Systems 2014, 2, 606-660; doi:10.3390/systems2040606 OPEN ACCESS systems ISSN 2079-8954 www.mdpi.com/journal/systems Article Adaptive Systems: History, Techniques, Problems, and Perspectives William S. Black 1;?, Poorya Haghi 2 and Kartik B. Ariyur 1 1 School of Mechanical Engineering, Purdue University, 585 Purdue Mall, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA; E-Mail:
[email protected] 2 Cymer LLC, 17075 Thornmint Court, San Diego, CA 92127, USA; E-Mail:
[email protected] ? Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail:
[email protected]. External Editors: Gianfranco Minati and Eliano Pessa Received: 6 August 2014; in revised form: 15 September 2014 / Accepted: 17 October 2014 / Published: 11 November 2014 Abstract: We survey some of the rich history of control over the past century with a focus on the major milestones in adaptive systems. We review classic methods and examples in adaptive linear systems for both control and observation/identification. The focus is on linear plants to facilitate understanding, but we also provide the tools necessary for many classes of nonlinear systems. We discuss practical issues encountered in making these systems stable and robust with respect to additive and multiplicative uncertainties. We discuss various perspectives on adaptive systems and their role in various fields. Finally, we present some of the ongoing research and expose problems in the field of adaptive control. Keywords: systems; adaptation; control; identification; nonlinear 1. Introduction Any system—engineering, natural, biological, or social—is considered adaptive if it can maintain its performance, or survive in spite of large changes in its environment or in its own components.