Chapter 10: first-order transients in linear electrical networks vocab

First-Order Circuit

A circuit with one independent energy-storage element.

Natural Response

The response caused only by energy initially stored in a circuit.

Forced Response

The response caused by external circuit inputs.

Homogeneous Solution

The differential-equation solution associated with the natural response.

Particular Solution

The differential-equation solution associated with the forced response.

Characteristic Equation

An equation that determines a circuit’s natural response behavior.

Natural Frequency

A root of the characteristic equation that describes natural circuit behavior.

Time Constant

A measure of how quickly a first-order circuit responds.

Transient Response

The temporary circuit behavior while moving from an initial state to steady state.

Steady State

The long-term circuit condition after transients have ended.

Zero-Input Response

The response caused by initial stored energy with external sources set to zero.

Zero-State Response

The response caused by external inputs when initial stored energy is zero.

Capacitor Continuity

The rule that capacitor voltage cannot change instantly with finite current

Inductor Continuity

The rule that inductor current cannot change instantly with finite voltage.

Propagation Delay

The time between an input transition and the resulting valid output transition.

Gate Delay

The largest propagation delay between any input-output path of a logic gate.

Rise Time

The time for an output to rise from its lowest voltage to valid high voltage.

Fall Time

The time for an output to fall from its highest voltage to valid low voltage.

Fan-Out-of-Four Delay

The delay of a minimum-size inverter driving four identical minimum-size inverters.

State Variable

A value that summarizes the stored past information needed to determine future behavior.

State Equation

An equation that gives the rate of change of a state variable from the present state and input.

Euler’s Method

A numerical method that estimates the next value using the present slope.

Impulse Response

The output of a circuit caused by an impulse input.

Clock Signal

A repeating timing signal that coordinates actions in a digital system.

Clock Discipline

Using common timing intervals to decide when signals are valid and sampled.

Time Discretization

Dividing continuous time into distinct intervals for simpler system operation.

Memory Element

A circuit that stores a value for later use.

Digital State

The logic value currently stored by a memory element.

Dynamic D-Latch

A one-bit memory circuit that stores data temporarily using charge.

Static D-Latch

A one-bit memory circuit that uses feedback to store data indefinitely while power is available.

Trickle Switch

A weak, high-resistance switch that restores charge lost from a storage node.