Engineering Circuit Analysis: International Student Version, Tenth Edition

Chapter 13. THE LAPLACE TRANSFORM

THE LEARNING GOALS FOR THIS CHAPTER ARE:

• Be able to determine the Laplace transform of signals common to electric circuits

• Know how to perform an inverse Laplace transform using partial fraction expansion

• Be introduced to the concept of convolution

• Be able to apply the initial-value and final-value theorems

• Know how to use the Laplace transform to analyze transient circuits

Micro-Aerial Robots or Tiny UAVs The size of a toy but far more than a toy, the tiny, powerful UAV—unmanned aerial vehicle or micro-aerial robot—finds its niche in such roles as advancing military missions, fighting wildfires in our national forests, or averting terrorist attacks. The UAV comes in many forms: it may be a miniature helicopter, a robo-hummingbird, or a Wasp Micro Air Vehicle. Some carry a GPS for location, a microprocessor to keep flight stable, and a color video camera. With over 5000 in operation today, Raven drones are the most popular small UAVs in the US military fleet. While they once required heavy, briefcase-sized control units, today's drones can be controlled with an iPhone.

Identified at times as a bird, a bee, or a giant mosquito, the Micro Flying Robot developed in Japan and weighing only 8 grams is driven by four micro-actuators that control two rotors and stabilizing units. Swarms of tiny UAVs can link up to form an airborne network for monitoring work too ...