Complex systems and control: the paradigms of structure evolving systems and system of systems

Abstract

This chapter deals with two rather new notions of complexity emerging in Engineering Systems, reviews existing approaches and results and introduces a number of open problems defining a research agenda in the field. We examine these notions based on the fundamentals of a systemic framework and from the perspective of Systems and Control Theory. The two new major paradigms expressing forms of engineering complexity which have recently emerged are the new paradigms of Structure Evolving Systems (SES) and Systems of Systems (SoS). The origin and types of complexity linked to each one of these families are considered, and an effort is made to relate these new types of complexity to engineering problems and link the emerging open issues to problems and techniques from Systems and Control Theory. The engineering areas introducing these new types of complexity are linked to the problems of Integrated System Design and Integrated System Operations.