E-LETTER on Systems, Control, and Signal Processing

ISSUE No. 130, June 1, 1999.


      E-LETTER on Systems, Control, and Signal Processing
                 ISSUE No. 130,  June 1, 1999


E-mail:    eletter-request@win.tue.nl

Editors:   Anton A. Stoorvogel
           Dept. of Mathematics & Computing Science
           Eindhoven University of Technology
           P.O. Box 513
           5600 MB Eindhoven
           the Netherlands
           Fax     +31 40 246 5995

           Siep Weiland
           Dept. of Electrical Engineering
           Eindhoven University of Technology
           P.O. Box 513
           5600 MB Eindhoven
           the Netherlands
           Fax     +31 40 243 4582


Contents


1.      Editorial

2.      Personals

3.      General announcements
        3.1  On-line nonlinear model base predictive control simulator
        3.2  Course on Geometric Control Theory, Aalborg University
        3.3  New issue of IEEE ITS Council Newsletter available
        3.4  Industrial Training Courses at the ACT Club
        3.5  Training course Hot Mill Control and Technology
        3.6  Training Course Control and Operation of Cold Rolling Mills
        3.7  Training Course Electrical Power Generation and Distribution
        3.8  Minicourse System Theory on the Eve of the 21st Century

4.      Positions
        4.1  Faculty Position in Information Engineering, Cambridge
        4.2  Research Associate Control of Combustion Instabilities, Cambridge
        4.3  Postdoctoral position at Yale
        4.4  Faculty position Aerospace Engineering, Lockheed Martin Term Chair
        4.5  Post-doctoral positions at the University of Southampton, UK
        4.6  Postdoc positions and PhD Fellowships in applied nonlinear control
        4.7  PhD position Helicopter modelling and System Identification
        4.8  Postdoc Position in Model Reduction of Mechanical Systems, Boston

5.      Books
        5.1  Call for book proposals in Birkhauser AMS Series
        5.2  "New Directions in Nonlinear Observer Design,"
             Nijmeijer and Fossen (eds.)
        5.3  "Time-Varying Systems and Computations," Dewilde and Vander Veen
        5.4  "Constrained Markov Decision Processes," Altman
        5.5  "Model Predictive Control," Camacho and Bordons
        5.6  Announcement of a new annual series by Birkhauser

6.      Journals
        6.1  TOC IFAC Journal CEP, 7:4
        6.2  CFP Special issue J. of iscrete Event Dynamic Systems
        6.3  CFP Special issue IEEE Trans. Intelligent Transportation Systems
        6.4  TOC MCSS, 12:1
        6.5  TOC Automatica, 35:8

7.      Conferences
        7.1  CFP ADPM-2000
        7.2  CFP Special Session on Modular and Reconfigurable Controllers for
             Flexible Automation, Ann Arbor, Michigan
        7.3  CFP Workshop on Hybrid Systems: Computation and Control
        7.4  CFP Workshop on Intelligent Control & Systems, New Jersey
        7.5  CFP IFAC Conf. on Technology Transfer in Developing Countries:
        7.6  CFP WS Instructional Uses of Animated & Personified Agents
       

              ******************************************
              *                                        *
              *              Editorial                 *
              *                                        *
              ******************************************


Welcome to E-letter number 130 !!!

We plan to send out the E-letter monthly. The next issue of E-letter will
appear July 1. Please send contributions before this date. We encourage
contributors to provide essential information only and reserve the right
to require contributors to cut certain parts of their contribution.

We remind you of the following.

-1- Contributions have to be sent to: "eletter-request@win.tue.nl"

    It would be useful if articles are already sent in the format that we
    use, starting with a "Contributed by:..." and a title centered in the
    next line. Each line should be no more than 80 characters wide. Please
    respect the MAXIMUM LENGTH OF 6 Kb per contribution.

-2- You can subscribe to the E-letter by sending an (empty) e-mail message
    to "eletter@win.tue.nl" carrying the subject 'add' or 'subscribe'. You
    will be automatically subscribed and included in our mailing list.
    To unsubscribe from this list, send an (empty) e-mail message to
    "eletter@win.tue.nl" with the subject 'remove', 'delete' or
    'unsubscribe'.

-3- If your address changed first unsubscribe (using your old E-mail address)
    and then subscribe again (using your new E-mail address). If you can not
    use your old E-mail address any longer then send an E-mail to
    "eletter-request@win.tue.nl" and your old address will be removed
    manually. In case of any problems please send an E-mail to
    "eletter-request@win.tue.nl" and we will try to resolve the problem.

-4- Further information about the E-letter can be obtained by sending an
    (empty) e-mail message to "eletter@win.tue.nl" carrying the subject
    'info' or via the finger command: "finger eletter@wsbs08.win.tue.nl"

-5- If you are using an editor to read this mailing and if at any point you
    wish to skip to the next article, you can accomplish this by searching
    for the string: *.**


              ******************************************
              *                                        *
              *              Personals                 *
              *                                        *
              ******************************************

*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.**
Contributed by: Yu-Chu Tian (tiany@che.curtin.edu.au)

My address has changed to:

Yu-Chu Tian
School of Chemical Engineering
Curtin University of Technology
GPO Box U 1987, Perth, WA 6845
Australia
Tel : +61-8-9266 3776. Fax: +61-8-9266 3554
tiany@che.curtin.edu.au

*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.**
Contributed by: Dragan Nesic

           CHANGE OF ADDRESS

Please note my new address:

D.Nesic,
Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering,
The University of Melbourne,
Parkville, 3052, Victoria
AUSTRALIA
ph: int. + 61+ 3 + 9344 5357
fax: int. +61 + 3 + 9344 6678
email: d.nesic@ee.mu.oz.au


              ******************************************
              *                                        *
              *        General announcements           *
              *                                        *
              ******************************************

*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.**
Contributed by: Eric Ronco 

   On-line Nonlinear Model base Predictive Control Simulator


An on-line nonlinear control simulator is now available at

http://merlot.ee.usyd.edu.au/OLIFO

This simulation package is intended to test the performance of a
practical nonlinear Model based Predictive Controller, namely the
Open-Loop Intermittent Feedback Optimal (OLIFO) controller, while
applied to various complicated non-linear systems. Default settings
are provided for each system. However, you are encouraged to
experience the behaviour of this controller by changing some of the
few parameters. It is also possible to enter your own explicit control
function. This should demonstrate the power of this approach and
provid a benchmark to compare the OLIFO controller performance with
any other non-linear controllers.


*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.**
Contributed by : Rafal Wisniewski (raf@control.auc.dk)

        The European Doctoral School of Technology and Science at
                       Aalborg University
                         7-11 june 1999
                   Geometric Control Theory
         http://www.auc.dk/fak-tekn/forskerskolen/katalog.htm

Organizer: Assistant Professor Rafael Wisniewski, e-mail: raf@control.auc.dk

Lecturers:
Professor Bronislaw Jakubczyk, Polish Academy of Sciences and
Professor Witold Respondek, Institut National des Sciences Appliquees de Rouen

Modules: 1

Time: June 7-11, 1999

Place: Aalborg University,
       Department of Control Engineering,
       Fr. Bejers Vej 7C
       9220 Aalborg, Denmark


Description:
In the last ten years feedback design for non-linear systems has
experienced a growing popularity. The major contribution is due to
differential geometry. Differential geometry was first used for
mathematical description of the relativity theory in the beginning of
this century. In the last couple of years it also gained attention in
the field of control theory.

The first very applicable result was to show when a non-linear system
was controllable/observable. Then various methods for control
synthesis have been given. The largest attention has been gain by a
feedback linearization. It is applicable both for SISO and MIMO
systems and has been successfully used for car manoeuvre control,
satellite attitude control, aircraft control, and movement control of
robots.


Prerequisites:

A basic knowledge of ordinary differential equations is required.

Outline:

The first part of the course will be devoted to introduction to
differential geometry: differential manifolds, vector fields, Lie
algebra. The second part will focus on issues related to
controllability and observe-ability. Discussion on invariant of
feedback in the third part will lead to diffeomorphisms which can be
used to find a linear controllable counterpart of non-linear
controllable system. The feedback linearization can be exact or
partial. In partial linearization the linear block is controllable
whereas the non-linear one, known as zero dynamics, is stable.


Objectives:

The aim of the course is to give the Ph.D. students a good theoretical
background to geometric control methods and to provide with tools
applicable for control design and analysis of complex non-linear
systems.

Language: English

The course is free of charge for academic participants.

*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.**
Contributed by:  Alberto Broggi

        Dear Colleague,
        this short message to advise that the new issue of the
        IEEE ITSC (Intelligent Transportation Systems Council)
        Newsletter is available (Vol.1 Num.2) at the following
        Web site:
                        http://www.ieee.org/its

        You can find the Newsletter in three different formats
        (plain ASCII, PostScript, and PDF),  both in plain and
        compressed version.
        A mirror site is   http://www.ce.unipr.it/~broggi/itsc

                                Thanks for your interest,
                                Best regrads,

                                Prof. Alberto Broggi
                                ITSC Newsletter Editor

        If you wish, you may remove your address from this
        mailing list at any time by sending a message to
                        majordomo@its.unipv.it
        with "unsubscribe itscnews" in the body of the mail.

*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.**
Contributed by: Andy Clegg (andy@isc.eee.strath.ac.uk)

    Industrial Training Courses at the ACT Club

The Advanced Control Technology Club and the Industrial Control Centre
at Strathclyde University are jointly running three Industrial Training
Courses during September 1999. These four-day courses are tailored for
engineers working in particular industries.

The courses will cover many of the latest technological developments as
well as introductory control concepts. Hands on training sessions are
also included so that attendees are able to leave with skills and
software tools that they can apply on their own plant.

The industries covered are:

Hot Rolling Mills and Cold Rolling Mills
6th-10th September and 14th-17th September 1999

These two courses are intended to introduce rolling mill engineers to
control engineering, particularly where it relates to product quality
and throughput improvements. The courses introduce mill operations but
the majority of the material concerns control engineering, emphasising
the different control systems employed on both current and
state-of-the-art rolling mills. The major control loops, such as the
strip thickness and flatness controls, will be analysed.

Most currently prevailing control loops are of a classical type: a
combination of basic PID-feedback, feed-forward, cascade loops and
logic. The potential benefits of using modern multivariable control will
be discussed, although for this course the concepts of advanced control
will be introduced intuitively.

Many leading international companies in metals processing will
contribute to the courses.

See http://isc.eee.strath.ac.uk/hotmill and
http://isc.eee.strath.ac.uk/coldmill for more information and on-line
registration


Electrical Power Generation and Distribution
6th-10th September and 14th-17th September 1999

This course involves a mixture of basic tutorials, practical sessions
and presentations on more advanced topics. Refresher material on basic
control engineering will be provided and a range of topics will be
covered from system identification to signal processing. The benefits
that advanced control and systems engineering tools can bring, ranging
from economic to reliability improvements, will also be introduced.

The application areas to be covered will include: combined cycle power
plants, automatic voltage regulators, bus-bars and distribution system
control and stability. Some of the advanced topics to be covered will
include robust control, predictive control, fault monitoring and
detection, expert systems, intelligent control and data mining.

Very experienced industrial personnel together with leading researchers
will present the course. An extensive set of lecture notes will be
provided and the examples from the practical sessions will be made
available on computer disks.

See http://isc.eee.strath.ac.uk/powersys for more information and
on-line registration


These courses are open to all companies, though members companies of the
Advanced Control Technology Club are eligible for two free places with
additional places at half price. Special Early Registration and Student
rates are also available.

For more information about the Advanced Control Technology Club please
see our Internet site http://isc.eee.strath.ac.uk/actclub.html

*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.**
Contributed by: Drew Smith

HOT MILL CONTROL AND TECHNOLOGY :

2nd INTERNATIONAL TRAINING COURSE

September 6th-10th, 1999

Last year the Industrial Control Centre (ICC) and the Advanced Control
Technology (ACT) Club successfully held the inaugural International Training
Course on Hot Mill Control and Technology which attracted 29 delegates from
15 countries. The delegates companies included Bethlehem Steel, Danieli
United, Sollac Unisor, Aceralia Corp, Hoogovens, Cockerill Sambre, Dofasco,
Iscor Steel, Hylsamex, British Steel, Kvaerner Metals, Alcan, Logan
Aluminium and Columbus Stainless. The course this year has some new subjects
and some of the popular areas from the first course have been
extended.

The course is intended to introduce rolling mill engineers to control
engineering, particularly where it relates to product quality and throughput
improvements. The course covers a one-week period and begins with an
introduction to rolling mill operations and the models, which are needed to
understand them. Methods of simulating such systems to analyse performance,
for training and for management information systems will also be
described. The focus of the course is on control engineering, starting with
the required background theory. The emphasis is then on the different
control systems on the mill, both on typical current plants and on new
developments.

The major control loops on hot strip mills are analysed, such as the strip
thickness and flatness controls. Both regulating loops and supervisory
controls will be considered, and the potential of advances in condition
monitoring systems and fault tolerant/reliable control are described. Most
currently prevailing control loops are of a classical type: a combination of
basic PID-feedback, feedforward, cascade loops and logic. The potential
benefits of using modern, multivariable or robust control will be discussed,
although for this course the aim is to introduce the central ideas of more
advanced control intuitively.

Many leading international companies in metals processing contribute
substantially to the course. They will introduce new equipment-based
technology as well as new software tools that simplify performance analysis
and improvement.

The main target audience for the course are electrical and mechanical
engineers working in steel and aluminium mills, and those in companies and
other organisations supplying control systems or training to the metals
processing industry. The course is also relevant to design engineers wishing
to refresh their control engineering knowledge, and managers who require an
up-to-date overview of quality improving technology.

*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.**
Contributed by: Drew Smith

First International Training Course on the Advances in
Control and Operation of Cold Rolling Mills

Last year the Industrial Control Centre and the Advanced Control Technology
(ACT) Club successfully held the inaugural International Training Course on
Hot Mill Control and Technology which attracted 29 delegates from 15
countries. The delegates companies included Bethlehem Steel, Danieli United,
Sollac Unisor, Aceralia Corp, Hoogovens, Cockerill Sambre, Dofasco, Iscor
Steel, Hylsamex, British Steel, Kvaerner Metals, Alcan, Logan Aluminium and
Columbus Stainless. The course this year is concentrated on control and
technology for COLD MILLS.

The course is intended to introduce rolling mill engineers to control
engineering, particularly where it relates to product quality and throughput
improvements. The course covers a one-week period and begins with an
introduction to rolling mill operations and the models. Methods of
simulating rolling mill for performance analysis, training and management
information systems will be described.  The focus of the course is on
control engineering, starting with the required background theory. The
emphasis is then on the different control systems on the mill, both on
typical current plants and on new developments. The major control loops on
cold mills are analysed, and the potential of advances in condition
monitoring systems and fault tolerant/reliable control is described. The
potential benefits of using modern, multivariable or robust control will be
discussed.

Many well-known international companies in metal processing and well-known
academics contribute to the course. They will introduce new equipment-based
technology as well as new software tools that simplify performance analysis
and improvement.

The main target audience for the course are electrical and mechanical
engineers working in steel and aluminium mills, and those in companies and
other organisations supplying control systems or training to the metals
processing industry. The course is also relevant to design engineers wishing
to refresh their control engineering knowledge, and managers who require an
up-to-date overview of quality improving
technology.

For Further Information, Please Contact:

Dr Reza Katebi
Industrial Control Centre, Strathclyde University, Glasgow G1 1QE,  UK.
Tel: +44(0) 141 548 4297
Fax:    +44 (0) 141 548 4203
Email: r.katebi@eee.strath.ac.uk

*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.**
Contributed by: Sheena Dinwoodie

ADVANCED CONTROL TECHNOLOGIES FOR POWER GENERATION AND DISTRIBUTION:

AN INTERNATIONAL TRAINING COURSE

September 20-23 1999

A four-day event on Electrical Power Generation and Distribution has been
organised as a joint initiative between the Department of Electronic and
Electrical Engineering at the University of Strathclyde and the Advanced
Control Technology Club (ACT Club).  The course will be aimed at Engineers
working in the industry and will involve a mixture of basic tutorials,
practical sessions and presentations on some more advanced topics.  The
meeting will focus on the benefits advanced control and systems engineering
tools can bring, ranging from economic to reliability improvements.

Refresher material on basic control engineering techniques will be provided
and a range of topics will be covered from system identification to signal
processing methods.  The application topics to be discussed will include:
combined cycle power plants, automatic voltage regulators, bus-bar
and distribution system control and systems stability.

Very experienced industrial personnel together with leading researchers will
present the course.  Some of the new topics to be covered will include
robust control, predictive control, fault tolerant control, fault monitoring
and detection systems, expert systems intelligent control and data mining.
An extensive set of lecture notes will be provided and the examples from the
practical sessions will be made available on computer disks.

Contributions to the course are being arranged with
the following companies:

British Energy, National Power, Scottish Power,
Scottish Hydro-Electric, John Brown Eng.,
COGSYS, PrismTechnology, Alstom Energy,
National Grid, Predictive Control Ltd, AESOP
GmbH, Hull University, Brunel University ,
University Teknologi Malaysia and the University
of Strathclyde.

The cost of this four-day course will be 1,950 (+VAT) student price 450
plus VAT, which includes Registration Buffet, Lunches, Tea & Coffee and
Banquet, extensive notes and computer-based control design training.  For
enquires please contact Mrs. Sheena Dinwoodie (Tel 0141- 548-2098), email
s.dinwoodie@eee.strath.ac.uk

*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.**
Contributed by Joao P. Hespanha (hespanha@eecs.berkeley.edu)

                        Mini-course Announcement:

              System Theory on the Eve of the 21st Century

                       June 28th - July 3rd, 1999

                Monastery of Arrabida, Arrabida, PORTUGAL


The last few years have been characterized by exciting new developments
in system theory. Breakthroughs in system representations, in the
analysis of nonlinear dynamical systems, in the design of intelligent
adaptive control algorithms, and in the modeling and verification of
hybrid systems have greatly contributed to the electrifying and turbulent
atmosphere that presently exists within the field. The mini-course
"System Theory on the Eve of the 21st Century" brings together a group of
experts on system theory to lecture on state-of-the-art topics of current
interest in the field - and to speculate on the directions these topics
might be headed in the future. The lectures are aimed at an audience
consisting of graduate students, researchers, and university professors
with back-grounds in System Theory or Applied Mathematics.

Speakers:

        Roger Brockett - Harvard University
        Alberto Isidori - University of Rome
        Petar Kokotovic - University of California
        A. Stephen Morse - Yale University
        Antonio Pascoal - Instituto Superior Tecnico
        Shankar Sastry - University of California
        Joao Sentieiro - Instituto Superior Tecnico
        Jan Willems - University of Groningen

Arrabida Courses is the first Summer University to be held in
Portugal. Created in 1992 by the National Commission for the
Commemoration of the Portuguese Discoveries (CNCDP), it offer a program
of courses, meetings and lectures at the highest academic and scientific
level.

For more information please see
        http://robotics.eecs.berkeley.edu/~hespanha/arrabida.html
or contact:
        Joao P. Hespanha - hespanha@robotics.eecs.berkeley.edu
        U.C. Berkeley - Dept. EECS
        275M Cory Hall #1770
        Berkeley, CA 94720-1770.


              ******************************************
              *                                        *
              *              Positions                 *
              *                                        *
              ******************************************

*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.**
Contributed by: Keith Glover


                   UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE
        Faculty Position  in Information Engineering

Applications are invited for a University Lectureship/University Assistant
Lectureship within the general area of information engineering.  The
Information Engineering Division of the Engineering Department has groups
in Control, Signal Processing, Computer Speech and Vision, and
Communications.  Applications from candidates in the fields of multimedia
engineering or control engineering are especially welcome.  The successful
candidate will have or be expected to develop a record of world class
research commensurate with the Department's international standing.
Teaching responsibilities will include contributing to undergraduate
courses, supervising final year undergraduates and graduate
students.

The appointment will be from 1 October 1999 or as soon as possible
thereafter for either three or five years in the first instance.  Further
particulars and an application form can be obtained from the Secretary of
the Faculty Board of Engineering, Department of Engineering, Trumpington
Street, Cambridge, CB2 1PZ, Tel: 01223 332615, Fax 01223 766364, Email:
jhb@eng.cam.ac.uk, to whom completed application forms should be sent so as
to reach him not later than 30 June 1999.  Informal enquiries can be
made with Prof. Keith Glover, Email: kg@eng.cam.ac.uk.

The University follows an equal opportunities policy.



*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.**
Contributed by: Keith Glover


                   UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE
       Research Associate on Control of Combustion Instabilities

Applications are invited for the post of Research Associate to work
with Professor A P Dowling and Professor K Glover on a fundamental
study of the control of combustion instabilities. Currently,
the performance of aeroengines and power stations is limited by the
onset of these instabilities. The Research Associate will apply
advanced robust control theory both to a model of nonlinear flame
oscillation and to an experiment. The work is funded by EPSRC and the
European Community. It is expected that the person appointed should
have, or expect to have, a PhD in model-based robust control.

The appointment will be for a period of up to eighteen
months. Applications in the form of a CV, including the names and addresses
of two referees should be sent to Professor AP Dowling, Department of
Engineering, University of Cambridge, Trumpington Street, Cambridge,
CB2 1PZ, UK,  by 17th June 1999. Further
information can be obtained either from Professor Dowling
(apd1@eng.cam.ac.uk, 01223 332739) or from Professor Glover
(kg@eng.cam.ac.uk, telephone 01223 332752).

*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.**
Contributed by: Steve Morse


POST DOCTORAL POSITION AT YALE - This position is for an individual with
background in

CONTROL THEORY/SWITCHING CONTROL/VISION-BASED CONTROL/ROBOTICS

interested in both theoretical and experimental research concerning  autonomous
vehicle control. Interested applicants should send their CVs, including lists
of references, to

A. S. Morse
PO Box 208267
Department of Electrical Engineering
Yale University
New Haven, CT. 06520-8267

*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.**
Contibuted by: Panagiotis Tsiotras 

LOCKHEED MARTIN TERM CHAIR IN AVIONICS INTEGRATION

The School of Aerospace Engineering at the Georgia Institute of
Technology invites applications and nominations for a tenure-track
faculty position at the rank of Assistant Professor.  The appointment
includes a five-year term as the Lockheed Martin Chair in Avionics
Integration.

The role of avionics in aerospace has continually expanded from the earliest
radios through the first generation of bulky, unreliable airborne radars to
the mission equipment packages and vehicle management systems of today.  The
key in today's hardware/software real-time integration environment is the
use of common modular integrated avionics and open system architectures.

Areas of interest include, but are not limited to, digital avionics systems
modeling and simulation, object-oriented distributed software architectures,
autonomous real-time embedded systems, load limiting, aeroelastic
stabilization, and human-machine interfaces.  Candidates are expected to
have a strong commitment to teaching at the undergraduate and graduate
levels and to the development of an externally funded research program.

The Lockheed Martin Term Chair in Avionics Integration will become part of a
major new concentration in the School of Aerospace Engineering, expected to
include seminar series and industry internship program components.  An
earned doctorate in Aerospace, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Computer
Science or a related field is required. Industrial/governmental experience
in state-of-the-art avionics integration is desired. Please submit a
detailed resume and names of three references to:

Professor Ben T. Zinn,
School of Aerospace Engineering
Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, GA 3032-0150.

To ensure full consideration, applications should be received before
June 15, 1999,
although the search will continue until the position has been filled.

*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.**
Contributed by: Mark French (mcf94r@ecs.soton.ac.uk)

Post-doctoral positions at the University of Southampton, UK.

POSITION 1: Nonlinear Optimisation of the Suction Distribution for Laminar
Flow Control Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, University of
Southampton, UK

Currently there is a major research programme at Southampton on the
application of feeback control schemes to boundary layer transition control
using distributed suction funded by EPSRC, EU and BAe (Airbus).  This
programme is a joint activity between The School of Engineering Sciences (Dr
Owen Tutty, email ort@soton.ac.uk), The Institute of Sound and Vibration
Research (Professor Phil Nelson, email pan@isvr.soton.ac.uk) and The
Department of Electronics and Computer Science (Professor Eric Rogers, email
etar@ecs.soton.ac.uk).  It includes both algorithm development and
experimental verification by wind tunnel experiments.  This three year post,
funded by EPSRC and BAe (Airbus), is to apply nonlinear optimisation control
theory/tools to develop methods for the design and control of Laminar Flow
Control aerofoils and nacelles, validate the methods by comparison with
results from the experimental research, and provide direct input to the BAe
research programme on laminar flow.

Applicants should have, or be completing, a PhD in nonlinear control theory
and/or applications, and have evidence of high quality publications
commensurate with experience.  Informal enquires can be emailed to any of
the principal investigators.  Applications, in the form of a cv giving the
names and contact details of 2 referees, should be sent to Dr O.R. Tutty,
School of Engineering Sciences, University of Southampton, Highfield,
Southampton SO17 IBJ, by 23rd June 1999.

POSITION 2: Transient performance analysis of nonlinear control designs.

Department of Electronics and Computer Science
University of Southampton, UK

A position is available to work on the analysis of the transient performance
of constructive nonlinear control designs. The research may be either
theoretically or simulation based, but will focus on the comparison of LQ
performance of competing (robust/adaptive) designs. Familiarity with modern
constructive nonlinear control design, dynamical systems and functional
analysis would constitute an ideal background but people with related skills
in the general area of nonlinear control systems are also encouraged to
apply.

Further information on the systems and control research can be found at:

http://www.isis.ecs.soton.ac.uk/control/

The position is available for a period of 12 months in the first
instance. Applicants should have, or be completing, a PhD in nonlinear
control theory and/or applications, and have evidence of high quality
publications commensurate with experience.  Interested applicants should
contact either Dr Mark French (mcf94r@ecs.soton.ac.uk) or Professor Eric
Rogers (etar@ecs.soton.ac.uk, tel 44 1703 592197, fax 44 1703 594498) by
21st June 1999.

*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.**
Contributed by: L. del Re

Post-Doc Positions and PhD Fellowships in applied nonlinear  control
(optimization and identification) for mechatronical systems, especially in
the vehicle and engine fields, available at the Institute of Automatic Control
and Electrical Drives of the University of Linz, Austria. Interest into
interdisciplinary work is indispensable.
E-mail Prof. L. del Re
(delre@mechatronik.uni-linz.ac.at)
or fax to +43-732-2468-9759

*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.**
Contributed by: D.J. Walker 

      HELICOPTER MODELLING AND SYSTEM IDENTIFICATION - Ph.D Position

Industrial CASE Award: (GKN Westland Helicopters/Leicester University).
Recent research has highlighted the importance of more accurate
mathematical models, if better helicopter handling qualities are to be
achieved. Using DERA/GKN Westland experimental facilities, the latest
system identification techniques will be used to identify and validate
helicopter flight-mechanic models; the aim: to pinpoint deficiencies
in and improve accuracy of currently available models.

Applications are invited from individuals having, or about to obtain, a
First or Upper Second Class Honours degree in a relevant branch of
Engineering, Physics or Applied Mathematics. Relevant experience
in mathematical modelling, system identification, and control theory
would be an advantage. The successful candidate will be expected to
register for the degree of Ph.D in the Control and Instrumentation
Research Group at Leicester University Engineering Dept. More
information on the Research Group is available at
http://www.le.ac.uk/eg/research/groups/control/menu.html.
Interested parties should send a c.v. and names and addresses of
at least two referees as soon as possible to:

Dr. Daniel Walker
Dept. of Engineering
Leicester University
University Road
LEICESTER LE1 7RH, U.K.

wjd@le.ac.uk

Tel +44 (0)116 252 2529
Fax +44 (0)116 252 2619

*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.**
Contributed by: Pierre Dupont  (pierre@bu.edu)

Postdoctoral Position in Model Reduction of Mechanical Systems,
Boston University

The Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering at Boston University
is seeking a postdoctoral fellow. The research position will involve
developing model reduction techniques for the scaled shock testing of
complex mechanical systems. Applicants must have recently completed a Ph.D.
in mechanical or electrical engineering or a closely related field.
Experience in optimal model reduction is critical; expertise in mechanical
shock and vibration is preferred. The position is available immediately.
Applicants should send a CV and contact information for three references to
Prof. Pierre Dupont, pierre@bu.edu. BU is an EO/AA employer.



              ******************************************
              *                                        *
              *                Books                   *
              *                                        *
              ******************************************

*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.**
Contributed by: George Anastassiou

Dear Colleaques Hi!

I, George Anastassiou, have been appointed also a BIRKHAUSER-BOSTON
CONSULTING EDITOR for books in APPLIED MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES(A.M.S.).

Birkhauser publishes high quality strictly refereed books among
others in APPLIED MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES in their broadest sense.

 SO THIS MESSAGE  IS TO CALL FOR BOOK PROPOSALS AND MANUSCRIPTS.

 The books we will consider should be in one of the following groups:
 upper level undergraduate,graduate level,research level.
 We intend to publish texts,monographs,proceedings of conferences,
 handbooks,compilations of papers,seminars and lecture notes.
 The published books will be suitable for
 students,researchers,libraries in Mathematical
 Sciences,Engineering,etc.
Interested potential authors should send 3 hard copies of their book
proposal(about 10 pages) or 2 hard copies of their book in final
form(at least 125 printed pages),along with 2 discs with book content
to
      Dr.George Anastassiou
      Department of Mathematical Sciences
      The University of Memphis
      Memphis,TN 38152
      USA
      Tel (901) 678-3144 office
          (901) 678-2482 secretary
          (901) 678-2480 FAX
          (901) 371-9752 home
      e-mail  anastasg@hermes.msci.memphis.edu
      http://www.msci.memphis.edu/~anastasg/anlyjour.htm

Book manuscripts should be typed in any of the widely used software,
such as TEX,LATEX,AMS- TEX,AMS-LATEX different versions.
For more please visit http://www.birkhauser.com

The authors should provide us a list of 6 possible referees to
be used in case our long list of referees does not contain the
appropriate persons to do the refereeing job of the particular
proposal/manuscript.

 Applied Mathematical Sciences books include works in Applied
 Mathematics,OR,Numerical Mathematics,Wavelet,
 Optimization,Probability,Statistics,Neural Networks
 and Computer Science,as wide as possible they can be perceived.
 Also their applications to other sciences like Economics,Physics,
 Engineering,Medical Sciences,Biology,Chemistry,Psychology,etc,etc.

 Working in Applied Mathematical Sciences within Sciences has become
one of the main trends in the last fifty years internationally,so we
can understand better and solve the complex problems of our real
world.That is Mathematical Sciences to the service of Mankind
directly.

  Developing software and exercises related to the book material is
strongly encouraged if applicable.

       Cordially yours
       George Anastassiou
       Memphis,5-11-99
       Birkhauser Consultant Editor-A.M.S.

*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.**
Contributed by: Thor I. Fossen (tif@itk.ntnu.no)
                       Department of Engineering Cybernetics
                       Norwegian University of Science and Technology


     Book Announcement:

     "NEW DIRECTIONS IN NONLINEAR OBSERVER DESIGN"
     (Henk Nijmeijer and Thor I. Fossen (eds.))

     Springer-Verlag London, May 1999
     Series: Lecture Notes in Control and Information Sciences. VOL. 244
     ISBN: 1-85233-134-8, 532 pp. 89 figs. (approx: $120.00)

     http://www.springer.de/cgi-bin/search_book.pl?isbn=1-85233-134-8
     http://www.amazon.com

The past decade has witnessed an increasing interest in observers
for nonlinear systems. This subject is relevant in different
contexts such as synchronization of complex dynamical systems,
fault detection and isolation, and output feedback control.
This book contains the contributions that are to be presented
at the workshop "New Directions in Nonlinear Observer Design",
to be held from June 24-26, 1999, in Geiranger Fjord, Norway.
The workshop has been organized by Olav Egeland, Thor I. Fossen
and Henk Nijmeijer; it will include participants from Africa,
Asia, Europe and USA and it will focus on recent developments
in the above mentioned areas. The contributions form a good
review of present achievements and challenges in nonlinear
observer design and it is a supplement to engineers who are
familiar with linear design techniques like the Kalman-filter,
Luenberger observer etc. The main advantage of using nonlinear
observer theory to linear theory is the improved performance
achievement and that global convergence and stability can be
established for a large class of nonlinear plants.  Traditional
state estimators like the Kalman filter must be linearized
about a set of pre-defined operating points often in
combination with a gain scheduling technique in order to
cover the whole state-space. This approach only guarantees
local convergence/stability. Therefore, nonlinear observer
design is becoming an important field of research with
increased international attention.

The workshop is supported by the Strategic University Program
on Marine Cybernetics at the Norwegian University of Science
and Technology and ABB Industri AS, Oslo.

CONTENTS

The book is organized into four parts each divided into
several chapters:

- I Nonlinear observer design (9 chapters)
- II Output feedback control design (8 chapters)
- III Fault detection and isolation (5 chapters)
- IV Synchronization and observers (3 chapters)

*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.**
Contributed by: Patrick Dewilde

                           NEW BOOK ANNOUNCEMENT

Title:          Time-Varying Systems and Computations
Authors:        Patrick Dewilde and Alle-Jan van der Veen
                (DIMES, Delft University of Technology)
Publisher:      Kluwer Academic Publishers, orderdept@wkpa.nl
Pages:          459

Summary:        Time-Varying Systems and Computations provides a detailed
                and consistent exposition of a powerful unifying framework
                for the study of linear systems. Finite or infinite
                systems of linear equations as well as linear dynamical
                systems, be they time-varying or time-invariant, all fit in
                the generic framework. The book bridges the gap between
                classical linear algebra and dynamic system theory and
                shows how central problems in each field can be solved
                in a logically coherent way. Aside from the unifying frame,
                the book treats problems in three main categories:
                - System identification and realization
                - Interpolation and approximation of systems
                - Factorization and minimal representation.
                Classical notions such as inner-outer factorization, Hankel
                norm model reduction, interpolation and minimality pop
                up, now in an algebraic context. They are treated in a
                new, natural framework in which computations on diagonals
                of a matrix or operator play the role that vectors play
                in classical linear algebra. Because of this, the algorithmic
                content of the book is high, justifying its title.

Content:        1. Introduction
                Part I: Realization: 2. Notation and Properties of Non-Uniform
                Spaces. 3. Time-varying State Space Realizations. 4. Diagonal
                Algebra. 5. Operator Realization Theory. 6. Isometric and
                Inner Operators. 7. Inner-Outer Factorization and Operator
                Part II: Interpolation and Approximation. 8. J-Unitary
                Operators. 9. Algebraic Interpolation. 10. Hankel-norm
                Model Reduction. 11. Low-Rank Matrix Approximation and
                Subspace Tracking.
                Part III: 12. Orthogonal Embedding. 13. Spectral Factorization.
                14. Lossless Cascade Factorization. 15. Conclusions.
                Appendix: Hilbert Spaces Definitions and Properties.

The book is more than a research monograph, it has been carfully structured
so that it can be used as a graduate classtext.

*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.**
Contributed by:  Eitan Altman

New book announcement:

CONSTRAINED MARKOV DECISION PROCESSES
                By
            Eitan ALTMAN

CRC Press / Chapman and Hall, March 1999

Contents

1 Introduction 1

I Part One: Finite MDPs 19
2 Markov decision processes 21
3 The discounted cost 27
4 The expected average cost 37
5 Flow and service control in a single-server queue 45

II Part Two: Infinite MDPs 57
6 MDPs with infinite state and action spaces 59
7 The total cost: classification of MDPs 75
8 The total cost: occupation measures and the primal LP 101
9 The total cost: Dynamic and Linear Programming 117
10 The discounted cost 137
11 The expected average cost 143
12 Expected average cost: Dynamic Programming and LP 165

III Part Three: Asymptotic methods and approximations 181
13 Sensitivity analysis 183
14 Convergence of discounted constrained MDPs 193
15 Convergence as the horizon tends to infinity 199
16 State truncation and approximation 205
17 Appendix: Convergence of probability measures 217
18 References 221
19 List of Symbols and Notation 235
Index 239

For more information, see http://www.crcpress.com/
or send an email to altman@sophia.inria.fr

*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.**
Contributed by: Carlos Bordons 

                                NEW BOOK:
                       "MODEL PREDICTIVE CONTROL"

                      E.F. Camacho and C. Bordons

           Springer Verlag, London, 1999, ISBN: 3-540-76241-8

                            Price 79.00 DM
                               280 pages

Purchase information: http://www.springer.co.uk


This books provides an extensive review concerning the theoretical and
practical aspects of model based predictive controllers. It describes
the most commonly used Model Predictive Control (MPC) strategies,
especially Generalized Predictive Control (GPC), showing both their
theoretical properties and their practical implementation issues. Topics
such as multivariable MPC, constraints handling, stability and
robustness properties are thoroughly analyzed in this text.

The text, which includes exercises and real applications, is an
excellent aid for students at both undergraduate and graduate level, and
will be of use to all those involved in this area of work.

Contents:
1. Introduction to Model Based Predictive Control
2. Model Based Predictive Controllers
3. Commercial Model Predictive Control Schemes
4. Generalized Predictive Control
5. Simple Implementation of GPC for Industrial Process
6. Multivariable MPC
7. Constrained MPC
8. Robust MPC
9. Applications

Further information: http://www.esi.us.es/~bordons/book.html

 Carlos Bordons Alba            e-mail: bordons@cartuja.us.es
 Dpto. Ingenieria de Sistemas y Automatica
 Escuela Superior de Ingenieros. Universidad de Sevilla
 Camino de los descubimientos s/n 41092 Sevilla, Spain
 Tel: (34)-954487348         Fax: (34)-954487340
 http://www.esi.us.es/~bordons

*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.**
Contributed by: Wayne Yuhasz 

         ANNOUNCEMENT OF A NEW ANNUAL SERIES BY BIRKHAUSER


Birkhauser, Boston is pleased to announce the publication of
the interdisciplinary annual  book series:

"Applied and Computational Control, Signals, and Circuits
Volume 1"  (ACCSC)   ISSN 0-8176-3954-3   560 pages


Editor-in-Chief:  Biswa N. Datta, Northern Illinois University

Associate Editors-in-Chief: Roland W. Freund, Floyd B.
Hanson and Robert J. Plemmons.

Technical Editor: Eric Behr, Northern Illinois Univerity

Software Editor: Dan Pierce, Boeing Computer Services

Editorial Board :  B.D.O. Anderson, R.S.  Baheti, A.T.
Bahill, S.P. Bhatttacharyya, D. Boley, S.  Boyd, J.R. Bunch, J.
Burns, C.I. Byrnes, G. Cybenko, B. DeMoor, K. Furuta, V. Hernandez,
D. Inman, T. Kailath, H. Kimura, S.Y. Kung, A.G. Lindquist, C.F.
Martin, B.  Morton, R.V. Patel, P. Van Dooren, M. Vidyasagar, and
N. Viswanadham.

The series publishes  invited state-of-the-art review articles
written by leading experts in the fields of interests to the series,
addressing significant new developemnts, applications, and
computations in control, signal processing, and circuit design and
analysis. The general goal of the series is to foster effective
communications and exchange of information between various scientific
and engineering communities having mutual interests in these areas.

Besides technical papers, each volume will contain software review
papers offering description of new softwares and/or critical assessment
of existing softwares for design and applications.

Volume 1  (ISBN 0-8176-3954-3) is scheduled to be published in May,
1999.  The authors and chapter titles are:

1. C.G. Cassandras and S. Lafortune , Discrete Event Systems: The
State
of the Art and New Directions.

2. B. Hassibi, T. Kailath and A. Sayed, Array Algorithms for
$H^2$ and H-$\infty$ Estimation .

3. H. Kimura, Nonuniqeness,Uncertainity, and Complexity in Modeling.

4. K.L. Moore, Iterative Learning Control - An Expository Overview.

5. S. Wu, S.Boyd, and L.Vandenberghe, FIR Filter Design via
Spectral Factorization and Convex Optimization.

6. B. De Moor and P. Van Overschee,  Algorithms for Subspace
State- Space System Identification : An Overview

7. D. Calvetti, Lothar Reichel ,  and Q. Zhang : Iterative
Solution Methods for Large Linear Discrete Ill-Posed Problems.

8. G. Davis and A. Nosratinia, Wavelet-Based  Image Coding: An
Overview

9. R.W. Freund , Reduced-order Modeling Techniques Based
on Krylov Subspaces and Their Use in Circuit Simulation.


Software :
10.  P. Benner, V. Mehrmann, V. Sima, S. Van Huffel , and A.
Varga, SLICOT - A Subroutine Library in Systems and Control Theory.

Ordering information on the series and other information on the
first volume can be found on the series' web page:




              ******************************************
              *                                        *
              *               Journals                 *
              *                                        *
              ******************************************

*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.**
Contributed by: George W Irwin (editor-in-chief)

                Control Engineering Practice
   A Journal of the International federation of Automatic Control
   Vol 7 Issue 4

List of Contents

pp 445-458
Real-time control of non-uniformly sampled systems
P Albertos, A Crespo

pp 459-468
Active sonar-based bottom-following for unmanned underwater
vehicles
M Caccia, G Bruzzone, G Veruggio

pp 469-481
A Neuro-fuzzy controller for a stoker-fired boiler, based on behavior
modeling
WEI Li, X Chang

pp 483-492
A model of combustion chambers, including nitrogen oxide
generation, in thermal power plants
A De Marco, G Poncia

pp 493-506
Low-order robust attitude control of an earth observation satellite
C Valentin-Charbonnel, G Duc, S Le Ballois

pp 507-515
Real-time midcourse missile guidance robust against launch
conditions
EJ Song, MJ Tahk

pp 517-522
Performance of unstable sontrol loops with limits
E Eitelberg

pp 523-529
A fuzzy PLC with gain-scheduling control resolution for a thermal
process - a case study
HX Li, SK Tso

pp 531-536
Transient stability improvement of multi-machine power systems
using on-line fuzzy control of SMES
SM Sadeghzadeh, M Ehsan, NH Said, R Feuillet

pp 537-545
A new decentralised controller design method with application to
power-system stabiliser design
TC Yang, JH Zhang, H Yu


Special Section on Management and Control of Production &
Logistics

pp 547-548
Preface
Z Binder, BE Hirsch, LM Aguilera

pp 549-554
Global optimization of energy and production in process industries:
A genetic algorithm application
 AC Santos, A Dourado

pp 555-563
Optimal feedback control scheme helping managers to adjust
aggregate industrial resources
OS Silva Fo, SD Ventura

pp 565-571
Design of machines and robots endowed with a permanent learning
ability
D Brun-Picard, JSS Sousa

pp 573-575
IFAC meeting papers


pp 577-578
Book review - Modeling and simulation of communication networks:
A hands-on approach using OPNET G Henricks, J Zalewski

pp 579-579
Book review - Using REDUCE in high energy physics by A.G.
Grozin A Cejchan, J Zalewski

pp 581-586
Index of IFAC meeting papers 1993/4/5/6/7/8

*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.**
Contributed by: Alessandro Giua 

Call for papers
             Journal of Discrete Event Dynamic Systems
               Special issue on  "Hybrid Petri Nets"

Aims and scope
--------------

 Nowadays Petri nets are recognized as a powerful modelling approach for
 Discrete Event Dynamic Systems (DEDS), especially when pursuing
 objectives related to performance analysis, optimization and control.
 Much effort has recently been devoted to extend Petri net modelling
 capabilities to encompass both event-driven and time-driven dynamics.
 As a result, a family of related formalisms know as Hybrid Petri Nets
 has been conceived. Hybrid Petri Nets provide a single consistent
 framework to describe the discrete-event and continuous-time subparts
 of hybrid systems, which have being attracting everincreasing attention
 in the control community.

 This special issue will be the first one ever published on Hybrid Petri
 Nets, and as such will include papers that:
 - describe the state-of-the-art in this domain of research;
 - present effective hybrid Petri net models;
 - extend Petri net analysis techniques proper to discrete models to
   hybrid models;
 - show examples of application.


Submissions
----------

 Papers are to be sent in four copies to one of the Editors, and should
 include a cover page containing the title of the paper, full name and
 affiliation of each author, an abstract of about 200 words, and a list
 of 3-5 keywords; the corresponding author, who should be clearly
 indicated, should add to his complete mail address phone and fax
 number, and electronic mail address.


Deadlines
--------

 October 1, 1999:       deadline for paper submission
 February 1, 2000:      notification of acceptance to authors
 April 1, 2000:         deadline for camera-ready papers
 Fall 2000:             special issue is published


Web homepage
-----------

http://www.diee.unica.it/~giua/deds-hpn.html


Guest  Editors
-------------

 Prof. Angela Di Febbraro
 Dipartimento di Automatica e Informatica
 Politecnico di Torino
 Corso Duca degli Abruzzi, 24
 10129 Torino, Italy
 E-mail: difebbraro@polito.it

 Prof. Alessandro Giua
 Dipartimento di Ingegneria Elettrica ed Elettronica
 Universita' di Cagliari
 Piazza d'Armi
 09123 Cagliari, Italy
 E-mail: giua@diee.unica.it

 Prof. Giuseppe Menga
 Dipartimento di Automatica e Informatica
 Politecnico di Torino
 Corso Duca degli Abruzzi, 24
 10129 Torino, Italy
 E-mail: menga@polito.it

*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.**
Contributed by: N. Harris McClamroch (nhm@engin.umich.edu)

CALL FOR PAPERS
SPECIAL ISSUE ON AUTOMATED AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS

IEEE Transactions on Intelligent Transportation Systems

Special Issue Editors

N. Harris McClamroch
Department of Aerospace Engineering
The University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2140
(734) 763-2355
nhm@engin.umich.edu

Banavar Sridhar
NASA Ames Research Center
Chief, Automation Concepts Research Branch: Mail Stop 210-10
Moffett Field, CA 94035-1000
(650) 604-5450
bsridhar@mail.arc.nasa.gov

Scope of the Special Issue:  All operational aspects of automated air traffic
control systems; the objective of the special issue is to assess the state of
the art in automation tools and concepts and to identify promising research
areas to design a safer and more efficient air traffic control system.

Goals of the Special Issue:

- identify important domains where air traffic control automation can make a
  difference
- survey range of potential automation tools and concepts for air traffic 
  control systems
- assess knowledge base in automated air traffic control systems
- identify future research opportunities and needs in automatic air traffic
  control systems

Submission Details:

- Submission deadline: January 1, 2000
- Acceptance notification: September 1, 2000
- Publication in 2001

All papers will be refereed in accordance with standard procedures for IEEE
Transactions.  Reviews will be obtained and publication decisions will be made 
by the editors, with the help of a special issue Editorial Board.

Papers that are submitted to the special issue should be mailed to:

- N. Harris McClamroch at the above address

Themes:  The editors are especially interested in papers that address the 
following topics:

- automated air space structure
     - control towers
     - terminal centers
     - enroute centers
- automated scheduling
- route optimization
- conflict detection and resolution
- free flight paradigm
- strategic management of air space resources
     - strategic management of airline fleet operations
     - mitigation of disruptions resulting from severe weather
     - mitigation of congestion effects in busy terminal areas
- air traffic control models
     - hierarchy of models
     - modeling to translate field tests to national benefits
     - models for prediction of controller workload
     - models including human and automation effects
     - weather models
- peformance metrics for air traffic systems
     - safety
     - efficient use of the airspace
     - satisfying user preferences
- perspectives on automation from point of view of user groups
     - pilots
     - air traffic controllers
     - airlines
     - general aviation users
- systems engineering support for automated air traffic control systems
     - communications, navigation, and surveillance
     - ATM real-time infrastructure
     - performance and safety
- evolution and modernization of the air traffic system

*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.**
Contributed by: Jan H. van Schuppen (J.H.van.Schuppen@cwi.nl)

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Mathematics of Control, Signals, and Systems (MCSS)

Volume 12 (1999), Number 1

V.A. Ugrinovskii and I.R. Petersen,
Finite horizon minimax optimal control
of stochastic partially observed time varying
uncertain systems. 
MCSS 12 (1999), 1-23. H.L. Trentelman and P. Rapisarda, New algorithms for polynomial J-spectral factorization. MCSS 12 (1999), 24-61. B. Hammer, On the learnability of recursive data. MCSS 12 (1999), 62-79. B.D.O. Anderson, The realization problem for hidden Markov models. MCSS 12 (1999), 80-120. INFORMATION Information on MCSS including tables of contents is available at its home pages: www.cwi.nl/~schuppen/mcss/mcss.html www.math.rutgers.edu/~sontag/mcss.html Address for submissions: J.H. van Schuppen (Co-Editor MCSS) CWI P.O.Box 94079 1090 GB Amsterdam The Netherlands Bradley Dickinson, Eduardo Sontag, Jan van Schuppen (Editors) *.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.** Contributed by: Huibert Kwakernaak AUTOMATICA Table of contents August, 1999 Issue 35:8 Regular Papers A. Banaszuk, A. J. Krener Design of controllers for MG3 compressor models with general characteristics using graph backstepping Brief Papers V. Dragan, P. Shi, E-K. Control of singularly perturbed systems with Boukas Markovian jump parameters: An H(infinity) approach M. S. de Queiroz, D. M. Adaptive control of robot manipulators with Dawson, M. Agarwal controller/ update law modularity A. Besancon-Voda, G. Analysis of a two-relay systems configuration Besancon with application to Coulomb friction identification H. W. J. Lee, K. L. Teo, V. Control parametrization enhancing technique Rehbock, L. S. Jennings for optimal discrete - valued control problems V. O. Nikiforov Robust high-order tuner of simplified structure M. Makoudi, L. Radouane Robust decentralized adaptive control for non minimum phase systems with unknown and/or time varying delay L. Wang, M. L. Desarmo, W. Real time estimation of process frequency R. Cluett response and step response from relay feedback experiments Technical Communiques E. K. Boukas, H. Yang Exponential stability of stochastic systems with Markovian jumping parameters Jong Hae Kim H(infinity) state feedback control for generalized continuous discrete time delay system S. N. Antoniou, A. I. G. A note on the action of constant pseudostate Vardulakis feedback on the internal properness of an arma model P. K. Sinha, A. N. Pechev Model reference adaptive control of a Maglev system with stable maximum descent criterion T. Leephakpreeda H(infinity) stability robustness of fuzzy control systems Li-Xin Wang Automatic design of fuzzy controllers D. D. Siljak, D. M. Robust D-stability via positivity Stipanovic M. K. Tippett, D. Marchesin Upper bounds for the solution of the discrete algebraic Lyapunov equation C. Y. Chan Discrete adaptive sliding mode control of a class of stochastic systems M. Makoudi, L. Radouane A robust decentralized model reference adaptive control for non-minimum phase interconnected systems ****************************************** * * * Conferences * * * ****************************************** *.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.** Contributed by: Sebastian Engell Call for Papers -------------------------------- ADPM'2000 4th International Conference +-------+ Automation of Mixed Processes: |A D P\M| Hybrid Dynamic Systems | \| Automation des Processus Mixtes: |D O R T| Les Systemes Dynamiques Hybrides |\ | |M\U N D| 18-19 September 2000 +-------+ Dortmund, Germany Scope: ------ ADPM'2000 will be the 4th event in a series of biennial international conferences on hybrid dynamic systems, i.e., systems with both continuous and discrete dynamics. The conference will provide a survey of the advances in this field, including topics such as modeling, analysis, verification, synthesis, simulation, and the application of these methods in the design of automation systems. The aim of the ADPM'2000 is to bring together researchers and practitioners with backgrounds in control, electronics or computer science and to initiate discussions on how concepts from these different domains can be integrated to improve the existing engineering methods for hybrid systems. Technical Program: ------------------ The technical program will consist of invited lectures by distinguished experts in hybrid systems and reviewed papers and posters, either as individual contributions or in special sessions. Additionally, a tool exhibition is planned to demonstrate the current state of computer-aided engineering of hybrid systems. Submissions: ------------ Contributions are invited in all areas pertaining to the engineering of hybrid dynamic systems, e.g. modeling, specification, analysis, verification, synthesis, simulation, and implementation. Reports on industrial applications of design or analysis methods for hybrid systems are particularly encouraged. The submitted material must be original, unpublished and not being considered for publication elsewhere. (I) Individual Papers and Posters: ---------------------------------- Authors are invited to submit an extended abstract of 6 to 8 pages (font size 12 points, 1.5 line spacing), either a PS or PDF file or 4 hard copies. The organizers strongly encourage electronic submission. The extended abstract must contain each author's affiliation and complete address (postal, e-mail, phone, fax) and a short summary. Please identify the corresponding author. Submissions should also indicate the preferred form of presentation, oral or poster. Poster presentations are encouraged in particular for reports on tool development. The conference program will include poster sessions during which no oral sessions will take place. (II) Special Sessions: ---------------------- Proposals for special sessions on particular aspects of hybrid systems are invited. A special session should consist of 4 to 6 papers in the format described for individual contributions and a one page abstract summarizing the aim and content of the session, starting with a session title, name and full address of the session organizer, a list of the included papers, and the preferred form of presentation (oral or poster). Survey papers at the beginning of special sessions are encouraged. They can replace two regular contributions. (III) Tool Exhibition: ---------------------- Tool developers, academic or commercial, are invited to present their programs in an exhibition parallel to the conference. For this purpose, a one page description of the tool has to be submitted. Tool presentations are not formally reviewed. Acceptance is subject to the available space and relevance to the conference topic. Tool demos can also accompany the presentation of an accepted scientific paper (preferably as a poster). In this case, the authors should state their intention to present software when submitting the paper. Review Process, Proceedings: ---------------------------- The Program Committee will review all extended abstracts and special session proposals, and decide on the acceptance and the form of presentation. Full versions of the accepted contributions will be published in the proceedings available at the conference. Oral presentations and posters will be allotted equal space for the paper in the proceedings. After the conference, a selection of the presented papers will be published in a special issue of the "European Journal on Automation" (JESA), Hermes, Paris. Important Dates: ---------------- 1 March 2000 - Submission of extended abstracts and special session proposals 20 April 2000 - Notification of acceptance 15 June 2000 - Final papers due, Submission of tool demo descriptions Address for all Submissions: ---------------------------- Hardcopies: Sebastian Engell Co-Chair ADPM'2000 Chemietechnik-AST Universitaet Dortmund D-44221 Dortmund, Germany PS or PDF files: adpm@ct.uni-dortmund.de For any further details, do not hesitate to contact the secretariat or visit our homepage: http://astwww.chemietechnik.uni-dortmund.de/adpm2000 *.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.** Contributed by: Dawn Tilbury (tilbury@umich.edu) and Robert Landers (landers@umich.edu) Call for Papers for a Special Session on Modular and Reconfigurable Controllers for Flexible Automation Sponsored by the ASME Dynamic Systems and Control Division Japan-USA Symposium on Flexible Automation (http://www.engin.umich.edu/prog/pim/2000JUSFA.html) July 23-26, 2000 The University of Michigan Ann Arbor, Michigan As product life cycles continue to shorten in response to rapidly-changing customer demands, manufacturing systems must be able to go from concept to production in ever-shorter time frames. In addition, existing manufacturing systems must frequently be updated to meet changing demands. In response to these shortened time cycles, modular and reconfigurable automation systems are being designed and built. In this session, we invite papers on all methods and aspects of modular and reconfigurable controllers for automation systems, including, but not limited to, discrete-event or logic control, supervisory control, process control, and monitoring and diagnostic systems. New solution techniques as well as applications of existing techniques to new problems are welcomed. Both long papers (6-8 proceeding pages) and short papers (less than four proceeding pages) will be considered. The session co-organizers will review short abstracts to determine the selection of papers for the special session; all papers will undergo a formal peer review by the symposium program committee. Long papers will be reviewed as full manuscripts including abstract and keywords; short papers will be screened by a 600-1000 word summary including keywords. Papers from industrial participants outlining the key problems faced today and in the future are also welcome. Clearly indicate the corresponding author, as well as his/her complete contact information. Submission Deadlines September 20, 1999 Short abstract due to session co-organizers (email or hardcopy is fine) September 24, 1999 Authors notified of manuscript inclusion in special session November 30, 1999 Full manuscript (long papers) or summary (short papers) due to session co-organizers (6 copies) February 15, 2000 Authors notified of manuscript acceptance for symposium; author kits distributed March 15, 2000 Final, camera-ready manuscripts due Session Co-Organizers Dr. Dawn M. Tilbury Dr. Robert G. Landers The University of Michigan The University of Michigan Department of MEAM Department MEAM 2350 Hayward Street 2350 Hayward Street Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2125 Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2125 Telephone: 734-936-2129 Telephone: 734-764-5298 Fax: 734-615-0312 Fax: 734-615-0312 Email: tilbury@umich.edu Email: landers@umich.edu *.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.** Contributed by: Bruce H. Krogh (krogh@ece.cmu.edu) FIRST ANNOUNCEMENT AND CALL FOR PAPERS HYBRID SYSTEMS: COMPUTATION AND CONTROL (HSCC00) Third International Workshop Pittsburgh, PA USA http://www.ece.cmu.edu/~hs00 Important Dates --------------- Submission deadline: October 15, 1999 Notification of acceptance: December 15, 1999 Final versions due: January 15, 2000 Workshop: March 23-25 (Thur-Sat), 2000 Aims and Scope -------------- The Workshop on Hybrid Systems attracts researchers from industry and academe interested in modeling, analysis, and implementation of dynamic and reactive systems involving both discrete (integer, logical, symbolic) and continuous behaviors. It is a forum for the latest developments in all aspects of hybrid systems, including formal models and computational representations, algorithms and heuristics, computational tools, and new challenging applications. The Third International Workshop continues the series of workshops held in Grenoble, France (HART97), University of California at Berkeley, USA (HSCC98), and Nijmegen, The Netherlands (HSCC'99). Proceedings of these workshops have been published in the Lecture Notes in Computer Science (LNCS) series by Springer-Verlag. Scientific Program and Topics ----------------------------- Sessions will include presentations of contributed and invited papers. In keeping with the tradition of previous workshops, there will be ample time and space for informal discussions. Submissions are invited in all areas pertaining to the design, analysis and implementation of hybrid control systems. Topics include but are not limited to: - modeling and representations of hybrid systems - reasoning about hybrid systems at multiple levels of abstraction - specification and implementation languages - computer-aided design and simulation - algorithms and heuristics for verification - control (synthesis, controllability, stability) - optimization of hybrid systems - engineering applications Reports on case studies and tool development are particularly encouraged. Tool demonstrations will form an integral part of the workshop. Venue --------- The workshop will be held at the University Club, a private club near the campuses of Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh. Submissions ----------- Researchers are invited to submit the postscript file of an extended abstract via e-mail to: hs99@ece.cmu.edu. The abstract should not exceed 10 pages. The first page should contain the title of the paper, each author's name and affiliation, complete contact information for the corresponding author (postal and e-mail addresses, telephone and fax numbers), and a one-paragraph summary of the contribution. Full versions of the accepted submissions will be published in the Springer LNCS series. The proceedings will be available at the workshop. Workshop Co-chairs --------------------------- Bruce H. Krogh (krogh@ece.cmu.edu) and Nancy Lynch (lynch@theory.lcs.mit.edu) Additional Information ----------------------------- To stay informed about HSCC00, register for e-mail announcements by sending e-mail to hs99@ece.cmu.edu. Also refer to the Workshop webpage at http://www.ece.cmu.edu/~hs00. *.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.** Contributed by: Joseph S. Tate CALL FOR PAPERS Third International Workshop on Intelligent Control & Systems (ICS 2000) Trump Taj Mahal Casino and Resort Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA February 27-March 3, 2000 Workshop Chair: Kumpati Narenda Department of Computer Science Yale University Program Chair: Hao Ying (hying@utmb.edu) Department of Physiology and Biophysics The University of Texas Medical Branch ICS 2000 is part of the Fifth Joint Conference on Information Sciences, (www.ee.duke/JCIS/) which offers nine related conferences/workshops with the following keynote and plenary speakers: Jim Anderson David E. Goldberg S. C. Kak Karl H. Pribram Wolfgang Banzhaf Ira Goodman John Mordeson Jeffrey P. Sutton B. Chandrasekaran Stephen Grossberg Kumpati S. Narenda Lawrence J. Fogel T. S. Huang Anil Nerode Walter J. Freeman A. C. Kak Huang T. Nguyen For regular sessions, please submit 3 copies of your paper. It should be no longer than 4 pages of 10-point font, double-column, single-spaced text (1 page is minimum) with figures and tables included. For contributory/invited sessions, please submit your proposed session topic and the number of participants you wish to invite (usually 3-5 speakers per session). All accepted papers will appear in the conference proceedings. An extended version of the papers may be submitted at the conference for possible publication in Information Sciences, an international journal published by Elsevier or special-edition books. A regular peer review will be required for all the submissions. Please send submissions, proposals and inquiries to Hao Ying Department of Physiology & Biophysics 621 Jennie Sealy Hospital, D56 The University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston, TX 77555-0456 hying@utmb.edu (phone)409-772-8415, (fax)409-772-0751 The deadlines and schedules are as follows: September 1, 1999 - submission of papers and session proposals; November 1, 1999 - notification of paper acceptance status; December 1, 1999 - submission of final camera-ready manuscript. A payment of $180 is due by December 1, 1999 to guarantee publication of your paper in the Proceedings. This payment is deductible from the full or preconference discounted conference registration fee. Additional fees will be charged for publishing more than one paper or papers longer than 4 pages. Please visit the JCIS web site (www.ee.duke/JCIS/) for detailed information on these charges. Papers accepted for publication in Information Sciences must be in LaTeX style. Broad areas of intelligent control and systems are covered by the workshop. They include, but are not limited to, the following: Fuzzy logic and systems Neural networks Soft computing Chaos and control of chaos Human-like/machine intelligence Learning adaptation and self organization Expert systems Information systems Information granularity Symbolic processing Syntactics and semantics Planning and problem solving Perception, cognition, and pattern recognition Game theory and decision making World modeling and knowledge base Uncertainty modeling, probability, and statistics Prediction, filtering, smoothing Human-machine interfaces Sensors, transducers and data fusion Simulation, prediction and control of complex systems Fuzzy control systems Autonomous control and distributed control Hybrid control system Multiple agents control systems *.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.** Contributed by: Fernando Camisani FIRST ANNOUNCEMENT AND CALL FOR PAPERS International Federation of Automatic Control (IFAC) Conference on Technology Transfer in Developing Countries: Automation in Infrastructure Creation University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa 5-7 July, 2000 Organised by SACAC in cooperation with CSSA, SAACE, SAIChE, SAIEE, SAIMC, SAIMM and EE Publishers mailto:decom@suntiger.ee.up.ac.za web-site: http://www.ee.up.ac.za/decom/ 1. SCOPE This conference will focus on the transfer of automation technology in the field of infrastructure creation and development. Particular emphasis will be given to the application and adaptation of first world automation technologies to developing countries in the following areas: power systems; telecommunications systems; transportation systems; water systems. Sessions will be arranged around these topics. All four of these areas are currently of particular importance to developing countries as a good and reliable infrastructure forms the basis of a modern economy with sustainable human development. Keywords include, but are not restricted to: 1.1 Power systems Energy control, distribution and management systems Power systems, generation, distribution and reticulation Modular nuclear power plants Hydropower 1.2 Transportation systems Air traffic control Automobile industry Electric vehicles Ports and railways Rail and road traffic Ship, train and transportation control 1.3. Telecommunications systems Cellular automation Cellular power control Information technology Networks based control Telecommunication systems Telematics Telephone networks 1.4. Water systems Water catchment management, pollution, reticulation, resources management, supply and transportation Wastewater purification/treatment 1.5. Other Control education Continuing Professional Development Cultural aspect of automation Developing countries Distance Learning Knowledge transfer Low cost automation Man/Machine interaction Social impact of automation Technology transfer Training 2. CALL FOR PAPERS Five copies of the full draft paper should be received by the conference secretariat by 1 September 1999. Please include an e-mail address and fax number with the author's address. The working language of the conference will be English. 3. MAILING ADDRESS Correspondence should be sent to DECOM - TT 2000 Secretariat c/o Fernando Camisani Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering University of Pretoria, 0002 Pretoria, South Africa Phone: +27-12-420-2190 Fax: +27-12-362-5000 mailto: decom@suntiger.ee.up.ac.za Web-site: http://www.ee.up.ac.za/decom/ *.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.** Contributed by: ?? CALL FOR PARTICIPATION International Workshop on Instructional Uses of Animated and Personified Agents Held in Conjunction with AIED 99 18th - 23rd July, 1999 Le Mans, France URL: http://ai-ed99.univ-lemans.fr/ Organizers: W. Lewis Johnson (contact), University of Southern California, USA Elisabeth Andre, DFKI GmbH, Germany Claude Frasson, Universite de Montreal, Canada James Lester, North Carolina State University, USA Ana Paiva, INESC/IST, Portugal Jeff Rickel, University of Southern California, USA This workshop will focus on issues related to the creation and use of agents with animated or lifelike personas in education. Educators and educational technologists are increasingly interested in the potential of such agents to interact more naturally with learners and make the learning context more realistic. The persona may be able to express attitudes and moods, demonstrate the skills being learned, and use nonverbal cues to help focus the learner's attention. Personified agents can perform a variety of possible roles in computer-based learning environments, including guides, tutors, peers, and team members. The workshop will review recent technical developments in personified agent technologies, experience with the use of personified agents, and define the agenda for future research. Submission Requirements Potential participants are requested to submit a description of their relevant experience, research interests, and issues of current concern in the area of personified agents. This can consist of a brief summary, a position paper, an extended abstract, or a full paper. Previously published work is acceptable. Papers should not exceed 8 pages, including figures and bibliography, using 12 point type. All submissions must include each author's name, mailing address, email address, and telephone number. If there are multiple authors for a single submission, please indicate which ones want to attend. Submissions will be distributed to workshop participants as working notes. Please send submissions by email as a Web browser-readable attachment or send five hard copies. Submit electronic copies to johnson@isi.edu or hard copies to Lewis Johnson USC / Information Sciences Institute 4676 Admiralty Way, Suite 1001 Marina del Rey, CA 90292 Attn: Pedagogical Agents Workshop Important Dates Submission deadline: May 21, 1999 Notification date: June 1, 1999 Final date for camera-ready copy to organisers: July 1, 1999 See for list info & archives. ****************************************** * * * THE END * * * ******************************************