Abstract

This site intends to provide information on symbolic methods for control and software for computer aided control system design which is created using computer algebra systems. It provides links to undergoing research projects as well as to research groups and individuals active in the field. Information is also provided on available symbolic software for systems and control as well as on related symbolic software. Any suggestions or comments to improve this site are more than welcome.
For contributions please contact Antonis Vardulakis or Nikos Karampetakis.

This site is maintained by the Virtual Action Group on Symbolic Methods for Control, which is part of the IEEE Control Systems Society technical committee on Computational Aspects of Control System Design (CACSD).

Introduction

Computer Algebra Systems (CAS) are software packages that facilitate symbolic mathematics. Typically, such systems include: arbitrary precision arithmetic, a symbolic manipulation engine and a high level programming language. A CAS is devoted to the solution of mathematically formulated problems through the implementation of algorithmic procedures, which rely on the systems high level programming language and its the symbolic manipulation capabilities. A number of CASs have been developed during the last decades and current market leaders are Mathematica, Maple, Reduce, MuPAD, Macsyma Derive etc. .
The main advantages of CAS are:
 a) they use exact arithmetic and do not suffer from loss of precision or significance,
 b) work symbolically,
 c) are speedy, efficient and reliable tools for performing long and tedious calculations, and
 d) provide an enormous gain in time and effort as far as engineering or scientific analysis and synthesis is concerned.
Most of the CAS contain also, graphical capabilities. There are also examples of CAS in the Internet devoted to certain topics of algebra, where each user can depose specific problems to be solved there. Recently there has been an interest in the application of computer algebra to control analysis and design. A collection of tools and packages based on CAS has been developed for the solution of many control problems and used on a campus network, since they have a profound impact on teaching and research. CASs have a major impact to areas such as robotics, computer aided geometric design, mechanics, flow dynamics, thermodynamics and combustion, audio signal processing etc. . However, a number of problems have to be solved that concern:
 a) the data transfer between systems (needs of standardization),
 b) the development of computer algebra plug-ins needs that will allow a standard browser to be an interface for solving problems,
 c) the collection of benchmarks that will allow the comparison of the effectiveness of implementation of algorithms on different platforms, test suites and parameterized problem settings etc. .

Goals

The goal of this site is to provide up-to-date information to support an informed selection and usage of the most appropriate symbolic algorithms and software tools to solve practical control problems. Many results on developing new symbolic algorithms, software, and computer algebra servers for CACSD are available electronically. Therefore we provide links to research groups as well as to individuals active in these areas. Information is also provided on available CAS software for systems and control. To try and stay on pace with the recent development, I would like to invite any comments, news and suggestions.

A.I.G. Vardulakis