The purpose of this book is to provide both worked examples and additional problems, with answers
only, which cover the contents of the two Bookboon books ‘Control Engineering: An introduction
with the use of Matlab’ and ‘An Introduction to Nonlinearity in Control Systems’. Although there was
considerable emphasis in both books on the use of Matlab/Simulink, such usage may not always be
possible, for example for students taking examinations. Thus in this book there are a large number of
problems solved ‘long hand’ as well as by Matlab/Simulink. A major objective is to enable the reader
to develop confidence in analytical work by showing how calculations can be checked using Matlab/
Simulink. Further by plotting accurate graphs in Matlab the reader can check approximate sketching
methods, for say Nyquist and Bode diagrams, and by obtaining simulation results see the value of
approximations used in solving some nonlinear control problems.
I wish to acknowledge the influence of many former students in shaping my thoughts on many aspects
of control engineering and in relatively recent years on the use of Matlab. In particular, Professor Dingyu
Xue whose enthusiasm for Matlab began when he was a research student and who has been a great source
of knowledge and advice for me on its use since that time, and to Dr. Nusret Tan for his assistance and
advice on some Matlab routines. I wish to thank the University of Sussex for the facilities they have
provided to me in retirement which have been very helpful in writing all three bookboon books and
finally to my wife Constance for her love and support over many years.
Derek P. Atherton
University of Sussex
Brighton
May 2013.
