1a. The Unit Step Function (Heaviside Function)
In engineering applications, we frequently encounter functions whose values change abruptly at specified values of time t. One common example is when a voltage is switched on or off in an electrical circuit at a specified value of time t.
The value of t = 0 is usually taken as a convenient time to switch on or off the given voltage.
The switching process can be described mathematically by the function called the Unit Step Function (otherwise known as the Heaviside function after Oliver Heaviside).
The Unit Step Function
Definition: The unit step function, u(t), is defined as
That is, u is a function of time t, and u has value zero when time is negative (before we flip the switch); and value one when time is positive (from when we flip the switch).
Shifted Unit Step Function
In many circuits, waveforms are applied at specified intervals other than t = 0. Such a function may be described using the shifted (aka delayed) unit step function.
Definition of Shifted Unit Step Function:
A function which has value 0 up to the time t = a and thereafter has value 1, is written:
Example of Shifted Unit Step Function:
f(t) = u(t − 3)
The equation means f(t) has value of 0 when t < 3 and 1 when t > 3.
The sketch of the waveform is as follows:
Rectangular Pulse
A common situation in a circuit is for a voltage to be applied at a particular time (say t = a) and removed later, at t = b (say). Such a situation is written using unit step functions as:
V(t) = u(t − a) − u(t − b)
This voltage has strength 1, duration (b − a).
Example
The graph of V(t) = u(t − 1.2) − u(t − 3.8) is as follows. Here, the duration is 3.8 − 1.2 = 2.6.
EXERCISES
Need Graph Paper?
Write the following functions in terms of unit step function(s). Sketch each waveform.
(a) A 12-V source is switched on at t = 4 s.
(b) 
(Assume a > 0.)
(c) One cycle of a square wave, f(0) = 4, amplitude = 4, period = 2 seconds.
(d) The unit Ramp function (i.e. f(t) = t for t > 0)
(e) One cycle of a sawtooth waveform (i.e. 
for 0 < t < b. Assume a > 0.)
(f) 
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Archimedes left behind some amazing inventions and mathematical discoveries. In 1991, historians determined that a Medieval prayer book actually contains previously unknown writings by Archimedes....