1
Introduction
1.1INTRODUCTION
Thetechnologicalexplosionofthetwentiethcentury,whichwasaccelerated
bytheadventofcomputersandcontrolsystems,hasresultedintremendous
advancesinthefieldofscience.Thus,automaticcontrolsystemsand
computerspermeatelifeinalladvancedsocietiestoday.Thesesystemsand
computershaveactedandareactingascatalystsinpromotingprogress
anddevelopment,propellingsocietyintothetwenty-firstcentury.
Technologicaldevelopmentshavemadepossiblehigh-speedbullettrains;
exoticvehiclescapableofexplorationofotherplanetsandouterspace;the
establishmentoftheAlphaspacestation;safe,comfortable,andefficient
automobiles;sophisticatedcivilianandmilitary[manualand
uninhabited(seeFig.1.1)]aircraft;efficientroboticassemblylines;and
efficient environmentally friendly pollution controls for factories. The
successful operation of all of these systems depends on the proper function-
ing of the large number of control systems used in such ventures.
Copyright © 2003 Marcel Dekker, Inc.
