Transfer Function

The modelling equation gathered from the free body diagram is in the time domain. Some analyses
are easier to perform in the frequency domain. In order to convert to the frequency domain, apply
the Laplace Transform to determine the transfer function of the system.

The Laplace Transform converts linear differential equations into algebraic expressions which are
easier to manipulate. The Laplace Transform converts functions with a real dependent variable
(such as time) into functions with a complex dependent variable (such as frequency, often
represented by s).

The transfer function is the ratio of the output Laplace Transform to the input Laplace Transform
assuming zero initial conditions. Many important characteristics of dynamic or control systems can
be determined from the transfer function.

The general procedure to find the transfer function of a linear differential equation from input to
output is to take the Laplace Transforms of both sides assuming zero conditions, and to solve for the
ratio of the output Laplace over the input Laplace.