Book excerpt: Although it arose much earlier in a variety of contexts, sensitivity theory became an independent branch of science in the sixties. Since then, researchers from around the world have continued to make great strides in both the theory and its applications. However, much of the work of Russian scientific schools and specialists remain unknown in the West. Sensitivity of Control Systems summarizes the results of the authors and their disciples in sensitivity theory, addressing the basic notions of the theory and the problem of selecting technical parameters of systems. The authors formulate problems for actual technical systems and their models, and establish relations between sensitivity theory and classical stability problems. They offer a significant, general theory for investigating the sensitivity of boundary problems and use elements of this theory for sensitivity analysis of solutions to nonlinear programming and variational calculus problems, as well as oscillatory processes. The book also presents general investigation methods for discontinuous systems, including those described by operator models. Full of powerful new methods and results, this book offers a unique opportunity for those in theoretical investigation and in the design, testing, and exploitation of various control systems to explore the work of Russia's leading researchers in sensitivity theory. Furthermore, its techniques for parametric perturbation investigation, Sensitivity of Control Systems will prove useful in fields outside of control theory, including oscillation theory, motion dynamics, and mathematical economy.