MAE140 – Linear Circuits – Fall – 2015

Final, December 8th

Instructions

1. This exam is open book. You may use whatever written materials you choose,
including your class notes and textbook. You may use a hand calculator with no
communication capabilities.
2. You have 170 minutes.
3. Do not forget to write your name and student number.
4. This exam has 5 questions, for a total of 60 points and 1 bonus points.

C1 R2 C1 R2
A C C

R1 v1 (t) R1

B D D
(a) (b)

C1 R2 C1
va vb R2 vc
+ v2 (t) −

v1 (t) R1 RL v1 (t) ia R1 ib RL

(c) (d)

Figure 1: Circuits for Questions 1–4

1. Circuit Equivalence
IMPORTANT: All impedances should be given as a ratio of two polynomials!
(a) (3 points) Assume zero-initial conditions and find the s-domain equivalent cir-
cuit as seen from terminals A and B in Fig. 1a.
Solution:
First convert the circuit to the s-domain to obtain:
1
sC1 R2
A C

R1

B D (+1 point)
As seen from A to B the circuit is simply:
1
sC1

R1

B (+1 point)
which is equivalent to:
A
1 1+sR1 C1
R1 + sC1
= sC1

B (+1 point)

(b) (2 points) Assume zero-initial conditions and find the s-domain equivalent cir-
cuit as seen from terminals C and D in Fig. 1a.
Solution:
The circuit has already been converted to the s-domain in part (a).
As seen from C to D the circuit is simply:
R2
C

R1

D (+1 point)

Page 2
 which is equivalent to:
C

R1 + R2

D (+1 point)

(c) (5 points) Assume zero initial conditions, connect a voltage source v1 (t) to the
terminals A and B as in Fig. 1b and show that the resulting Thevenin equiva-
lent circuit as seen from terminals C and D has voltage
sR1 C1
VT (s) = V1 (s) (1)
1 + sR1 C1
and impedance
R1 + R2 + sR2 R1 C1
Z(s) = . (2)
1 + sR1 C1

Solution:
Start again by converting to the s-domain:
1
sC1 R2
C

V1 (s) R1

D (+1 point)
After a source transformation:
R2
C
1
sC1 V1 (s) sC1 R1

D (+1 point)
Associating the capacitor and resistor in parallel:
R2
C
1 R1
sC1 V1 (s) 1
+sC1
= 1+sR 1 C1
R1

D (+1 point)

Page 3
 Another source transformation produces:
R1
1+sR1 C1 R2
C
sR1 C1
V (s)
1+sR1 C1 1

D (+1 point)
and finally:
R1
R2 + 1+sR1 C1
= R1 +R 2 +sR2 R1 C1
1+sR1 C1
C
sR1 C1
V (s)
1+sR1 C1 1

D (+1 point)

2. Short-Circuit Protection
Consider the circuit in Fig. 1b. Short-circuit the terminals C and D and answer the
following questions:
(a) (2 points) Show that the transfer-function T (s) = I2 (s)/V1 (s), where i2 is the cur-
rent through the resistor R2 is:
sR1 C1
T (s) =
R1 + R2 + sR2 R1 C1
Hint: Use the answers to Problem 1.
Solution:
Short-circuit C and D :
1
sC1 R2
C

V1 (s) R1

D (+1/2 point)
to notice that the current in R2 is the short-circuit current, which can be obtained
directly from the Thevenin equivalent from Problem 1 as:

sR1 C1
VT (s) 1+sR1 C1 sR1 C1
I2 (s) = = R1 +R2 +sR2 R1 C1
V1 (s) = V1 (s) (+1 point)
Z(s) 1+sR1 C1
R1 + R2 + sR2 R1 C1

Page 4
 and
I2 (s) sR1 C1
T (s) = = (+1/2 point)
V1 (s) R1 + R2 + sR2 R1 C1

(b) (3 points) Calculate and sketch |T (jω)|.

Solution:

|jωR1 C1 |
|T (jω)| =
|R1 + R2 + jωR2 R1 C1 |
1 |jω|
= R1 +R2
(+1 point)
R2 | R2 R1 C1 + jω|

This is a high-pass filter since at ω = 0 the value |T (j0)| = 0 and at ω → ∞

1
lim |T (jω)| = (+1 point)
ω→∞ R2

The cutoff frequency is ωc = (R1 + R2 )/(R2 R1 C1 ) and a sketch of the |T (jω)| is:

(+1 point)

(c) (4 points) Calculate R2 so that the maximum steady-state amplitude of the cur-
rent i2 (t) when the input voltage is v1 (t) = 5 cos(ωt)V be less than 500mA for any
possible frequency ω.
Solution:
When v1 (t) = 5 cos(ωt) the steady-state value of the current i2 (t) is calculated

Page 5
 using the frequency response:

iSS
2 (t) = 5|T (jω)| cos(ωt + ∠T (jω)) (+1 point)

The amplitude of this current is

|iSS
2 (t)| = 5|T (jω)| (+1 point)

Because T (jω) behaves as a high-pass filter its maximum is at ω → ∞ so that

5
|iSS
2 (t)| ≤ 5 max |T (jω)| = . (+1 point)
ω R2

In order for this amplitude to be less than 500mA

5
≤ 0.5 =⇒ R2 ≥ 10Ω (+1 point)
R2

(d) (1 point) Explain in which way R2 “protects” the circuit in Fig. 1b against a short-
circuit.
Solution:
Because of the answer to part (c) the current provided by the circuit is limited
by R2 . If R2 were to be zero there would be no limit in the current. (+1 point)

3. AC coupling
Consider the circuit in Fig. 1c. Assume that RL  R2 .
(a) (2 points) Show that the transfer function T (s) = V2 (s)/V1 (s) is approximately:

RC1 s R1 RL
T (s) = , R=
1 + RC1 s R1 + RL

Solution:
If RL  R2 then R1 and RL are in parallel with value

R1 RL
R= (+1 point)
R1 + RL
and the transfer-function T (s) = V2 (s)/V1 (s) can be calculated by voltage divi-
sion from:
R sRC1
V2 (s) = 1 V1 (s) = V1 (s) = T (s)V1 (s). (+1 point)
R + sC1 1 + sRC1

IMPORTANT: For the rest of this question set RL = R1 and R1 C1 = 0.02s.

Page 6
(b) (3 points) Use the frequency response method or a direct calculation to compute
the steady-state response of the circuit to an input of the form v1 (t) = 5V.
Solution:
If RL = R1 then
R1 R1 C1 s 0.02s s
R= , T (s) = = = (+2 point)
2 2 + R1 C1 s 2 + 0.02s 100 + s

Using the frequency response method to calculate the steady state response to
a constant input v1 (t) = 5V we obtain

v2SS (t) = 5 T (j0) = 0. (+1 point)

(c) (3 points) Use the frequency response method or a direct calculation to compute
the steady-state response of the circuit to an input of the form v1 (t) = 5 cos(ωt)V
where ω = 10,000rad/s.
Solution:
Using the frequency response method to calculate the steady state response to
an input v1 (t) = 5 cos(ωt)V we obtain

v2SS (t) = 5|T (jω)| cos(ωt + ∠T (jω)). (+1 point)

Substituting ω = 10,000 we calculate

j10,000 j100
T (j10 000) = = ≈ 0.9999 + j0.0099 ≈ 0.99 (+1 point)
100 + j10,000 1 + j100

from which

v2SS (t) ≈ 0.9999 × 5 cos(ωt) = 4.99 cos(ωt)V. (+1 point)

(d) (2 points) Use linearity to calculate the steady-state response of the circuit to an
input of the form v1 (t) = 5 + 5 cos(ωt) where ω = 10,000rad/s.
Solution:
Because

v1 (t) = v11 (t) + v12 (t), v11 (t) = 5, v12 (t) = 5 cos(ωt) (+1 point)

we can use the answers to parts (b) and (c) to calculate

v2SS (t) = 0 + 4.99 cos(ωt)V. (+1 point)

(e) (1 point (bonus)) Explain why the circuit in Fig. 1a is known as an AC Coupler.

Page 7
 Solution:
Because it “blocks” the DC component, the 5V input in this problem, and let the
AC component, ω  0, pass through the circuit. (+1 point)

4. Circuit Analysis
(a) (5 points) Convert the circuit in Fig. 1d to the s-domain and formulate its node-
voltage equations. Use the node-voltage and labels provided in the figure and
clearly indicate the final equations and circuit variable unknowns. Do not as-
sume zero initial conditions. Make sure your final equations only involve node-
voltages.
Solution:
Convert to the s-domain taking into account the initial conditions
C1 (va (0) − vb (0))

Vb R2 Vc
Va
1
s C1
V1 (s) R1 RL

(+2 points)
Method #2 provides the following equations obtained by inspection:

Va (s) = V1 (s)
 
 Va (s)
−sC1 sC1 + R11 + 1 1
  
R2
− R2 C(va (0) − vb (0))
Vb (s) = (+2 points)
− R12 1
+ R1L
 
0 R2
0
Vc (s)

which should be solved for the unknowns Va (s), Vb (s) and Vc (s). (+1 point)

(b) (5 points) Convert the circuit in Fig. 1d to the s-domain and formulate its mesh-
current equations. Use the mesh-currents and labels provided in the figure and
clearly indicate the final equations and circuit variable unknowns. Do not as-
sume zero initial conditions. Make sure your final equations only involve mesh-
currents.
Solution:
Convert to the s-domain taking into account the initial conditions

Page 8
 1 va (0)−vb (0)
s C1 s
R2

V1 (s) Ia R1 Ib RL

(+2 points)
Writing the equations by inspection:

R1 + sC1 1 va (0)−vb (0)

    
−R1 Ia (s) V1 (s) −
= 1
s (+2 points)
−R1 R1 + R2 + RL Ib (s) s

which should be solved for the unknowns Ia (s), Ib (s). (+1 point)

Page 9
 R2

C1 C1
R2

+ v2 (t) −
+ v2 (t) −
v1 (t) R1 RL v1 (t) R1 RL

(a) (b)

R2

C1 R1 C1 R1 R2
+ v2 (t) −

+ v2 (t) −
v1 (t) RL v1 (t) RL

(c) (d)

Figure 2: Circuits for Question 5

5. OpAmp Circuit Analysis

A student has proposed the four circuits in Fig. 2 as alternatives to the AC Coupler
circuit in Fig.1.
(a) (3 points) Assume zero initial conditions, convert the circuit in Fig. 2a to the s-
domain and calculate its transfer-function from V1 (s) to V2 (s).
Solution:
First convert to the s-domain:
R2
1
sC1
+ V2 (s) −

V1 (s) R1 RL

(+1 point)
Because VN = VP = 0 there is no current in R1 so this circuit is equivalent to the
standard inverting OpAmp circuit:

Page 10
 R2
1
sC1

+ V2 (s) −
V1 (s) RL

(+1 point)
from which we can calculate the transfer-function:
R2
V2 (s) = T (s)V1 (s), T (s) = − 1 = −sR2 C1 . (+1 point)
sC1

(b) (3 points) Assume zero initial conditions, convert the circuit in Fig. 2b to the s-
domain and calculate its transfer-function from V1 (s) to V2 (s).
Solution:
First convert to the s-domain:
1
sC1
R2
+ V2 (s) −

V1 (s) R1 RL

(+1 point)
The first half of the circuit is the voltage divider:

R1 sR1 C1
VP (s) = 1 V1 (s) = V1 (s) (+1 point)
R1 + sC1 1 + sR1 C1

This circuit is followed by a buffer after which the transfer-function can be again
calculated using voltage division:

RL sR1 C1
V2 (s) = T (s)V1 (s), T (s) = . (+1 point)
RL + R2 1 + sR1 C1

(c) (3 points) Assume zero initial conditions, convert the circuit in Fig. 2c to the s-
domain and calculate its transfer-function from V1 (s) to V2 (s).
Solution:
First convert to the s-domain:

Page 11
 R2
1
sC1 R1

+ V2 (s) −
V1 (s) RL

(+1 point)
This is a standard inverting OpAmp circuit from which

R2 sR2 R1 C1
V2 (s) = T (s)V1 (s), T (s) = − 1 = − (+2 points)
R1 + sC1 1 + sR1 C1

(d) (3 points) Assume zero initial conditions, convert the circuit in Fig. 2d to the s-
domain and calculate its transfer-function from V1 (s) to V2 (s).
Solution:
First convert to the s-domain:
1
sC1 R1 R2 + V2 (s) −

V1 (s) RL

(+1 point)
This is a standard inverting OpAmp circuit with a zero resistance (short-circuit)
in the feedback path followed by a voltage divider from which

R2 0
V2 (s) = T (s)V1 (s), T (s) = − × 1 =0 (+2 points)
R2 + Rl R1 + sC1

(e) (4 points) Assume that RL  R2 and compare the transfer-functions you ob-
tained with the one given in Problem 3. Which circuit in Fig. 2 is the best replace-
ment for the AC Coupler in Fig. 1? Justify your answer.
Solution:
The transfer-function from Problem 3 is:
sRC1 s
T (s) = = 1
1 + sRC1 s + RC 1

1
which is a high-pass filter with cutoff frequency RC1
and gain

lim |T (jω)| = 1. (+1 point)

ω→∞

Page 12
 The transfer-functions from each item in Problem 5 are:

Ta (s) = −sR2 C1
RL sR1 C1
Tb (s) = ×
RL + R2 1 + sR1 C1
sR2 R1 C1
Tc (s) = −
1 + sR1 C1
Td (s) = 0

If RL  R2

Ta (s) = −sR2 C1
sR1 C1
Tb (s) =
1 + sR1 C1
sR2 R1 C1
Tc (s) = −
1 + sR1 C1
Td (s) = 0 (+1 point)

Compared to T (s), (b) and (c) are the best candidates. Both as high-pass filters
with cutoff frequencies R11C1 . (+1 point)
However, Tb and Tc have gains

R1 C1 R2 R1 C1
lim |Tc (jω)| = = 1, lim |Tc (jω)| = = R2 (+1 point)
ω→∞ R1 C1 ω→∞ R1 C1
making Tb the best replacement.

(f) (2 points) Name two advantages of the active circuit you chose in part (d) when
compared with the passive circuit in Fig. 1.
Solution:
The OpAmp separates the source, v1 (t), from the load RL . Even if RL is a short-
circuit, the current provided by v1 (t) will remain unaffected. (+1 point)
The cutoff frequency of the circuit in Fig. 2b is independent of the load resistance
RL . (+1 point)

(g) (2 points) Identify at least two design flaws in the circuits of Fig. 2.
Solution:
In Fig. 2a the resistor R1 is connected between ground and the virtual ground,
(vN ), thus serving no function in that circuit. (+1 point)
In Fig. 2d the feedback resistance is zero which connects the output directly
to the virtual ground, (vN ), thus making the output zero no matter the input
voltage, (v1 ). (+1 point)

Page 13