Cybernetic system

Margalef (17, 32) describes succession as a process of self-organiza-tion as it occurs in every cybernetic system with the properties of an ecosystem he sees succession as a process of accumulating information. It results from indefinite iteration with variables tending toward a stationary endstate. 

We have since defined Gaia as a complex entity involving the Earth s biosphere, atmosphere, oceans, and soil the totality constituting a feedback or cybernetic system which seeks an optimal physical and chemical environment for life on this planet. The maintenance of relatively constant conditions by active control may be conveniently described by the term homeostasis (Lovelock, 1989a, p. 11). 

In order to utilize the cybernetic approach for the science of safety, it would help if one would regard cybernetics as the general science of cybernetic systems. Its tasks and goals within the meaning of this treatise can be described as follows ... 

The cybernetic description of systems of different types is characterized by concepts and definitions like feedback, delay time, stochastic processes, and stability. These aspects will, for the time being, be demonstrated on the control loop as an example of a simple cybernetic system, but one that contains all typical properties. Thereby the importance of the probability calculus and communication in cybernetics can be clearly explained. This is then followed by a general representation of cybernetic systems. 

The Control Loop as a Cybernetic System. Figure 3.2 shows in schematic manner a liquid-level controller as an example of a simple technical control loop [3-4], The system to be controlled, the so-called controlled system, is a liquid container and its contents. 

General Representation of Cybernetic Systems. The control circuit which has been used in this connection to illustrate several basic concepts in cybernetics constitutes an especially simplified version of a cybernetic system. Referring to this special case, a genera cybernetic system can be defined as a structure consisting of system elements (SE) with input quantities E and output quantities A (Figure 3.9). 

Figure 3.10 Schematic representation of the control circuit as a cybernetic system.

Figure 3.11 Schematic representation of a general cybernetic system consisting of four system elements.

A cybernetic system is a dynamic system within which random processes are evolving. Target-oriented behavior of a cybernetic system entails reducing the multitude of random processes that is, a behavior in accordance with the predetermined target while adapting to the environmental conditions. 

Systems engineering regards the objects to be designed as well as the development and realization processes themselves as a cybernetic system. Systems engineering is confronted by two essential problems ... 

In accordance with the basic abstraction of the cybernetic system, the following must in essence be achieved (Figure 3.16) ... 

The cybernetic system approach demonstrates that the behavior of complex systems cannot be unequivocally determined but is subject to statistical variations. These can either be traced back to outside influence factors known as disturbances impacting the behavior of the system components or to the fact that input quantities are subject to statistical fluctuations. Correspondingly, the output quantities are also subject to statistical variations. Therefore, mathematical system models must be checked as to the way and to what extent they take into consideration these statistical variations. 

Given the extraordinary complexity of the environment and its multitude of effects and ways of influencing the environment, only the most important aspects can be dealt with in this connection. In each and every case, one must first determine whether and how the environment is affected by the machine or whether the machine is endangered by the environment. Only through a thorough analysis of the manifold interrelations between man and machine, on the one hand, and environment, on the other hand, can mistakes in the representation of the cybernetic system of man-machine-environment be prevented. Underestimating the importance of the environment may lead to grave consequences for the operational safety of technical systems. 

It should be noted that the system of Figure 9.6 is actually potentially a cybernetic system for operating a powder production system and for this reason the system is referred to as a Cypermeter. 

The main predicate research complex technical objects are the concept of system . Manifested by the existence of a synergistic interaction of its parts was present in (Cempel 2012). The division of the system into components—elements (OTE)—addicted to the study aimed to validate the functionality of the system services. This division is hierarchical, multi-level. In many situations, is one of the initial stages of the development of the formal system description. Assuming assumptions general systems theory stands out, at least a few levels of the existence of systems (Berge 1961). The study adopted the interpretation of cybernetic system , homeostat based on the transmission and interpretation of data. 

Zio, E. Sansavini, G. 2013. Vulnerability of Smart Grids With Variable Generation and Consumption A System of Systems Perspective. Systems, Man, and Cybernetics Systems, IEEE Transactions on, Vol.43, p.477 87. 

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