Fuzzy Control Systems

Fuzzy control systems are developed based on fuzzy set theory, attributed to Lotfi A. Zadeh (Zadeh, 1965, 1973), which extends the classical set theory with memberships of its elements described by the classical characteristic function (either "is" or "is not" a member of the set), to allow for partial membership described by a membership function (both "is" and "is not" a member of the set at the same time, with a certain degree of belonging to the set). Thus, fuzzy set theory has great capabilities and flexibilities in solving many real-world problems which classical set theory does not intend or fails to handle. Fuzzy set theory was applied to control systems theory and engineering almost immediately after its birth. Advances in modern computer technology continuously backs up the fuzzy framework for coping with engineering systems of a broad spectrum, including many control systems that are too complex or too imprecise to tackle by conventional control theories and techniques Request access from your librarian to read this chapter's full text.