E-LETTER on Systems, Control, and Signal Processing Issue 239, 2008 Editor: Pradeep Misra Dept. of Electrical Engineering Wright State University Dayton, OH 45435 USA Tel +937 775 5062 Fax +937 775 3936 Submit articles at: http://www.ieeecss.org/newssubmission.php Contents 0. Editorial 1. Personal 1.1 Change of address: Qi Gong 2. General Announcements 2.1 MS: Politecnico di Torino, Italy 3. Books 3.1 Introduction to Robotics 3.2 Intelligent and Adaptive Systems in Medicine 3.3 Feedback Systems: An Introduction for Scientists and Engineers 3.4 Topological/graphical methods in networked control 4. Journals 4.1 IET Control Theory & Applications, August 2008 4.2 Contents: Journal of Systems Science and Complexity 4.3 Contents: Mathematics of Control, Signals, and Systems 4.4 Contents: Automatica, July 2008 4.5 Contents: Circuits, Systems, and Signal Processing 4.6 CFP: Special Issue of IET Control Theory & Applications 4.7 Contents: IEEE Transactions on Automatic Control 4.8 Contents: Control Engineering Practice: August 2008 4.9 Contents: Control Engineering Practice: September 2008 4.10 Contents: SIAM Journal on Control and Optimization 4.11 Contents: Automatica, August 2008 4.12 CFP: Asian Journal of Control 4.13 Contents: Nonlinear Dynamics and Systems Theory 5. Conferences 5.1 Call for Papers, MED 09, JUNE 24-26, 2009, Thessaloniki 5.2 12th IFAC Symposium on Control in Transportation Systems 5.3 International Symposium on Positive Systems 5.4 HSCC'09 Call for Papers 5.5 2nd IFAC Conf on Analysis and Control of Chaotic Systems 5.6 SIAM Conference on Applications of Dynamical Systems (DS09) 5.7 6th IFAC Symposium on Robust Control Design (ROCOND'09) 5.8 ACC 2009 Call for Tutorial Session Proposals 5.9 Conference on Optomechatronic Systems Control 6. Workshops 6.1 Model Reduction in Circuit Simulation 6.2 Workshop on Clearance of Flight Control Laws 7. Positions 7.1 PhD: Concordia University, Montreal, Canada 7.2 PhD, PostDoc: University of Zaragoza, Spain 7.3 Technical Consultant: Industrial Systems and Control Ltd, UK 7.4 Editor: International Journal of Artificial Intelligence 7.5 PhD: North Carolina State University, USA 7.6 PDF: UCLA, USA 7.7 Postdoc: TU Delft, NL 7.8 PDF: Stevens Institute of Technology, USA 7.9 Research Associate: University of Cambridge, UK 7.10 PhD: Michigan State University, USA 7.11 Research Fellow: Nanyang Technological Univ, Singapore 7.12 Research Engr: ISR/IST, Lisbon, Portugal 7.13 PhD: IST/EPFL, Portugal 7.14 PhD: Politecnico di Torino, Italy 7.15 PhD: Dartmouth College, USA 7.16 Faculty: University of Oxford, UK 7.17 Pos-Doc (5): University of Coimbra, PT 7.18 Post-doc: Eindhoven Univ of Technology, NL 7.19 Postdoc: Royal Inst. of Technology (KTH), Sweden 7.20 Research Faculty: University of Newcastle, Australia 7.21 PhD: University of Girona, Spain. 7.22 Research Asst: Hamilton Institute, IE +----------------------------------------+ | | Editorial | | +----------------------------------------+ Welcome to the 239-th issue of the E-LETTER on Systems, Control, and Signal Processing. As always, search for .** to navigate. The next issue of eletter will be mailed out in August 2008. Please forward this eletter to your colleagues. They can subscribe to eletter at: http://www.ieeecss.org/newssubmission.php To unsubscribe, send an email to p.misra@ieee.org A web version of this eletter with Table of Contents hyperlinked to contents is located at: http://www.ieeecss.org/currentnews.php +----------------------------------------+ | | Personal | | +----------------------------------------+ *.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.** 1.1 Change of address: Qi Gong Contributed by: Qi Gong, qigong@soe.ucsc.edu My new address is: Qi Gong Assistant Professor Dept. of Applied Mathematics and Statistics Mailstop SOE 2 University of California 1156 High Street Santa Cruz, CA 95064 Email: qigong@soe.ucsc.edu Phone: 831-459-3753 +----------------------------------------+ | | General Announcements | | +----------------------------------------+ *.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.** 2.1 MS: Politecnico di Torino, Italy Contributed by: Giuseppe Calafiore, giuseppe.calafiore@polito.it Master in Automatica and Control Technologies (MACT) Politecnico di Torino, Italy Applications are open for enrollment in the Specializing Master in Automatica and Control Technologies (MACT) at Politecnico di Torino, Italy. The specializing Master in Automatica and Control Technologies (MACT) is a high-level educational opportunity for both newly graduated students and experienced employees that wish to acquire state-of-the art knowledge in the fields of systems engineering and automatic control. This Master course provides both methodological insight on modeling, optimization and control of complex dynamical systems, as well as technological competencies on industrial apparatus for control implementation. The MACT further offers courses with focus on advanced applications such as smart sensors, energy management, control of financial risk, automotive control systems, aero-space control systems, precision machining, mobile robotics, industrial networks, etc. The MACT opens many employment opportunities, both in the local Piemonte area and at international level. Piemonte hosts several world-leading industries that heavily rely on automatica and control technologies, such as FIAT, COMAU, Prima Industrie, DEA, Alenia Aeronautica, Thales Alenia, etc, where the MACT laureate may find interesting opportunities as a Systems Engineer or responsible of automation and production lines. In a global context, the high level, systemic view gained by the MACT laureate on complex processes make him/her a precious resource for any kind of innovative enterprise founding its business on technology and innovation. Further information, admission requirements, course syllabus, and the application form is available on the web at: http://didattica.polito.it/master/automatica/ The interested candidate may also contact the Master coordinator, professor Giuseppe Calafiore (giuseppe.calafiore@polito.it). +----------------------------------------+ | | Books | | +----------------------------------------+ *.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.** 3.1 Introduction to Robotics Contributed by: S.K. Saha, saha@mech.iitd.ac.in Introduction to Robotics by Tata McGraw-Hill, New Delhi Introduction to Robotics by Prof S K Saha is a book which aims to understand the underlying concepts used in designing and building a robot, and to make it work. The strength of this book lies in that it covers both analyses and applications in a lucid manner. The material provided in this book can be used by practicing engineers as well for the purposes of adopting, maintaining, and even designing a robot. Contents of the book: Chapter 1: Introduction Chapter 2: Serial Robots Chapter 3: Actuators Chapter 4: Sensors Chapter 5: Transformations Chapter 6: Kinematics Chapter 7: Statics Chapter 8: Dynamics Chapter 9: Recursive Robot Dynamics Chapter 10: Control Chapter 11: Motion Planning Chapter 12: Computers for Robots References Appendix A: Mathematical Fundamentals Appendix B: Use of MATLAB and RIDIM Software Appendix C: Case Studies--Student Projects For more information visit http://www.mhhe.com/saha/robotics *.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.** 3.2 Intelligent and Adaptive Systems in Medicine Contributed by: Olivier Haas, o.haas@coventry.ac.uk Intelligent and adaptive techniques are rapidly being used in all stages of medical treatment, from the initial diagnosis to planning delivery and follow-up therapy. To realize the full potential of these techniques, developers and end users must understand both the underlying technology and the specifics of the medical application considered. Focusing on this growing area of interest, "Intelligent and Adaptive Systems in Medicine" clearly and concisely explains a range of adaptive and intelligent systems, highlighting their benefits and limitations with realistic medical examples. Bridging the gap between theory and practice, the book describes the application of adaptive and intelligent control as well as intelligent systems in the diagnosis, planning, treatment, and follow up of diseases such as cancer. Each chapter presents a family of an intelligent and adaptive system, explains the techniques and algorithms behind these systems, and explores how to solve medical and biomedical problems using intelligent and adaptive systems. The book focuses on the methods of fuzzy logic, artificial neural networks, neuro- fuzzy modeling, adaptive and predictive control, systems and statistical modeling, and image processing. By assessing the use of intelligent and adaptive techniques for medical diagnosis and therapy, this guide promotes further research in this area of "techno-medicine." It provides researchers and clinicians with the tools and the processes that are leading to the invaluable use of intelligent systems in early diagnoses and effective treatment. TO find out more see: http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/0750309946/ref=sib_dp_ptu#reader-link *.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.** 3.3 Feedback Systems: An Introduction for Scientists and Engineers Contributed by: Richard Murray, murray@cds.caltech.edu Feedback Systems: An Introduction for Scientists and Engineers Karl J. Astrom and Richard M. Murray Princeton University Press, 2008 This book provides an introduction to the basic principles and tools for the design and analysis of feedback systems, suitable for use in a first course on control. It is intended to serve a diverse audience of scientists and engineers who are interested in understanding and utilizing feedback in physical, biological, information and social systems. The text attempts to keep the mathematical prerequisites to a minimum while being careful not to sacrifice rigor in the process. It makes use of examples from a variety of disciplines, illustrating the generality of many of the tools while at the same time showing how they can be applied in specific application domains. A companion web site has been developed that contains a complete copy of the book in PDF form (free download) as well as a database of frequently asked questions, supplemental examples and exercises, and lecture material for courses based on this text: http://www.cds.caltech.edu/~murray/amwiki *.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.** 3.4 Topological/graphical methods in networked control Contributed by: Abubakr Muhammad, abubakr@cs.mcgill.ca Title: Graphs, Simplicial Complexes, and Beyond: Topological Tools for Multi-agent Coordination Author: Abubakr Muhammad Paperback: 192 pages. Publisher: VDM Verlag (May 14, 2008) ISBN-10: 3836491869. ISBN-13: 978-3836491860 >From the jacket: The increasing pervasiveness and accuracy of sensors, unprecedented automation of data collection, extremely cheap storage and rapid dissemination of data by communication networks have enabled researchers to think about deploying swarms of cooperating robotic agents for various applications. However, the conception of such large- scale systems is contigent on efficient methods to deal with an explosion of data. Thus the main challenge in this field has shifted from difficulties in manufacturing to the lack of theoretical foundations for provably correct design and deployment. This monograph, appearing originally as a doctoral thesis, offers a unique perspective on the solution of such problems. It introduces some novel methods for dealing with the spatial complexities in robotic networks. At the same time, it makes connections to several emerging disciplines in engineering and mathematical sciences, most notably computational algebraic topology, graph drawing, networked control, sensor networks and distributed optimization. This work received the Georgia Tech Sigma Xi Best doctoral dissertation award in 2006. +----------------------------------------+ | | Journals | | +----------------------------------------+ *.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.** 4.1 IET Control Theory & Applications, August 2008 Contributed by: Joanna Lawrie, jlawrie@theiet.org Contents for IET Control Theory & Applications Volume 2 Issue 8, August 2008 For more information on this journal, please go to: http://www.ietdl.org/IET-CTA To submit a paper, please go to: http://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/iet/iet-cta CONTENTS: Satisfactory reliable H1 guaranteed cost control with D-stability and control input constraints D. Zhang, H. Su, J. Chu and Z. Wang Robust fuzzy control of nonlinear fuzzy impulsive systems with time-varying delay H.B. Jiang, J.J. Yu and C.G. Zhou Robust discrete-time sliding mode control for uncertain systems with time-varying state delay M. Yan and Y. Shi Improved predictive control approach to networked control systems Y.-B. Zhao, G.P. Liu and D. Rees Iterative learning-based minimum tracking error entropy controller for robotic manipulators with random communication time delays J.H. Zhang and H. Wang Framework for reducing digital-to-analogue converter quantisation error in servo control systems T.-J. Yeh and N.-S. Lu Corrective control of asynchronous sequential machines in the presence of adversarial input J.-M. Yang Multiple communication channels-based packet dropout compensation for networked control systems Y.-L. Wang and G.-H. Yang Feedback linearisation of nonlinear singularly perturbed systems with non-separate slow–fast dynamics J.-W. Son and J.-T. Lim Delay-dependent stability analysis for recurrent neural networks with time-varying delay C.-Y. Lu, T.-J. Su and S.-C. Huang *.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.** 4.2 Contents: Journal of Systems Science and Complexity Contributed by: Lei Guo, jssc@amss.ac.cn Journal of Systems Science and Complexity (JSSC) Volume 21, Issue 2, March 2008 ISSN: 1009-6124 (Print) 1559-7067 (Online) www.springer.com/journal/11424 Predicting relevant empty spots in social interaction (161-171) Yoshiharu MAENO, Yukio OHSAWA DOI: 10.1007/s11424-008-9100-3 Discovery of latent structures: Experience with the CoIL Challenge 2000 data set (172-183) Nevin L. ZHANG, Yi WANG, Tao CHEN DOI: 10.1007/s11424-008-9101-2 Stability of International Environmental Agreements in leadership model (184-190) Jin ZHANG, Shouyang WANG, Lei ZU DOI: 10.1007/s11424-008-9102-1 A characteristic set method for solving boolean equations and applications in cryptanalysis of stream ciphers (191-208) Fengjuan CHAI, Xiao-Shan GAO, Chunming YUAN DOI: 10.1007/s11424-008-9103-0 Multi-agent aggregation behavior analysis: The dynamic communication topology (209-216) Sheng CHEN, Lindu ZHAO, Ying HAN DOI: 10.1007/s11424-008-9104-z An SEIRS epidemic model with two delays and pulse vaccination (217-225) Jianjun JIAO, Lansun CHEN, Shaohong CAI DOI: 10.1007/s11424-008-9105-y Periodic solution and persistence for a three-species ratio-dependent predator-prey model with time delays in two-patch environments (226-238) Desheng TIAN DOI: 10.1007/s11424-008-9106-x Mixed hedging under additive market price information (239-249) Haifeng Yan, Jianqi Yang, Limin Liu DOI: 10.1007/s11424-008-9107-9 Hopf bifurcation and chaos of financial system on condition of specific combination of parameters (250-259) Junhai MA, Yaqiang CUI, Lixia LIU DOI: 10.1007/s11424-008-9108-8 Asymptotic Solution of Activator Inhibitor Systems for Nonlinear Reaction Diffusion Equations (260-266) Zhaoqiang GE, Guangtian ZHU, Dexing FENG DOI: 10.1007/s11424-008-9109-8 Robust model predictive control of continuous uncertain systems (267-275) Xiaohua LIU, Chunyan HAN DOI: 10.1007/s11424-008-9110-1 Generalized confidence regions of fixed effects in the two-way ANOVA (276-282) Weiyan MU, Shifeng XIONG, Xingzhong XU DOI: 10.1007/s11424-008-9111-0 Stability of generalized Jackson networks with infinite supply of work (283-295) Yongjiang GUO DOI: 10.1007/s11424-008-9112-z Unbounded batch scheduling with a common due window on a single machine (296-303) Hongluan ZHAO, Guojun LI DOI: 10.1007/s11424-008-9113-y On the single server retrial queue with priority subscribers and server breakdowns (304-315) Jinting WANG DOI: 10.1007/s11424-008-9114-x The projective plane crossing numbers of circular graphs (316-322) Dengju MA, Han REN DOI: 10.1007/s11424-008-9115-9 For submission and subscription information please visit the Journal website at www.springer.com/journal/11424 or email to jssc@amss.ac.cn Editor-in-Chief Professor Lei Guo Academy of Mathematics and Systems Science Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing 100190, China lguo@amss.ac.cn *.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.** 4.3 Contents: Mathematics of Control, Signals, and Systems Contributed by: Jan H. van Schuppen, mcss@cwi.nl Mathematics of Control, Signals, and Systems Volume 20 (2008), Number 2 D.A. Lizarraga, J.M. Sosa, Control of mechanical systems on Lie groups based on vertically transverse functions. MCSS 20 (2008), 111-133. A. Chaillet, Y. Chitour, A. Loria, M. Sigalotti, Uniform stabilization for linear systems with persistency of excitation: the neutrally stable and the double integrator cases. MCSS 20 (2008), 135-156. J. Baczynski, M.D. Fragoso, Maximal solution to algebraic Riccati equations linked to infinite Markov jump linear systems. MCSS 20 (2008), 157-172. C. Prieur, J. Winkin, G. Bastin, Robust boundary control of systems of conservation laws. MCSS 20 (2008), 173-197. INFORMATION The tables of contents of MCSS and the .pdf files of its papers are available from the publisher Springer at: link.springer.de/link/service/journals/00498/index.htm Information on MCSS is available also at the Editors' home pages: www.cwi.nl/~schuppen/mcss/mcss.html www.math.rutgers.edu/~sontag/mcss.html Please submit new papers via the Springer website for MCSS http://mcss.edmgr.com *.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.** 4.4 Contents: Automatica, July 2008 Contributed by: Becky Lonberger, rebeccal@illinois.edu Contents: Automatica, July, 2008 Volume 44, Issue 7 To consult the cumulative table of contents 1965-present, to view the list of recently accepted papers or to submit a paper visit http://www.autsubmit.com Editorials Tamer Basar Transition in an editorship Regular papers J. Schoukens, R. Pintelon, and M. Enqvist Study of the LTI relations between the outputs of two coupled Wiener systems and its application to the generation of initial estimates for Wiener-Hammerstein systems C.W. Scherer and I.E. Köse Robustness with dynamic IQCs: An exact state-space characterization of nominal stability with applications to robust estimation Gianluigi Pillonetto and Bradley M. Bell Optimal smoothing of non-linear dynamic systems via Monte Carlo Markov chains L.G. Van Willigenburg and W.L. De Koning Linear systems theory revisited Abbas Dideban and Hassane Alla Reduction of constraints for controller synthesis based on safe Petri nets Eduardo Aranda-Bricaire and Claude H. Moog Linearization of discrete-time systems by exogenous dynamic feedback Maciej Niedzwiecki Optimal and suboptimal smoothing algorithms for identification of time-varying systems with randomly drifting parameters Tobias Geyer, Fabio D. Torrisi, and Manfred Morari Optimal complexity reduction of polyhedral piecewise affine systems Joseph Bentsman, Boris M. Miller, and E. Y. Rubinovich Dynamical systems with active singularities: Input/output modeling and control Angelo Alessandri, Marco Baglietto, and Giorgio Battistelli Moving-horizon state estimation for nonlinear discrete-time systems: New stability results and approximation schemes Enrico Canuto Drag-free and attitude control for the GOCE satellite Daniele Casagrande, Alesssandro Astolfi, and Thomas Parisini Global asymptotic stabilization of the attitude and the angular rates of an underactuated non-symmetric rigid body Brief papers Jing Zhou Decentralized adaptive control for large-scale time-delayed systems with dead-zone input Per Rutquist, Claes Breitholtz, and Torsten Wik On the infinite-time solution to state-constrained stochastic optimal control problems Chao Liu, Chien Chern Cheah, and Jean-Jacques E. Slotine Adaptive task-space regulation of rigid-link flexible-joint robots with uncertain kinematics Ernesto Kofman, María Seron, and Hernan Haimovich Control design with guaranteed ultimate bound in perturbed systems Zaiyue Yang and C. W. Chan Simultaneous estimation of the input and output frequencies of nonlinear systems Wei Zhang and Jianghai Hu Dynamic buffer management using optimal control of hybrid systems K.J. Åström, J. Aracil, and F. Gordillo A family of smooth controllers for swinging up a pendulum Ligang Wu, Peng Shi, Huijun Gao, and Changhong Wang $H_infty$ filtering for 2-dimensional Markovian jump systems Halim Alwi and Christopher Edwards Fault tolerant control using sliding modes with on-line control allocation Y. Becis-Aubry, M. Boutayeb, and M. Darouach State estimation in the presence of bounded disturbances Marc Jungers, Eugenio B. Castelan, Edson R. De Pieri, and Hisham Abou-Kandil Bounded Nash type controls for uncertain linear systems Hernan Haimovich and María M. Seron Multivariable quadratically-stabilizing quantizers with finite density Ping Zhang and Steven X. Ding An integrated trade-off design of observer based fault detection systems Tianping Zhang and Shuzhi Sam Ge Adaptive dynamic surface control of nonlinear systems with unknown dead-zone in pure-feedback form Lei Guo, Hong Wang, and A. P. Wang Optimal probability density function control for NARMAX stochastic systems Tejas R. Mehta and Magnus Egerstedt Multi-modal control using adaptive motion description languages Technical communiques Shaosheng Zhou and Gang Feng $H_infty$ filtering for discrete-time systems with randomly varying sensor delays Z. H. Liu and W. Q. Zhu Asymptotic Lyapunov stability with probability one of quasi integrable Hamiltonian systems with delayed feedback control Errata Yanlong Zhao, Le Yi Wang, G. George Yin, and Ji-Feng Zhang Erratum to: Identification of Wiener systems with binary-valued output observations [Automatica 43 (2006) 1752-1765] S. S. Ge, G. Y. Li, and T. H. Lee Correction to "Adaptive NN control for a class of strict-feedback discrete-time nonlinear systems" *.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.** 4.5 Contents: Circuits, Systems, and Signal Processing Contributed by: Regina Gorenshteyn, reginag@birkhauser.com Circuits, Systems, and Signal Processing Volume 27, Issue 3 Table of Contents: * Design and FPGA Implementation of Self-Tuned Wave-Pipelined Filters with Distributed Arithmetic Algorithm G. Seetharaman, B. Venkataramani, and G. Lakshminarayanan * Computing Deblurred Time-Frequency Distributions Using Artificial Neural Networks Imran Shafi, Jamil Ahmad, Syed Ismail Shah, and Faisal M. Kashif * Fault Reconstruction for Lipschitz Nonlinear Descriptor Systems via Linear Matrix Inequality Approach Zhiwei Gao and Steven X. Ding * Time-Frequency Analysis of Multichannel Signals Using Two-Sided Autoregressive Modeling A. Kacha, F. Grenez, and K. Benmahammed * Robust H-infinity Control for Stochastic Time-Delay Systems with Markovian Jump Parameters via Parameter-Dependent Lyapunov Functionals Jianwei Xia, Bo Song, and Junwei Lu * An Offset Compensated Sampled-Data CMOS Comparator Circuit for Low-Power Implantable Biosensor Applications S. M. Rezaul Hasan * dB Dynamic Range CMOS Wideband Digital Variable Gain Amplifier for AGC in DVB-T/H Receivers Chua-Chin Wang, Chi-Chun Huang, Ching-Li Lee, Li-Ping Lin, and Yih-Long Tseng * Dual-Antenna RF CMOS Front-End for Interferer Removal in Ultra- Wideband Systems Dirk K. Neumann, Michael W. Hoffman, and Sina Balkir * Automatic Synthesis of VFs and VMs by Applying Genetic Algorithms Esteban Tlelo-Cuautle, Miguel-Aurelio Duarte-Villaseñor, and Ivick Guerra- Gómez * Current-Mode Universal Filters Using Current Conveyors: Classification and Review Ahmed M. Soliman For ordering information as well as electronic back issues, please visit: http://www.birkhauser.com/journal/34 *.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.** 4.6 CFP: Special Issue of IET Control Theory & Applications Contributed by: Amir Hussain, ahu@cs.stir.ac.uk Call for Papers for the IET Control Theory & Applications Journal Special Issue on: "Advances in Complex Control Systems Theory and Applications" Complex and large scale systems and networks have evolved in many fields from communication data networks, banking, financial systems, bio-engineering, robotics, and of course control engineering. In control engineering the main driving force behind the expansion of large-scale complex systems has been the relatively cheap cost of installing advanced instrumentation hardware, the cheap cost of attaining high computing power and the desire to "see" and "monitor" as much of the process as possible. As a result where as previously a typical small scale manufacturing process would be controlled by a few dozen loops, this has now risen to thousands of loops complemented with extensive data logging facilities. Classical or even modern control systems design applications are reaching their practical limits in their abilities to analyse and study these complex systems. In particular, classical techniques generally lack the framework to handle large scale systems and/or lead to exceptionally poor performance, and modern methods have a tendency to completely disregard model complexity and general overtly complex control solutions. Evidently, the fact that still the overwhelming majority of industrial control systems run on a mixture of PI and decentralized control systems means that no viable alternative has yet been developed and a great amount of resources remain unutilized in these systems and networks. For example in a typical industrial control system, the controllers might be able to use only as little as 5% of the information collected from the process for control purposes. Within industry, a large proportion of these complex and very large scale systems are found in resource and energy heavy industries such as petro-chemicals, pulp and paper, power generation etc.. Therefore in these cases, running the process inefficiently, not only leads to lesser profits but increased environmental pollution and energy consumption. Numerous surveys have consistently shown that improved control will lead to more sustainable manufacturing, improved bottom line returns, efficiency gains and improved raw material yields. Research into complex systems has not been very active until recent years. This has been the result of several factors. Previously the low cost of energy resulted in relatively healthy profit margins for the industry. This is compared to the current situation where a large section of heavy industry has been terminated in the UK, and a sizable portion are operating at a loss. Secondly, the environmental cost of manufacturing was not a high priority issue in the past and therefore the impact of inefficient processing was considered acceptable. Furthermore, expensive sensing and instrumentation equipment meant only a handful of information was collected from the process. Finally, system complexity considerations had gone largely ignored at the design stage because study of model complexity evokes combinatorial optimization problems which are extremely difficult to solve due to not having convenient mathematical features (such as convexity) There is an added layer of difficulty if in addition to model complexity, the performance is also being considered. Such hybrid problems yield mixed-integer-nonlinear programmes (MINLP) which are the most difficult type of optimization problems to solve. However, recent increases in energy costs, the elevated importance of the environment and the explosion in the number of currently operational complex systems has led to a particularly active research effort in this emerging field. Consequently we propose a special issue to be published in IET Control Theory and Applications on the Control and analysis of large scale complex systems and networks. We believe this will make an interesting, timely and highly relevant special issue because not only is it addressing a challenging problem with cutting edge development in modeling, adaptation, optimization and analysis algorithms, but it is a highly interdisciplinary subject. Previous studies have shown that Complex systems encountered in control, image processing, bio-engineering, cognitive science, machine learning, social intelligence, computer and data networks, traffic networks and financial systems, all share some common fundamental properties (such as having to deal with potentially significant non-linearities, non-stationarity, uncertainty and multi-variable interactions) and often the tools developed to study one particular class is applicable to the study of other types. This point has been repeatedly demonstrated in the course of multi-disciplinary events such as the IEEE International conferences on Networking, Sensing and Control, IEEE Swarm Intelligence Symposia, and the biennial International UKACC Control Conferences. Original papers covering all theoretical and applied areas of complex control systems are invited. The proposed publication schedule of the Special Issue is given below: Proposed timeline: Deadline for Submission of selected Expanded/Revised Contol2008 and other papers: 31 Dec 2008. Authors to have received a 1st decision by: 30 Apr 2009 Final decision of acceptance: 30 Sep 2009 Online and Print publication: Late 2009 Special Issue Guest Editors: Dr. Amir Hussain Stirling University Dr Amin Nobakhti and Professor Hong Wang The University of Manchester IET Publishing Dept. contact: Miss Joanna Lawrie: jlawrie@theiet.org IET CTA Editorial Assistant *.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.** 4.7 Contents: IEEE Transactions on Automatic Control Contributed by: C. Stewart, trac@bu.edu Volume: 53 Issue: 4 Date: May 2008 Identification Input Design for Consistent Parameter Estimation of Linear Systems With Binary-Valued Output Observations Wang, L. Y.; Yin, G. G.; Zhao , Y.; Zhang, J. Page(s): 867-880 Finite Rank Criteria for ${H^infty}$ Control of Infinite-Dimensional Systems Kashima, K.; Yamamoto, Y. Page(s): 881-893 Cooperative Control of Dynamical Systems With Application to Autonomous Vehicles Qu , Z.; Wang, J.; Hull, R. A. Page(s): 894-911 Discrete-Time Adaptive Command Following and Disturbance Rejection With Unknown Exogenous Dynamics Hoagg, J. B.; Santillo, M. A.; Bernstein, D. S. Page(s): 912-928 Controllability and Observability of Infinite-Dimensional Descriptor Systems Reis, T. Page(s): 929-940 Dissipativity Theory for Switched Systems Zhao, J.; Hill, D. J. Page(s): 941-953 Hellinger Versus Kullback–Leibler Multivariable Spectrum Approximation Ferrante, A.; Pavon, M.; Ramponi, F. Page(s): 954-967 Formation Reorganization by Primitive Operations on Directed Graphs Hendrickx, J. M.; Fidan, B.; Yu, C.; Anderson, B. D. O.; Blondel, V. D. Page(s): 968-979 Optimal Population Transfers in a Quantum System for Large Transfer Time Grivopoulos, S.; Bamieh , B. Page(s): 980-992 Convex Control Systems and Convex Optimal Control Problems With Constraints Azhmyakov, V.; Raisch, J. Page(s): 993-998 Consensus in Noncooperative Dynamic Games: A Multiretailer Inventory Application Bauso, D.; GiarrÉ, L.; Pesenti, R. Page(s): 998-1003 Passivity Analysis and Passification of Discrete-Time Hybrid Systems Bemporad, A.; Bianchini, G.; Brogi, F. Page(s): 1004-1009 Controllability of a Leader–Follower Dynamic Network With Switching Topology Liu, B.; Chu, T.; Wang, L.; Xie, G. Page(s): 1009-1013 Control of Continuous-Time Linear Gaussian Systems Over Additive Gaussian Wireless Fading Channels: A Separation Principle Charalambous, C. D.; Farhadi, A.; Denic, S. Z. Page(s): 1013-1019 Adaptive Control for the Systems Preceded by Hysteresis Chen, X.; Su, C.-Y.; Fukuda, T. Page(s): 1019-1025 A New $H_{{bm infty}}$ Stabilization Criterion for Networked Control Systems Jiang, X.; Han, Q.-L.; Liu, S.; Xue, A. Page(s): 1025-1032 Parametrization of the Regular Equivalences of the Canonical Controller Julius, A. A.; Polderman, J. W.; van der Schaft, A. Page(s): 1032-1036 Feedback Stabilization for Multiinput Switched Nonlinear Systems: Two Subsystems Case Wu, J.-L. Page(s): 1037-1042 Stability Robustness of a Feedback Interconnection of Systems With Negative Imaginary Frequency Response Lanzon, A.; Petersen, I. R. Page(s): 1042-1046 Wave Equations, Fractional Derivatives, and a New Instance of the Lack of Robustness of Velocity Feedbacks Marnetto, A.; Pandolfi, L. Page(s): 1047-1051 Discrete-Time ${cal H}_infty$ Control Problem for Nonlinear Descriptor Systems Wang, H.-S.; Yung, C.-F. Page(s): 1051-1057 An Adaptive Regulator of Robotic Manipulators in the Task Space Galicki, M. Page(s): 1058-1062 On Convexity of the Frequency Response of a Stable Polynomial Henrion, D. Page(s): 1062-1066 Internal Model Control in the Shift and Delta Domains Hoagg, J. B.; Santillo, M. A.; Bernstein, D. S. Page(s): 1066-1072 Variance Analysis of a Cross-Covariance Matching Method for Continuous-Time ARX Parameter Estimation Mossberg, M. Page(s): 1072-1076 Event-Based Optimization of Markov Systems Cao, X.-R.; Zhang, J. Page(s): 1076-1082 Process Control Performance Assessment: From Theory to Implementation Ordys, A. W.; Uduehi, D.; Johnson, M. A. Page(s): 1083-1084 List of Reviewers for 2007 Page(s): 1085-1091 *.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.** 4.8 Contents: Control Engineering Practice: August 2008 Contributed by: Fernando Camisani, cep@up.ac.za Journal: Control Engineering Practice Volume : 16 Issue : 8 Date : August, 2008 Special Section: IFAC Conference on Analysis and Design of Hybrid Systems (ADHS'06) Regular articles: P.J. Gawthrop, D.W. Virden, S.A. Neild, D.J. Wagg, Emulator-based control for actuator-based hardware-in-the-loop testing, Pages 897-908. Peter Fogh Odgaard, Babak Mataji, Observer-based fault detection and moisture estimating in coal mills, Pages 909-921. Kangyoon Lee, Maru Yoon, Myoungho Sunwoo, A study on pegging methods for noisy cylinder pressure signal, Pages 922-929. Guido Herrmann, Shuzhi Sam Ge, Guoxiao Guo, Discrete linear control enhanced by adaptive neural networks in application to a HDD-servo-system, Pages 930-945. H. Camblong, Digital robust control of a variable speed pitch regulated wind turbine for above rated wind speeds, Pages 946-958. Special Section: IFAC Conference on Analysis and Design of Hybrid Systems (ADHS'06): Christos Cassandras, Alessandro Giua, Carla Seatzu, Janan Zaytoon, Special Section: IFAC Conference on Analysis and Design of Hybrid Systems (ADHS'06), Pages 959-960. Luigi Iannelli, Karl Henrik Johansson, Ulf T. Jonsson, Francesco Vasca, Subtleties in the averaging of a class of hybrid systems with applications to power converters, Pages 961-975. Christian Sonntag, Wanjing Su, Olaf Stursberg, Sebastian Engell, Optimized start-up control of an industrial-scale evaporation system with hybrid dynamics, Pages 976-990. J.J.T.H. de Best, B.H.M. Bukkems, M.J.G. van de Molengraft, W.P.M.H. Heemels, M. Steinbuch, Robust control of piecewise linear systems: A case study in sheet flow control, Pages 991-1003. James P. Millan, Siu D. O'Young, Online discrete event supervisory control of hybrid dynamical systems using embedded simulation, Pages 1004-1021. *.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.** 4.9 Contents: Control Engineering Practice: September 2008 Contributed by: Fernando Camisani, cep@up.ac.za Journal: Control Engineering Practice Volume : 16 Issue : 9 Date : September, 2008 Editorial Board, Page IFC. Jose R. Cueli, Carlos Bordons, Iterative nonlinear model predictive control. Stability, robustness and applications, Pages 1023-1034. A. Afzalian, Ali Saadatpoor, W.M. Wonham, Systematic supervisory control solutions for under-load tap-changing transformers, Pages 1035-1054. HongBo Guo, YongGuang Liu, GuiRong Liu, HongRen Li, Cascade control of a hydraulically driven 6-DOF parallel robot manipulator based on a sliding mode, Pages 1055-1068. A. Khodabakhshian, M. Edrisi, A new robust PID load frequency controller, Pages 1069-1080. Jonathan Chauvin, Gilles Corde, Nicolas Petit, Pierre Rouchon, Motion planning for experimental airpath control of a diesel homogeneous charge-compression ignition engine, Pages 1081-1091. Dandan Zhang, Long Wang, Junzhi Yu, Geometric topology based cooperation for multiple robots in adversarial environments, Pages 1092-1100. Shahin Salehi, Mohammad Shahrokhi, Adaptive fuzzy approach for H[infinity] temperature tracking control of continuous stirred tank reactors, Pages 1101-1108. Hassan Bevrani, Takashi Hiyama, Yasunori Mitani, Power system dynamic stability and voltage regulation enhancement using an optimal gain vector, Pages 1109-1119. S. Lesecq, S. Gentil, Signal-based diagnostic algorithms integrating model validity in the decision, Pages 1120-1131. Su Ki Ooi, Erik Weyer, Control design for an irrigation channel from physical data, Pages 1132-1150. *.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.** 4.10 Contents: SIAM Journal on Control and Optimization Contributed by: Brian Fauth, fauth@siam.org The following journal issue is now available with abstracts from: http://scitation.aip.org/dbt/dbt.jsp? KEY=SJCODC&Volume=47&Issue=4&type=ALERT Journal: SIAM Journal on Control and Optimization Volume: 47 Issue: 4 Nonlinear Optimal Control via Occupation Measures and LMI-Relaxations Jean B. Lasserre, Didier Henrion, Christophe Prieur, and Emmanuel Trelat pp. 1643-1666 Duality in Linear Programming Problems Related to Deterministic Long Run Average Problems of Optimal Control Luke Finlay, Vladimir Gaitsgory, and Ivan Lebedev pp. 1667-1700 $L^infty$-Null Controllability for the Heat Equation and Its Consequences for the Time Optimal Control Problem Gengsheng Wang pp. 1701-1720 Goal-Oriented Adaptivity in Control Constrained Optimal Control of Partial Differential Equations M. Hintermuller and R. H. W. Hoppe pp. 1721-1743 Partial Information Linear Quadratic Control for Jump Diffusions Yaozhong Hu and Bernt Oksendal pp. 1744-1761 Abstract Second Order Hyperbolic System and Applications to Controlled Network of Strings Gen Qi Xu, Dong Yi Liu, and Yan Qing Liu pp. 1762- 1784 Optimal Reflection of Diffusions and Barrier Options Pricing under Constraints Bruno Bouchard pp. 1785-1813 Homogeneous Approximation, Recursive Observer Design, and Output Feedback Vincent Andrieu, Laurent Praly, and Alessandro Astolfi pp. 1814-1850 Invariant CarnotCaratheodory Metrics on $S^3$, $SO(3)$, $SL(2)$, and Lens Spaces Ugo Boscain and Francesco Rossi-1pt pp. 1851-1878 Accessibility and Controllability in the Presence of Fast Oscillations G. Grammel pp. 1879-1887 Ergodic Control of Continuous-Time Markov Chains with Pathwise Constraints Tomas Prieto-Rumeau and Onesimo Hernandez-Lerma pp. 1888-1908 Controllability of the Kirchhoff System for Beams as a Limit of the MindlinTimoshenko System F. D. Araruna and E. Zuazua pp. 1909-1938 An Intrinsic Behavioral Approach to the Gap Metric Wenming Bian, Mark French, and Harish K. Pillai pp. 1939-1960 Algebraic Structures in Nonlinear Systems over Rings Obtained by Immersion Toshiyuki Ohtsuka pp. 1961-1976 Convex Duality and Entropy-Based Moment Closures: Characterizing Degenerate Densities Cory D. Hauck, C. David Levermore, and Andre L. Tits pp. 1977-2015 Input-Output Model Equivalence of Spin Systems: A Characterization Using Lie Algebra Homomorphisms Francesca Albertini and Domenico D'Alessandro pp. 2016-2043 Global Smooth Solutions of the Quasi-Linear Wave Equation with Internal Velocity Feedback Zhi-Fei Zhang and Peng-Fei Yao pp. 2044- 2077 Necessary and Sufficient Optimality Conditions for Relaxed and Strict Control Problems Seid Bahlali pp. 2078-2095 A Proximal-Projection Method for Finding Zeros of Set-Valued Operators Dan Butnariu and Gabor Kassay pp. 2096-2136 Almost Sure Stability of Discrete-Time Switched Linear Systems: A Topological Point of View Xiongping Dai, Yu Huang, and MingQing Xiao pp. 2137-2156 HamiltonJacobi Equations Arising from Boundary Control Problems with State Constraints Silvia Faggian pp. 2157-2178 Controllability Problems for the String Equation on a Half-Axis with a Boundary Control Bounded by a Hard Constant L. V. Fardigola pp. 2179-2199 *.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.** 4.11 Contents: Automatica, August 2008 Contributed by: Becky Lonberger, automatica@autsubmit.com Automatica Volume 44 (2008), Issue 8 (August) Regular Papers Robust output-feedback model predictive control for systems with unstructured uncertainty Christian Løvaas, María M. Seron, and Graham C. Goodwin Global output-feedback stabilization for a class of stochastic non-minimum-phase nonlinear systems Shu-Jun Liu, Zhong-Ping Jiang, and Ji-Feng Zhang Optimization of a thin film deposition process using a dynamic model extracted from molecular simulations Cihan Oguz and Martha A. Gallivan Self-tuning control based on generalized minimum variance criterion for auto regressive models Anna Patete, Katsuhisa Furuta, and Masayoshi Tomizuka Antenna array synthesis with clusters of unmanned aerial vehicles Ramu S. Chandra, Sean H. Breheny, and Raffaello D'Andrea Average consensus problems in networks of agents with delayed communications Pierre-Alexandre Bliman and Giancarlo Ferrari-Trecate Constructive stabilization for quadratic input nonlinear systems Jianghua Zhong, Daizhan Cheng, and Xiaoming Hu Delay-dependent robust stability and $L_2$-gain analysis of a class of nonlinear time-delay systems Daniel F. Coutinho and Carlos E. de Souza Brief Papers Stability properties of reset systems Dragan Nešic, Luca Zaccarian and Andrew R. Teel Extended results on robust state estimation and fault detection C.P. Tan, F. Crusca, and M. Aldeen Control design for a class of nonlinear continuous-time systems Eugenio B. Castelan, Sophie Tarbouriech, and Isabelle Queinnec Adaptive IIR/FIR fusion filter and its application to the INS/GPS integrated system Seong Yun Cho and Byung Doo Kim Closed-loop identification of multivariable systems: With or without excitation of all references? L. Miškovic, A. Karimi, D. Bonvin, and M. Gevers On the observability of discrete-time dynamic systems - A geometric approach Karl Rieger, Kurt Schlacher, and Johann Holl Sharpe-ratio pricing and hedging of contingent claims in incomplete markets by convex programming Mustafa Çelebi Pinar Structural analysis for the sensor location problem in fault detection and isolation Christian Commault, Jean-Michel Dion, and Sameh Yacoub Agha $L_2$ and $H_2$ performance analysis and gain-scheduling synthesis for parameter-dependent systems Emmanuel Prempain and Ian Postlethwaite $H_2$ norm of linear time-periodic systems: A perturbation analysis Mihailo R. Jovanovic and Makan Fardad On the Lyapunov-based adaptive control redesign for a class of nonlinear sampled-data systems Romain Postoyan, Tarek Ahmed-Ali, Laurent Burlion, and Françoise Lamnabhi-Lagarrigue Control of nonstationary LPV systems Mazen Farhood and Geir E. Dullerud Notes on averaging over acyclic digraphs and discrete coverage control Chunkai Gao, Jorge Cortés, and Francesco Bullo Global stabilization of a class of partially known nonnegative systems Ludovic Mailleret, Jean-Luc Gouzé, and Olivier Bernard Solutions of nonlinear control and estimation problems in reproducing Kernel Hilbert spaces: Existence and numerical determination Gianluigi Pillonetto Synchronization of bilateral teleoperators with time delay Nikhil Chopra, Mark W. Spong, and Rogelio Lozano A method for optimal control and filtering of multi time-scale linear singularly perturbed stochastic systems N. Prljaca and Z.Gajic Markovian jump delayed Hopfield networks with multiplicative noise Adrian-Mihail Stoica and Isaac Yaesh Stability and robustness analysis of nonlinear systems via contraction metrics and SOS programming Erin M. Aylward, Pablo A. Parrilo, and Jean-Jacques E. Slotine Decentralized control design of interconnected chains of integrators: A case study Guangyu Liu, Iven Mareels, and Dragan Nešic Synchronizing linear systems via partial-state coupling S. Emre Tuna Technical Communiques A robust state prediction for descriptor systems João Y. Ishihara and Marco H. Terra On the disturbance response and external stability of a saturating static-feedback-controlled double integrator Zheng Wen, Sandip Roy, and Ali Saberi Stability analysis of neutral systems with distributed delays Xu-Guang Li and Xin-Jian Zhu Disturbance attenuation by dynamic output feedback for input-delay systems Michael Di Loreto and Jean Jacques Loiseau, and Jean-François Lafay Adaptive ILC for a class of discrete-time systems with iteration-varying trajectory and random initial condition Ronghu Chi, Zhongsheng Hou, and Jianxin Xu Design of static $H_infty$ loop shaping controller in four-block framework using LMI approach S.Patra, S.Sen, and G.Ray *.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.** 4.12 CFP: Asian Journal of Control Contributed by: Li-Chen Fu, lichen@ntu.edu.tw CALL FOR PAPERS “Recent Developments in Multidimensional Systems, Control and Signals—Theory and Applications” A Special Issue of Asian Journal of Control http://www.ajc.org.tw The key unique feature of a multidimensional (nD) system is the dependency of the plant or process dynamics (input, output, and state variables) on more than one indeterminate and hence information is propagated in many independent coordinate directions. Many physical processes have a clear nD structure. Additionally, the nD approach frequently is used as an analysis tool to assist, or in some cases to enable, the solution of a wide variety of problems. What makes multidimensional systems theory to an exciting field of research is the fact that applications areas for such system classes can be found within a broad spectrum of disciplines like Systems, Control and Signal Processing (and many others). The purpose of this issue is to provide the choice of recent interesting developments in various aspects of multidimensional (nD) systems, related to theory and applications. Guest Editors: Prof. Krzysztof Galkowski University of Zielona Gora and Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun Poland E-mail: k.galkowski@issi.uz.zgora.pl Prof. Eric Rogers University of Southampton United Kingdom E-mail: etar@ecs.soton.ac.uk Important Dates: June 30, 2008 Call for Papers Dec. 30, 2008 Deadline for Paper Submission May 30, 2009 Completion of First Review Sep. 30, 2009 Completion of Final Review Mar. 30, 2010 Publication (Tentatively Vol.12, No.2) Potential authors are strongly encouraged to upload the electronic file of their manuscript (in Postscript, PDF or WORD format) through on-line submission interface on the journal website http://www.ajc.org.tw . In case you encounter any submission problem, you are free to contact Prof. Li-Chen Fu, Editor-in-Chief of Asian Journal of Control at the following address: Professor Li-Chen Fu Department of Electrical Engineering, EE II-524 National Taiwan University Taipei 10617, Taiwan Tel: +886-2-3366-3558 Fax: +886-2-2365-4267 E-mail: lichen@ntu.edu.tw All submission should include a title page containing the title of the paper, full names and affiliations, complete postal and electronic address, phone and fax numbers, an abstract and a list of keywords. The contacting author should be clearly identified. For more detailed information about manuscript preparation, please visit the web site of Asian Journal of Control at http://www.ajc.org.tw. *.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.** 4.13 Contents: Nonlinear Dynamics and Systems Theory Contributed by: C. Cruz-Hernandez, ccruz@cicese.mx Nonlinear Dynamics and Systems Theory Volume 8, Number 2, 2008 ISSN 1562-8353 http://www.sciencearea.com.ua; http://www.e-ndst.kiev.ua CONTENTS 1. Conditions of Ultimate Boundedness of Solutions for a Class of Nonlinear Systems, A.Yu. Aleksandrov and A.V. Platonov, p. 109. 2. Adaptive Control of Nonlinear in Parameters Chaotic Systems, H.S.M. Ayati and A. Khaki-Sedigh, p. 123. 3. Quasi-Optimal Control for Path Constrained Relative Spacecraft Maneuvers Based on Dynamic Programming, R. Bevilacqua and M. Romano, p. 137. 4. On Nonlinear Control and Synchronization Design for Autonomous Chaotic Systems, A. Boukabou, p. 151. 5. Chaotic Dynamics in Hybrid Systems, P. Collins, p. 169. 6. Output Feedback Passive Control of Neutral Systems with Time-Varying Delays in State and Control Input., X.Y. Lou and B.T. Cui, p. 195. 7. Optimization of Transfers to Neptune, C.R.H. Sol'orzano, A.A. Sukhanov and A.F.B.A. Prado, p. 205. 8. A Note on a Generalization of Sturm's Comparison Theorem, J. Tyagi and V. Raghavendra, p. 213. For information and subscription, Editor-in-Chief: Prof. A.A. Martynyuk, e-mail: anmart@stability.kiev.ua +----------------------------------------+ | | Conferences | | +----------------------------------------+ *.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.** 5.1 Call for Papers, MED 09, JUNE 24-26, 2009, Thessaloniki Contributed by: F.L. Lewis, lewis@uta.edu 17th MEDITERRANEAN CONFERENCE ON CONTROL AND AUTOMATION JUNE 24-26, 2009 MAKEDONIA PALACE HOTEL, THESSALONIKI, GREECE http://www.med09.org January 15, 2009: Contributed, papers, invited session proposals, Workshop / Tutorial proposals, due. The 17th Mediterranean Conference on Control and Automation, MED'09, will be held in Thessaloniki, Greece. Thessaloniki, the Cultural Capital of Europe 1997, is a beautiful port city on the Aegean Sea. It is the centre of the Greek North and the country' s second largest city. The conference venue is the seafront Makedonia Palace Hotel. King Cassander of Macedonia founded Thessaloniki in 315 B.C. and named the new city after his wife, Thessaloniki, the sister of Alexander the Great. Throughout its long history, the city has received several designations which are indicative of Thessaloniki's grandeur and glorious past: Capital of Macedonia, Joint-administrative capital of the Byzantine Empire. Thessaloniki has witnessed in the 2300 years of its life the might and glory of the Macedonians, the power of Rome and the grandeur of Byzantium. Its position and the contribution it has made have helped it play a major role in world history. Standing as undeniable proof of that role are its many antiquities, monuments and other impressive archaeological finds, representing every historical period. Within fifty kilometers of Thessaloniki are the beautiful beaches of Halkidiki and several sites of exceptional historical importance. There is Olympus, the mountain of the gods and seat of ancient Greek mythology. Athos, "the Holy Mountain," is a sanctuary for a unique monastic community, safeguarding orthodox Christian tradition and priceless historical treasures. Pella, the ancient capital of the Macedonian Kingdom, features the palace of Alexander the Great, with its exquisite mosaics. Vergina became known worldwide when golden urns containing the remains of Phillip II and his wife - the parents of Alexander the Great - were unearthed during excavation of royal Macedonian tombs. The numerous historical sites, as well as the plethora of natural beauty spots and endless emerald-green shores less than an hour away, establish Thessaloniki as a fascinating journey into art, civilization and relaxation. The conference, through its technical program, will provide a unique opportunity for the academic and industrial community to address new challenges, share solutions and discuss future research directions. A broad range of topics is proposed, following current trends of combining control/systems theory with software/communication technologies. For up-to-date information on MED’09, visit http://www.med09.org General Chairs: Vassilios Petridis, Automation & Robotics Lab, Dept. of Electrical & Computer Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece, petridis@eng.auth.gr Frank L. Lewis, Automation & Robotics Research Institute, The University of Texas at Arlington, lewis@uta.edu *.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.** 5.2 12th IFAC Symposium on Control in Transportation Systems Contributed by: Petros Ioannou, ioannou@usc.edu The 12th IFAC Symposium on Control in Transportation Systems (CTS’09) will be held Wednesday through Friday September 2-4, 2009 at the Crown Plaza Hotel, Redondo Beach, California, USA. The use of automatic control and associated technologies for improving the efficiency of transportation systems is an essential part of any modern continuously evolving society. The CTS’09 Symposium will provide an international forum for the recent developments and advances in control and associated technologies for transportation systems, including road-, rail-, air- and waterborne transportation. Specific topics and areas include but not limited to: • Intelligent Transportation Systems; Automated Highway Systems • Intelligent/Automated Vehicles; Ramp Metering and Speed limit Control • Modeling , Control and Optimization of Transportation Systems • Traffic Light Control • Sensor Technologies for Control; Weigh in Motion • Public Transportation • Freight Transportation: Control, Optimization, Routing etc • Rail Transportation: maglev, control, scheduling, modeling, simulations • Marine Transportation: Control, scheduling • Ports and Terminals ; Air transportation • Safety and warning devises, Human factors • Simulation Tools/Commercial software Important Dates: Paper submissions site http://ifac.papercept.net opens Nov. 1, 2008 Deadline for submission February. 1, 2009 Notification of Acceptance April 1, 2009 Final Submission and on line registration opens April 15, 2009 Deadline for Final Submission and Registration May 15, 2009 For more information see: http://ee.usc.edu/CTS09 *.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.** 5.3 International Symposium on Positive Systems Contributed by: Rafael Bru, posta09@imm.upv.es POSTA09 aims to be a multidisciplinary forum where leading researchers may report on recent advances and developments in different fields related to positive systems such as Positive Systems, Compartmental Systems, Markov Models, Biological Models, Max-Plus Algebra, 1D and 2D Systems among others. Call for papers is open, we invite you to submit a paper and/or to propose an invited session. All accepted papers will appear in the conference proceedings published in a special volume of Lecture Notes in Control and Information Sciences. The submitting manuscript deadline is fixed to be January 10, 2009 and the invited session November 22, 2008. Further details http://posta09.webs.upv.es/ *.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.** 5.4 HSCC'09 Call for Papers Contributed by: Paulo Tabuada, tabuada@ee.ucla.edu The 12th International Conference on Hybrid Systems: Computation and Control (HSCC) will be held Monday through Wednesday, April 13-15, 2009 in San Francisco. HSCC will be part of the 2nd Cyber-Physical Systems Week (CPSWeek) which is the collocated cluster of three conferences: HSCC, RTAS (Real-Time and Embedded Technology and Applications Symposium), and IPSN (International Conference on Information Processing in Sensor Networks). Through CPSWeek, the three conferences will have a shared registration process, joint invited speakers and poster sessions, and joint social events. Submissions are invited in all areas pertaining to the analysis, design, control, optimization, implementation, and applications of hybrid systems. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to: - Models of heterogeneous systems; - Computability and complexity; - Real-time computing and control; - Embedded and resource-aware control; - Computation and control over wireless networks; - Mobile robotic networks; - Tools for analysis, verification, control, and optimization; - Programming languages support and implementation; - Applications including automotive, communication networks, avionics, energy systems, transportation networks, biology and other sciences, manufacturing and robotics. Instructions for submission are available at the HSCC'09 website: http://www.ee.ucla.edu/hscc09/. Submitted papers must contain original work that has neither been previously published nor it is currently under review by another conference or journal. Each paper will be reviewed by the program committee and all the accepted papers will appear in the proceedings published by Springer in the LNCS series. All papers are treated as confidential during the review process. Important dates Initial submission: October 10 Workshop proposals: October 17 Workshop notification: November 3 Author notification: November 30 Final version: January 9 *.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.** 5.5 2nd IFAC Conf on Analysis and Control of Chaotic Systems Contributed by: Henri Huijberts, H.J.C.Huijberts@qmul.ac.uk CHAOS09: 2nd IFAC Conference on Analysis and Control of Chaotic Systems, Queen Mary, University of London, United Kingdom, 22-24 June 2009, www.elec.qmul.ac.uk/chaos09 CHAOS09 is the second IFAC meeting related to analysis and control of chaotic systems. It will provide a forum for the presentation of new developments in the important interdisciplinary fields of chaos control and synchronization. The research activity in this field is driven by the needs of different application domains such as: biology (brain dynamics, heart dynamics), physics (optics, magnetics, fluid dynamics), mechanics, engineering (non-linear dynamics of electronic and power electronic systems, chaos encrypted signals), economics, chemical engineering etc. The aim of the conference is to provide the communities of control engineering, physics, economics, biology, fluid dynamics, power electronics, electronic circuits, etc. with an opportunity to exchange information and new ideas and to discuss new developments in the fields of chaos control and synchronization. Both theory and applications will be discussed. The conference will cover all topics related to chaos and synchronization within the framework of control systems theory and engineering, including (but not limited to) the following. *Recent advances in control and anti-control of chaotic/complex systems. *Recent advances in synchronization (and observer-design) for chaotic/complex systems. *Analysis of stability, controllability and observability of chaotic/complex systems. *Bifurcations in chaotic/complex systems. *New applications in chaos control, chaos-encrypted signals, optical systems, biological systems, power converters, economic systems, etc. *Nonlinear dynamics of electronic systems. *Nonlinear time series and identification. *Hybrid systems and chaos, grazing bifurcations. *Limit cycles in networks of oscillators. *Kinematics models of groups of self-propelled particles. *Synchronization of delay systems, chaotic delay systems. *Brain dynamics. *Small world networks. *Synchronization in biology. *Chaos/bifurcation control in chemical engineering. *Chaos/bifurcation control in physics *Experimental chaos and synchronization. *Bridging the gap between ergodic and deterministic approaches. *Providing a discussion forum for the physics, chaos and control system communities. More information and the Call for Papers is available at www.elec.qmul.ac.uk/chaos09. Important Dates: *Submission deadline for full papers and invited session proposals: 1st November 2008. *Notification of acceptance: 1st February 2009. *Deadline for final manuscripts: 1st April 2009. General Chair: Dr W Just, School of Mathematical Sciences, Queen Mary, University of London. IPC Chairs: Dr H J C Huijberts, School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary, University of London and Prof H Nijmeijer, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology. *.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.** 5.6 SIAM Conference on Applications of Dynamical Systems (DS09) Contributed by: Kirsten Wilden, wilden@siam.org SIAM Conference on Applications of Dynamical Systems (DS09) May 17-21, 2009 Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort, Snowbird, Utah The application of dynamical systems theory to areas outside of mathematics has proven to be an exciting and fruitful endeavor. These applications are highly diverse and interdisciplinary, ranging over such fields as Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Engineering, Finance, and Industrial Mathematics. This conference strives to achieve a good mixture of applications and the mathematics that informs them. The goals of the meeting are a cross-fertilization between the different fields of the applications, and increased communication between the mathematicians who build the theory and the scientists who use it. October 14, 2008: Minisymposium proposals November 11, 2008: Abstracts for contributed and minisymposium speakers http://www.siam.org/meetings/ds09/ *.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.** 5.7 6th IFAC Symposium on Robust Control Design (ROCOND'09) Contributed by: Per-Olof Gutman, peo@technion.ac.il 6th IFAC Symposium on Robust Control Design (ROCOND'09), 16-18 June 2009, Haifa, Israel http://www.technion.ac.il/~rocond09 IMPORTANT DATES September 31, 2008 SUBMISSION OPENS January 5, 2009 DRAFT PAPERS / INVITED SESSIONS SUBMISSION DEADLINE March 15, 2009 Notification of acceptance March 15, 2009 Registration opens April 15, 2009 Final paper submission deadline May 1, 2009 Early registration deadline All papers and session proposals should be submitted electronically through PaperPlaza in PDF format. REGISTRATION FEES The early registration fee is €380. It includes access to technical sessions, an industrial tour, tea/coffee breaks, full lunches, welcome and farewell receptions, symposium banquet, as well as a CD-ROM with the symposium preprints and a printed book of abstracts. Zalman J. Palmor General Chair of ROCOND'09 Mario Sznaier IPC Chair of ROCOND'09 *.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.** 5.8 ACC 2009 Call for Tutorial Session Proposals Contributed by: Danny Abramovitch, abramovitch@ieee.org ACC 2009 Call for Tutorial Session Proposals Tutorials are a two-hour Invited Sessions in the American Control Conference (ACC) designed to integrate practice and theory and to educate attendees on an important technology. These sessions are especially intended for attendees from industry who apply control as a tool in the "real world" and can relate to the issues that face the practitioner (such as hardware implementation, business models, technology transfer to product divisions, etc.) The typical session begins with an hour-long "teaching" presentation on a technology that is relatively new, but proven to some extent in industrial practice. The one-hour teaching presentation is followed by three 20-minute presentations revealing industrial applications. Modifications to this basic format are allowed with the approval of the Vice Chair for Industry and Applications. The tutorial presenter will be a recognized expert who has both academic and industrial credibility, who can present the technological concepts and implementation issues in an easily understandable manner, and who can satisfy questioners from both the theoretical and the practice community. Questions from the audience should be encouraged throughout the tutorial presentation. The tutorial paper will be allowed 15 pages in the proceedings. The 3 shorter presentations will reveal results and issues from the current state of the art including a focus on industrial implementations of the technology. The industrial/commercial representatives should comment on needs for continued technology development. While submission of a paper (short or full) will be encouraged from these presenters, this will not be required so as to accommodate the publication issues within many businesses. 1. The organizer submits an electronic version (pdf file) of the session proposal (with titles, abstracts, participants of all the presentations involved and a summary with the rationale and structure of the tutorial session). PaperPlaza returns an acknowledgement that contains an alpha-numeric code for the proposed session. 2. The organizer notifies Contributing Authors (CAs) of their tutorial session code. 3. The corresponding author of each paper submits the paper online (pdf format) as an tutorial paper. Submission as a tutorial paper requires the tutorial session code. Quality of the Tutorial Sessions is of primary importance. The tutorial proposals The tutorial organizer is encouraged to consult with the Vice Chair for Industry and Applications early in the process to help guide the tutorial proposal. The Vice Chair for Industry and Applications is Dr. Daniel Y. Abramovitch Agilent Laboratories 5301 Stevens Creek Blvd., MS: 4U-SB Santa Clara, CA 95051 Tel: (408) 553-7906 Email: abramovitch@ieee.org The submission deadline for Tutorial Sessions for the 2009 ACC is September 15, 2008. *.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.** 5.9 Conference on Optomechatronic Systems Control Contributed by: Okyay Kaynak, o.kaynak@ieee.org This is one of the five conferences that will take place under International Symposium on Optomechatronic Technologies 17 - 19 November 2008 San Diego Marriott Hotel & Marina San Diego, California, USA http://spie.org/isot.xml The Symposium includes peer-reviewed contributed oral and poster presentations. Firm deadlines: Submit your full draft paper by 1 September 2008 Receive notification of acceptance by 22 September 2008 Submit your final paper and final summary by 1 October 2008 +----------------------------------------+ | | Workshops | | +----------------------------------------+ *.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.** 6.1 Model Reduction in Circuit Simulation Contributed by: Peter Benner, benner@mathematik.tu-chemnitz.de MODEL REDUCTION FOR CIRCUIT SIMULATION October 30-31, 2008 University of Hamburg, Germany This joint workshop of the BMBF research network SyreNe (www.syrene.org) and the EU Marie Curie ToK Project O-Moore-Nice www.tu-chemnitz.de/mathematik/industrie_technik/projekte/omoorenice.php aims at bringing together researchers and users of model order reduction (MOR) technics with special emphasis on applications in micro- and nanoelectronics. Contributions from other areas such as computational electromagnetics and -dynamics, micro- and nanosystems technology, and related disciplines are welcome. Invited speakers: * Athanasios C. Antoulas (Rice University, Houston) * Roland W. Freund (UC Davis) * Wil Schilders (NXP Semiconductors, Eindhoven) * Tatjana Stykel (TU Berlin) Important dates: Abstract submission: September 1, 2008 Please submit the abstract of your talk (up to 1 page) in pdf or latex to syrene (at) math.uni-hamburg.de. Acceptance notification: September 15, 2008 Proceedings: It is planned to have post-conference peer-reviewed proceedings based on the invited and contributed talks. Negotations with publishers are under way, details will be announced via the conference web page (see below) soon. For further information, please visit http://www.math.uni-hamburg.de/spag/zms/syrene *.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.** 6.2 Workshop on Clearance of Flight Control Laws Contributed by: Andrea Garulli, garulli@ing.unisi.it WORKSHOP ON CLEARANCE OF FLIGHT CONTROL LAWS September 26, 2008 S. Chiara University College Siena, Italy The workshop falls within the activities of the EC STREP-project COFCLUO (Clearance Of Flight Control Laws Using Optimization) and is intended to bring together researchers with interest in the variety of problems and techniques related to the clearance of flight control laws. We expect that this forum will delineate the state of the art and will cover the emerging trends in this research area. The program will include overview presentations of invited speakers illustrating their research activity, as well as talks on recent achievements of the COFCLUO project. The workshop will be held at the S. Chiara University College (an old building in the center of Siena). Deadline for the registration is September 1st, 2008. Information about the workshop is available at the web site: www.unisi.it/eventi/cofcluo +----------------------------------------+ | | Positions | | +----------------------------------------+ *.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.** 7.1 PhD: Concordia University, Montreal, Canada Contributed by: C.A. Rabbath, rabbath@ieee.org The Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering at Concordia University, Montreal, Canada has a strong and active research program on control systems design and aerospace systems (http://www.mie.concordia.ca/). A PhD position is currently available in the challenging area of guidance and control of small unmanned aerial systems. The student will have the unique opportunity to work under the supervision of academic researchers in collaboration with government research laboratory and aerospace industry. The student will have access to state-of-the-art facilities for carrying out his/her research in a stimulating environment. The candidates should have Bachelor and Master’s degrees in Mathematics/ Aerospace/ Mechanical/ Electrical/ Electronics/ Computer engineering. The candidates must have a strong background in mathematics, robust control, and nonlinear control theory. Experience with MATLAB is essential. The interested applicants should send their curriculum vitae by email along with names and contact information of three references by September 15, 2008 to: C.A. Rabbath Mechanical & Industrial Engineering Concordia University, EV4.139 1455 de Maisonneuve Blvd. West Montreal, Quebec, H3G 1M8, CANADA Email: rabbath@ieee.org *.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.** 7.2 PhD, PostDoc: University of Zaragoza, Spain Contributed by: Cristian Mahulea, cmahulea@unizar.es PhD position with a grant for 4 years. PostDoc position for one year (and can be extended to a second one). Systems Engineering and Discrete Event Systems Group (http://webdiis.unizar.es/GISED) University of Zaragoza (Spain) The activities of the group are related to the modelling, analysis and formal synthesis of some classes of artificial systems that are interesting from a technical point of view (production, computer, logistic, coordination, etc.). Usually more adequately modelled by means of discrete event systems formalisms (automata, Petri nets, process algebra, queuing networks...), the state explosion problem puts a limit to most of the analysis or synthesis techniques. Relaxations based on fluidification appear as a possible way to overcome these difficulties when largely populated systems or systems with high cadence are considered. More specifically, the project will be mainly focused on the formalism of continuous and hybrid Petri nets, defined by relaxing the integrality constraint in a similar way as in fluid queuing networks. Activities will be mainly related to the following aspects: * Modelling (fluidisability of ­discrete event­ net models) * Analysis and verification (both structural and model checking) * Optimization of design (placement and size of buffers, equipment selection, ...) * Operation (centralized and modular control, scheduling) * Observers design * Discretization of “optimal” continuous trajectories * Development of adequate computer tools for the modelling, analysis and synthesis. -------------- PhD position -------------- The main task for the accepted candidate will be to conduct research towards his/her PhD. The candidate is expected to complete the degree within 4 years. Applicants must have MSc (or equivalent) degree in Automatic Control, Computer Science, Mathematics, Electrical/Electronics or Communications Engineering. Some knowledge on formal models on computer science, automatic control or operational research will be especially welcome. The salary will be around 1200 EUR/month, with an incremental raise in the following years. Health insurance will also be provided. The candidate could start on October-November 2008 or January 2009. -------------- PostDoc position -------------- The position will be for one year (and can be extended to a second one). A PhD-degree in automatic control, computer science, or operations research is required. Knowledge on Petri nets, hybrid or piecewise linear systems will be especially welcome. The salary will be around 2000 EUR/month (in case, with an incremental raise in the following year). Health insurance will also be provided. The candidate could start on October-November 2008 or January 2009. Contact: Applicants should send by email their CVs before 8th September 2008 to: Prof. Manuel Silva (silva@unizar.es) with copy to Dr. Cristian Mahulea (cmahulea@unizar.es) Departamento de Informática e Ingeniería de Sistemas, and Instituto de Investigación en Ingeniería de Aragón (I3A) Universidad de Zaragoza María de Luna, 1 50018 ZARAGOZA (Spain) *.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.** 7.3 Technical Consultant: Industrial Systems and Control Ltd, UK Contributed by: Andy Clegg, andy@isc-ltd.com Job Title: Technical Consultant / ACTC Manager Company: Industrial Systems and Control Ltd. Location: Glasgow, UK Summary: Industrial Systems and Control Ltd. (http://www.isc-ltd.com), which runs the Applied Control Technology Consortium (http://ww.actc-control.com), has an opening for a Technical Consultant to work on control engineering consultancy projects and delivery of training. A key part of the role is the management of ACTC activities to meet the needs of member companies and ensure its continued success. This stimulating and wide-ranging role requires a blend of theoretical understanding of control and appreciation of application issues. Excellent communication skills and a customer friendly approach are imperative. Main Responsibilities: Reporting to the Managing Director, the role requires close cooperation with all ISC staff to serve client needs: Technical – Project Work – Consultancy project engineering and delivery of consultancy support to ACTC members and non-members in control engineering for a wide range of industries. This can involve both practical application studies and simulation based work. Technical – Training – Planning, preparation and delivery of training courses for industrial engineers. ACTC Management – Planning of technical events, review and publication of deliverables (report and software). Improving operations (contact databases, tracking, newsletter, etc.). Administration of Steering Group activities. Liaison with academia on related academic projects. Seminars and conference attendance. Sales and Marketing – Developing and implementing marketing strategy for ACTC, including sales material and web-pages. Sales presentations. Prospecting for new members by establishing and maintaining contacts. Person Profile: A good higher degree in Control Engineering or relevant engineering subject (e.g. Electrical or Mechanical Engineering, Applied Mathematics) with some control engineering exposure, with at least five years of academic study, is required. A PhD or equivalent in engineering/physics with a control bias is desirable. An understanding of at least two of the following topics is essential: system dynamics, classical control, advanced control, system optimisation and system identification. Excellent communication, interpersonal and presentation skills are required, as are analytical and creative skills to interpret complex, physical systems for modelling and problem solving. Excellent IT skills, including ability to use Matlab/Simulink are essential. The role requires working both independently and in a supervisory role, with self-reliance and an initiative for decision making being key attributes. The ability to work to deadlines, but also with empathy and flexibility required in a small company are features of the position. Readiness and flexibility to travel are required as visits and work at customer sites do arise from time to time. A current driving licence is essential. To Apply: Please send a covering letter and CV to Andy Buchanan, Managing Director, Industrial Systems & Control Ltd., 50 George Street, Glasgow, G1 1QE, or email to iscmail@isc-ltd.com. *.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.** 7.4 Editor: International Journal of Artificial Intelligence Contributed by: Radu-Emil Precup, kaushal_ceser@yahoo.com International Journal of Artificial Intelligence (IJAI) ISSN 0974-0635 www.ceser.res.in/ijai.html Dear researchers, Self nominations are invited for the positions of Editor/Associate Editor of the International Journal of Artificial Intelligence (under volunteer appointment policy). The details about the journal available at : www.ceser.res.in/ijai.html For submission of your nomination please fill the nomination form (presented below) by 30 September 2008 and send it to the Editors-in- Chief at the following addresses: radu.precup@aut.upt.ro ; eic.ijai@yahoo.com With regards, Prof. Radu-Emil Precup Editors-in-Chief International Journal of Artificial Intelligence (IJAI) E-Mails: radu.precup@aut.upt.ro ; eic.ijai@yahoo.com www.ceser.res.in/ijai.html ------------ Self Nomination Form for IJAI Editor/Associate Editor A. Name: B. Position: C. University (Company) Name & Address: D. E-Mail: E. Website: F. Areas of Specialization and Competencies in Topics of IJAI: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. G. MSC# for Areas of Specialization and Competencies in Topics of IJAI specified at point H: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. (e.g. MSC# for 'Algebraic Geometry' is MSC 14XX. The information about the MSC - avalable at http://www.ams.org/msc/) H. Self Nomination for: I. Other Remarks Including the Support Offered to IJAI: -------------- *.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.** 7.5 PhD: North Carolina State University, USA Contributed by: Fen Wu, fwu@eos.ncsu.edu A Research Assistantship position will be available for prospective graduate students interested in pursuing a PhD degree at the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, North Carolina State University, in the area of nonlinear control. The interested applicants are expected to have good mathematical skills and strong background in modern control theory. Particularly relevant areas of research include spacecraft modeling, robust control, nonlinear control and optimization techniques. In addition, familiarity with computer programming languages such as Matlab is desirable. A Bachelor's degree in mechanical/aerospace engineering, electrical engineering, or system and control is required, and a Master's degree in relevant fields is preferred. The RA position is starting from Fall 2008 and will open until it is filled. The interested applicants should contact Professor Fen Wu (fwu@eos.ncsu.edu) for more information and apply online for the graduate school admission at http://www2.acs.ncsu.edu/grad/applygrad.htm. *.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.** 7.6 PDF: UCLA, USA Contributed by: Paulo Tabuada, tabuada@ee.ucla.edu The CyPhyLab (www.cyphylab.ee.ucla.edu) at the UCLA Electrical Engineering Dept. is currently looking for a postdoctoral researcher in the general areas of modeling, analysis, and control of distributed embedded control systems. The candidates should have a PhD in engineering/applied mathematics/theoretical computer science and published work attesting their capability to rigorously solve challenging research problems. The position is for one year, possibly extendable to another year, and starts on October 1st 2008. Applicants should send a CV, a brief statement of research interests, and the names and contact information of three references to Prof. Paulo Tabuada (tabuada@ee.ucla.edu). *.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.** 7.7 Postdoc: TU Delft, NL Contributed by: Bart De Schutter, b.deschutter@dcsc.tudelft.nl The Delft Center for Systems and Control (http://www.dcsc.tudelft.nl) of Delft University of Technology, The Netherlands has a vacancy for a Postdoc position on "Hierarchical and distributed model predictive control of large-scale systems". The goal of the research is to develop methods for designing model-based controllers for complex large-scale systems based on a hierarchical or distributed control framework. In particular, we will use Model Predictive Control (MPC), which has already proven its usefulness for control of small-scale systems, but which cannot yet be applied to large-scale systems due to computational, coordination, and communication problems. We will solve these issues and to develop new MPC methods for large-scale networked systems, both under normal operation conditions, and in the presence of uncertainty and disturbances. This position is partially funded by the European FP7 STREP project HD-MPC (http://www.ict-hd-mpc.eu). This project involves both fundamental research and more application-oriented research in which the methods developed in the project are applied to case studies and benchmarks provided by the industrial partners. In order to carry out this project we are looking for a candidate with a PhD degree in systems and control and a strong background and interest in control and optimization. The candidate is expected to be interested in fundamental research and in working on the boundary of several research domains. A good command of the English language is required. The candidate should also be prepared to get involved in the management and coordination of this European STREP project. We offer the opportunity to do fundamental and scientifically challenging research. The Postdoc will work with PhD students and other researchers in a multi-disciplinary research group and within the framework of the European STREP project HD-MPC. The appointment will be for up to 3 years. As an employee of the university you will receive a competitive salary, as well as excellent secondary benefits. Assistance with accommodation can be arranged. More information on this position and on how to apply can be found at http://www.dcsc.tudelft.nl/~bdeschutter/vac/vac_hd_mpc_postdoc.html or by contacting Bart De Schutter (b.deschutter at dcsc.tudelft.nl). *.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.** 7.8 PDF: Stevens Institute of Technology, USA Contributed by: Yi Guo, yguo1@stevens.edu A postdoctoral researcher position is available to start in September 2008 in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Stevens Institute of Technology. We are looking for candidates in the general area of nonlinear control. Candidates with research experience in one of the areas including perturbation theory, vibration control, cooperative control of multi-agent systems, or control of AFM systems are encouraged to apply. The successful candidate is expected to work in interdisciplinary projects where nonlinear control theory is applied and new nonlinear control methods are developed. Interested candidates please send your inquiries together with your CV to yguo1@stevens.edu *.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.** 7.9 Research Associate: University of Cambridge, UK Contributed by: Malcolm C. Smith, mcs@eng.cam.ac.uk Research Associate on Passive Mechanical Control Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, UK Vacancy Reference No: NA03761 Salary: £25,888-£33,780 Available from 1st September 2008 Limit of tenure applies* A position exists for a Research Associate to work on Passive Mechanical Control. The project is funded by EPSRC and will involve collaboration with McLaren Automotive. The goal of the project is to explore the basic theory and application of the recently proposed "inerter" device and concept for the synthesis of mechanical networks. An important part of the project will be to explore the potential of the inerter for improved suspension performance in high-performance road vehicles (this part of the project being carried out with McLaren Automotive) following its successful deployment in Formula One. There will also be opportunities for basic theoretical work as well as experimental work with new devices. The successful candidate will have a PhD degree or equivalent in control systems, mechanical or electrical engineering or other relevant areas. Further details and publications on the subject of the inerter may be viewed at: http://www-control.eng.cam.ac.uk/Homepage/officialweb.php?id=3 The cover sheet for applications, PD18 is available from http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/offices/personnel/forms/pd18/ Part I and Part III only, should be sent, with a letter and CV to Prof Malcolm C. Smith, Department of Engineering, Trumpington Street, Cambridge, CB2 1PZ, (Tel +44 01223 332745, Fax +44 01223 332662, email mcs@eng.cam.ac.uk). * Limit of tenure: 15 July 2011. Closing date: 15 August 2008. Interviews will be arranged with selected candidates as soon as possible after the closing date. *.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.** 7.10 PhD: Michigan State University, USA Contributed by: Xiaobo Tan, xbtan@egr.msu.edu The Smart Microsystems Laboratory in the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering at Michigan State University is seeking highly motivated PhD students to fill several openings for graduate research assistantships, starting Spring'09 or Fall'09. The Smart Microsystems Lab strives to enable smarter, smaller, integrated systems by merging advanced modeling, control and design methodologies with novel materials and fabrication processes. Research in the lab is focused on electroactive polymer sensors and actuators, modeling and control of smart materials, biomimetic robotics, bio and micromanipulation, and control of autonomous swarms. For more information, visit the lab webpage at http://www.egr.msu.edu/~xbtan/sml_index.html. We have openings in the following areas: 1. Biorobotics: design, modeling, and control of robotic fish enabled by artificial muscles 2. MEMS: microfabrication of electroactive polymer devices with application to micro/biomanipulation and biomimetic robotics 3. Controls: nonlinear and adaptive control of smart material-actuated systems with application to nanopositioning The first two positions will be supervised by Prof. Xiaobo Tan while the third position will be supervised jointly by Prof. Hassan Khalil and Prof. Tan. Successful candidates are expected to - be well motivated to pursue independent, creative research, - have strong interest in interdisciplinary research, and - have suitable background in one or more of the following areas: robotics, MEMS (espcially microfabrication experience), dynamics, and control. Interested students shall contact Prof. Xiaobo Tan, Director of the Smart Microsystems Laboratory, at xbtan@egr.msu.edu for more details of these opportunities. Please attach your resume, copies of transcripts (if available), and sample of past work (for example, papers, if available) when writing to Dr. Tan. Applications are accepted until the positions are filled. *.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.** 7.11 Research Fellow: Nanyang Technological Univ, Singapore Contributed by: Jianliang Wang, ejlwang@ntu.edu.sg Research Fellow: Nanyang Technological University, Singapore A Research Fellow positions is immediately available at the Nanyang Technological University. The work will involve fault tolerant aircraft flight control in the presence of actuator and/or sensor faults. An ideal candidate will have a PhD degree and strong background in at least two of the following areas: (a) aircraft dynamics and control (b) model predictive control (c) fault detection and identification The position is for two years and is immediately available. Interested candidates please send CV by e-mail to Prof. Jianliang Wang at ejlwang@ntu.edu.sg *.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.** 7.12 Research Engr: ISR/IST, Lisbon, Portugal Contributed by: Pedro U. Lima, pal@isr.ist.utl.pt RESEARCHER JOB OFFER CALL at ISR/IST, Lisbon (Portugal) http://www.isr.ist.utl.pt (Open till 17 September 2008) Applications are invited for 2 RESEARCHER positions (at least 3 years post-doctoral experience) in the thematic areas of Networked Systems, Cooperative Navigation / Map Building, and Machine Learning. The contract offered will have duration of up to 5 years, renewed yearly based on mutual agreement. See http://www.ist.utl.pt/files/ciencia2008/EditalIST_ISR.pdf for further information. Applicants should have obtained a PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Control Science, or related areas. Candidates should have a high quality research record and research experience. They must show independence and resourcefulness, good working habits, and the ability to integrate well in a multidisciplinary team. The successful candidates are expected to do research in one or more of the areas listed above. For more information, consult http://www.eracareers.pt (ref C2008-IST/ISR.3). The responsibilities of the successful candidates will include conducting independent work, pushing new lines of research, and proposing research programmes and PhD thesis topics. The candidates are expected to organize seminars and discussion sessions, aimed at fostering cooperation links among members of the research team at ISR-LA (http://www.isr.ist.utl.pt) and to supervise and train new members of the team, including doctoral students. Candidates with a technical vein are expected to contribute to the development of new experimental techniques and approaches. The work language is English. The successful candidates will receive a salary in accordance with the university regulations for a senior researcher. The contract offered will have duration of up to 5 years, renewed yearly based on mutual agreement. The annual gross income, before taxes, will be approximately 3,000 Euros x 14 months. To apply, please send an email to ciencia2008@isr.ist.utl.pt with the following information: identification of the candidate and domain of application, curriculum Vitae/Resume, Letters of Reference, and Statement of Purpose for the period of the contract. *.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.** 7.13 PhD: IST/EPFL, Portugal Contributed by: Pedro U. Lima, pal@isr.ist.utl.pt IST-EPFL Joint Doctoral Initiative Call for PhD Student Applications Distributed and Cognitive Robotics Focus Area The Instituto Superior Técnico (IST) and the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) have established a Joint Doctoral Initiative. The PhD program, comprises a curricular component as well as a strong research activity. During the duration the PhD program, students will spend about 50% of the time at IST and 50% of the time at EPFL and be advised by faculty members from both institutions. The Joint Doctoral Initiative is oriented towards seven Focus Areas. The choice of areas was, in some cases, grounded on existing or long standing collaborations and correspond to areas where both EPFL and IST have strong competences and have the ambition to work together to build synergies and take advantages from research and complementarities. The Focus Areas in the Initiative are the following: Biological and Medical Imaging Distributed and Cognitive Robotics Computational and Stochastic Mathematics Antennas and EM devices for Wireless Applications Environmental Hydraulics Plasma Physics Architecture The focus area of Distributed and Cognitive Robotics is highly interdisciplinary and involves two main research lines: (i) distributed, networked robots and (ii) cognitive personal assistant robots and devices capable of interacting with humans and understanding human actions. * Distributed, networked robots - Recent advances in robotics, computer vision, artificial intelligence, statistical signal processing and control theory, as well as the advent of miniaturized sensors and actuators, powerful embedded processors, and wireless communication systems, have afforded engineers with the methodologies and technologies to design and build networks of autonomous robots and systems. The applications include monitoring and operations in hazardous or remote environments (ocean, space, contaminated areas, areas destroyed by natural disasters, etc), in industrial or civil engineering structures (pipeline monitoring and surveillance, bridges, dams), and in services (buildings, public areas, traffic monitoring and surveillance). * Cognitive personal assistant robots - The massive deployment of sensors and robotic devices (e.g. smart appliances, robotic assistants) in offices, homes and urban environments, as opposed to factories, places the interaction with humans and the interpretation of human activity in a central role (e.g. ambient intelligence, health-care, surveillance). This challenge opens a new landscape of research directions in learning, human action recognition and cognition in a multidisciplinary approach involving (e.g. humanoid) robotic systems, as well as neuroscience and psychology. The research domains in this Focus Area include Human activity recognition from sensor data (e.g. video), context aware systems that can learn from observation and Learning by imitation in humanoid robotic assistants with biological inspiration. HOW TO APPLY A selection committee consisting of faculty members both from EPFL and IST is responsible for ranking the candidates applying to the Initiative. Outstanding candidates will be awarded grants provided by the Portuguese FCT – Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia. When applying, candidates should indicate their Focus Area of choice. If selected to the Initiative, students will at a later stage be invited to propose or choose a thesis topic within the Focus Area. The list of faculty members involved in each Focus Area will be provided. Documents required for the application: - Application form (to be provided) - CV (good knowledge of english is mandatory) - Statement of purpose (indicate interests and motivation, indication and justification of the Focus Areas for the application) - Reference letters (mininum 3) Applications can only be submitted electronically (one ZIP file containing all PDF documents) by email (email to be defined). Deadline for application: June 21st to 15thSeptember 2008 Additional information: ist-epfl@ist.utl.pt *.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.** 7.14 PhD: Politecnico di Torino, Italy Contributed by: Giuseppe C. Calafiore, giuseppe.calafiore@polito.it PhD: Politecnico di Torino, Italy Dipartimento di Automatica e Informatica Politecnico di Torino Italy Applications are invited for a PhD position in Information and Systems Engineering at the “Dipartimento di Automatica e Informatica,” Politecnico di Torino, Italy. The PhD program lasts three years and it is fully funded by the Department. The successful candidate will receive a 1030 Euro net monthly salary (around 1635 USD). The candidate will work on a research project on the topic of: Financial Risk Modeling and Optimization The ambition of this research proposal is to explore new techniques for estimation, modeling and prediction of financial data, as well as to develop efficient computational tools for optimal portfolio allocation, risk budgeting and strategic investment planning, both over single and multiple time periods. The candidate will work towards a PhD in Engineering and should therefore have the qualifications to enroll in such a program: he/she should have a university degree in engineering, in computer science, quantitative finance, or mathematics, or a degree that can be considered equivalent to it. Expertise in the topics described in the project are welcome, in particular: convex optimization theory and algorithms, dynamical systems, optimal control, model predictive control, some knowledge of probability theory and stochastic processes, financial modeling. Familiarity with MATLAB and C/C++ is desired. The project starts in fall 2008 and is headed by professor Giuseppe Calafiore >From “Dipartimento di Automatica e Informatica” at Politecnico di Torino. Application: Applicants should consult the Politecnico di Torino PhD School web page http://didattica.polito.it/scudo/bandi.html Applications will close by end of September 2008. Applicants should also contact the research project coordinator, Prof. Giuseppe Calafiore (giuseppe.calafiore@polito.it), and send by email a detailed CV, including a concise description of their education, motivation, and possibly names and email addresses of two researchers that may provide a letter of support for the candidate. *.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.** 7.15 PhD: Dartmouth College, USA Contributed by: Reza Olfati-Saber, olfati@dartmouth.edu Prof. Reza Olfati-Saber has two open PhD positions in his Laboratory for prospective graduate students interested in pursuing a PhD degree at Thayer School of Engineering at Dartmouth in Fall 2008, or Winter/Spring 2009. The general research themeinvolves theoretical and experimental study of networked sensing and control systems, self-organizing multi-agent systems, and complex networks with application to Multi-Robot Systems and Wireless Sensor Networks. The interested applicants must preferably have a Bachelor’s/Master’s degree in one of the areas of electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, computer science, or applied mathematics and a strong background in Systems, Control Theory, and Mathematics. In addition, familiarity with computer programming languages such as C++/Java and Matlab plus good communication skills are desirable. The interested applicants should contact Prof. Olfati-Saber via email olfati@dartmouth.edu by sending a brief message with a single pdf attachment that contains their resume, statement of purpose, names and contact information of 2 to 3 references, and report of TOEFL and GRE test scores. For details about Dr. Olfati-Saber's research program, please see http://engineering.dartmouth.edu/~olfati/ *.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.** 7.16 Faculty: University of Oxford, UK Contributed by: Stephen Duncan, stephen.duncan@eng.ox.ac.uk Applications are invited for the above post, tenable from 1 January 2009, or as soon as possible thereafter. The professorship will be held in the Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, in association with a non-stipendiary professorial fellowship at New College. The successful candidate will have an international reputation for scholarship and research in control engineering. He or she will be expected to pursue a research programme at the forefront of the subject, providing research leadership to colleagues working in this and similar fields; to play a major role in securing long-term funding for research; to contribute to the broadening of the department’s research portfolio, seeking new strategic directions; and to contribute to both undergraduate and postgraduate teaching and training programmes. Further particulars, including details of how to apply, are available from http://www.admin.ox.ac.uk/fp/wd91-068.shtml. The closing date for applications is Monday 29 September 2008. *.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.** 7.17 Pos-Doc (5): University of Coimbra, PT Contributed by: Antonio Dourado, dourado@dei.uc.pt CISUC -Centre for Informatics and Systems. University of Coimbra Portugal Postdoctoral research positions – deadline 10 September 2008 Vacant Posts: 5 Applications are available for the position of Senior Researcher, within the framework of the Science 2008 Program, promoted and supported by the Portuguese National Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT). Candidates must have preferably at least 3 years post-doctoral experience in one or more of the following areas: “Cognitive and Media Systems”, "Adaptive Computation", "Software and Systems Engineering", "Communications and Telematics", "Information Systems" and "Evolutionary and Complex Systems". In exceptional and duly justified cases, we may consider accepting applicants with less than 3 years of post-doctoral experience. The positions avaliable are to carry out research work at our research institution, in the University of Coimbra. The research activities involve several projects, national and international ones, including the possibility of performing research within European Projects. The monthly amount to be paid is between 2067.91€ and 3101.87€, 14 months a year, before 35% tax retention, according to the Scientific Research Career regulation. The contract includes social benefits and retirement fund. Any effective hiring/contract is subject to available vacancies supported by the National Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), and its Agreement Program regulation. You may consult the official post in www.eracareers.pt/opportunities/index.aspx?task=global&jobId=10193 You can also check the instructions on how to apply, including the list of documents needed in: https://www.uc.pt/fctuc/cisucsubm08 CISUC is a 16-year-old research centre with European Projects in the framework of the EU FP7. With a research team of around 150 members, it carries out research in several areas of Computer Science. To get more information on the Centre visit the website www.cisuc.uc.pt The Faculty of Science and Technology of the University of Coimbra has close to 7000 students, both undergraduate and postgraduate. It offers a large array of different degrees, in Engineering, Life Sciences, Exact Sciences, Architecture and Anthropology. This Multidisciplinar characteristic of the Faculty is also reflected in the R&D activities of their Research Units. You may also contact me at dourado@dei.uc.pt *.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.** 7.18 Post-doc: Eindhoven Univ of Technology, NL Contributed by: Nathan van de Wouw, N.v.d.Wouw@tue.nl Post-doc position available at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), the Netherlands, within the ‘Teleman’ research programme on ‘Teleoperations’ The Teleman-0 project is part of the larger Teleman research programme and involves two Post-doctoral research positions one of which is related to the current vacancy. Teleoperations is the research and utilization area of human operated (remotely controlled) robots. Teleoperations is distinguished by the combination of man and machine. It unites the benefits of mechatronics in labour, power and precision with the unrivalled human intelligence to master complexity and variety. The challenge is to bring this combination to the best possible cooperation and performance. The philosophy is, where possible, to find generic solutions and develop modular and scalable technology to facilitate the use in other applications (up-scaling). The Teleman-0 project is a cooperation between the departments of Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Mathematics & Computer Science of the TU/e. We are looking for: Within this project, we are looking for a candidate with a PhD-degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering or Computer Science with an interest to work on an interdisciplinary field such as teleoperations. The candidate should have excellent communication skills in English and an attitude to collaborate in a cooperative project such as the Teleman-0 project. We offer: * a challenging job in a dynamic and ambitious university * a full-time employment for 2 years, with an intermediate evaluation after 1 year. * a monthly gross salary of € 2740 in the first year and € 2852 in the second year. Moreover, 8% holiday allowance is provided annually. * assistance for finding accommodation can be given. * support with your personal development and career planning. * attractive secondary labor conditions (including excellent work facilities, child care, excellent sport facilities). For more information: * If you would like to have more information on the position, please contact Dr. N. van de Wouw (N.v.d.Wouw@tue.nl) To apply: If you are interested in this Post-doc position, please send by email (N.v.d.Wouw@tue.nl) a detailed curriculum vitae, an explanation of your interest in the proposed research topic, a publication list, references and all other information that might help us to select you for the position. *.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.** 7.19 Postdoc: Royal Inst. of Technology (KTH), Sweden Contributed by: Henrik Sandberg, hsan@ee.kth.se The School of Electrical Engineering of the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), Stockholm, Sweden, invites applications for one research associate (postdoc) position in control and sensing over wireless networks and secure control systems. The successful candidate will join a research group that is focusing on new design methodologies for network-aware control and the application of control theory to communication problems. A suitable background for the position is a PhD in control theory, communication networks, sensor networks, network security, real-time middleware, or related areas. Current applications and industrial collaborations for the group are found in information and communication technologies, power industry, and factory automation. The position will include research in the area of networked control, interaction with doctoral students, and involvement in collaborative work in national and international projects such as the EU projects FeedNetBack (Feedback design for wireless network systems), and VIKING (Vital infrastructure, networks, information and control systems management) which both start up in the fall of 2008. The group has also strong financial support from the Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research and the Swedish Research Council. The position is available immediately, and is initially for a period of up to two years, with possible extension. The application marked "Wireless Control Postdoc" with curriculum vitae (including publications list and two professional references) and a short description of future professional objectives should be submitted by email to the contact persons below no later than September 1, 2008. For further information about the position, please contact Karl Henrik Johansson, kallej@ee.kth.se, http://www.ee.kth.se/~kallej, Henrik Sandberg, hsan@ee.kth.se, http://www.ee.kth.se/~hsan, or Carlo Fischione, fischion@eecs.berkeley.edu, http://www.eecs.berkeley.edu/~fischion/. *.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.** 7.20 Research Faculty: University of Newcastle, Australia Contributed by: Reza Moheimani, Reza.Moheimani@newcastle.edu.au The ARC Centre of Excellence for Complex Dynamic Systems and Control has an opening for a Research Academic in the area of Dynamics and Control of Nanoscale Systems. We are looking for candidates with a PhD degree (or close to completion) in a relevant field of engineering and a thorough knowledge of applied mathematics. A deep knowledge of control systems design and affinity with real-time control system implementation on DSPs, or rapid prototyping systems is a requirement for this position. The successful applicant will join a multidisciplinary research team, and is expected to collaborate with other mechatronics researchers in the Centre. The position is associated with the Laboratory for Dynamics and Control of Nanosystems (http://mechatronics.newcastle.edu.au/lab/). Research and computing facilities of the laboratory are of the highest standard. The position is available immediately, and is initially for a period of 2 years. The appoitnemt will be made at the academic levels A, or B (depending on qualifications and experience), with the salary in the range of $59,905 to $80,382 per year plus superannuation. Interested applicants should send their CV, including a list of publications and names and addresses of three references to Dr. Reza Moheimani( Reza.Moheimani@newcastle.edu.au )to be considered. These positions are open until filled. Essential Criteria: * A Ph.D. degree (or close to completion) in a relevant field of engineering * Strong analytical skills, particularly in systems and control * Strong publication record * Strong Knowledge of modern control systems design techniques * A capacity to work effectively with minimum supervision, and good problem solving skills * Good communication skills Desirable Criteria: * Industrial, or laboratory research experience * Previous experience with dynamics and control of nanoscale systems, MEMS or smart structures * Experience with rapid prototyping systems, and real-time control systems * Background in analog electronics *.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.** 7.21 PhD: University of Girona, Spain. Contributed by: Ningsu Luo, ningsu.luo@udg.edu PhD scholarships at the University of Girona, Spain. The Modal Intervals and Control Engineering research group is seeking for two PhD candidates to be enrolled in the following research fields with focus on: 1. Modeling and identification of networked control systems with uncertainties and time-delays. 2. Design of decentralized controllers for large-scales networked control systems. Qualified candidates should have an MSc or MEng degree and a background in e.g., systems and control, mathematics, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering or civil engineering. The candidate must be enthusiastic and greatly interested in fundamental research. Good programming skills and some experience with real-time experimental laboratory setups are welcome. In addition, excellent communication skills are important for this position and a good command of the English language is required. Enrolment and salary are according to the Spanish Universities regulations. The successful PhD candidate will be appointed for an initial period of one year, extensible up to four years. Interested applicants are invited to send their Curriculum Vitae, academic records, the names of two professional referees, a list of publications, a summary of their master thesis and a cover letter stating their motivation, via email to Dr. Ningsu Luo (ningsu.luo@udg.edu) Department of Electrical, Electronic and Control Engineering University of Girona (Spain) *.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.** 7.22 Research Asst: Hamilton Institute, IE Contributed by: Douglas Leith, doug.leith@nuim.ie Applications are invited by well-qualified applicants for a postdoctoral post and a postgraduate position in the development of new system identification/time series analysis techniques for anomaly detection in network devices (firewalls etc). Supported by a major manufacturer, initial work in the area has made use of linear predictive models and real-time monitoring. This has achieved good success but we now want to extend consideration to monitoring of more sophisticated measurements (including per process discrete state information) in order to encompass a wider range fault and operation conditions. The project will involve the development of new approaches for predictive modelling of measured signals, adaptive learning and inference of fault conditions. The project is supported by a dedicated hardware testbed and as part of the project the developed detection approaches will be implemented in order to evaluate performance in realistic environments. Good numerate and analytic skills will be essential. Some familiarity with networking and Linux or BSD systems will be helpful. The Hamilton Institute is committed to research excellence. This post offers an exciting opportunity for successful candidates to tackle fundamental research problems within a stimulating multi- disciplinary research environment with state of the art facilities and strong links to the international research community. Postgraduate Stipend: €21000 (tax free) Postdoctoral scale: €45704-63094 To apply, candidates should submit a detailed CV and the names and addresses of two referees for letters of recommendation to: doug.leith@nuim.ie. Postgraduate applicants should also include transcipts of undegraduate grades, motivation letter. +----------------------------------------+ | | End of eletter 239 | | +----------------------------------------+