The most popular treatment of control for nonlinear systems is from the viewpoint of differential geometry yet this approach proves not to be the most natural when considering problems like dynamic feedback and realization. Professors Conte, Moog and Perdon develop an alternative linear-algebraic strategy based on the use of vector spaces over suitable fields of nonlinear functions. This algebraic perspective is complementary to, and parallel in concept with, its more celebrated differential-geometric counterpart.

Algebraic Methods for Nonlinear Control Systems describes a wide range of results, some of which can be derived using differential geometry but many of which cannot. They include:

. classical and generalized realization in the nonlinear context;

. accessibility and observability recast within the linear-algebraic setting;

. discussion and solution of basic feedback problems like input-to-output linearization, input-to-state linearization, non-interacting control and disturbance decoupling;

. results for dynamic and static state and output feedback.

Dynamic feedback and realization are shown to be dealt with and solved much more easily within the algebraic framework.

Originally published as Nonlinear Control Systems , 1-85233-151-8, this second edition has been completely revised with new text - chapters on modeling and systems structure are expanded and that on output feedback added de novo - examples and exercises. The book is divided into two parts: the first being devoted to the necessary methodology and the second to an exposition of applications to control problems.