title: System issues for Controlled Ecological Life Support Systems.
abstract: There are several characteristics of a Controlled Ecological Life Support System that are distinct from commonly engineered systems.  These are: 1) the uncertainty, due to limited data availability, and variability due to the heterogeneity of biological subsystems; 2) the closed, ecological nature of the system; and 3) the primary criterion of maximizing the probability of survival.  Consequences of these features include:  complex dynamics characterized by time scales ranging from milliseconds to months, posing difficult problems with respect to mathematical modeling and predictability; and the necessity for a unique controller design that can translate the high level requirement of survivability to low-level actuator tasks.  Future research in the systems and control area should include an ecological perspective focusing on the unique dynamical characteristics of a Controlled Ecological Life Support System.
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of California, Berkeley 94720, USA.
authors.forename: J N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Eisenberg
authors.forename: C W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Pawlowski
authors.forename: D R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Maszle
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Auslander
mesh_terms: D018504:Ecological Systems, Closed; D004867:Equipment Design; D005160:Facility Design and Construction; D008021:Life Support Systems; D008954:Models, Biological; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D018511:Systems Integration; D013598:Systems Theory