Control theory

Control theory is a branch of mathematics that deals with the behavior of dynamical system. The desired output of a system is called the reference. When one or more output variables of a system need to follow a certain reference over time, a controller manipulates the inputs to a system to obtain the desired effect on the output of the system.

Overview

Control theory is an interdisciplinary branch of engineering and mathematics that deals with the behavior of dynamical system with inputs. The external input of a system is called the reference. When one or more output variables of a system need to follow a certain reference over time, a controller manipulates the inputs to a system to obtain the desired effect on the output of the system.

History

The field of control theory can be traced back to the works of James Clerk Maxwell in the 19th century, who described the control of the governor of a steam engine. The field has since been further developed by many others, including Harold Stephen Black who developed the concept of negative feedback amplifiers in the 20th century.

Applications

Control theory has applications in a wide range of disciplines, including engineering, economics, and computer science. It is used to design systems that maintain desired behaviors in the presence of disturbances or uncertainties. Examples of such systems include aircraft flight control systems, automobile cruise control systems, and industrial process control systems.

See also

• Systems theory
• Cybernetics
• Feedback
• Control engineering
• Control system

References

Control theory Resources
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