac delta function δ(t).
  • Basic calculus, particularly differentiation and the product rule.
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the properties of Laplace transforms in detail, focusing on initial conditions and their implications.
  • Learn about the Dirac delta function and its role in systems with initial conditions.
  • Explore the application of the product rule in the context of derivatives involving the unit step function.
  • Investigate common pitfalls in transitioning between the Laplace domain and the time domain in control systems.
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Students and professionals in engineering, particularly those specializing in control systems, signal processing, and differential equations. This discussion is beneficial for anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of transfer functions and their corresponding differential equations.

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Homework Statement
Write the differential equation that is mathematically equivalent to the transfer function below: G(s) = Y(s) / R(s).

G(s) = C(s) / R(s) = (s^4 + 2s^3 + 5s^2 + s + 1) / (s^5 + 3s^4 + 2s^3 + 4s^2 + 5s + 2)
Relevant Equations
• ##G(s) = Y(s) / R(s)##
• ##r(t) = t^3 u(t)##
I have the solution to the problem, and I mechanically, but not theoretically (basically, why do the C(s) and R(s) disappear?), understand how we go from

##(s^5 + 3s^4 + 2s^3 + 4s^2 + 5s + 2) C(s) = (s^4 + 2s^3 + 5s^2 + s + 1) R(s)##

to

##c^{(5)}(t) + 3c^{(4)}(t) + 2c^{(3)}(t) + 4c^{(2)}(t) + 5c^{(1)}(t) + 2c^{(0)}(t) = r^{(4)}(t) + 2r^{(3)}(t) + 5r^{(2)}(t) + r^{(1)}(t) + r^{(0)}(t)##.

And, then I understand that the ##r(t)## needs to be replaced by ##t^3 u(t)##, but the final answer in the solution is

##c^{(5)}(t) + 3c^{(4)}(t) + 2c^{(3)}(t) + 4c^{(2)}(t) + 5c^{(1)}(t) + 2c^{(0)}(t) = 18δ(t) + (36 + 90t + 9t^2 + 3t^3) u(t)##, and I don't understand the step that leads the previous step to this final answer.

Could someone please help me figure out what it is that the solution did?

Any input would be GREATLY appreciated!
 
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Hi, are you sure that ##r(t)=t^3u(t)## and not ##r(t)=3t^3u(t)## ?
Ssnow
 
I'm not sure of anything ( ;P ), but that ( ##r(t) = t^3 · u(t)## ) is technically what the solution says.
 
Maybe the solution is wrong?

Since no one else answered, @Ssnow, could you please explain to me what you've done just in case you are in fact correct?
 
I simply used ##r(t)=3t^3u(t)## instead yours... , so using the product rules: ## r^{(0)}(t)=3t^3u(t)##, ##r^{(1)}(t)=9t^2u(t) + 3t^3u^{(1)}(t)##, ##r^{(2)}(t)=18tu(t) + ...## higher derivatives for ##u(t)## ... so putting inside your second member that contains the derivatives of ##r(t)##, and collecting the ##u(t)##, we arrive to your solution ...
Ssnow
 
Actually, is the going from (s^5 + 3s^4 + 2s^3 + 4s^2 + 5s + 2) C(s) = (s^4 + 2s^3 + 5s^2 + s + 1) R(s) to ##c^(5) + 3c^(4) + 2c^(3) + 4c^(2) + 5 c^(1) + 2c^(0) = r^(4) + 2r^(3) + 5r^(2) + r^(1) + r^(0)## from the L{f^(n) (t)} = ##s^n F(s) – s^{n-1} f(0) – s^{n-2} f'(0) - . . . – s f^(n-2)(0) – f^(n-1)(0)## property, where all derivatives of f(t), including the 0th derivative, f(t) itself are 0 when t = 0 because the problem statement says to assume that "all initial conditions are equal to zero"?

As for going from the before-last step to the last step, thanks for your response; I now see how plugging in 3t^2 into the derivatives of r(t) and then multiplying by the appropriate coefficients yields the (36 + 90t + 9t^2 + 3t^3) part, but I'm not 100% sure why it's just a u(t) and not a bunch of derivatives of u(t) as well. Am I expected to to compute a monstrosity such as this one ( https://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=d^3/dt^3+(3t^3+*+u(t)) ) and then plug in t = 0? If it's the case that t = 0, wouldn't u(t) be u(0) instead? Also, what's with the 18 δ(t)? Does the δ(t) have something to do with the initial condition stuff having it be the case that t = 0?

Edit:
P.S.
I recently realized that the problem statement is inconsistent with the solution for the G(s) = C(s) / R(s) part, but it is consistent in stating that r(t) = u(t) t^3 (whether it's correct or not).
 

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