Linear systems [Book reviews]

Review by S.R. Liberty. Linear Systems, by Professor Thomas Kailath, is a timely and substantive contribution to the textual literature in system theory. It cannot be overemphasized that Linear Systems is a textbook and was obviously written with the student in mind. In fact, the more sophisticated reader who attempts to use Linear Systems as a reference book may have a negative knee-jerk reaction to the format and lecture style of the text. This book is bursting at the seams with Kailath educational philosophy as well as a wealth of linear systems and control concepts. There are several features of the book that make it unique. It contains a strong comprehensive treatment of matrix fraction descriptions and the theories of rational and polynomial matrices. It also contains a fairly thorough treatment of statefeedback compensator design and state observer theory. However, it is not a controls text. These topics are naturally included to deepen, reinforce, and underscore the value of the observability, controllability, and realization concepts which are introduced in other chapters.