Control Theory and Computing: An unconsummated union

October 1, 2009
Chaouki T. Abdallah | University of New Mexico

Control theory has had a productive but limited relationship with computing theory and systems. Since its modern beginnings in the work of Wiener, control theory has expanded its application domains and its theoretical foundations, but its impact on modern computing systems remains largely unfulfilled. In recent years however, problems at the interface between control theory and computer science have become more common and are increasingly attracting the interest of researchers in both fields. Such problems include for example resource allocation problems over computer networks, access control, congestion control, as well as hybrid systems problems.

This talk will review major control theoretic advances focusing on those that have or will potentially impact computing systems and services.

The speaker will highlight some of his group’s recent work on networked control systems.

Speaker Details

Chaouki T. Abdallah obtained his MS and Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 1982, and 1988 respectively. He joined the Electrical and Computer Engineering department at the University of New Mexico where he is currently professor, and department chair. Professor Abdallah conducts research and teaches courses in the general area of systems theory with focus on control, communications, and computing systems. His research has been funded by NSF, AFOSR, NRL, national laboratories, and by various companies. He has also been active in designing and implementing various international graduate programs with Latin American and European countries. He was a co-founder in 1990 of the ISTEC consortium, which currently includes more than 150 universities in the US, Spain, and Latin America. He has co-authored 4 books, and more than 250 peer-reviewed papers. He served as the general chair of the 2008 CDC, which was held in Cancun, Mexico. Professor Abdallah is a senior member of IEEE and a recipient of the IEEE Millennium medal. For more information, please see his full biography at: http://www.ece.unm.edu/faculty/chaouki/COMPLETE2.pdf