Linear and Nonlinear Multivariable Feedback Control

Preface

This textbook provides a unified control theory of linear and nonlinear multivariable feedback systems, also called multi-input multi-output (MIMO) systems, as a straightforward extension of the classical control theory. The central idea of the book is to show how the classical (frequency- and root-domain) engineering methods look in the multidimensional case, and how a practising engineer or researcher can apply them to the analysis and design of linear and nonlinear MIMO systems.

At present, there is a great number of fundamental textbooks on classical feedback control as applied to single-input single-output (SISO) systems, such as the books by Dorf and Bishop (1992), K. Ogata (1970), Franklin, Powell and Emami-Naeini (1991), Atherton (1975) and E. Popov (1973), the last two being devoted to nonlinear SISO systems, and many others. A general quality of all these books is a united conceptual approach to introducing the classical control theory, as well as clearly indicated branches of that theory; in fact, a lecturer can successfully use any of these books in teaching his course on related subjects. On the other hand, there are many remarkable textbooks and monographs on multivariable feedback control, but the situation here is not so plain. Historically, at the outset, the development of multivariable control theory was conducted in different ways and manners, varying from massive efforts to extend directly the basic classical methods and techniques, to no less massive ...