Towards a Theory of Asynchronous, Real-Time Coders and their Applications to Discrete-Control of Continuous Processes

This paper develops a model of a real-time coder --a type of generalized A/D converter which maps sequences of n-tuples of real numbers into the binary alphabet {0,1}. Coders form an essential interface in the discrete-control environment between the continuous state plant to be controlled, and the discrete controller itself. These are partially-specified input/output maps, and finite-state realizations of them are considered. Examples of the developed theory are given.