Algebraic theory for multivariable linear systems (Q762121)

The reviewer thinks the control theory history can be divided into several eras. In the first era, transfer functions are exclusively used together with frequency response techniques. The design methods are closely connected to intuition and need repeated calculation as the result of trial and error. The second era is characterized by the use of a state space description of the system. Kalman and Pontryagin are the representatives of this era. Throughout this era, some continued to develop the classical transfer function technique to fit the modern request of rigorousness and straightforwardness. The curtain of the third era was raised by Rosenbrock and Wolovich. The era may be named as the era of polynomial system techniques. This book is one of the representatives of this era, but has some different nuance from either Rosenbrock or Wolovich. It is written from a more abstract point of view and avoids intuition. The basic description of the system is \(A(p)y=B(p)u\), where p is a differential operator but is not a Laplace operator. In part I, a few basic ideas and concepts are described, where system descriptions and interconnections are demonstrated. In part II, the theory of polynomial matrices is demonstrated in detail, focusing in particular on the decomposition of the system. In part III, the authors return to the question of how to assign a suitable system to a given regular differential input-output relation. The projection method is the main subject. In part IV, everything is again treated for discrete-time systems. The author feels that this book is most modern but does not imply the opening of the new era of control theory.