This book contains a selection of papers that were initially presented at the 4th On-Line World Conference on Soft Computing in Industrial Applications that was held in September 1999. Soft Computing provides various methodologies for developing intelligent systems that offer competitive solutions to real world problems. This book is comprised of a unique collection of papers that provide a comprehensive overview of state-of-the-art-theory and sucessful industrial applications of soft computing around the world. It is written by some of the leading researchers in this field. This book is aimed at researchers and professional engineers who are engaged in developing intelligent systems as well as graduate students in science and engineering.

This book describes intelligent control and its use in power electronic systems, specifically AC motor drives and uninterruptable power supply (UPS) systems. The book covers both the fundamentals of the subject and its practical applications. From the Foreword by Lotfi A. Zadeh, Director of Berkeley Soft Computing Center, California: 'What is unusual about [this book] is that it starts with a description of more or less classical control techniques; moves on to modern control and state space techniques; addresses in detail the complex issues arising in the analysis and design of robust control; takes up digital signal processing controllers; and finally, presents a very insightful exposition of soft computing techniques and their application to advanced control of AC drives and UPS systems.'

Rapid progress in power electronics, microelectronics, and modern control technology during the past three decades has made possible the use of brushless servomotors in motion control. This application can provide high productivity and improved product quality on the production line and in manufacturing systems and is the basis of modern industrial automation and economic development. The book is intended as a practical introduction for engineers and students who are not familiar with servomotors and motion control. The control methods described are useful for practising engineers who want to deepen their knowledge of motion control in manufacturing systems. It covers the interdisciplinary areas of power electronics, drive electronics, mechatronics and control electronics, power semiconductor devices, microprocessors, circuits, controllers, sensors, magnetic materials, design methods, and applications.