Introduction to Time-Delay Systems

Abstract

The goal of this chapter is to introduce the main manners for representing time-delay systems. As for parameters in LPV systems, delays can also be classified in different categories depending on the their nature and the way they act on the system. Several real world examples are given to motivate the usefulness and relevance of time-delay systems in science and engineering. We notably discuss about the harmful and beneficial effects of the delays on the stability properties of dynamical systems. Controllers and observers that are specific to time-delay systems are finally briefly presented.