ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in this book. The book discusses the properties of Networked Control Systems (NCSs) from the control aspect but taking into consideration the issues related to the practical implementation. A control system is a device or a collection of devices used to guide and regulate the behavior and operation of other devices or dynamical systems. Control systems are idealized in a way that information exchange is perfect and happens instantaneously. This is rarely true and the problem acquires new dimensions if the control system is a NCS. The term NCS is being used to describe a large range of systems. NCSs enable the integration of an increasing number of complex control systems implemented on distributed control units. The problem is increased as nowadays the manufacturers tend to produce their own control algorithms which need to be integrated into existing NCSs.
