Synthesis and Analysis of Correlative Extremum Systems I

In automatic control technology, extremal systems are widely used whose task consists in automatic search and tracking of the extremal value of the output characteristic of the plant by varying its input variables. On the other hand the technology of devices of processing of random processes is extensively using correlation methods. Recently, a great increase has been noted in the number of papers devoted to the synthesis and analysis of systems combining the extremal control principle with correlation processing of the signals arriving from the controlled plant. This opens the possibility of developing control systems of a new type (correlative extremum systems) distinguished by high noise-immunity and great accuracy of operation. In this paper, as well as in Beloglazov's companion paper published in this collection, the first attempt is being made to review possible methods of design of correlative extremum systems, the main problems of analysis of processes occurring in such systems irrespective of the specific nature of the controlled plant, and possible domains of application of such systems.