This book introduces the advantages of parallel processing and details how to use it to deal with common signal processing and control algorithms. The text includes examples and end-of-chapter exercises, and case studies to put theoretical concepts into a practical context.

Parallel Processing in Digital Control is a volume to be published in the new Advances in Industrial Control series, edited by Professor M.J. Grimble and Dr. M.A. Johnson of the Industrial Control Unit, University of Strathclyde. The growing complexity of digital control systems in such areas as robotics, flight control and engine control has created a demand for faster and more reliable systems. This book examines how parallel processing can satisfy these requirements. Following a survey of parallel computer architectures, MIMD (Multiple Instruction Multiple Data) machines are identified as suitable systems for digital control problems, which are characterised by a mixture of regular and irregular algorithmic tasks. An example of a typical MIMD architecture, suitable for real-time control, (the Inmos Transputer) is introduced together with its associated parallel programming language (Occam). The key problem in implementing parallel software is associated with mapping parallel tasks onto physical processors. In this book a variety of schemes are described and assessed to help illustrate potential areas of difficulty for the real-time control software engineer. Solutions are proposed and tested on a flight control case study example. Recognising the widespread acceptance of MATLAB and its derivatives for computer aided control system design, this book demonstrates how mapping strategies can be realised in this environment and integrated with a transputer development system for on-line performance evaluation. A case study example demonstrates the power of this approach and important issues are highlighted. Readers will experience the advantages of parallel processing in digital control while being made aware of the key factors to be considered in the development of an effective solution. Practising control engineers and graduate/post-graduate students will find the book of particular interest and benefit.

This Workshop focuses on such issues as control algorithms which are suitable for real-time use, computer architectures which are suitable for real-time control algorithms, and applications for real-time control issues in the areas of parallel algorithms, multiprocessor systems, neural networks, fault-tolerance systems, real-time robot control identification, real-time filtering algorithms, control algorithms, fuzzy control, adaptive and self-tuning control, and real-time control applications.

Computer scientists have long appreciated that the relationship between algorithms and architecture is crucial. Broadly speaking the more specialized the architecture is to a particular algorithm then the more efficient will be the computation. The penalty is that the architecture will become useless for computing anything other than that algorithm. This message holds for the algorithms used in real-time automatic control as much as any other field. These Proceedings will provide researchers in this field with a useful up-to-date reference source of recent developments.