Teaching Control Theory to Computing Practitioners

Although feedback control is an essential part of computing systems, computing practitioners rarely have knowledge of control theory. Further, computing practitioners interested in learning control theory are faced with the problem that introductory texts contain unfamiliar examples and unfamiliar mathematics. To remedy this situation, we have developed a tutorial, book, and spreadsheet based laboratory simulations to teach control theory to computing practitioners. Key considerations in the pedagogy are to use examples drawn from computing systems, provide a short, self-contained introduction to discrete time modeling and dynamic response, and incorporate case studies of how control theory has been used in commercial computing systems.

By: Yixin Diao; Joseph L. Hellerstein; Sujay Parekh

Published in: RC23940 in 2006

LIMITED DISTRIBUTION NOTICE:

This Research Report is available. This report has been submitted for publication outside of IBM and will probably be copyrighted if accepted for publication. It has been issued as a Research Report for early dissemination of its contents. In view of the transfer of copyright to the outside publisher, its distribution outside of IBM prior to publication should be limited to peer communications and specific requests. After outside publication, requests should be filled only by reprints or legally obtained copies of the article (e.g., payment of royalties). I have read and understand this notice and am a member of the scientific community outside or inside of IBM seeking a single copy only.

rc23940.pdf

Questions about this service can be mailed to reports@us.ibm.com .