Since its inception in the early 1980s, H( optimization theory has become the control methodology of choice in robust feedback analysis and design. The purpose of this monograph is to present, in a tutorial fashion, a self contained operator theoretic approach to the H( control for disturbed parameter systems, that is, systems which admit infinite dimensional state spaces. Such systems arise for problems modelled by partial differential equations or which have time delays. Besides elucidating the mathematics of H( control, extensive treatment is given to its physical and engineering underpinnings. The techniques given in the book are carefully illustrated by two benchmark problems: an unstable system with a time delay which comes from the control of the X-29, and the control of a Euler-Bernoulli flexible beam with Kelvin-Voigt damping.

This thesis deals with the robustness of stability of distributed, linear-time-invariant (DLTI) feedback control systems. The main goal is to formulate a practical method for evaluating feedback designs based on the actual DLTI system characteristics. As a result, a design procedure can be developed for DLTI systems to synthesize feedback controllers that are guaranteed to be closed-loop stable. We have developed a robustness characterization for DLTI systems, and have shown that linear quadratic (LQ) optimal control systems have nice robustness properties and can serve as good reference designs for the actual implementation of the feedback controller. We have studied in detail linear hereditary differential systems and a vibration suppression problem for a flexible beam. We stress the study of implementable controllers, which are finite dimensional, in contrast to optimal controllers that are typically infinite-dimensional. However, one can integrate our multivariable robustness results with the LQ optimal control to derive a finite-dimensional suboptimal control law which is closed-loop stable. We show how this can be done by using spatially-sampled measurements along the flexible beam.

Since its inception, H( optimization theory has become the control methodology of choice in robust feedback analysis and design. This monograph presents an operator theoretic approach to the H( control for disturbed parameter systems, that is, systems which admit infinite dimensional state spaces.

This volume presents a well balanced combination of state-of-the-art theoretical results in the field of nonlinear controller and observer design, combined with industrial applications stemming from mechatronics, electrical, (bio–) chemical engineering, and fluid dynamics. The unique combination of results of finite as well as infinite–dimensional systems makes this book a remarkable contribution addressing postgraduates, researchers, and engineers both at universities and in industry. The contributions to this book were presented at the Symposium on Nonlinear Control and Observer Design: From Theory to Applications (SYNCOD), held September 15–16, 2005, at the University of Stuttgart, Germany. The conference and this book are dedicated to the 65th birthday of Prof. Dr.–Ing. Dr.h.c. Michael Zeitz to honor his life – long research and contributions on the fields of nonlinear control and observer design.

A study of the practical aspects in designing feedback control systems in which the plant may be non-minimum phase, unstable and also highly uncertain. Classical (QFT) and modern (Hoo) design approaches are explained side-by-side and are used to solve design examples.

Infinite dimensional systems is now an established area of research. Given the recent trend in systems theory and in applications towards a synthesis of time- and frequency-domain methods, there is a need for an introductory text which treats both state-space and frequency-domain aspects in an integrated fashion. The authors' primary aim is to write an introductory textbook for a course on infinite dimensional linear systems. An important consideration by the authors is that their book should be accessible to graduate engineers and mathematicians with a minimal background in functional analysis. Consequently, all the mathematical background is summarized in an extensive appendix. For the majority of students, this would be their only acquaintance with infinite dimensional systems.

This unified, revised second edition of a two-volume set is a self-contained account of quadratic cost optimal control for a large class of infinite-dimensional systems. The original editions received outstanding reviews, yet this new edition is more concise and self-contained. New material has been added to reflect the growth in the field over the past decade. There is a unique chapter on semigroup theory of linear operators that brings together advanced concepts and techniques which are usually treated independently. The material on delay systems and structural operators has not yet appeared anywhere in book form.