This book joins the multitude of Control Systems books now available, but is neither a textbook nor a monograph. Rather it may be described as a resource book or survey of the elements/essentials of feedback control systems. The material included is a result of my development, over a period of several years, of summaries written to supplement a number of standard textbooks for undergraduate and early post-graduate courses. Those notes, plus more work than I care right now to contemplate, are intended to be helpful both to students and to professional engineers. Too often, standard textbooks seem to overlook some of the engineering realities of (roughly) how much things cost or how big of hardware for computer programs for simple algorithms are, sensing and actuation, of special systems such as PLCs and PID controllers, of the engineering of real systems from coverage of SISO theories, and of the special characteristics of computers, their programming, and their potential interactions into systems. In particular, students with specializations other than control systems are not being exposed to the breadth of the considerations needed in control systems engineering, perhaps because it is assumed that they are always to be part of a multicourse sequence taken by specialists. The lectures given to introduce at least some of these aspects were more effective when supported by written material: hence, the need for my notes which preceded this book.

With collective behaviors playing a fundamental role in many scientific and technical disciplines, the book, after an overview on the background to systemics, introduces the concept of COLLECTIVE BEING as a Multiple System established by processes of emergence and self-organization of the same agents simultaneously or dynamically interacting in different ways. The general principles underlying this approach are grounded on the theoretical role of the observer. This extended view allows to model in a more suitable way complex systems, such as in physics, biology and economics. The Dynamical Usage of Models (DYSAM) is the related modelling methodology. This innovating approach is applied to artificial and natural systems equipped with cognitive systems, such as autonomous robots and social systems. The authors discuss in two different chapters both traditional (i.e. based on dynamical systems and dissipative structures) and non-traditional (i.e. based on theory of phase transitions, Synergetics and connectionistic models) models of emergence. The book also introduces an innovative methodology for detecting the establishment of processes of emergence based on changes of ergodicity.

After a theoretical introduction of the concepts, the authors discuss the application to social systems and cognitive systems. Applications to social systems deal with issues such as representing and distinguishing growth and development, sustainable development, ethics and its crucial role to induce and maintain emergence of social systems, virtual systems, knowledge management and organizational learning. Applications to cognitive systems deal with approaches going beyond computationalism, theories ofconsciousness and embodied cognition.

Two conclusive appendices on (1) Some systemic properties and (2) Some questions and answers about Systemics, help the reader to have a synthesized view of the book.

This book discusses stochastic dynamics of power systems and the related analytical methodology. It summarizes and categorizes the stochastic elements of power systems and develops a framework for research on stochastic dynamics of power systems. It also establishes a research model for stochastic dynamics of power systems and theoretically proves stochastic stability in power systems. Further, in addition to demonstrating the stochastic oscillation mechanism in power systems, it also proposes methods for quantitative analysis and stochastic optimum control in the field of stochastic dynamic security in power systems. This book is a valuable resource for researchers, scholars and engineers in the field of electrics.

In wntmg this monograph my aim has been to present a "geometric" approach to the structural synthesis of multivariable control systems that are linear, time-invariant and of finite dynamic order. The book is ad dressed to graduate students specializing in control, to engineering scientists involved in control systems research and development, and to mathemati cians interested in systems control theory. The label "geometric" in the title is applied for several reasons. First and obviously, the setting is linear state space and the mathematics chiefly linear algebra in abstract (geometric) style. The basic ideas are the familiar system concepts of controllability and observability, thought of as geometric prop erties of distinguished state subspaces. Indeed, the geometry was first brought in out of revulsion against the orgy of matrix manipulation which linear control theory mainly consisted of, around fifteen years ago. But secondly and of greater interest, the geometric setting rather quickly sug gested new methods of attacking synthesis which have proved to be intuitive and economical; they are also easily reduced to matrix arithmetic as soon as you want to compute. The essence of the "geometric" approach is just this: instead of looking directly for a feedback law (say u = Fx) which would solve your synthesis problem if a solution exists, first characterize solvability as a verifiable property of some constructible state subspace, say Y. Then, if all is well, you may calculate F from Y quite easily."

The World Wide Web is truly astounding. It has changed the way we interact, learn and innovate. It is the largest sociotechnical system humankind has created and is advancing at a pace that leaves most in awe. It is an unavoidable fact that the future of the world is now inextricably linked to the future of the Web. Almost every day it appears to change, to get better and increase its hold on us. For all this we are starting to see underlying stability emerge. The way that Web sites rank in terms of popularity, for example, appears to follow laws with which we are familiar. What is fascinating is that these laws were first discovered, not in fields like computer science or information technology, but in what we regard as more fundamental disciplines like biology, physics and mathematics. Consequently the Web, although synthetic at its surface, seems to be quite 'natural' deeper down, and one of the driving aims of the new field of Web Science is to discover how far down such 'naturalness' goes. If the Web is natural to its core, that raises some fundamental questions. It forces us, for example, to ask if the central properties of the Web might be more elemental than the truths we cling to from our understandings of the physical world. In essence, it demands that we question the very nature of information. Understanding Information and Computation is about such questions and one possible route to potentially mind-blowing answers.

Welcome to the proceedings of the Seventh International Conference of the UK Systems Society being held at York University, United Kingdom from July 7th to 10th, 2002. It is a pleasure to be able to share with you this collection ofpapers that have been contributed by systems thinkers from around the world. As with previous UKSS conferences, the aim ofthis conference is to encourage debate and promote development of pertinent issues in systems theory and practice. In current times where the focus has moved from 'information' to 'knowledge' and where 'knowledge management', of everyday speak, it seemed fitting to 'knowledge assets' and so on, have become part offer a conference title of'Systems Theory and Practice in the Knowledge Age'. In keeping with another tradition of previous conferences, the UKSS Conference 2002 Committee decided to compile a collection ofdelegates' papers before the event as a platform from which to launch discussions in York. Ideas presented in the following papers will, undoubtedly, be developed during the dialogue generated at the conference and new papers will emerge. In his abstract for his plenary at this conference, Professor Peter Checkland throws down the gauntlet to systems thinking and its relevance in the knowledge age with the following statement: "30 Years In The Systems Movement: Disappointments I Have Known and Hopes/or the Future Springing from a lunchtime conversation at an American University, the Systems Movement is now nearly 50 years old.

This book presents few novel Discrete-time Sliding Mode (DSM) protocols for leader-following consensus of Discrete Multi-Agent Systems (DMASs). The protocols intend to achieve the consensus in finite time steps and also tackle the corresponding uncertainties. Based on the communication graph topology of multi-agent systems, the protocols are divided into two groups, namely (i) Fixed graph topology and (ii) Switching graph topology. The coverage begins with the design of Discrete-time Sliding Mode (DSM) protocols using Gao's reaching law and power rate reaching law for the synchronization of linear DMASs by using the exchange of information between the agents and the leader to achieve a common goal. Then, in a subsequent chapter, analysis for no. of fixed-time steps required for the leader-following consensus is presented. The book also includes chapters on the design of Discrete-time Higher-order Sliding Mode (DHSM) protocols, Event-triggered DSM protocols for the leader-following consensus of DMASs. A chapter is also included on the design of DHSM protocols for leader-following consensus of heterogeneous DMASs. Special emphasis is given to the practical implementation of each proposed DSM protocol for achieving leader-following consensus of helicopter systems, flexible joint robotic arms, and rigid joint robotic arms. This book offers a ready reference guide for graduate students and researchers working in the areas of control, automation, and communication engineering, and in particular the cooperative control of multi-agent systems. It will also benefit professional engineers working to design and implement robust controllers for power systems, autonomous vehicles, military surveillance, smartgrids/microgrids, vehicle traffic management, robotic teams, and aerial robots.

Information Systems and Data Compression presents a uniform approach and methodology for designing intelligent information systems. A framework for information concepts is introduced for various types of information systems such as communication systems, information storage systems and systems for simplifying structured information. The book introduces several new concepts and presents a novel interpretation of a wide range of topics in communications, information storage, and information compression. Numerous illustrations for designing information systems for compression of digital data and images are used throughout the book.

Non-linear stochastic systems are at the center of many engineering disciplines and progress in theoretical research had led to a better understanding of non-linear phenomena. This book provides information on new fundamental results and their applications which are beginning to appear across the entire spectrum of mechanics. The outstanding points of these proceedings are Coherent compendium of the current state of modelling and analysis of non-linear stochastic systems from engineering, applied mathematics and physics point of view. Subject areas include: Multiscale phenomena, stability and bifurcations, control and estimation, computational methods and modelling. For the Engineering and Physics communities, this book will provide first-hand information on recent mathematical developments. The applied mathematics community will benefit from the modelling and information on various possible applications.

This book offers a new, theoretical approach to information dynamics, i.e., information processing in complex dynamical systems. The presentation establishes a consistent theoretical framework for the problem of discovering knowledge behind empirical, dynamical data and addresses applications in information processing and coding in dynamical systems. This will be an essential reference for those in neural computing, information theory, nonlinear dynamics and complex systems modeling.

Sir Francis Crick would undoubtedly be at the front of the line ordering this fascinating book. Being one of the discoverers of DNA, he would be amazed at how his work has been applied to mankind's most important invention, the computer. In this excellent text, the reader is given a comprehensive introduction to the field of DNA computing. The book emphasizes computational methods to tackle central problems of DNA computing, such as controlling living cells, building patterns, and generating nanomachines. It also includes laboratory-scale human-operated models of computation, as well as a description of the first experiment of DNA computation conducted by Adleman in 1994.

The advancement of technology in today's world has led to the progression of several professional fields. This includes the classroom, as teachers have begun using new technological strategies to increase student involvement and motivation. ICT innovation including virtual reality and blended learning methods has changed the scope of classroom environments across the globe; however, significant research is lacking in this area. ICTs and Innovation for Didactics of Social Sciences is a fundamental reference focused on didactics of social sciences and ICTs including issues related to innovation, resources, and strategies for teachers that can link to the transformation of social sciences teaching and learning as well as societal transformation. While highlighting topics such as blended learning, augmented reality, and virtual classrooms, this book is ideally designed for researchers, administrators, educators, practitioners, and students interested in understanding current relevant ICT resources and innovative strategies for the didactic of social sciences and didactic possibilities in relation to concrete conceptual contents, resolution of problems, planning, decision making, development of social skills, attention, and motivation promoting a necessary technological literacy.

Anyone seeking a gentle introduction to the methods of modern control theory and engineering, written at the level of a first-year graduate course, should consider this book seriously. It contains: A generous historical overview of automatic control, from Ancient Greece to the 1970s, when this discipline matured into an essential field for electrical, mechanical, aerospace, chemical, and biomedical engineers, as well as mathematicians, and more recently, computer scientists; A balanced presentation of the relevant theory: the main state-space methods for description, analysis, and design of linear control systems are derived, without overwhelming theoretical arguments; Over 250 solved and exercise problems for both continuous- and discrete-time systems, often including MATLAB simulations; and Appendixes on MATLAB, advanced matrix theory, and the history of mathematical tools such as differential calculus, transform methods, and linear algebra. Another noteworthy feature is the frequent use of an inverted pendulum on a cart to illustrate the most important concepts of automatic control, such as: Linearization and discretization; Stability, controllability, and observability; State feedback, controller design, and optimal control; and Observer design, reduced order observers, and Kalman filtering. Most of the problems are given with solutions or MATLAB simulations. All MATLAB programs from the book are available on the enclosed CD. Whether the book is used as a textbook or as a self-study guide, the knowledge gained from it will be an excellent platform for students and practising engineers to explore further the recent developments and applications of control theory.

'Et moi, ..., si j'avait su comment en revenir, One service mathematics has rendered the je n'y serais point alIe.' human race. It has put common sense back Jules Verne where it belongs, on the topmost shelf next to the dusty canister labelled 'discarded non The series is divergent; therefore we may be sense'. able to do something with it. Eric T. Bell O. Heaviside Mathematics is a tool for thought. A highly necessary tool in a world where both feedback and non linearities abound. Similarly, all kinds of parts of mathematics serve as tools for other parts and for other sciences. Applying a simple rewriting rule to the quote on the right above one finds such statements as: 'One service topology has rendered mathematical physics .. .'; 'One service logic has rendered com puter science .. .'; 'One service category theory has rendered mathematics .. .'. All arguably true. And all statements obtainable this way form part of the raison d'etre of this series."

The objective of this book is to bring together contributions by eminent researchers from industry and academia who specialize in the currently separate study and application of the key aspects of integration. The state of knowledge on integration and collaboration models and methods is reviewed, followed by an agenda for needed research that has been generated by the participants. The book is the result of a NATO Advanced Research Workshop on "Integration: Information and Collaboration Models" that took place at II Ciocco, Italy, during June 1993. Significant developments and research projects have been occurring internationally in a major effort to integrate increasingly complex systems. On one hand, advancements in computer technology and computing theories provide better, more timely, information. On of users and clients, and the the other hand, the geographic and organizational distribution proliferation of computers and communication, lead to an explosion of information and to the demand for integration. Two important examples of interest are computer integrated manufacturing and enterprises (CIM/E) and concurrent engineering (CE). CIM/E is the collection of computer technologies such as CNC, CAD, CAM. robotics and computer integrated engineering that integrate all the enterprise activities for competitiveness and timely response to changes. Concurrent engineering is the complete life-cycle approach to engineering of products. systems. and processes including customer requirements, design. planning. costing. service and recycling. In CIM/E and in CE, computer based information is the key to integration.

Beginning with realistic mathematical or verbal models of physical or biological phenomena, the author derives tractable mathematical models that are amenable to further mathematical analysis or to elucidating computer simulations. For the most part, derivations are based on perturbation methods. Because of this, the majority of the text is devoted to careful derivations of implicit function theorems, the method of averaging, and quasi-static state approximation methods. The duality between stability and perturbation is developed and used, relying heavily on the concept of stability under persistent disturbances. This explains why stability results developed for quite simple problems are often useful for more complicated, even chaotic, ones. Relevant topics about linear systems, nonlinear oscillations, and stability methods for difference, differential-delay, integro- differential and ordinary and partial differential equations are developed throughout the book. For the second edition, the author has restructured the chapters, placing special emphasis on introductory materials in Chapters 1 and 2 as distinct from presentation materials in Chapters 3 through 8. In addition, more material on bifurcations from the point of view of canonical models, sections on randomly perturbed systems, and several new computer simulations have been added.

This research text addresses the logical aspects of the visualization of information with papers especially commissioned for this book. The authors explore the logical properties of diagrams, charts, maps, and the like, and their use in problem solving and in teaching basic reasoning skills. As computers make visual presentations of information even more commonplace,it becomes increasingly important for the research community to develop an understanding of such tools.

As suggested by the title of this book, I will present a collection of coherently related applications and a theoretical development of a general systems theory. Hopefully, this book will invite all readers to sample an exciting and challenging (even fun ) piece of interdisciplinary research, that has characterized the scientific and technological achievements of the twentieth century. And, I hope that many of them will be motivated to do additional reading and to contribute to topics along the lines described in the following pages. Since the applications in this volume range through many scientific disciplines, from sociology to atomic physics, from Einstein's relativity theory to Dirac's quan tum mechanics, from optimization theory to unreasonable effectiveness of mathe matics to foundations of mathematical modeling, from general systems theory to Schwartz's distributions, special care has been given to write each application in a language appropriate to that field. That is, mathematical symbols and abstractions are used at different levels so that readers in various fields will find it possible to read. Also, because of the wide range of applications, each chapter has been written so that, in general, there is no need to reference a different chapter in order to understand a specific application. At the same time, if a reader has the desire to go through the entire book without skipping any chapter, it is strongly suggested to refer back to Chapters 2 and 3 as often as possible.

Researchers develop simulation models that emulate real-world situations. While these simulation models are simpler than the real situation, they are still quite complex and time consuming to develop. It is at this point that metamodeling can be used to help build a simulation study based on a complex model. A metamodel is a simpler, analytical model, auxiliary to the simulation model, which is used to better understand the more complex model, to test hypotheses about it, and provide a framework for improving the simulation study. The use of metamodels allows the researcher to work with a set of mathematical functions and analytical techniques to test simulations without the costly running and re-running of complex computer programs. In addition, metamodels have other advantages, and as a result they are being used in a variety of ways: model simplification, optimization, model interpretation, generalization to other models of similar systems, efficient sensitivity analysis, and the use of the metamodel's mathematical functions to answer questions about different variables within a simulation study.

"There are three words that characterize this work: thoroughness, completeness and clarity. The authors are congratulated for taking the time to write an excellent linear systems textbook! a ]The authors have used their mastery of the subject to produce a textbook that very effectively presents the theory of linear systems as it has evolved over the last thirty years. The result is a comprehensive, complete and clear exposition that serves as an excellent foundation for more advanced topics in system theory and control." a "IEEE Transactions on Automatic Control

"In assessing the present book as a potential textbook for our first graduate linear systems course, I find...[that] Antsaklis and Michel have contributed an expertly written and high quality textbook to the field and are to be congratulateda ]. Because of its mathematical sophistication and completeness the present book is highly recommended for use, both as a textbook as well as a reference." a "Automatica

Linear systems theory plays a broad and fundamental role in electrical, mechanical, chemical and aerospace engineering, communications, and signal processing. A thorough introduction to systems theory with emphasis on control is presented in this self-contained textbook.

The book examines the fundamental properties that govern the behavior of systems by developing their mathematical descriptions. Linear time-invariant, time-varying, continuous-time, and discrete-time systems are covered. Rigorous development of classic and contemporary topics in linear systems, as well as extensive coverage of stability and polynomial matrix/fractional representation, provide the necessary foundation for further study of systemsand control.

Linear Systems is written as a textbook for a challenging one-semester graduate course; a solutions manual is available to instructors upon adoption of the text. The booka (TM)s flexible coverage and self-contained presentation also make it an excellent reference guide or self-study manual.

*******

For a treatment of linear systems that focuses primarily on the time-invariant case using streamlined presentation of the material with less formal and more intuitive proofs, see the authorsa (TM) companion book entitled A Linear Systems Primer.

Information is precious. It reduces our uncertainty in making decisions. Knowledge about the outcome of an uncertain event gives the possessor an advantage. It changes the course of lives, nations, and history itself. Information is the food of Maxwell's demon. His power comes from know ing which particles are hot and which particles are cold. His existence was paradoxical to classical physics and only the realization that information too was a source of power led to his taming. Information has recently become a commodity, traded and sold like or ange juice or hog bellies. Colleges give degrees in information science and information management. Technology of the computer age has provided access to information in overwhelming quantity. Information has become something worth studying in its own right. The purpose of this volume is to introduce key developments and results in the area of generalized information theory, a theory that deals with uncertainty-based information within mathematical frameworks that are broader than classical set theory and probability theory. The volume is organized as follows."

This book aims at providing a view of the current trends in the development of research on Synthesis and Control of Discrete Event Systems. Papers col lected in this volume are based on a selection of talks given in June and July 2001 at two independent meetings: the Workshop on Synthesis of Concurrent Systems, held in Newcastle upon Tyne as a satellite event of ICATPN/ICACSD and organized by Ph. Darondeau and L. Lavagno, and the Symposium on the Supervisory Control of Discrete Event Systems (SCODES), held in Paris as a satellite event of CAV and organized by B. Caillaud and X. Xie. Synthesis is a generic term that covers all procedures aiming to construct from specifications given as input objects matching these specifications. The ories and applications of synthesis have been studied and developped for long in connection with logics, programming, automata, discrete event systems, and hardware circuits. Logics and programming are outside the scope of this book, whose focus is on Discrete Event Systems and Supervisory Control. The stress today in this field is on a better applicability of theories and algorithms to prac tical systems design. Coping with decentralization or distribution and caring for an efficient realization of the synthesized systems or controllers are of the utmost importance in areas so diverse as the supervision of embedded or man ufacturing systems, or the implementation of protocols in software or in hard ware."