Systems and Control (Engineering & Technology)

Rating:
Summary: An Excellent Modern Automatic Control text!
Review: I highly recommend this text. Very clear, excellent examples and good coverage of the key topics of Modern Automatic (Optimal) Control.

Rating:
Summary: A valuable addition to your library
Review: The important link between modeling and control of dynamical systems is once more emphasized in "Systems & Control" by Stanislaw H. Zak. The book is an excellent addition to the control literature as it revisits the mathematical modeling and analysis problems of dynamical systems while addressing the controller design problem by means of a variety of modern techniques.

Chapter 1 introduces the notion of a system and includes numerous examples illustrating the mathematical modeling of dynamical systems by ordinary differential equations. Chapter 2 is devoted to the analysis and approximate solution techniques of the model equations using phase-portraits, numerical methods, linearization and describing functions. Chapter 3 discusses the linear systems and serves as a warm-up for the nonlinear control methods to be addressed in the subsequent
chapters. Chapter 4 presents a thorough stability analysis as well as the essentials of the Lyapunov theory for both linear and nonlinear systems. With a section on the stabilizing state-feedback controllers, the reader also gets acquainted with the controller design based on the Lyapunov theory. Chapter 5 is dedicated to the optimal control of the dynamical systems. Especially, the section titled "A Glimpse at the Calculus of Variations" is very helpful in the sense that it equips the reader with the necessary tools required for the rest of the chapter. Variable structure systems are discussed and the design of sliding mode controllers is illustrated in Chapter 6. In Chapter 7, a combined controller-estimator compensator is designed for a class of dynamical systems using Lie derivatives and the vector field methods. Chapter 8 provides a comprehensive discussion of fuzzy logic and illustrates novel control strategies by fuzzy models including stabilizing and adaptive controllers. Chapter 9 is devoted to the study of neural networks from a dynamical system point of view. Genetic and evolutionary algorithms are studied in Chapter 10. Tracking control of a vehicle is accomplished by using an evolutionary fuzzy logic controller. Chapter 11 discusses the chaotic systems and fractals. The control of chaotic systems is also illustrated by an example in this chapter. An appendix on the essentials of mathematical background complements the material presented in this book.

The book is written in a textbook format and makes use of an understandable notation. It is well structured and the presentation is easy to follow making it useful as an upper level undergraduate or graduate level text. It will also be beneficial to researchers and practicing engineers as it covers the state-of-the-art control techniques. Each chapter is accompanied by a variety of examples and exercises to illustrate the applicability of the methods discussed. The book uses MATLAB/SIMULINK as a tool to provide a unifying environment for simulation purposes. With its extensive coverage of the current literature, it also serves as a reference book. The most powerful aspect of this book is that it establishes a bridge between the classical control problems and the most recent trends in control engineering. In conclusion, "Systems & Control" will be a valuable addition to the libraries of those interested in control of dynamical systems.

Rating:
Summary: A valuable addition to your library
Review: The important link between modeling and control of dynamical systems is once more emphasized in "Systems & Control" by Stanislaw H. Zak. The book is an excellent addition to the control literature as it revisits the mathematical modeling and analysis problems of dynamical systems while addressing the controller design problem by means of a variety of modern techniques.

Chapter 1 introduces the notion of a system and includes numerous examples illustrating the mathematical modeling of dynamical systems by ordinary differential equations. Chapter 2 is devoted to the analysis and approximate solution techniques of the model equations using phase-portraits, numerical methods, linearization and describing functions. Chapter 3 discusses the linear systems and serves as a warm-up for the nonlinear control methods to be addressed in the subsequent
chapters. Chapter 4 presents a thorough stability analysis as well as the essentials of the Lyapunov theory for both linear and nonlinear systems. With a section on the stabilizing state-feedback controllers, the reader also gets acquainted with the controller design based on the Lyapunov theory. Chapter 5 is dedicated to the optimal control of the dynamical systems. Especially, the section titled "A Glimpse at the Calculus of Variations" is very helpful in the sense that it equips the reader with the necessary tools required for the rest of the chapter. Variable structure systems are discussed and the design of sliding mode controllers is illustrated in Chapter 6. In Chapter 7, a combined controller-estimator compensator is designed for a class of dynamical systems using Lie derivatives and the vector field methods. Chapter 8 provides a comprehensive discussion of fuzzy logic and illustrates novel control strategies by fuzzy models including stabilizing and adaptive controllers. Chapter 9 is devoted to the study of neural networks from a dynamical system point of view. Genetic and evolutionary algorithms are studied in Chapter 10. Tracking control of a vehicle is accomplished by using an evolutionary fuzzy logic controller. Chapter 11 discusses the chaotic systems and fractals. The control of chaotic systems is also illustrated by an example in this chapter. An appendix on the essentials of mathematical background complements the material presented in this book.

The book is written in a textbook format and makes use of an understandable notation. It is well structured and the presentation is easy to follow making it useful as an upper level undergraduate or graduate level text. It will also be beneficial to researchers and practicing engineers as it covers the state-of-the-art control techniques. Each chapter is accompanied by a variety of examples and exercises to illustrate the applicability of the methods discussed. The book uses MATLAB/SIMULINK as a tool to provide a unifying environment for simulation purposes. With its extensive coverage of the current literature, it also serves as a reference book. The most powerful aspect of this book is that it establishes a bridge between the classical control problems and the most recent trends in control engineering. In conclusion, "Systems & Control" will be a valuable addition to the libraries of those interested in control of dynamical systems.

Rating:
Summary: A great introduction and reference book
Review: This book covers a wide area of topics in systems and control theory and applications. In addition to the analysis of stability and optimal control in linear and nonlinear systems, the text provides a very good introduction to fuzzy systems, neural networks, genetic algorithms and chaotic systems. As the author states, the scope of the topics presented tries to emphasize the multidisciplinary role of nonlinear dynamics and control. By providing examples where the techniques of fuzzy logic, genetic algorithms and neural networks are used in real life control problems, it is shown how these new approaches complement the classical ones. To this end, Lyapunov's stability theory is employed as the common medium of analysis. This type of presentation facilitates a deeper understanding of the material by bringing the focus of different areas in the context of control and stability problem.
The book is well suited for senior or graduate course work and its comprehensive nature makes it also an excellent reference text for people who are interested in dynamical systems and control theory. A basic knowledge of linear algebra and calculus would be sufficient to understand most of the material covered and a brief mathematical background review is provided in the appendix. The fundamental concepts and how they relate to each other are clearly presented. The detailed worked out examples, taken mostly from literature or practical applications, form an integral part of the book and in some cases, used as a means to illustrate the theory itself. Many exercises, some involving software projects in MATLAB, are also provided at the end of each chapter.
This text offers a thorough and practical treatment of systems and control and provides a solid foundation for anyone in the field and is highly recommended.