One of the most important issues in the development of distributed computer control systems is the ability to build software and hardware which is both reliable and time deterministic; this is an area where control engineering and computer science naturally meet.This publication brings together the latest key papers on research and development in this field, allowing cross-fertilization between the two engineering disciplines involved and allowing both academics and industrial practitioners to find new insights and learn from each other's views.

The series of IFAC Workshops on distributed computer control systems (DCCS) provide the opportunity for leading researchers and practitioners in the field to discuss and evaluate recent advances and current issues in theory, applications and technology of DCCS. DCCS'95, the 13th IFAC workshop in the series was held in Toulouse-Blagnac, France. The topics covered at this meeting included: the role of real-time in DCCS specifications; scheduling methods for DCCS; real-time distributed operating systems and databases and industrial applications and experience with DCSS.

This fascinating new work comes complete with more than 100 illustrations and a detailed practical prototype. It explores the domains encountered when designing a distributed embedded computer control system as an integrated whole. Basic issues about real-time systems and their properties, especially safety, are examined first. Then, system and hardware architectures are dealt with, along with programming issues, embodying desired properties, basic language subsets, object orientation and language support for hardware and software specifications.

The Engineering of Complex Real-Time Computer Control Systems brings together in one place important contributions and up-to-date research results in this important area. The Engineering of Complex Real-Time Computer Control Systems serves as an excellent reference, providing insight into some of the most important research issues in the field.

This book attempts to bring together selected recent advances, tools, application and new ideas in manufacturing systems. Manufacturing system comprise of equipment, products, people, information, control and support functions for the competitive development to satisfy market needs. It provides a comprehensive collection of papers on the latest fundamental and applied industrial research. The book will be of great interest to those involved in manufacturing engineering, systems and management and those involved in manufacturing research.