Improving the response of an under-damped system

Abstract

An embodiment of a circuit for driving an under-damped system comprises first and second signal generators. The first generator is operable to generate a first drive signal. And the second generator is operable to receive the first drive signal and a second drive signal, and to generate from the first and second drive signals a system drive signal having a first amplitude for a first duration and having a second amplitude after the first duration, the system drive signal operable to cause the under-damped system to operate in a substantially damped manner. Either or both of the first and second generators may be programmable such that one may adjust the response of any under-damped system by generating an appropriate drive signal instead of by physically modifying the system itself. In another embodiment, an under-damped system is caused to oscillate at a damped frequency having a first phase, and is also caused to oscillate at substantially the damped frequency having a second phase such that the oscillation at the first phase substantially cancels the oscillation at the second phase. Such embodiments may allow one to realize a faster settling time without slowing down the response time of an under-damped system.