An introduction to control engineering

Abstract

The viewpoint, terminology and technique of the control engineer are introduced in the context of biological control systems. The centrality of the feedback principle in the operation of control systems is emphasized, and the advantages of feedback control described. It is indicated that the control engineer frequently employs mathematical analysis and tends to take an overall or 'systems' approach to design. Control engineering is becoming increasingly important in medicine, both in the analysis of biological systems and in medical treatment and prosthesis.