Control of indefinite nonlinear dynamic systems. Induced internal feedback. Transl. from the Russian by P. S. Ivanov (Q1271331)

This book introduces a new technique for designing nonlinear feedback control systems in the presence of plant uncertainties and incomplete information. The subtitle ``Induced Internal Feedback'' means local internal feedback loops acting on those system characteristics which are beyond the reach of a direct action. The aim is to change the system dynamics in the requisite direction and to eliminate the effects of uncertainty factors on this dynamics. The new approach shows some relation to classical cascade control. However, a combination of the induced control concept and the principle of duality enables a significant extension of the class of systems automatized in this way. Chapter 1 outlines the key idea of the transfer of a control action through an intermediate subsystem. Ordinary differential equations serve to formalize the issues discussed. Chapter 2 deals with the control problem for an intermediate subsystem, resulting in the design of stabilizing control algorithms that are effective under plant uncertainty. Chapter 3 introduces the notion of an inducible internal feedback loop. This technique involves the replacement of the problem under consideration by a set of interrelated problems for inducing some loops. Chapter 4 provides the procedure of designing control systems by means of a few interrelated induction algorithms. Chapter 5 illustrates the general theoretical results by practical examples from biology, economy, technology, and medicine. The book is of interest to a wide circle of readers in cybernetics, automation, and control.