Introduction

Abstract

In this chapter, we start with background on distributed control in a number of related fields (artificial life, robotics, computer science, control theory, and network science) which initially motivated and eventually led to the present work. Then we discuss and compare the existing control architectures for discrete-event systems (monolithic, decentralized, hierarchical, heterarchical, and distributed), with emphasis on the new features and advantages of purely distributed architecture. Finally, we summarize the supervisor localization approach, and provide an overview of the monograph.