The world of artificial systems is reaching hitherto undreamed-of levels of complexity. Surface traffic, electricity distribution, mobile communications, etc., demonstrate that problems are arising that are beyond classical scientific or engineering knowledge. In order that our ability to control such systems should not be hindered by lack of comprehension, there is an on-going effort to understand them.This book is an example of the types of approach that European researchers are using to tackle problems derived from systems' complexity. It has grown out of activities in the Control of Complex Systems (COSY) research program the goals of which are to promote multi-disciplinary activity leading to a deeper understanding and further development of control technologies for complex systems and if possible, to develop the theory underlying such systems. The material in this book represents a selection of the results of the COSY program and is organised as a collection of essays of varying nature: surveys of essential areas, discussion of specific problems, case studies, and benchmark problems.Topics covered include:Modelling complex physical systems;Passivity-based control of non-linear systems;Aspects of fault identification and fault tolerance;Control design;Learning control;Satellite attitude control.Complex systems appear in many different fields and for this reason this book should be of interest to scientists, researchers and industrial engineers with a broad spectrum of experience.

Digital computers have been used more and more to control different industrial processes during the last decade. As of today, many sy- stems are designed to include a process control computer as a vital part. The use of computers has created a need for sophisticated me- thods for the operation and supervision of complex industrial proces- ses. To summarize the state of the art from the practical as well as from the theoretical point of view, the 4th IFACIIFIP International Conference on "Digital Computer Applications to Process Control" will be held at Zurich from March 19 to 22, 1974. The first two vo- lumes of the proceedings contain the accepted papers submitted to the conference mentioned above. The papers are arranged according to the topics of the conference. A third volume will include the six follow- ing survey papers: 1. Digital Control Algorithms Prof. A. P. Sage, Dallas Texas I USA 2. Interface Problems for Process Control Prof. T. J. Williams, Lafayette Indiana I USA 3. Software for Process Computers Dr. J. Gertler, Budapest I Hungary Dr. J. Sedlak, Prague I CSSR 4. Digital Computer Applications in Metallurgical Processes Mr. W. E. Miller, Salem I USA Mr. W. G. Wright, Schenectady I USA 5. Digital Computer Applications in Power Systems Mr. D. Ernst, Erlangen / FRG 6. Digital Computer Applications in Chemical and Oil Industries Dr. H.

The world of artificial systems is reaching complexity levels that es cape human understanding. Surface traffic, electricity distribution, air planes, mobile communications, etc., are examples that demonstrate that we are running into problems that are beyond classical scientific or engi neering knowledge. There is an ongoing world-wide effort to understand these systems and develop models that can capture its behavior. The reason for this work is clear, if our lack of understanding deepens, we will lose our capability to control these systems and make they behave as we want. Researchers from many different fields are trying to understand and develop theories for complex man-made systems. This book presents re search from the perspective of control and systems theory. The book has grown out of activities in the research program Control of Complex Systems (COSY). The program has been sponsored by the Eu ropean Science Foundation (ESF) which for 25 years has been one of the leading players in stimulating scientific research. ESF is a European asso ciation of more than 60 leading national science agencies spanning more than 20 countries. ESF covers has standing committees in Medical Sci ences, Life and Environmental Sciences, Physical and Engineering Sci ences, Humanities and Social Sciences. The COSY program was ESF's first activity in the Engineering Sciences. The program run for a period of five years starting January 1995."