This book presents a systematic theory of estimation and control over communication networks. It develops a theory that utilizes communications, control, information and dynamical systems theory motivated and applied to advanced networking scenarios. The book establishes theoretically rich and practically important connections among modern control theory, Shannon information theory, and entropy theory of dynamical systems originated in the work of Kolmogorov.

This self-contained monograph covers the latest achievements in the area. It contains many real-world applications and the presentation is accessible.

Hybrid dynamical systems, both continuous and discrete dynamics and variables, have attracted considerable interest recently. This emerging area is found at the interface of control theory and computer engineering, focusing on the analogue and digital aspects of systems and devices. They are essential for advances in modern digital- controller technology. "Qualitative Theory of Hybrid Dynamical Systems" provides a thorough development and systematic presentation of the foundations and framework for hybrid dynamical systems. The presentation offers an accessible, but precise, development of the mathematical models, conditions for existence of limit cycles, and criteria of their stability. The book largely concentrates on the case of discretely controlled continuous-time systems and their relevance for modeling aspects of flexible manufacturing systems and dynamically routed queuing networks. Features and topics: *differential automata*development and use of the concept "cyclic linear differential automata" (CLDA)*switched single-server flow networks coverage*application to specific models of manufacturing systems and queuing networks*select collection of open problems for the subject*self-contained presentation of topics, with the necessary background This new book is an excellent resource for the study and analysis of hybrid dynamical systems used in systems and control engineering. Researchers, postgraduates and professionals in control engineering and computer engineering will find the book an up-to-date development of the relevant new concepts and tools.

The emerging area of hybrid dynamical systems lies at the interface of control theory and computer science, i.e., analogue 'and' digital aspects of systems. This new monograph presents state-of-the-art concepts, methods and tools for analyzing and describing hybrid dynamical systems.

Safe Robot Navigation Among Moving and Steady Obstacles is the first book to focus on reactive navigation algorithms in unknown dynamic environments with moving and steady obstacles. The first three chapters provide introduction and background on sliding mode control theory, sensor models, and vehicle kinematics. Chapter 4 deals with the problem of optimal navigation in the presence of obstacles. Chapter 5 discusses the problem of reactively navigating. In Chapter 6, border patrolling algorithms are applied to a more general problem of reactively navigating. A method for guidance of a Dubins-like mobile robot is presented in Chapter 7. Chapter 8 introduces and studies a simple biologically-inspired strategy for navigation a Dubins-car. Chapter 9 deals with a hard scenario where the environment of operation is cluttered with obstacles that may undergo arbitrary motions, including rotations and deformations. Chapter 10 presents a novel reactive algorithm for collision free navigation of a nonholonomic robot in unknown complex dynamic environments with moving obstacles. Chapter 11 introduces and examines a novel purely reactive algorithm to navigate a planar mobile robot in densely cluttered environments with unpredictably moving and deforming obstacles. Chapter 12 considers a multiple robot scenario. For the Control and Automation Engineer, this book offers accessible and precise development of important mathematical models and results. All the presented results have mathematically rigorous proofs. On the other hand, the Engineer in Industry can benefit by the experiments with real robots such as Pioneer robots, autonomous wheelchairs and autonomous mobile hospital.