Fuzzy Logic is a computational paradigm capable of modelling the own
uncertainness of human beings. Fuzzy reasoning is nothing else than a
Fuzzy Logic-based formalism for encoding human knowledge or common sense
in a numerical framework. Indeed, the mathematical concepts on which
Fuzzy Logic is supported are very easy to understand. In a Fuzzy
Controller, human experience is codified by means of linguistic if-then
rules, which compute control actions upon given conditions. Fuzzy Logic
has been applied to problems that are difficult to solve mathematically.
One of its main advantages lies in the fact that it offers a
straightforward methodology for modelling and controlling non-linear
systems, which are difficult to face by means of conventional
techniques.
Nowadays, real-time applications of Fuzzy Logic in different domains are
being increasingly reported. ASIC-based analog hardware becomes an
interesting solution for these kinds of applications because it benefits
from: savings on silicon surface and power consumption, readily
accomplishment with strict timing constraints and cost-effective
production. This book focuses in-depth on the VLSI CMOS implementation
and application of programmable analog Fuzzy Logic Controllers following
a mixed-signal philosophy. This is to say, signals are processed in the
analog domain whereas programmability is achieved by means of standard
digital memories.
This approach highlights the following crucial aspects:
*The comprehensive study and analysis of the main analog fuzzy
operators: Fuzzy Membership Functions, T-Norm, T-CoNorm and Defuzzifier
circuits.
*The study and development of mixed-signal Fuzzy Controllers
architectures targeting the requirements for different applications.
*The fabrication and test of full-ended demonstrators.
*The partial fabrication and test of a prototype corresponding to a
real-time Fuzzy Logic application in the field of Signal Processing.
Throughout Design of Analog Fuzzy Logic Controllers in CMOS
Technologies, the authors emphasize and demonstrate the powerfulness of
Fuzzy Logic for the synthesis of analog non-linear systems in a
systematic approach. However, beyond the scope of Fuzzy Logic
applications, the analysis of the circuits presented herein is
wide-ranging. These circuits can also be employed in different kinds of
applications in the field of Analog Signal Processing such as Neural
Networks, Non-Linear and Linear Adaptive Filtering, Analog Computation,
etc.
