Cyber-Physical Systems: An Interdisciplinary Approach

Cyber-physical systems (CPS) is a discipline of engineering that involves the integration of computation, networking and physical processes. It is a combination of transdisciplinary approaches, merging theory of cybernetics, mechatronics, and design and process science. The key features of CPS are that it is networked, has a strong sensing capability and high performance potential, and can work in a real time environment. CPS has its applications in diverse sectors such as transport, healthcare, military, energy and infrastructure. Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) are principal components in cyber-physical systems. Smart grids, autonomous automobile systems, medical monitoring, industrial control systems, robotics systems and automatic pilot avionics are some examples of CPS. Cyber-physical systems are increasingly being used in several fields such as robotic surgery and nano-level manufacturing, search and rescue, and air traffic control. In this book, various important studies related to advancement and evolution of the cyber-physical systems have been examined in detail. Researchers and students engaged in the study of these systems will be assisted by it.