Classical control systems

“Control System Design: An Introduction to State-Space Methods” by Bernard Friedland - http://www.amazon.com/Control-System-Design-Introduction-State-Space/dp/0486442780

​

Linear systems theory

written by /u/Ibarea: https://www.reddit.com/r/math/comments/3bs5fv/how_to_study_linear_systems/csp1ix7

​

“Stephen Boyd's Intro to Linear Dynamic Systems (Stanford, free online) is awesome. In theory, it requires very few prerequisites. If that's over your head don't get discouraged, just read a linear algebra book (something like Strang's Intro to Linear Algebra) and try again. Also, Strogatz's nonlinear dynamics and chaos is very very accessible - depending on exactly what you're trying to learn / what the goal is (as the text you referenced doesn't seem to really focus on linear systems, unless I'm missing something).”

​

Start here (undergrad I): https://web.stanford.edu/class/ee263/

Lectures by Dr. Boyd are available as YouTube videos (~1 hour each / 2 hour digest): https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL06960BA52D0DB32B

Accompanied by two textbooks:

“Optimization Models, 1st Edition” by Calafiore and El Ghaoui

“Introduction to Dynamic Systems” by Luenberger

First few lectures are a review of relevant prerequisite math needed for this course, but not ALL the math you need for the next course (EE363) — see “Linear Algebra” in the Math section above.

​

Second course (undergrad II): https://web.stanford.edu/class/ee363/

no videos :(

​

Third course (MIT graduate): http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/electrical-engineering-and-computer-science/6-243j-dynamics-of-nonlinear-systems-fall-2003/

no videos :(

​

Other resources:

Brian Douglas on YouTube (49 videos total as of August 2015): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq0imsn84ShAe9PBOFnoIrg

“Welcome to Control Systems Lectures! This collection of videos is intended to supplement a first year controls class, not replace it. My goal is to take specific concepts in controls and expand on them in order to provide an intuitive understanding which will ultimately make you a better controls engineer.”

Multivariable control theory

written by /u/polvulter: https://www.reddit.com/r/engineering/comments/kisuz/is_learning_control_theory_really_that_useful/c2km2du

​

“The problem is, almost all systems are nonlinear and our most convenient methods of dealing with highly nonlinear systems are based on Lyapunov functions. Sure, any bozo could implement a PID controller without taking a minute to solve for the poles and zeros of the system, but the cool stuff takes more than that. A three degree-of-freedom robotic arm? Parameter adaptive control, mother fucker. Want to design even just a simple cruise control system for an automobile that can kick the shit out of PID? Throw some sliding control in there because you'll be such a badass after learning that shit.

​

Control theory is pretty math-heavy because it has to be. The trick to getting past that is to constantly try to connect the math to something real. What physically does a pole on the left half of the complex plane mean? How does solving the matrix-Ricatti equation give you an optimal solution? Take some time between steps in the math. It's going to be hard, but it's definitely worth it.

​

There are jobs with interesting control theory problems out there. I interviewed for one company that was slicing semiconductor wafers with lasers. I ended up going to grad school instead of working there, but from who talked to at that company, it sounded like they were all control freaks.”

​

Topic keywords:

PID

Lyapunov

Poles and zeroes

Matrix-Riccati equation

Parameter adaptive control

Sliding control

​

“The Bible(s)”:

“Instrument Engineers' Handbook, 4th Edition, Volume Two: Process Control and Optimization” by Bela G. Liptak — actually one volume in a set of three; Vol. 1 is “Process Measurement and Analysis”, and Vol. 3 is “Process Software and Digital Networks”. Unclear if either are really needed for a better understanding of control systems (i.e. do they add breadth or depth?).

​

“Modern Control Engineering, 3rd Edition” by Katsuhiko Ogata — comprehensive text that covers both classical (state-space) and modern control theory. Reported to be relatively digestible as far as textbooks go and claimed by many engineers as a go-to reference.

​

Other texts:

“Nonlinear Dynamics and Chaos” by Steven H. Strogatz — good introductory text for nonlinear systems

​

Applications

Dynamics

Fairly dense topic that’s probably best reserved for after gaining a good understanding of linear dynamic control systems. Multivariable calculus and decent programming skills are essential!

​

Textbook: “Orbital Mechanics, 3rd Edition” by Howard Curtis — not the best textbook. Has many MATLAB examples with code, but be wary of errors in calculations in chapter examples. (find a new text to replace if possible)

Dover Books are usually pretty good and really cheap. I like this one in particular: http://www.amazon.com/Control-System-Design-Introduction-State-Space/dp/0486442780/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1356414185&sr=8-2&keywords=dover+control

EANF# to the point Control System Design: An Introduction to State-Space Methods (Dover Books on Engineering).