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.
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.
