f'resented at the 7tH Midwinter Convention of the

American Institute of Electrical Engineers,

New York, February 21, IQ.IO.

Copyright 1919. By A. I. E. E.

(Subject to final revision for Ike Transactions.)

THEORY OF THE TRANSIENT OSCILLATIONS OF

ELECTRICAL NETWORKS AND TRANSMISSION

SYSTEMS

BY JOHN R. CARSON

ABSTRACT OF PAPER

The purpose of this research was to make a broad theoretical

study of transient phenomena with a view to developing methods

of calculation directly applicable to engineering problems. The

investigation starts with the problem of formulating the current

in an electrical network or transmission system in response

to a suddenly applied e.m.f. of arbitrary form. A simple formula

is derived which expresses this current in terms of two indepen-

dent functions: one, the applied e.m.f. expressed as a time func-

tion, and the other a characteristic function of the constants

and connections of the system, this latter being termed the

"indicial admittance" of the system. A knowledge of the

'ndicial admittance, therefore, completely determines the

behavior of the system to all types of applied voltages in-

cluding both transient and steady states. A systematic in-

vestigation of methods for solving and computing the indicial

admittance follows, in the course of which original solutions

for transmission and artificial lines are derived and a new method

involving integral equations is developed. This latter is particu-

larly well adapted to handle the difficult problem of taking into

account the effects of terminal impedances in transmission

systems.

Introduction and Statement of Problem

WHEN an electromotive force is suddenly applied to an

electrical network or system the current flowing in each

and every part of the system is, at every instant of time, a

determinate function of the form of the applied e. m. f. and of

the connections and constants of the system. If the applied

voltage is periodic (including, as a limiting case, the uniform

steady voltage of zero periodicity) the system ultimately exe-

cutes periodic oscillations of the same frequency as that of the

applied voltage. These "steady-state" or periodic oscilla-

tions are the subject of the theory of alternating currents

which takes up such a large part of the literature of electrical

engineering. A more or less appreciable time after the appli-

cation of the voltage elapses, however, before the proximate

407
408 CARSON: TRANSIENT OSCILLATIONS [Feb. 21

steady state is arrived at, and the oscillations which the system

executes in this interval have been roughly termed "transient

oscillations," this term implying, of course, that this "un-

steady" state dies away or rather merges into the final steady

state.

From a practical standpoint a knowledge of the steady state

phenomena is sufficient in the great majority of problems.

Theoretically, however, the so-called "transients" are of funda-

mental importance, and in certain problems, notably those of

long distance telephony and telegraphy, the steady state theory

is quite inadequate and the investigation of transient condi-

tions becomes a matter of practical importance as well. The

present paper is the outgrowth of an investigation, undertaken

in connection with the writer's work in the Engineering Depart-

ment of the American Telephone and Telegraph Company, of

speech-excited transients in telephone systems, with particular

reference to long, loaded cable circuits.

Stated in its broadest terms, our problem is to formulate, as

a function of time, the current which flows in any part of an

electrical system in response to a voltage of any specified form

or type which is suddenly impressed on the system. After the

development of the general theory and formulas, a considerable

and by no means the least important part of the paper is

devoted to deriving fundamental solutions, which admit of

easy interpretation and computation, for the transmission line

having continuously distributed inductance, capacity, resist-

ance and leakage and the corresponding artificial line in which

these constants are lumped. Formulas 32 to 36 and 52 to 64,

which give the solutions for the current and voltage waves in

all the important types of transmission system, are all the

original results of the present research with the exception of

formulas (57) and (62) which are the solutions for the current

and voltage waves in the non-inductive, leakageless cable, first

derived by Kelvin and Heaviside and formula (53) for the

current wave in the leakageless line, which was independently

derived by Heaviside and Poincare.

The investigation naturally falls into five parts:

1. The derivation of a general formula expressing the cur-

rent as a function of the form of the applied voltage and the

connections of the particular system under consideration. It

will be shown that the current is simply expressed in terms of

two functions, one the applied voltage, considered as a time

1917] CARSON: TRANSIENT OSCILLATIONS 409

function, and the other a characteristic function of the system

which is independent of the form of the applied voltage. This

characteristic function will be termed the "indicial admittance"

of the system, a terminology whose oppositeness will be justi-

fied by the physical and mathematical significance of the

function. The word "indicial" indicates that the function is

really an index of the system, and completely determines the

behavior of the system to all types of applied voltages. On

the other hand, the word "admittance" indicates that the

function is of the nature of an admittance in a generalized sense,

and that it has very real physical significance.

2. In practical problems, the applied voltage of the greatest

importance is the mono-periodic or sinusoidal. For this par-

ticular type of e. m. f. special formulas are derived and a

mechanical method of numerical solution is developed and

described.

3. In (1) and (2) a knowledge of the "indicial admittance"

is implied. A systematic investigation of the possible methods

of solving for this function is taken up, and appropriate methods

for particular types of systems, notably transmission systems,

are developed.

4. The indicial admittance functions for all the important

types of transmission systems, including the periodically loaded

line are derived, and a large number of graphs of these functions

is shown.

5. The appropriate treatment to take care of the effects of

terminal apparatus in transmission systems is developed and

applied to a number of specific problems.

/. General Theory and Formulas. The mathematical basis

of the following investigation is furnished in a paper published

by the writer in the Physical Review (Sept., 1917, pp. 217). A

brief resume of the theory and formulas there developed will

now be given as a necessary preliminary to the subsequent

investigation; for a more detailed treatment the reader is

referred to the original oaner.

The current in any part of an electrical system or network is

related to the impressed voltage (or voltages) by a set of linear

differential equations in the variable t (time). If the applied

voltage is taken as E «*", and if the differential operator

d"

T-— is replaced by p", the differential equations reduce to a set

410 CARSON: TRANSIENT OSCILLATIONS [Feb. 21

of simultaneous algebraic equations, and by purely algebraic

processes we get the symbolic formula or solution

E ft"

In the symbolic formula (1), Z (p) is the impedance function;

it is the ratio of two determinants (or the limit of such a ratio),

and the equation Z (p) = 0, which is of frequent occurrence,

will be termed the determinantal equation. If p is taken as a

pure imaginary, formula (1) is simply the usual complex expres-

sion for the steady state current, and the real part of (1) the

periodic current, corresponding to an impressed voltage of

7)

frequency -^-— . At present, however, no restriction is

£ 7T

imposed on the operator p, and (1) is to be regarded as purely

symbolic.

Starting with formula (1), the writer showed, in the paper

referred to above, that, if the voltage is impressed on the

system at time t = 0, the resultant current is expressed by the

formula:

where pm is the mth root of Z (p}, the summation is extended

over all the roots of Z (p) and

= Pm

In formula (2), p is no longer a mere operator and is assigned

the value, real, imaginary or complex, which characterizes the

impressed voltage. Thus if the impressed voltage is a unit

d-c. voltage (zero before, unity after t= 0), E= 1, p= 0,

(2) and becomes:

which is the Heaviside expansion formula.

The function formulated by (3) is fundamental to our whole

problem and will be denned as follows:

The indicial admittance of an electrical network or system is

equal to the current, expressed as a time function, which flows

1917] CARSON: TRANSIENT OSCILLATIONS 411

in the system in response to a unit d-c. voltage (zero before,

unity after t = 0) applied to the system at time t = 0. It is

mathematically defined and formulated by (3) and will be

denoted by A (<) with appropriate subscripts. Thus if the

applied voltage is inserted in the j'h mesh or branch of the net-

work, the current in the kth mesh or branch (assuming a unit

d-c. voltage) will be denoted by Ajk (t). The indicial admit-

tance A (t) is of the dimensions and character of an admittance

in a generalized sense and is subject to the reciprocal relation

Ajk (t) = Akj (t). When the two subscripts are the same the

function may conveniently be referred to as the driving point

indicial admittance, while when the subscripts are different, it

will be termed the transfer indicial admittance, thus correlating

our conceptions and terminology with those commonly em-

ployed in the theory of steady state or periodic phenomena.

An important distinction, however, exists between the indicial

admittance, as denned above, and the steady state admittance

in that the former is a function of time while the latter is a

function of frequency.

We shall now show that the "indicial admittance" completely

determines the behavior of the system to all types of impressed

voltages; in other words, that a knowledge of the indicial

admittance alone is all that is required to completely specify

the system, and predict its performance under all circumstances.

The proof is based on a well known partial expansion which is

employed and fully discussed in my paper referred to above.

By a slight extension of the theory there developed it may be

shown that all the impedance functions with which we are

concerned admit of the partial fraction expansion:

(4)

(5)

Comparing (3) and (5) it is at once evident that

~7—r- , and hence A (0), is usually zero, except when, due to

(.00)
412 CARSON: TRANSIENT OSCILLATIONS [Feb. 21

the absence of finite inductance, the current corresponding to

A (<) has an initial jump to a finite or even infinite value.

Returning now to equation (2) and replacing „ •, . by its

value as given by (4) we get:

/=£r_^_ , e*vm e("»-rt<-* I

|_z(») * (P. - P) £'(P.) J

which is clearly equal to:

But by (3)

1 = A (0)

Z(oo)

Substitution of these identities in (6)

gives

I = A (0) E e" + \E e" «-*> A' (X) d X (7)

By obvious transformations (7) may also be written in either of

the equivalent forms,

7=^-1 Ee'C-'o A(X)dX

d ' tf e* A (t - X) d X (8)

./,'

which are sometimes more convenient to handle than is (7).

If the impressed voltage is the mono-periodic or sinusoidal

function

E sin (pt + 6)
1917] CARSON: TRANSIENT OSCILLATIONS 413

it is easy to show (by writing the sine function is its complex

exponential form) that (7) becomes,

/ = A (0) E sin (pt + 6)

Esin(p(t- X) + 0) -A'(X)dX (9)

More generally if the impressed voltage / (t) is not a pure

sinusoid but is expressible (for t > 0) as a Fourier series:

/ (0 = 2* o»- sin (pA t + 8k)

/ (t - X) = 2* ak sin (pk (t - X) + Bk )

equation (9) becomes, since the relations are linear,

i"/1-

X) • A' (X) • d X (10)

while (8) becomes

/ (t - X) • A (X) dX

dt

/'

;•

/(X)A(*-X)dX (11)

Equations (11) are the fundamental formulas which mathe-

matically relate the current to the type of applied voltage and

the connections of the system, and constitute the solution of

the first part of our problem. The most important deductions

from these formulas are expressed in the following theorems:

1. The indicial admittance of an electrical network or system

completely determines, within a single quadrature, the behavior of

the system to all types of applied voltages. As a corollary, a

knowledge of the indicial admittance is the sole information

necessary to predict completely the performance and character-

istics of the system.

2. The applied voltage and the indicial admittance are simi-

larly and coequally related to the instantaneous current flowing in

the system. As a corollary, the form of the current may be

modified either by changing the connections and constants of

the system (and thus modifying A (t) ) or by modifying the

form of the applied voltage.

Since the applied voltage may be discontinuous formulas

(11) not only determine the building up of the current in

414 CARSON: TRANSIENT OSCILLATIONS [Feb. 21

response to an applied voltage, but also its subsidence to

equilibnum when an applied voltage is removed and the system

is left to itself. In brief, formulas (11) reduce the whole problem

to a determination of the indicial admittances of the system, a

problem which forms the subject matter of succeeding sections

of this paper.

The type of applied voltage of the greatest practical import-

ance is the mono-periodic, or sinusoidal. In this case denoting

the voltage applied at time t= 0, by E sin (p t + 6), (9) is

the appropriate formula. This may be written:

I = A (0) E sin (p t + 6)

+ E sin (p t + 6) \ cosp X- A'(X)dX

I cos p X • A'

I sin p X A'

-E cos (pt + 0)1 sinpXA'(A)dX (12)

which is the formula most convenient in practice. Another

formulation which is sometimes preferable is derivable from

the first of (11)

I = E sin 0 A (t)

+ E p • cos (p t + 6) I cos p X • A (X) d X

I cos p X •

f •

I sin p

+ E p sin (p t + 6) I sin p X • A (X) d X (12a)

Except in rare cases, however, formula (12) is preferable and

further consideration will be limited to it. From formula (12)

the final steady state current is given by

. A (0) E sin (p t + d)

roe

cosp XA' (X)d A

JOB

cosp X A'

JOB

sin p X A'

- Ecos(pt + d) I sinpXA'(X)dX (13)

o
1917] CARSON: TRANSIENT OSCILLATIONS 415

While the transient distortion (i. e., the difference between the

actual and the steady state current) is given by

JOB

cosp XA' (X)d X

f00

+ Ecos(pt + 0) I sinpXA'(X)dX (14)

The resolution of the total current into two terms, first the

steady state current as given by (13), and second the transient

distortion, as formulated by (14), is often of considerable

practical advantage. In fact in many practical problems we

are primarily concerned with the character and duration of the

transient distortion. It should be observed that the "transient

distortion" is formally defined by (14); it is the difference

between the actual total current and the final steady state

current.

Formula (13) gives the steady state current; this, of course,

is derivable by other and far simpler methods so that (13)

would, in practise, never be used to evaluate the steady state

current. However, when equated with the usual steady state

formulas, it furnishes an excellent check on the correctness of

the theory and formulas, and also a means of evaluating some

very complicated infinite integrals, the latter property being

of very considerable mathematical interest.

Formula (13) also enables us to express the indicial admit-

tance of the system in terms of its steady state admittance as

follows. If the applied voltage is E sin (p t + 6) and^if

the expression for the steady state current is by the usual

methods

/ = a (p) . sin (p t + 6) + /3 (p) • cos (p t + 0)

But this is equivalent to (13); hence equating the sine and

cosine terms,

a (p) = A (0) + I cos p X A' (X) d X

rOO

ship XA' (X)d X

416 CARSON: TRANSIENT OSCILLATIONS [Feb. 21

o (p) and /3 (p) are, of course, the real and imaginary compon-

ents of the steady state admittances. The first of these equa-

tions can be solved giving

A (0 = A (0) + 4- ( ( a (p} -A (0) ) smlty; dp

2 f°°

~ I («<*)-

A very simple example must suffice for the present to illus-

trate the foregoing theory. Let the system consist of an

inductance L in series with a resistance R. Then, by the

expansion theorem,

- —

A (0 = -^- (l-i L )

A'(0=4-e^'

Substituting in (12), the current is given by

I = -y- sin (p t + 6) \ e L cos p \ d \

which integrates to

Jl _ K

<~T

J' _ R

'"*

cos (p t + 0) • I e sin p A d X

7=

(PL)

t R, { R sin (p / + 6) - p L cos (p t + 0)

EfL

2 \p_Lcos6- Rsmd

(p L)2 +

Here the first term is the steady state and the second term

the transient distortion which is exponentially damped, so

that the two components — steady state and transient distor-

tion — are automatically separated by the process of integration.

Still limiting our consideration to sinusoidal voltages, the

reader may have remarked that we can get the formal solution

for the current directly from (2) by making p a pure imaginary

and thus dispense with the definite integrals of formula (12)

altogether. When the number of degrees of freedom of the

system is small, and when the roots of the determinantal,equa-

tion Z (p) = 0 are easily located, the direct evaluation of for-

1919] CARSON: TRANSIENT OSCILLATIONS 417

mula (2) is indicated; in the great majority of problems, how-

ever, we shall find that the employment of the definite integral

formula (12) effects a great saving of labor, and that, in fact,

the solution obtained directly from (2) does not admit, practi-

cally speaking, of either interpretation or computation. With-

out going into details, the chief reasons for this are briefly as

follows:

1. The direct evaluation of the current from formula (2)

requires that the indicial admittance be expressed as a sum of

characteristic oscillations or vibrations, a form of solution

which is not only usually to be avoided for practical reasons

but which in a great many problems cannot be obtained.

2. The definite integrals of formula (12) admit of mechanical

integration when the indicial admittance is known. On this fact

rests the practical, as distinguished from the purely theoretical,

value of the formula.

In order to explain the mechanical evaluation or integration

of the integrals appearing in (12), we remark that they are of

precisely the same form as the harmonic components of a

Fourier series, differing therefrom only in that no periodicity

on the part of A (t) is either assumed or implied and in that the

upper limit of integration is variable. The suggestion to

employ a harmonic analyser is immediate and obvious, and

upon investigation it was found that a Coradi harmonic

analyser of the rolling sphere type was adapted to evaluate

directly the integral terms of (12) when A (I) is known.

The analyser is applied to the problem of mechanical integra-

tion and operates as follows: Having plotted A (/) to-a suita-

able time scale (depending on the frequency p/2ir which is

specified, and the geometrical dimensions of the machine), the

curve is traced with the pointer of the analyser, precisely as we

trace a curve with an integraph or planimeter. As we trace

this curve the recording mechanism of the analyser gives

directly the progressive values, corresponding to any particular

value of t, of the integrals

J"

jr

cosp XA'(X)d X

sin p X A' (X) d X

418 CARSON: TRANSIENT OSCILLATIONS [Feb. 21

the value of p depending on the time scale to which A (t) is

plotted. But these are precisely the integrals we require to

evaluate formula (12), and the analyser therefore furnishes the

means for the mechanical solution of our problem in a simple

direct manner with a minimum of labor. The analyser em-

ployed by the writer has three separate harmonic rollers so

that formula (12) can be evaluated for three different frequen-

cies simultaneously.

I do not wish to give the impression that the labor of com-

putation is reduced to a negligible quantity, for it is still

considerable by reason of the very nature of the problem.

This follows from the fact that we require, not a single numeri-

cal value of / for a particular value of t, as is the case for steady

state conditions, but a complete history of the current, as a

function of time, from its start up to its steady state value.

What I do claim, however, is that the labor is by no means

prohibitive and that mechanical integration as described above,

furnishes a thoroughly practicable, if not the only practicable

means of numerical solution.*

II. The Determination of the Indicial Admittance A (I)

By virtue of formulas (11) and (12), derived and discussed in

the preceding section, our problem is reduced to a determina-

tion of the indicial admittance A (£). In other words, our

problem is now restricted to the formulation of the current

flowing in any part of the electrical system or network in

response to a unit d-c. voltage (zero before, unity t = 0)

applied to the system. To the solution of this problem Heavi-

side devoted the greater part of the first two volumes of his

"Electromagnetic Theory" and no student of this subject can

fail to express the greatest admiration for his researches, an

acquaintance with which is indeed essential to any investiga-

tion of the problem. While new problems have presented

themselves, the study of which has resulted in new methods

and original solutions, Heaviside was the first to treat the

problem comprehensively and to insist on solutions which

admitted of physical and numerical interpretation, as distin-

guished from merely formal mathematical expressions which

conceal the real nature of the solution as effectually as do the

original differential equations of the problem. Furthermore,

his expansion theorem alone is a powerful instrument and

•See Note 1 at end of paper.

1919] CARSON: TRANSIENT OSCILLATIONS 419

forms the basis, not only for the special methods of solution

developed in this section but also for the transmission line

formulas derived in the succeeding sections:

The formal solution of our problem, the determination of

the indicial admittance A (t) is furnished by the expansion

theorem (3):

A (<) = -zw + *m p-^nkr

For systems or networks which have a relatively small number

of degrees of freedom, and the roots of whose determinantal

equation Z (p) = 0 admit of evaluation, formula (3) furnishes

the working or practical as well as the formal solution. In the

great majority of problems, however, the expansion theorem,

as it stands, is of restricted utility as a working solution for

several reasons, the chief of which are that it requires the

location of the roots of Z (p) and that it involves a prohibitive

amount of labor for computation when the number of degrees

of freedom is large. On the basis of the expansion theorem we

therefore proceed to develop derived methods of solution.

1. The Power Series Solution. The solution for A (0 can

always be written down in the form of a power series in the

variable t (time) without evaluating the roots of the deter-

minantal equation Z (p) = 0, provided the function „ . .

admits of asymptotic expansion* in the variable p. To prove

this theorem and derive the power series solution we proceed as

follows:

Return to formula (3) and expand the exponential functions

in the usual power series. Since this expansion is absolutely

convergent, the resultant expansion is absolutely convergent.

Making use of the relation (5), formula (3) then becomes,

I t 1 « *

A (f\ = __ i . y = u

•"• W V / _ \ I 1 I -fcJ VI f~. \ '

ii

Z'(pm) 21 - Z'(pm]

n— 1

__

n ! Z' (p.)

Now take equation (4) and write it as

Z(p) Z(») p^Z'(pm)

.'

- _P=_\

p)

•See Note 2.
420 CARSON: TRANSIENT OSCILLATIONS [Feb. 21

Expanding the second factor of the summation by the binomial

theorem, and arranging in inverse powers of p, we get,

1.

+15

,1

pm

!Pl

Z(co)

J Z' (p«)

2 L Z'(pm)

Pn— 1

_L .

"V

-I-

Z (p)

Comparing these two expansions we see at once that the

t"

coefficient of —p in the former is identical with the coefficient

of —— in the latter. Furthermore, the latter is nothing more

than the asymptotic expansion of „ , . We therefore arrive

•^ (P)

at the following rule:

Expand the function ~ . asymptotically in the form

z, (p)

~Zlp} J = 2* -pT

Then the indicial admittance is given by

A (0 = £ * ak-£j

is gotten from the asymptotic expansion by replacing

n\

Those familiar with Heaviside's Electromagnetic Theory

Vol. II, will recognize in the foregoing expansion the equivalent

of his operational solution. Heaviside himself refrained from

giving any justification of the solution beyond the. pragmatic

one that "it works," and so far as I am aware, the above fur-

nishes the first formal proof of its correctness.

As regards the practical value of the power series expansion

as a working solution, its utility is rather restricted (except

when the expansion can be identified with known functions) by

reason of the slow convergence of the series. A second disad-

1919] CARSON: TRANSIENT OSCILLATIONS 421

vantage lies in the fact that the asymptotic expansions are

usually difficult to obtain and of complicated form. Finally,

it should be remarked that while „ , . always admits of

Z (P)

asymptotic expansion for networks having a finite number of

degrees of freedom, the asymptotic expansion of „ . . for

transmission lines, where the number of degrees of freedom is

infinite and trancendental functions are involved, is impossible.

The method is, however, of very great mathematical interest,

and,is useful in computing A (t) for small values of t.

We cannot at present take up the more developed series

solutions of Heaviside where fractional powers of t appear.

These solutions are of great methematical interest and will be

referred to later in connection with the treatment of transmis-

sion line problems. It may be remarked, however, in passing,

that their chief application is in connection with the non-

inductive cable which is of minor practical importance and

whose solution is otherwise derived in Section IV.

2. The Solution from Fourier's Integral.* It is always

possible to express the current as a Fourier integral of the

following form:

where / (0 is the impressed voltage and Z (p) is the impedance

function. It can be shown that this double integral is capable

of reduction to the expansion theorem solution or the power

series solution (for either integral or fractional powers of f),

and it thus furnishes a check on these fundamental formulas.

3. The Synthetic Method. In many problems which do not

admit of a working solution by direct methods of attack, the

solution can be built up from the solutions for the component

parts of the system under consideration by a method recently

developed and employed by the writer. A notable example

of the type of problem to which the method is applicable is

furnished by the transmission line. Here, as we shall show

later, the solution can be gotten for a line of any length if the

voltage is applied directly to one end of the line and the other

•See Note 3.
422 CARSON: TRANSIENT OSCILLATIONS [Feb. 21

end is short-circuited. When, however, the voltage is applied

through terminal apparatus, and the other end is closed through

terminal apparatus, or when apparatus is inserted at any point

along the line, the solution by direct frontal attack is impos-

sible. The effects of such terminal or intermediate apparatus

can be solved for, both formally and numerically, by the syn-

thetic method which promises to be an instrument of value in

the solution of practically important problems. Again the

system may be a "compound" system or network which is

made up of two separate networks, coupled or connected in

any specified manner. This method furnishes us a means for

determining the indicial admittances of the compound system

in terms of the indicial admittances (assumed known) of the

component networks, when direct methods are incapable of

yielding a solution. A particular problem of this character is

the determination of the modifying effects of inserting addi-

tional impedance elements in a network.

The method, as the name implies, is synthetic and physical

in character, and the formulas are indeed based on physical

reasoning rather than on mathematical analysis. From the

mathematical standpoint, however, the method is of interest

in that it applies the theory of integral equations* to the tran-

sient problem.

Briefly stated, the principle underlying the method consists

in building up the solution for a network or system from the

known solutions for its component parts. We now proceed to

a discussion of the theory and a derivation of the formulas.

To make the application as general as possible we shall

assume that we have two networks or systems, and we shall

further assume that the indicial admittances of each are known.

Our problem is to determine the indicial admittances (and

hence the complete behavior and characteristics) of the com-

pound network or system which is formed by connecting the

two given systems in any specified manner. A sufficiently

general manner of connecting the two networks is to open any

mesh or branch of one network and any mesh or branch of the

other network, and to connect the corresponding open ter-

minals of the two networks, thus forming a compound network.

This manner of coupling is illustrated schematically in the

accompanying sketches.

*See Note 4.
1919J

42:5

CARSON: TRANSIENT OSCILLATIONS

Mesh

Network

No. 1

Mesh

Mesh

Network

No. 2

Mesh

Mesh

Network

No. 1

Mesh T Mesh

Network

No. 2

Mesh

.N

r.i.S

To proceed with the theory, let network No. 1 consist of

m meshes or branches, numbered from 1 to ra, and let network

No. 2 consist of n meshes or branches, numbered from / to N.

Let the indicial admittances of No. 1 be denoted by aik (0 (the

subscripts depending, of course, on the meshes with which we

are concerned) and those of No. 2 by bJK (t). Now to couple

these networks open any mesh, say the rlh of No. 1, and any

mesh, say the Sth of No. 2, and connect the open terminals of

mesh r to open terminals of mesh S. The two networks are

thus connected together through their rth and S"1 meshes

respectively and form a compound system. We require the

indicial admittances of the compound system in terms of the

known indicial admittances of the two component networks.

To formulate the required admittances, assume, as usual, a

unit e.m.f. inserted at time t = 0 in any mesh of the compound

system, say the 1st mesh of network No. 1; then by definition

the current flowing in mesh j of network No. 1 is A y (t) and the

corresponding current flowing in mesh J of network No. 2 is

A,, (0.

Now an unknown voltage V (t) exists across the common

terminals which connect the two networks; hence the current

flowing in any mesh of network No. 1 is the same as that which

would flow if the network were isolated and actuated by a unit

e.m.f. inserted in mesh 1 and an e.m.f. — V (t) in mesh r.

Hence by reference to formula (11)

Alr (0 = olr (t) -

dt

V (X) a,T (t - X) d X

By precisely the same physical reasoning we get

V(\).bss(t- X)dX

-4-fi

dt \
424 CARSON: TRANSIENT OSCILLATIONS [Feb. 21

since network No. 2, regarded as isolated, is subject only to the

impressed voltage V (t) in mesh S.

But owing to the connections of the two networks, the cur-

rents corresponding to equations (a) and (b) are necessarily

equal, whence:

A i, (0 = A )5 (0 , and

Xlr

dt

V (\) [arr (t - \) + bss (t-\)] d\ = alr (t) (c)

Now this is an integral equation in the unknown voltage

V (t) and is reducible to the canonical form

V(0 -/(*)+ I V(\)u(t-\)d\ (d)

where / (t) and u (t) are known functions.

The formal mathematical solution of this integral equation

can be written down, by the method of successive substitutions,

in the form of an absolutely convergent series. Furthermore,

without solving the integral equations, we can immediately

derive the power series solution (in case a power series solution

in integral powers of t exists) by repeated differentiations of

equation (d). When the power series solution involves

fractional powers of t, this fact is at once evident from the

form of the known functions appearing in (d), and the correct

series solution can be derived from the integral equation as it

stands. Having solved in some such manner for V (I) the

required indicial admittances are gotten from equations (a)

and (b) by a single quadrature.

The practical value of this method of solution, as distin-

guished from its purely theoretical and mathematical interest,

lies in the possibility of the numerical integration of the inte-

gral equations in cases where the formal and power series

solutions are impracticable from the standpoint of interpreta-

tion or computation. The numerical integration works out

well in practise, it may be made as accurate as we please, and

gives the required numerical solution directly and with a

minimum of labor. In practise, furthermore, the method is

not so complicated as might appear from the sketch of the

theory and often various short cuts are suggested by physical

considerations. It is also applicable to problems other than

that explicitly considered above; for example it yields B

relatively easy numerical solution of an important problem in

1919] CARSON: TRANSIENT OSCILLATIONS 425

telegraphy, namely, the required form of impressed voltage to

produce a prescribed form of arrival curve.

Space forbids further consideration of this method which the

writer hopes to treat in greater detail in a future paper, and I

must content myself with giving the simplest possible example

of the method. Let network No. 1 consist of a resistance R

and No. 2 of an inductance L so that the "compound" system

consists of a resistance R in series with an inductance L. The

indicial admittance of this system is, of course, known to be

This solution will now be verified by the method just discussed.

We have 1

&(«)=-£-*

Substitution in (c) gives

dt

Differentiating and rearranging

V (0 = 1 - -^- • 1 7 (X) d X

By the method of successive substitutions the solution of this

integral equation is:

3 /->t /i\ />X

- (-£-) • d X d X! d X2 + . . .

0 00

-_. ___ _

\ L ) 11 \ L ) 21

J«_

3!
426 CARSON: TRANSIENT OSCILLATIONS [Feb. 21

Hence

A (0 = -- (1 - V (0 )

which is the correct solution.

4. Special Methods for the Solution of Transmission Systems.

In treating the problem presented by the transmission system,

embracing, on the one hand, the transmission line having

continuously distributed constants, and on the other, the

artificial line whose constants are lumped or localized, and

including as intermediate between these two the periodically

loaded cable, we shall derive the basic solutions for the simplest

possible configuration, namely when the voltage is applied

directly to the line and the distant end is short circuited. It

will then be shown that the effect of terminal and intermediate

apparatus can be formulated and numerically computed from

the basic solution by aid of the synthetic method of treat-

ment just discussed. The solution for the line itself is therefore

fundamental.

Now limiting for the present our consideration to the line

which is short-circuited at one end, and excited by the direct

application of a voltage at the other end, the symbolic formula

is readily written down; its general form is well known to be

1 cosh 7 (s — x) t

K sinh (7 s)

This is the symbolic formula for the current at point a; of a line

which is short-circuited at x = s and is excited by a voltage

applied at x = 0. K and 7 are functions of the operator p,

and the line constants. (If we are dealing with an artificial

line s and x are to be interpreted as number of sections instead

of distance; the form of function is, however, the same in

both cases.)

Now for the smooth line (having continuously distributed

constants) and for the artificial line, the expansion theorem

solution can be written down without any trouble. As a

working or practical solution this is, however, of no utility as

it stands, owing to the fact that the number of terms in the

summation is infinite for the smooth line (and very large for
1919] CARSON: TRANSIENT OSCILLATIONS 427

long artificial lines) and the convergence very slow. Physically

this difficulty arises from the fact that the expansion theorem

solution formulates the current or indicial admittance, as a sum

of characteristic oscillations or vibrations, a formulation which

is mathematically correct but physically artificial. In reality

the current travels out in the form of a wave which is reflected

at the distant end, and which is independent of the distant

termination for a definite time. Each one of the modes of

characteristic oscillation involves, however, the character of

the distant termination. Investigation shows that if we deal

with the infinitely long line the sum of characteristic oscilla-

tions is converted into the direct wave which alone exists in

the infinitely long line, and that this wave is expressible in

terms of known functions.

To handle the case of the infinitely long line we set up the

expansion theorem solution for a line of length s and then let

s approach the limit infinity. As s approaches infinity, the

summation of the characteristic oscillations is converted into

a definite integral, which, for the practically important types

of lines considered in succeeding sections, admits of evaluation

in terms of known functions.

To now apply the solution for the infinitely long line to the

case of the line of finite length we remark that the current, say

0* ((), which exists at point x and time t of a line of infinite

length with unit d-c. voltage (zero before, unity after t = 0)

applied at x = 0, is the solution of the problem whose symbolic

formula or solution is

--

Now, take the formula given above, for the line of finite

length s, express the hyperbolic functions in their equivalent

exponential form, and expand; we get

-4- «~T;t + 2 -^- e->(2ms+*> +2 -L e->-<2»s-*>

A. A J\.

Now, by definition, 0* (t) is the solution for the first term; hence

the solution for the term, 1/K e~(2m5 +i), is

02m.+* (f)

which is gotten from 0* (t) (a function of x and t) by replacing x

with 2ms + x. Hence the solution for the short circuited

line of length s is simply

A, (0 - 0 (0 + s <t>tm,+* (0+20 ,„.._. (*) (15)

428 CARSON: TRANSIENT OSCILLATIONS [Fob. 21

The first term in the above is the direct wave (the only wave

which would exist if the line were infinitely long) the first

summation represents the series of waves reflected from the

sending end, and the second summation the series of waves

reflected from the other end of the line. The summations are

rapidly convergent, and the above furnishes the working

solution which we shall employ.

If, now a voltage Vi (t) is applied at x = 0, and a voltage

Vj (0 at x = s, the current Ix (t) at point a; is the aid of formula

(11):

i' (')--£- v, (t - X)

* (X) + 2m <t>tm,+z (X)

+ 2m <p2m,-z (X)

(16)

,f1

- -3*- I V| (*- X) 0._, (X) + 2m 0(2m+1).-x (X) I

*J1dX

i + &«,-l).+ * (X) ]

This is a formula of fundamental importance to the whole

theory of transmission systems. If the line is of great length

(large attenuation) and the applied voltages are alternating, the

reflected waves are negligible and we have the approximate

formula,

Vi (t - X) <t>x (X) d X '

/>(

dI

dt 1

t.

df

-or)

Vt (t - X) 0._» (X) d X

The driving point indicial admittance of the line is gotten

from (15) by setting s = 0; denoting it by A i (t) it is

A, (0 = <t>0 (t) +2 S« 0,.. (0 (16)

The transfer indicial admittance; i. e. the current at x = s

with line short-circuited at x = s, is gotten from (15) by setting

x = s. Denoting this function by A2 (t) it is:

As (0 = 2 2« 0(,_i). (0 " (16a)

i
1919] CARSON: TRANSIENT OSCILLATIONS 429

III. Solution for the Artificial Line

The artificial line is a periodic structure of the character

shown in the sketch herewith.

LR LR LR LR L R '

—'OOJO>—VW—I—TTOP—VW—i—'OW—VW 1—''WOO'*—VW—1—'«H»>—VW—i— I

£L £R L R L R

a«—TKT V—i—'TJSWT—VW—1—'0000'—VW—i—

Voltage applied to Line r_L75 r-L i

across terminals a b ° ° ~

bo

First Section Termination

LRL

n"1 Section Termination

Each section of the structure consists of an inductance L

and a resistance R in series with the line, and the parallel

combination of a capacity C and a leakage conductance G in

shunt across the line. The structure which we shall consider is

of n sections in length, and the voltage is applied at "mid-

series" position, and the nth section is short-circuited at mid-

series as shown in the sketches herewith. These terminations

are chosen not only because they simplify the analysis some-

what but because they are of practical importance.

A study of the transient properties of the artificial line is

important for several reasons:

1. The artificial line is often used as a model of an actual

transmission line and it is therefore of importance to determine

theoretically the degree of correspondence between the two.

2. The solution for the corresponding transmission line

with continuously distributed constants is derivable from the

solution for the artificial line by keeping the total inductance,

resistance, capacity and leakage constant or finite, and letting

the number of sections approach infinity.

3. The artificial line is very closely related, in its properties

and performance, to the periodically loaded cable, and its

solution is, to a first approximation, a working solution for the

loaded cable.
430 CARSON: TRANSIENT OSCILLATIONS [Feb. 21

4. The structure is of great importance in its own right and

is one form of "wave filter" employed in telephone systems.*

The starting point of the solution is the symbolic formula

for the current in the qth section of a line of n sections in length,

terminated as shown above; it is

ir L r\ cos (M — q) r ,._.

- \f, -> V) • gin (r) gin (B r) ( (U)

where

'-" VLC

KG

p = 2L + (17a)

RG

2T " 2~C

and

cos r - ! + I (P±^L (17b)

This formula may be deduced in a number of ways; perhaps

the simplest is a follows: Considering the gth section, write

down the circuital equation for the voltage drop around the

closed section; after replacing —j— by p we get (denoting the

circuital currents, in the (q — l)s<, qth and (q + l)st sections

by 7g_i, 7, and 7,+1 respectively);

CpG

Cp+G'

or

(P + P)2 - <r*

• 7a+1 = 0

Equation (18) is a difference equation relating the currents

in the three adjacent sections; in accordance, therefore, with

usual methods we assume a solution of the form

7, = A e"r + B £-•''• (19)

•See Note 5.
1919] CARSON: TRANSIENT OSCILLATIONS 431

where A and B are arbitrary constants and i Y is the exponen-

tial propagation factor which is to be determined. Substitu-

tion of (21) in (20) gives after simplification:

(A €'«r + B e-'«r) •

(p + p)2 - a* \ t* + e-fl

Clearly this equation is satisfied and furthermore leaves two

arbitrary constants A and B at our disposal to satisfy any

specified terminal conditions if we set

= Cos r = i -i- -

2 i-os i- l r -g vS

which agrees with (17b)

If A and B are now determined in accordance with the ter-

minal conditions illustrated above we get, without any trouble,

the symbolic formula (17) for the current in the qth section of

the structure.

Assuming now a unit d-c. voltage applied to the line at time

/ = 0, the current in the qtii section is by definition the indicial

admittance of the line and will be denoted by A, (t), the double

subscript being omitted for convenience; A, (t) is formulated

by applying the expansion theorem to the symbolic formula (17)

with the result that we get without any trouble

fPm<

«*»•« (20)

Cp,

, cos (q

rm)

•Pm-(

rm

rm

C-

cos

(?

rm)

' Pm ' (

rm

cos

Pm

(a

r.

C-

rm)

"•(

rm

Pm

r.

In equation (20) pm and rm are determined by the deter-

minantal equation

sin (n T) = 0

whence

r« = m ir/n TO = 0, 1, 2, . . . . n
432 CARSON: TRANSIENT OSCILLATIONS [Feb. 21

and

(P- + P)1 ~ <r* = / _ x

2t,2

It will be observed that (20) may be written

A. (t)~ -y - C- outer.) „„,

(21)

since the last two terms are, within a constant, the integral of

the first term. This effects a great simplification and reduces

our problem to a solution of the first summation of (20) or (21).

After some straightforward simplification and rearrangement

we get

! / w \ 0"*

l_cos (m— )- ^

Now in accordance with our previously discussed mode of

treatment let n approach infinity and set

= dX

if \

m=X

n
1919] CARSON: TRANSIENT OSCILLATIONS 433

In the limit the summation passes into the definite integral and

we get:

-pt I _ _

JV,

TT L, I A / ffi

«/ V 1 - cos X - ^5-

• sin ( y/2v t V1 - cos X - ^)-d\

If we now write for convenience

P/2v= i)

v/2v= f

2t>*= pe<= z (22)

and observe that

1 — cos X = 2 sin2

we get finally, after a suitable change in the variable and limits

of integration,

/2

cos <2 1 X)

• — f

^J

V sin2 X - f*

sin (z • \/sin2 X - f2) • d X (23)

and =

A, (0 = F (z) + (, - r) J F (2l) • d Zl (24)

where now A8 (t) is equal to the current in the gth section of an

infinitely long line instead of the line of finite length with which

we started. It will be observed that the integral term of (24)

vanishes if the leakage conductance G is put equal to zero and

that within a constant it is merely the progressive integral of

the first term. For both the artificial line and the smooth line

the effect of leakage is to introduce an integral term of this

character. This integral term is readily evaluated by mechanical

integration as soon as the first term of the formula is derived.

Returning to equation (23) we observe that

T/2

I * cos (2 q X)

= sin (z • V sin2 X - f2) • d X

V sin2 X - f2

I T/2

/d Zi f cos (2 q X) • cos (z • Vsin2 X-f2) • d X

o
434 CARSON: TRANSIENT OSCILLATIONS [Feb. 21

=V'

whence F (z) = V -- e * («i) • d z, (25)

f*

where $ (zO = - I cos (2 g X) • cos (zi V sin2 X — f2)- d X

T S7

(26)

Our problem is thus reduced to the solution of the definite

integral of (26)

The key to the solution of this integral is furnished by the

known value of the definite integral:

2 r"2

~ (cos (2 q X) • cos (z • sin X) • d X = Jtg (z) (27)

"V

where J2, (z) is the Bessel function* of the first kind of order

2 q and the argument z. To make use of this known function

in solving (26) we proceed as follows: Expand the second

cosine function appearing in (26) in the usual power series.

We get

2 rw/*

* (zO = -=— \ d X • cos (2 q X) •

T oj

expanding (sin2 X — f2)m by the binomial theorem and arranging

in powers of f2 this becomes:

9 C*'2

<1> (zO = I d X • cos (2 q X)

2m

2" X

'

__

(2m) ! '

z 2m +2

S (- D» (m + D /o ' ,9x , sin2" X

(2 m + 2) !

(- D" 0» + D (m + 2) , sin2- X

*See Note 6.
1919] CARSON: TRANSIENT OSCILLATIONS 435

f2 f4

— ^o \2-i) i —i—r~ *PI (-^i) T o i ^2 (^i) ~r . . .

II u I

+ -^T ^»(Zl) • (29)

where

/*

^» (21) = I d X • cos (2 g X)

T5

2m (— l)m (m + 1) .. . (m + n)

(2

We observe that

Sl

vo (22)

and

«i

J <P«-l (22)

2 r'

<po (zO = - j cos (2 q X) . cos (zi . sin X) . d X

= Jtq ( Zl)

Hence (28) may be written:

* ( Zi) = <p<> ( zO

---

.d

f6 z> r z^ ^ r z» A

"ST ~2~J "2~dz**J T"**1'

00

J <p0 (z«) • d zt + . . . . (30)

Reversing the order of the multiple integrals appearing in

(30) we get, after repeated integration and simplification, as

the expression for F ( z) of equation (25)

430

CARSON: TRANSIENT OSCILLATIONS [Feb. 21

F(Z) - v-y-

d Zi • J2« (

1+

r2(z2- z.2)

22

r(z'- gf)1

22.48

f'(z2- z.2)

22 • 42 • 62

(31)

The series appearing in the above is the expansion of the

known function 70 (f V z2 — z,2) which is the Bessel function

of order zero and pure imaginary argument if V z2 — Z!2 (the

function itself is entirely real since even powers alone are

present). Hence,

F ( z) =

f* J*

< z,) • /„ (f

z,

and finally, by reference to (24), the final solution for A, (t) is

A9 (0 =

z,2)-d z,

+ (i - f) • / d 21

o (f V «i2 ~

(32)

This is the complete solution for the current in the gth

section of an artificial line of infinite length when a unit voltage

is applied to the line at time t=Q. The second term of (32)

is merely the integral of the first term multiplied by (ij — f),

and for that reason offers no difficulties in the way of computa-

tion. The first term is expressed in terms of Bessel functions

whose properties are known and which can be computed.

Plots of A „ (t) from equation (32) are shown later in this
1919] CARSON: TRANSIENT OSCILLATIONS 437

paper when a discussion of the formulas and their physical

significance is taken up.

Formula (32) is quite general in that all four line constants

(R. L. C. G.) are finite and unrestricted in value. Certain

particular cases corresponding to particular values of or

relations among the line constants are of interest and import-

ance.

1. If the leakage conductance G = 0, then, by reference to

formulas (17) and (22), 17 = f and (32) reduces to

Af(0= -j- «* f JH(ZI') •!<>(!; V*- *i2) • d z,

(33)

which is the solution for the leakageless line (G = 0)

2. If -j- = -~ , f = 0, (32) reduces to

. A, (1) = V -- e • J» ( zO • d z, (34)

which is the solution for the quasi-distortionless line. This

name is, of course, suggested and justified by the fact that the

corresponding smooth line (constants continuously distributed),

7? C*

when so proportioned that — j — = — ^- , is exactly distortion-

less. We shall see later that the quasi-distortionless line,

while not strictly distortionless, is characterized by a minimum

of distorting action.

(3) If the line is non-dissipative R = G = 0, and (32)

reduces to:

f Jtt

A, (0 = V -- Jtt ( z,) . d z, (35)

which is the solution for the non-dissipative artificial line made

up of pure inductance and capacity only. This solution

applies also to the non-dissipative loaded cable*

*See Note 7.
438 CARSON: TRANSIENT OSCILLATIONS [Feb. 21

(4) If L = G = 0, the solution reduces, to:

——

RC

(36)

(2 t \

„ „ j is the

Bessels function of order q and pure imaginary argument

2t

-p-~ • This solution is derivable from (33) by letting L

approach zero as a limit; as a matter of fact, however, it was

derived directly from the expansion theorem solution. The

detailed solution is omitted, however, as involving nothing of

special interest.

Before entering into a discussion of these formulas and an

exposition of their nature and properties we shall first take up

the problem of the smooth (continuously loaded) line and

derive the solutions for both current and voltage.

IV. Solution for the Smooth or Continuously Loaded

Line

The artificial line whose solution was derived in the preceding

section becomes, in the limit, the corresponding smooth or

continuously loaded line, if we keep the total value of the line

constants finite and constant and let the number of sections

approach infinity as a limit. Hence the solution for the

smooth line is derivable by purely mathematical processes

from the solution given by formula (32) for the artificial line.

In this section we shall, however, derive the solution directly

by aid of the expansion theorem. We shall find that the pro-

cess of evaluation is precisely analagous, step by step, to that

employed in the preceding section.

The symbolic formula for the current Ix at point x of a line

of length s, short-circuited at x — s, is well known to be

T = \/ Cp +G~ cosh 7 (s - x>

Lp + R sinh (7 s)

- (C p + G) • C°Sh ?<' - a> e" (37)

7 • sinh ( 7 s)

where R, L, C, and G are the values per unit length of the

continuously distributed line constants and

7 = V{
1919] CARSON: TRANSIENT OSCILLATIONS 439

we write

2L ' 2C

RG

08)

2L 2C

whence

»

7 = -y- V(P + P)2-^ (39)

Writing down the expansion theorem solution of (36) in

accordance with formula (3) we get, after some easy simplifica-

tions,

(40)

A* (t) is, of course, the value of the current at point x and time

t when a unit d-c. voltage is applied to the line at x = 0 and

t = 0. We observe that the second term of (40) (which

vanishes with the leakage), is merely the progressive integral

of the first term, so that our problem is to evaluate the expan-

sion formulated by the first term. pm and 7,,, are given by

the determinantal equation

sinh (75)= 0

7 m = i m m = 0, 1, 2, . . . <*>

pm = - p ± i v

i v V ( m -^-J -- J
440 CARSON: TRANSIENT OSCILLATIONS [Feb. 21

For convenience we write

v t = y (41)

p/v= a

a/v = b

and let the length of the line s approach infinity. By processes

identical with those developed in the preceding section, the

summations in (40) are thereby converted into definite integrals

and we get without difficulty :

A, (0 = - - «*(**)• "i

2- f

TT )

- 6*

(42)

(a - b) Id

cos (x X) • sin (j/i V X2 — 62)

where now Ax (<) is equal to the current at point a; and time t of

the infinitely long line. Observe that the second term is the

progressive integral of the first.

We set

00

fc

cos (» X) - sin (y VW=W)~

L T VX2-b2

(43)

whence

A, (0 - F fo) + (a - 6) { F (1/0 • d Vl (44)

{ F (1/

and proceed with the evaluation of infinite integral factor of

F (y). We observe that

F (y) = -!j- e-» J * (» ,) - d * (45)

1919]

441

CARSON: TRANSIENT OSCILLATIONS

where

$ (1/0 = — f cos (a: X) • cos (yt V X8 - &2) • d X

' T if (46)

The key to the solution of this infinite integral is furnished

by the known value of the infinite integral

4-J"

which is a discontinuous function of value — 1 for y < o and

+ 1 for y > o.

Returning to (46) expand the second cosine function in the

usual power series, and precisely as in the preceding section,

subsequently expand (X2 — 62)m by the binomial theorem. We

get, after arranging in powers of b,

2c

^- J

X • cos (z.X)

21 _ 1 \m

V *'

y 2m \2«

(2m) !

(47)

-S(-

,2m+4

2)

which corresponds exactly with formula (28) of the preceding

section. By analysis precisely the same as that employed in

deriving (30), equation (47) is reducible to the form,

1!

b*

21

yi

J*

dyt

vi

(48)
442 CARSON: TRANSIENT OSCILLATIONS [Feb. 21

where

2 c °°

V (l/O = I cos (* ^) ' cos (#1 X) • d X

*X

cos (a; X) • sin (y, X) . ..

dyi TT J X

d,

Now the integral of (46) is by (48)

/'

TT

which sum up to

(**( )-d = r ()./ (6

J •(//,! C. ,/, ^ //,.

(50)

Now ^ (j/i) is a discontinuous function which is zero before,

unity after j/! = x. Hence the definite integral of (50) is

identically zero for values of the upper limit y < x, and its

total contribution is entirely concentrated at y\ = x.

Hence

i) • d 1/1 = 0 for y = v t < x

= 70 (6 \V - zl) for y >x (51)

1919] CARSON: TRANSIENT OSCILLATIONS 443

Hence by (44) and (45) our solution is:

A, (t) = 0 for y=vt<x

-^- • «-«» • 70 (b VV - a:2)

Li

+ (o - 6) J" V-£-€-«* • I0 (b vW - a:2) • d y,

for # > z (52)

which is the final solution.

In the foregoing solution, we have dealt with discontinuous

functions and doubtless some of the processes involved require

further examination and justification from a purely mathemat-

ical standpoint. The final solution is, however, quite correct,

and may be verified as the limit of formula (32); a solution to

whose derivation no exception can be taken.

Special cases of the general solution will now be considered.

If leakage is absent G = 0 and a = b whence

A, (t) = 0 for v t = y < x

~C

e-» • 70 (b Vy* - z2) for y > y (53)

for O^L

which is the solution for the leakageless line.* While the

general solution (52) is original, the special solution (53) was

previously derived by Heaviside by his operational method.

7? f

If — — = —r- ,6=0 and the solution reduces to

A* (0 =0 for y < x

= \/-£- e-« for y > x (54)

Lt

which is the solution for the distortionless line.

If R = G = 0, a = b = 0 and

A, (t) =0 for y < x

= V-%- for y > x (55)

LI

*See Note 8.
444 CARSON: TRANSIENT OSCILLATIONS [Feb. 21

which is the solution for the non-dissipative line.

In all cases the current is propagated with a true finite

Ix

velocity v = —. and is identically zero until / = .

V LC v

When we come to examine the solution for the artificial line we

shall see that there is no true velocity of propagation in an

exact sense, but that there is a virtual velocity —. just as

v Lt G

in the corresponding smooth line.

If L = 0, the solution is derivable from (52) by the method of

limits. It is

RCx*

(56)

RCx>

which is the solution for the leaky cable. Observe that here we

have no finite velocity of propagation owing to the absence of

inductance.

If the leakage G as well as the inductance L is zero, we get

V-

41

«— (57)

which is the Kelvin-Heaviside solution.

IV A. Solution for the Voltage Formulas for Smooth Line

Of almost equal importance and interest are the formulas

for the voltage existing at any point x and time t on a smooth

line of infinite length when a unit voltage is applied to the

line at x = 0 and t = 0. The corresponding formulas for the

artificial line are deducible from the current or indicial admit-

tance formulas, but they are of complicated form and their

consideration is omitted for the present.

We denote by VM (t) the voltage at point x and time t when

1919] CARSON: TRANSIENT OSCILLATIONS 445

a unit voltage is applied to the line at x = t= 0, and start

with the differential equation of the line,

c-4- v + GV= - d T

dx '

where V and I are perfectly general. This equation may be

integrated in the form:

If / (0 is the current due to unit d-c. voltage applied at x = t

= 0 it is of course Ax (t) as given by formula (52) and the

corresponding voltage is V* (t). Substituting Ax (X) as given

by (52) for 7 (X) in the integral and paving due regard to the

discontinuous character of A * (X) we get:

V* (0=0 for v t < x

e-a*> 1 1 (b VyS - z2)

- x" (58)

which is the required solution, Ii (b Vy* — a;2) is the Bes-

sel function of order unity and pure imaginary argument

i b Vy* — x2 tables of which exist and whose computation is

quite simple.

If leakage is absent, G = 0 and 6 = a in the above formula.

In this case the solution may be conveniently written,

V* (0 =0 for T < A

<59)

where A = ~-

If L = 0 but the other three line constants are finite, the

formula becomes, by approaching the limit L = 0,

RCx*

— dt, (60)

446 CARSON: TRANSIENT OSCILLATIONS [Feb. 21

which is reducible to the form

\/R C *'

*'

(61)

where a = Vfl G

These are the formulas for the leaky cable.

If finally both G and L are zero

X (62)

a formula which was first derived by Heaviside.

V. Approximate Solution for Loaded Cable

The loaded cable is defined as a non-inductive, leakageless

line (L = G = 0) with load coils of pure inductance L inserted

in series with the lines at periodic intervals. The exact solu-

tion for this structure has not yet been worked out, as it

presents a problem of enormous complexity incapable of

treatment by the direct methods employed in dealing with

the smooth and artificial lines in the preceding section of this

paper. The writer has applied a functional method of treat-

ment, involving integral equations, to the problem which gives

good promise of yielding a formal solution. This investigation

has, however, not been completed, and as yet gives little hope

of resulting in a practical working solution.

Fortunately, however, the close relationships obtaining

between the loaded cable and the corresponding smooth and

artificial lines has enabled me to arrive at a quasi-empirical

solution, which very closely represents the facts, although it

is not functionally exact.

To arrive at this solution, we remark that physically the

loaded cable, as defined above, is intermediate between the

corresponding smooth and artificial lines, and its solution must

to a certain extent share the properties of the known solu-

tions of the corresponding lines. More exactly, the required

solution must satisfy the following conditions:

1. It must be asymptotic to the solution of the correspond-

1919] CARSON: TRANSIENT OSCILLATIONS 447

ing smooth line as t approaches infinity. That is, it must

approach formula (53) and ultimately (57) as t approaches

infinity.

2. It must degenerate into formula (35) for the non-

dissipative artificial line as the distributed resistance of the

cable approaches zero.

3. It must degenerate into formula (57) for the smooth

cable as the load coil inductance L approaches zero.

4. It must degenerate into formula (53) for the smooth line

as the load coil inductance L and the distributed resistance R

and capacity C per section all approach zero while the number

of sections approach infinity.

5. It must give the correct virtual velocity of propagation

of the structure and correctly formulate the steady state

characteristics in accordance with formula (13).

Such a function is the following:

) - d X (63)

Where in accordance with previous notation

R i 1 j A R q_ A/ C '

,,,

p= -,^-and .- ^= and A=

This is the required quasi-empirical formula for the current

in the qlk section or load coil of a loaded cable in response to a

unit d-c. voltage applied at mid-load position at time t = 0.

R, C, and L, are the constants per section of the structure. The

first two being distributed and the last concentrated in the load

coil. For values of R. L. and C. encountered in practice:

formula (62) may be replaced by

2 Hi

- e-" - 70 (V(pflr-A») • e" • f J2e (X) • d X

(64)

The symbol h which disappears in the first four limiting

cases listed above, is a numeric. When assigned the value J^,

448 CARSON: TRANSIENT OSCILLATIONS [Feb. 21

formula (62) gives the steady state characteristics with a good

degree of approximation.

The foregoing formulas, while not functionally exact, and

which are indeed, empirical, represent the phenomena with

sufficient exactness for engineering purposes and have been

verified as closely as could be expected by oscillographic tests.

The physical character of the solution will be discussed and

illustrated by curves in the succeeding section.

VI. Numerical Solution of Formulas and Discussion of

Curves

- By virtue of the mathematical analysis of the preceding

sections we are now in possession of a fairly systematic formu-

lation of the general problem, and in particular of the formulas

which determine the progress and distortion of electric waves

in transmission systems. While the phenomena are reduced

to their simplest possible formulation they are still so complex

and the line constants are involved in such a complicated

manner that an understanding of the inner meaning of the

solutions requires that analysis be superseded at this stage by a

systematic and comprehensive program of computation and

study of the resulting numerical solutions, when plotted in the

form of curves. Such a systematic study is beyond the scope

of the present paper and would indeed occupy a whole treatise

in itself. We shall, however, exhibit a representative series of

numerical solutions in the form of curves, and briefly discuss

the physical character of the phenomena which they represent.

Restricting attention to the line formulas 32-64, their

evaluation depends on the numerical computation of Bessel

functions and the integration of definite integrals. The latter

operation presents no difficulties and the integrations are

easily and accurately effected, once the integrands are com-

puted and plotted as time functions, by means of a Coradi

integraph which traces the progressive values of the integrals.

Fortunately, also, the Bessel functions, which are of such great

importance in so many branches of mathematical physics, have

been the subject of exhaustive study and tabulation. While

no tabulations exist for the high orders of functions which we

require, their computation is effected without any serious

difficulty from the asymptotic formulas of Nicholson.

We shall first consider the artificial line formulas (32-36) and

since one of the prime objects of our investigation is an examina-

1919]

449

CARSON: TRANSIENT OSCILLATIONS

tion of the correspondence existing between the artificial and

smooth line, the corresponding functions for the smooth line

are plotted to the same scale on the same sheet. We shall

have frequent occasion in discussing the artificial and the

periodically loaded lines to refer to the "corresponding smooth

line," which we define as the line having continuously distri-

buted constants of the same aggregate value as the lumped

constants of the artificial line. Thus if R, L, C, G, denote the

constants per section of the artificial or periodically loaded line

and the current in the gth section is under consideration, the

10 20 30

VALUES OF 2 vt

FIG. 1—[COMPUTED FROM FORMULA (35)] CURRENT ENTERING LOADED

CABLE

Non-dissipative: R — G =0. Multiply ordinates by V C/L

corresponding smooth line has constants R, L, C, G per unit

length and the current at point x = q is the corresponding

current.

Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4 are graphs of formula (35) for </ = 0, 200,

1000 and 2000 respectively and thus represent the current in

the initial, the 100th, the 500th and the 1000th sections of the

non-dissipative artificial line or periodically loaded cable. It

will be understood that the line is infinitely long and that a

unit d-c. voltage applied to the line at mid-load position and

at time t = 0 is assumed. A study of the non-dissipative line,

which of course is ideal and unrealizable, is nevertheless of

450

CARSON: TRANSIENT OSCILLATIONS [Feb. 21

practical importance because in this type of line the effect of

the discontinuous loading of the periodically loaded cable is

isolated and thereby exhibited in the clearest possible manner.

The dotted curves represent the current in the corresponding

smooth line as computed from formula (55). For the smooth

line, the current, as we see, is discontinuous, being identically

zero for a time v t = q and having an instantaneous jump to its

final value V —j- at v t = q. The current in the artificial

line differs from that in the corresponding smooth line in three

important respects; (1) the absence of the abrupt discontinuous

1.2

180 200 220

240

260 280, - 300

VALUES OF 2 vt

FIG. 2—[COMPUTED FROM FORMULA (35)] CURRENT IN lOOrn SECTION

OF ARTIFICIAL LINE _

Non-dissipative: R =C =0. Multiply ordinates by V c/L

wave front; (2) the presence of superposed oscillations and (3)

the absence of a true finite velocity of propagation. It will be

observed, however, that the current in any section is negligibly

small or even sensibly zero until v t = q, so that the current is

propagated with a virtual velocity — per section. The

v ±j G

presence of a well marked wave front is also evident although

this is not abrupt, as in the smooth line. The effective slope of

the wave front becomes smaller as the current wave travels out

on the line decreasing noticeably as the number of sections is

increased. When the number of sections becomes large,

1919]

451

CARSON: TRANSIENT OSCILLATIONS

however, the decrease in the slope is not rapid, being in the

500th section about 60 per cent of that in the 100th section.

The superposed oscillations are of interest. These are

initially of a frequency depending upon and decreasing with the

number of sections, q, but in all sections ultimately attaining

1v

the frequency . = which is the critical or cut-off

TT V L C *

frequency of the line, above which steady-state currents are

attenuated during transmission and below which they are

1.4

12

1.0

08

06

04

02

-4

"960 980

1000 1020 1040 1060 1080

VALUES'OF 2 vt

PIG. 3— [COMPUTED FROM FORMULA (35)] CURRENT IN SOOrn SECTION

OF ARTIFICIAL LINE

Non-dissipative: R =G =O. Multiply ordinates by V C/L

unattenuated. When v t is large compared with q the ampli-

tude of these oscillations becomes V -

irv

- so that they ulti-

mately die away and the current approaches the value V —j—

Lt

for all sections. The current in the loaded cable is thus asymp-

totic to the current in the corresponding smooth line and oscil-

lates about it with diminishing amplitude and increasing

frequency.

Since the abscissas of these curves represent values of

452

[Feb. 21

CARSON: TRANSIENT OSCILLATIONS

2vt =

VLC

t, and the ordinates are to be multiplied by

to translate into actual values, the curves are of

JU

universal application for all values of the constants L and C.

The additional effect of resistance in the artificial line is

exhibited in Figs. 5, 6 and 7 which are computed from formula

(33) for q = 100. They therefore represent the current in the

100th section of an artificial line without leakage for three

different values of R/L per section. The current functions

12

Ij

OB

O.b

04

O2

°1960 1980 2000 2020 2040 2060 2080 2100 .2120

VALUES OF 2 vt

Fia. 4—[COMPUTED FROM FORMULA (35)] CURRENT IN lOOOrn SECTION

OF ARTIFICIAL LINE

Non-dissipative: R=G-0. Multiply ordinates by V C/L

(or indicial admittances) for the corresponding smooth lines,

computed from formula (53) are plotted on the same sheet.

Curves 5, 6 and 7 correspond to values of

2.65, 5.29 and 14.75 respectively;

q is the

exponential attenuation factor and an examination of the curves

shows that, for the smooth line, the discontinuous wave front

is attenuated by this factor during transmission. For values of

/? A /

5— v

Q greater than two, the tail of the wave exceeds in

1919]

453

CARSON: TRANSIENT OSCILLATIONS

amplitude the head. For large values of

(see

curve 7) the head of the wave is insignificant compared with

the tail. It should be observed that curves 5, 6 and 7 are

plotted in a scale to exhibit the character of the wave in the

neighborhood of the head and do not show the way the tail

builds up to its maximum and ultimately dies away. The tail

of the wave builds up more and more slowly as -g- V —j— q

180 200 220 240 260 280 300 320 340 360 380

VALUES OF 2 vt

FIG. 5—[COMPUTED FROM FORMULA (33)] CURRENT IN lOOrn SECTION

OF ARTIFICIAL LINE

Line constants: R/2 V C/L =0.02646. Multiply ordinates by e-2-646 ^ C/L

G=0

is increased and ultimately dies away in accordance with the

Y*— RC ^

—rTT • € *

. This will be recognized as the non-

inductive cable formula (57) so that the line ultimately behaves

like the cable to d-c. impressed voltages. Its behavior to

alternating voltages is entirely different, however, as may be

inferred from the difference in the curves in the neighborhood of

the wave head.

As regards the artificial line curves, we see that, precisely as

in curves 1, 2, 3 and 4, they oscillate about the corresponding

454

CARSON: TRANSIENT OSCILLATIONS [Feb. 21

— 4—

180 200 220 240 260 280 300 320 340 360 380

VALUES OF 2 vt

Fio. 6—[COMPUTED FROM FORMULA (33)] CURRENT IN 100TH SECTION

OF ARTIFICIAL LINE

Line constants: R/2 ^C/L =0.05291. Multiply ordinatcs by «-5.201 V c/L

C-9

7-

970 990 1010 1030 1050 1070

VALUES OF 2 vt

Fio. 7—[COMPUTED FROM FORMULA (33)] CURRENT IN 500TH SECTION

OF ARTIFICIAL LINE

Line constants: R/2 V c/L =0.0295. Multiply ordinates by ,-14-75 V'c/L

G-0
1919]

455

CARSON: TRANSIENT OSCILLATIONS

smooth line curves and ultimately coalesce therewith. They

are distinguished, also, by the absence of the abrupt wave head

and the presence of the superposed oscillations. The same

virtual velocity per section . exists independently of the

vLC

resistance but the superposed oscillations diminish in relative

amplitude as -^- V —f- q is increased, as is clear from a

&ij

comparison of curves 5, 6 and 7.

14

•

f\

ft

,T

•»..,

"**i

-__

••"—

— -

...

^^

—— -

30

11

20

i<

>0

ao

20

VALUES OF 2 vt

FIG. 8—[COMPUTED FROM FORMULA (62)] CURRENT ENTERING LOADED

CABLE

Cable constants: R/2 V C7L =0.02646. Multiply ordinatcs by V C/L

C=0

Some typical loaded cable curves computed from formula

(63) are shown in Figs. 8, 9, 10 and 11. Curves 8 and 9 are

plots of the current entering the cable (corresponding to a unit

d-c. voltage impressed at mid-load position) for two different

values of

(0.01323 and 0.02646 respectively)

2L

while curves 10 and 11 show the current in the 100th load coil

for two different values of

q (2.65 and 5.291 res-

456

[Feb. 21

CARSON: TRANSIENT OSCILLATIONS

pectively). The corresponding smooth line current curves are

shown in dotted lines. The difference between the curves for

the loaded cable and the corresponding artificial line is quite

small except for fairly large values of —~— 'v —j— q (greater

& LI

than three) and consists in a slower damping out of the super-

posed oscillations. This is precisely the kind of effect we should

expect when we recall the fact that the attenuation of alternat-

1.4

0.8

II

i\

I/

i'i

• -,

l\

0.4

*v

~-.

-..

0.2

""

"••-.

— -

-_

•~.

—

"0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 201

VALUES 'OF 2 vt

FIG. 9—[COMPUTED FROM FORMULA (62)] CURRENT ENTERING LOAD

CABLE

Cable constants: R/2 V C/L =0.529. Multiply ordinates by

ing currents for large values of

q is much smaller

2L

in loaded cables than in artificial lines. At the same time it

must be remembered that the loaded cable under consideration

is ideal in that the loading coils are assumed as pure inductances

without resistance. In practise the resistance of the loading

coils would modify the current curves, which are actually (as

has been shown by oscillographic tests) intermediate in charac-

ter between the theoretical curves for the artificial line and the

ideal periodically loaded cable.

The effect of leakage in the artificial line (when so propor-

C* 7?

-7T- = —5—) is shown in Figs. 12 and 13

' Lt

as to make