Simultaneous stabilization of linear systems (Q1311467)

The central question investigated in this beautiful research monograph is the problem of simultaneous stabilization: Let \(p_ 1,p_ 2,\dots,p_ k\) be \(k\) linear systems. Under what conditions is it possible to find a controller \(C\) which is stabilizing for each \(p_ i\) \((i= 1,\dots, k)\). The traditional examples of the \(k\) systems include nominal systems, with its failed modes, an airplane which has natural operating points (it takes off, flies and lands) etc. Unexplored but potentially fruitful are systems of dynamics of different national incomes, \(p_ 1,\dots,p_ k\). Can the U.N. -- World Bank provide a stabilizing controller \(C\) for each \(p_ i\). The author provides the current state of attempts to solve this problem. Simultaneous stabilizability question for \(k=2\) is reported to be fully solved. There exists no tractable condition for simultaneous stabilization of three or more linear systems. Thus if we allow only finite combination of rational, logical and sign test operations on the coefficient of the \(k\) \((\geq 3)\) systems, it is not possible to find necessary and sufficient conditions for simultaneous stabilization. The text is very lucid and carefully written with an excellent summary and bibliography at the end of each chapters. It contains a mathematical appendix. The ``English'' prologue and Epilogue is beautiful. It succeeded in its attempt to explain mathematical theory to the first man in the street. This research monograph is recommended to control theorists, applied mathematicians and systems engineers.