Automatic Control

This introduction to automatic control systems has been updated to reflect the increasing use of computer-aided learning and design. Aiming at a more accessible approach, this edition demonstrates the solution of complex problems with the aid of computer software; integrates several real world applications; provides a discussion of steady-state error analysis, including nonunity feedback systems; discusses circuit-realization of controller transfer functions; offers a treatment of Nyquist criterion on systems with nonminimum-phase transfer functions; explores time-domain and frequency domain designs side-by-side in one chapter; and adds a chapter on Design of Discrete-Data Control Systems.

In recent years, automatic control systems have been rapidly increasing in importance in all fields of engineering. The applications of control systems cover a very wide range, from the design of precision control devices such as delicate electronic equipment to the design of massive equipment such as that used for the manufacture of steel or other industrial processes. Microprocessors have added a new dimension to the capability of control systems. New applications for automatic controls are continually being discovered. This book offers coverage of control engineering beginning with discussions of how typical control systems may be represented by block diagrams. This is accomplished by first demonstrating how to represent each component or part of a system as a simple block diagram, then explaining how these individual diagrams may be connected to form the overall block diagram, just as the actual components are connected to form the complete control system. Because actual control systems frequently contain nonlinear components, considerable emphasis is given to such components. The book goes on to show that important information concerning the basic or inherent operating characteristics of a system may be obtained from knowledge of the steady-state behavior. Continuing on in the book's coverage, readers will find information involving: how the linear differential equations that describe the operation of control systems may be solved algebraically by the use of Laplace transforms; general characteristics of transient behavior; the application of the root-locus method to the design of control systems; the use of the analog computer to simulate control systems; state-space methods;digital control systems; frequency-response methods; and system compensation.

The second edition of Flight Stability and Automatic Control presents an organized introduction to the useful and relevant topics necessary for a flight stability and controls course. Not only is this text presented at the appropriate mathematical level, it also features standard terminology and nomenclature, along with expanded coverage of classical control theory, autopilot designs, and modern control theory. Through the use of extensive examples, problems, and historical notes, author Robert Nelson develops a concise and vital text for aircraft flight stability and control or flight dynamics courses.

Aeronautical engineers concerned with the analysis of aircraft dynamics and the synthesis of aircraft flight control systems will find an indispensable tool in this analytical treatment of the subject. Approaching these two fields with the conviction that an understanding of either one can illuminate the other, the authors have summarized selected, interconnected techniques that facilitate a high level of insight into the essence of complex systems problems. These techniques are suitable for establishing nominal system designs, for forecasting off-nominal problems, and for diagnosing the root causes of problems that almost inevitably occur in the design process. A complete and self-contained work, the text discusses the early history of aircraft dynamics and control, mathematical models of linear system elements, feedback system analysis, vehicle equations of motion, longitudinal and lateral dynamics, and elementary longitudinal and lateral feedback control. The discussion concludes with such topics as the system design process, inputs and system performance assessment, and multi-loop flight control systems. Originally published in 1974. The Princeton Legacy Library uses the latest print-on-demand technology to again make available previously out-of-print books from the distinguished backlist of Princeton University Press. These editions preserve the original texts of these important books while presenting them in durable paperback and hardcover editions. The goal of the Princeton Legacy Library is to vastly increase access to the rich scholarly heritage found in the thousands of books published by Princeton University Press since its founding in 1905.

Automatic Control of Atmospheric and Space Flight Vehicles is perhaps the first book on the market to present a unified and straightforward study of the design and analysis of automatic control systems for both atmospheric and space flight vehicles. Covering basic control theory and design concepts, it is meant as a textbook for senior undergraduate and graduate students in modern courses on flight control systems. In addition to the basics of flight control, this book covers a number of upper-level topics and will therefore be of interest not only to advanced students, but also to researchers and practitioners in aeronautical engineering, applied mathematics, and systems/control theory.

This book presents the fundamental principles and challenges encountered in the control of biomedical systems, providing practical solutions and suggesting alternatives. The perspective of the text is based on the system behaviour in the time domain both linear and non-linear, continuous and discrete, helping the reader to be able to interpret the physical significance of mathematical results during control system analysis and design focusing on biomedical engineering applications. Interactive learning is promoted, endowing students with the ability to change parameters and conditions during the simulation and see the effects of these changes, by using interactive MATLAB and SIMULINK software tools, also presenting realistic problems in order to analyse, design and develop automatic control systems. The text is also complemented with MATLAB and SIMULINK exercise files solved to aid students to focus on the fundamental concepts treated throughout the book, following a new pedagogical approach distinct from the classical one whereby fundamental control concepts are introduced together with adequate software tools in order to gain insight on the biomedical engineering control problems. The book is suitable for second or third-year undergraduate students who will find the illustrative examples particularly useful to their studies of control system design and implementation. Lecturers in the control field will find the computer aided design approach as an alternative to teaching the fundamental concepts of feedback analogic and digital control.

Theory of Automatic Control focuses on the theory of automatic control, including controllers, models, control processes, and analysis of systems. The book first offers information on the general introduction to automatic controllers and the construction of a linear model control system and the initial material for its analysis. Discussions focus on astatic controllers of indirect action, floating feedback, controllers of discontinuous action, static characteristics of elements and of systems, and frequency characteristics of a linear element and of the linear model of a system. The text then ponders on the stability of the linear model of an automatic control system and the construction and evaluation of the processes in the linear model of a system of automatic control. Topics include construction of the process from the transfer function of the system; construction of the control process from the frequency characteristics of the system; and analysis of systems with random disturbances given statistically. The publication takes a look at auto- and forced oscillation in non-linear systems, including approximate determination of forced oscillations in the presence of an external periodic action and determination of the auto-oscillations in the case of auto-resonance. The manuscript is a dependable reference for readers interested in the theory of automatic control.

This book presents a wide and comprehensive range of issues and problems in various fields of science and engineering, from both theoretical and applied perspectives. The desire to develop more effective and efficient tools and techniques for dealing with complex processes and systems has been a natural inspiration for the emergence of numerous fields of science and technology, in particular control and automation and, more recently, robotics. The contributions gathered here concern the development of methods and algorithms to determine best practices regarding broadly perceived decisions or controls. From an engineering standpoint, many of them focus on how to automate a specific process or complex system. From a tools-based perspective, several contributions address the development of analytic and algorithmic methods and techniques, devices and systems that make it possible to develop and subsequently implement the automation and robotization of crucial areas of human activity. All topics discussed are illustrated with sample applications.

A basic approach to Automatic Control systems covering theory and practical design concepts. At the book's end the reader will understand basic control systems, components used in their design, and the system analog and digital communications, mechanics, and electronics involved vs bateson.