Panos J. Antsaklis and Xenofon D. Koutsoukos
ISIS Technical Report ISIS-2001-003, February, 2001. Also in Encyclopedia
of Physical Science and Technology, Third Edition, Vol. 7,
pp. 445-458, Academic Press, 2002.
Abstract -- The hybrid systems of interest contain two
distinct types of components, subsystems with continuous dynamics
and subsystems with discrete dynamics that interact with each
other. Such hybrid systems arise in varied contexts in
manufacturing, communication networks, auto-pilot design,
automotive engine control, computer synchronization, traffic
control, and chemical processes, among others. Hybrid systems
have a central role in embedded control systems that interact
with the physical world. They also arise from the hierarchical
organization of complex systems, and from the interaction of
discrete planning algorithms and continuous control algorithms in
autonomous, intelligent systems. In this article, a brief
introduction to the theory and applications of hybrid systems is
presented.
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