System
From Biomedical Cybernetics
A system is an organized (and at least theoretically delimited) universe, whose components are interconnected thus giving up their independence from the whole (in contrast to an aggregate).
According to Frerichs, a system is defined as an autonomic structure consisting of parts that organize according to their own rules.
The interconnections may be quantified by the degree of cross-linking or clustering coefficient, i.e. the quotient of actual and possible links among the system's components.
Open systems interact (via matter, energy and/or information) with their environment. They usually show a higher degree of stability compared to closed systems.
Additional classification criteria cover (according to Varjú):
| System | |
|---|---|
| analog | digital |
| without memory | with memory (with energy storage) |
| linear | nonlinear |
| passive | active |
| with concentrated parameters | with distributed parameters |
| time invariant | not time invariant |
[edit] Reference
- Varjú D. Systemtheorie für Biologen und Mediziner. Heidelberger Taschenbücher. Vol. 182. Berlin, Heidelberg, New York: Springer, 1977. ISBN 3540080864
