Microtechnologies and their corresponding CAD tools havemeanwhile reached alevel of sophistication that requiresthe application of theoretical means on all modelling levelsof design and analysis. Also, there is a growing need for ascientific approach in modelling again. Many conceptsprovided by Systems Theory again turn out to be of majorimportance. This is especially valid for the design of"machines with intelligent behaviour".When dealing with complex systems, the engineering designhas to be supported by CAD tools. Consequently, the methodsof Systems Theory must also get computerized. The newlyestablished field of "Computer Aided Systems Theory" (CAST)is a first effort in this direction. The goal of CASTresearch and development isto provide "Systems TheoryMethod Banks" which can be used in education and to providea platform for the migration of CAST methods into existingCAD tools.This book, basing on different research and developmentprojects in CAST, is written for engineers who areinterested in using and developing CAST systems,particularly in thefield of Information and SystemsEngineering.
