Abstract
In this paper an algorithm is presented which greatly facilitates the complete exploitation of state feedback in the assignment of the entire closed-loop eigenstructure of controllable multi-input systems. This algorithm is a generalization of the algorithm of MacLane and Birkhoff (1968) for the computation of a basis for the null space of a matrix and is ideally suited to digital computer implementation. The algorithm readily yields the vectors which are required (Porter and D'Azzo 1978) for the simultaneous assignment of Jordan canonical forms, eigenvectors, and generalized eigenvectors to the plant matrices of closed-loop controllable multivariable linear systems. The effectiveness of the algorithm is illustrated by assigning the entire closed-loop eigenstructure of a third-order two-input discrete-time system in such a way that the resulting closed-loop system exhibits time-optimal behaviour.