The Unit Step Function

The Unit Step Function

One of the most common test inputs used is the unit step function,

    

The step models many types of inputs: a switch turning on a voltage at t=0; a step change in road surface (e.g., a curb); a sudden change in temperature... 

Note, an alternate definition of the step is:

For our purposes, either definition may be used.


References

© Copyright 2005 to 2019 Erik Cheever    This page may be freely used for educational purposes.

Erik Cheever       Department of Engineering         Swarthmore College