Introduction -- Description of continuous linear systems in the time, operator and frequency domain -- Description of continuous time systems in state space -- The negative feedback -- Stability of linear control systems -- Regulator design in the frequency domain -- Control of stable processes -- Design of conventional regulators -- Control systems with state feedback -- General polynomial method for controller design -- Sampled data control systems -- Sampled data controller design for stable discrete-time processes -- Design of conventional sampled data regulators -- State feedback in sampled data systems -- General polynomial method for the design of discrete-time Controllers -- Outlook.

This book offers fundamental information on the analysis and synthesis of continuous and sampled data control systems. It includes all the required preliminary materials (from mathematics, signals and systems) that are needed in order to understand control theory, so readers do not have to turn to other textbooks. Sampled data systems have recently gained increasing importance, as they provide the basis for the analysis and design of computer-controlled systems. Though the book mainly focuses on linear systems, input/output approaches and state space descriptions are also provided. Control structures such as feedback, feed forward, internal model control, state feedback control, and the Youla parameterization approach are discussed, while a closing section outlines advanced areas of control theory. Though the book also contains selected examples, a related exercise book provides Matlab/Simulink exercises for all topics discussed in the textbook, helping readers to understand the theory and apply it in order to solve control problems. Thanks to this combination, readers will gain a basic grasp of systems and control, and be able to analyze and design continuous and discrete control systems.