ABSTRACT
In this chapter we provide a brief background on dynamical systems, mainly covering the topics that will be important in a discussion of neural network (NN) applications in closed-loop control of dynamical systems. It is common for computer science engineers working in NN system and control applications to have little understanding of feedback control and dynamical systems. Many of the phenomena they observe iare due not to properties of NN but to properties of feedback control systems. NN applications in dynamical systems is a complex area with several facets, an incomplete understanding of any one of which leads to incorrect conclusions being drawn, with inaccurate attributions of causes- many are convinced that the often exceptional regulatory and behavioral phenomena observed in NN control systems are completely due to the NN, while in fact most are due to the rather remarkable nature of feedback control in itself.
