Although it arose much earlier in a variety of contexts, sensitivity theory became an independent branch of science in the sixties. Since then, researchers from around the world have continued to make great strides in both the theory and its applications. However, much of the work of Russian scientific schools and specialists remain unknown in the West. Sensitivity of Control Systems summarizes the results of the authors and their disciples in sensitivity theory, addressing the basic notions of the theory and the problem of selecting technical parameters of systems. The authors formulate problems for actual technical systems and their models, and establish relations between sensitivity theory and classical stability problems. They offer a significant, general theory for investigating the sensitivity of boundary problems and use elements of this theory for sensitivity analysis of solutions to nonlinear programming and variational calculus problems, as well as oscillatory processes. The book also presents general investigation methods for discontinuous systems, including those described by operator models. Full of powerful new methods and results, this book offers a unique opportunity for those in theoretical investigation and in the design, testing, and exploitation of various control systems to explore the work of Russia's leading researchers in sensitivity theory. Furthermore, its techniques for parametric perturbation investigation, Sensitivity of Control Systems will prove useful in fields outside of control theory, including oscillation theory, motion dynamics, and mathematical economy.

Sensitivity Methods in Control Theory is a collection of manuscripts presented as the Third International Symposium of Sensitivity Analysis, held at Dubrovnik, Yugoslavia on August 31-September 5, 1964, sponsored by The Theory Committee of International Federation of Automatic Control. Sensitivity theory or sensitivity analysis concerns the solution of problems associated with parameter variations within the general scope of control theory. This book is organized into five parts encompassing 30 chapters. Part I presents some basic approaches of sensitivity analysis, such the Lyapunov's theory of stability, invariant imbedding, nonlinear sampled data, and linear time-varying systems. This part also looks into the preliminary steps towards the development of game theory and some general applications of sensitivity analysis. Part II treats the problem of accuracy, reliability, self-adjustment, and optimization of sensitivity of automatic control systems, while Part III deals with the functional derivative technique of sensitivity analysis and its applications for designing self-adjusting control systems. Part IV describes the task of synthesizing control systems for linear plants with variable parameters satisfying specified performance criteria. Part V considers the association between sensitivity and optimality in various control systems. This book will prove useful to design and other specialized fields in engineering.

Control and Dynamic Systems: Advances in Theory and Applications, Volume 9 brings together diverse information on important progress in the field of control and systems theory and applications. This volume is comprised of contributions from leading researchers in the field. Topics covered include optimal observer techniques for linear discrete time systems; application of sensitivity constrained optimal control to national economic policy formulation; and modified quasilinearization method for mathematical programming problems and optimal control problems. Dynamic decision theory and techniques and closed loop formulations of optimal control problems for minimum sensitivity are also elaborated. Engineers and scientists in applied physics will find the book interesting.