RLC Circuit Response

We are introduced to Schmitt Trigger. The primal function of the Schmitt Trigger, to convert noisy square waves, sine waves or slow edges inputs into clean square waves. One way to implement Schmitt Trigger is to use operational amplifier.

Then we did a lab on the step response of an RLC circuit. Here is a schematic of the circuit

We calculated the theoretical natural frequencies, undamped oscillation frequency, damped oscillation frequency and damping factor.

Here is the setup of the circuit

We calculated the damping ratio, DC gain, natural frequency, rise time and steady state response.

Damping Ratio	0.155
DC Gain	0.023
Natural Frequency (rad/s)	10105.823
Rise Time (ms)	0.622
Steady State Response (V)	0.046

Summary: Even though this RLC circuit is not a regular series RLC circuit, we can still use the same method to get the response. The difference is that the damping factor and undamped natural frequency would not be R/2L and 1/sqrt(LC). The correct α and ω0 can be found by using the characteristic equation. To get the characteristic equation, a typical way is to use mesh analysis or nodal analysis.