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Feedback and Control I: History and Classical Methodologies

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Energy, Information, Feedback, Adaptation, and Self-organization

Part of the book series: Intelligent Systems, Control and Automation: Science and Engineering ((ISCA,volume 90))

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Abstract

Feedback and control, the third fundamental element of life and society, is inherent in any stable and successfully operating system in the natural, biological, technological, and societal world. It is the fundamental mechanism which assures the achievement of system equilibrium and homeostasis. Very broadly, we can say that feedback is any response or information about the result of a process which is achieved via the available sensing elements. This chapter starts with an outline of the “feedback’’ concept, illustrated by a set of biological examples, and followed by an exposition of the historical landmarks of feedback and control which includes the achievements made from the ancient times to the present. Then, an overview of the classical control methodologies is provided in a convenient simple flowing way. Specifically, the following concepts and methods are discussed with minimum mathematical detail: basic negative feedback loop, stability, time domain specifications, root locus, Nyquist, Bode and Nichols plots, frequency-domain specifications and stability criteria, compensator design in the time and frequency domains, and nonlinear systems analysis via the describing functions and phase-plane concepts. Actually, this chapter offers a good review of the field which allows the reader to see the role of feedback as a pillar of life and society, and can be used as a quick reference source for all scientists interested in the field of feedback and classical control.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Athens, Greece

    Spyros G. Tzafestas

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Tzafestas, S.G. (2018). Feedback and Control I: History and Classical Methodologies. In: Energy, Information, Feedback, Adaptation, and Self-organization. Intelligent Systems, Control and Automation: Science and Engineering, vol 90. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-66999-1_6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-66999-1_6

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