Feedback Systems: An Introduction for Scientists and Engineers [Hardcover]

Karl Johan Aström (Author), Richard M. Murray (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0691135762 | ISBN-13: 978-0691135762 | Publication Date: April 1, 2008

This book provides an introduction to the mathematics needed to model, analyze, and design feedback systems. It is an ideal textbook for undergraduate and graduate students, and is indispensable for researchers seeking a self-contained reference on control theory. Unlike most books on the subject, Feedback Systems develops transfer functions through the exponential response of a system, and is accessible across a range of disciplines that utilize feedback in physical, biological, information, and economic systems.

Karl Åström and Richard Murray use techniques from physics, computer science, and operations research to introduce control-oriented modeling. They begin with state space tools for analysis and design, including stability of solutions, Lyapunov functions, reachability, state feedback observability, and estimators. The matrix exponential plays a central role in the analysis of linear control systems, allowing a concise development of many of the key concepts for this class of models. Åström and Murray then develop and explain tools in the frequency domain, including transfer functions, Nyquist analysis, PID control, frequency domain design, and robustness. They provide exercises at the end of every chapter, and an accompanying electronic solutions manual is available. Feedback Systems is a complete one-volume resource for students and researchers in mathematics, engineering, and the sciences.

• Covers the mathematics needed to model, analyze, and design feedback systems
• Serves as an introductory textbook for students and a self-contained resource for researchers
• Includes exercises at the end of every chapter
• Features an electronic solutions manual
• Offers techniques applicable across a range of disciplines

Editorial Reviews

Review

This book provides an introduction to the mathematics needed to model, analyze, and design feedback systems. . . . Feedback Systems develops transfer functions through the exponential response of a system, and is accessible across a range of disciplines that use feedback in physical, biological, information, and economic systems. . . . Exercises are provided at the end of every chapter, and an accompanying electronic solutions manual is available. -- Mechanical Engineering



Åström and Murray have prepared a very well-written introductory work for scientific and engineering audiences. . . . In summary, this work is a valuable addition to the important area of control and feedback systems. -- M.G. Prasad, Choice



[T]his is a refreshing text which is delightful to read, and which even experts in the area may find a valuable resource for its diverse applications, and exercises, and its clear focus on fundamental concepts that does not get side-tracked by technical details. -- Matthias Kawski, Mathematical Reviews



This book provides an interesting and original introduction to the design and analysis of feedback systems. It is addressed to engineers and scientists who are interested in feedback systems in physical, biological, information and social systems. -- Tadeusz Kaczorek, Zentralblatt MATH

From the Inside Flap

"This book is a significant contribution. It provides an accessible treatment for a wide audience who would otherwise have to labor through difficult mathematical or engineering treatments. The only prerequisite is a basic understanding of differential equations and linear algebra."--Brian Ingalls, University of Waterloo

"A very useful addition to the literature on the basic principles and theory of feedback systems. This is a unique and excellent book. I believe it will appeal to a broad audience."--Elling W. Jacobsen, Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 424 pages
• Publisher: Princeton University Press (April 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0691135762
• ISBN-13: 978-0691135762
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 7.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #105,198 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #55 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Physics > Mathematical Physics
  • #60 in Books > Computers & Technology > Hardware > Microprocessors & System Design

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Useless for learning, November 25, 2008

By 

mbandpch (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Feedback Systems: An Introduction for Scientists and Engineers (Hardcover)

I came into my control theory course, for which this book was a required course text, excited to learn about a very interesting and useful topic. Instead, this book came close to making me hate the subject.

Frankly, I have had more than enough of this atrocity. The book is riddled with a ridiculous number of typos and errors that range from amusingly glaring proofreading lapses at least several times per chapter, like "A block diagram of a basic feedback loop is shown in Figure 11.1. LDH](6 Jan 08) Reworded the third and fourth sentences. OK?" to extremely frustrating serious errors in formulas. I actually doubt that the book even got proofread by anyone at all. I do not believe I would be exaggerating by saying that there are several hundreds of errors in these 400 pages, giving it the honor of being the most error-riddled science text that I have ever read throughout high school and college. In addition, equations with mysterious origins, surrounded by explaining text that in fact adds to the mystery, are a common phenomenon. Terms are not defined clearly before being used extensively; sometimes I did not understand the specific meaning of a term introduced earlier even after going to the index, looking up the specific page and rereading! The writing is extremely dry and boring, and is good enough to put the lightest sleeper to sleep. For all of the above reasons a lot of times when trying to force myself to plow through one chapter, I had to fight hard to resist the temptation to throw the book at the wall across the room in irritation. I don't feel that I managed to learn anything from this book.

Books like this should not be published if all that the authors can give is a haphazard effort hastily, carelessly and thoughtlessly put together, whose only achievement will be to confuse students.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good for Concepts and Beginners, February 17, 2011

By 

LaserBeam - See all my reviews

This review is from: Feedback Systems: An Introduction for Scientists and Engineers (Hardcover)

I used this book in a course on classical control theory. It's a great book for explaining concepts in control theory. You'll need background in calculus, differential equations, and linear algebra in order to understand it.

The book is great for giving you an understanding of control theory. Whoever said that there are errors in the book is correct, and you will notice errors if you choose to work out the steps that the author chooses to skip. The author has created a list of Errata to go through at [...]

3 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent introductory text, January 23, 2010

By 

George B. P. Bezerra - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Feedback Systems: An Introduction for Scientists and Engineers (Hardcover)

This book is an excellent introduction to modern control theory. Rich in interdisciplinary examples and it goes directly to the point. The book gives the intuitive idea without unnecessary math. It also doesn't include a lot of the classical control theory that is taught in electrical engineering courses, focusing more on the modern stuff. Understanding the math in the book requires more prior knowledge than is said in the preface of the book.