Foundations of Optimal Control Theory.

Abstract : This complete and authoritative presentation of the current status of control theory offers a useful foundation for both study and research. With emphasis on general nonlinear differential systems, the book is carefully and systematically developed from elementary motivating examples, through the most comprehensive theory, to the final numerical solution of serious scientific and engineering control problems. The book features reviews of the most recent researches on processes described by partial differential equations, functional- differential, and delay-differential equations; the most recent treatment of impulse controllers, bounded rate controllers, feedback controllers, and bounded phase problems; and many unpublished new research results of the authors. In addition to an exhaustive treatment of the quantitative problems of optimal control, the qualitative concepts of stability, controllability, observability, and plant recognition receive a complete exposition. (Author)