This volume provides a detailed introduction to algebraic control for
nonlinear systems. It is divided into two parts: necessary methodology
and applications to control problems. The book develops an alternative
linear-algebraic strategy based on the use of vector spaces over
suitable fields of nonlinear functions. This algebraic perspective is
complementary to, and parallel in concept with, its more celebrated
differential-geometric counterpart and deals more easily with several
important characteristics of nonlinear systems. It describes a wide
range of results, some of which can be derived using differential
geometry but many of which cannot. They include: classical and
generalized realization in the nonlinear context; accessibility and
observability recast within the linear-algebraic setting; and results
for dynamic and static state and output feedback. This second edition
has been completely revised with new text, examples and exercises.