OVERVIEWThe Laboratory for Information and Decision Systems (LIDS) is an interdepartmental research laboratory at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. It began in 1939 as the Servomechanisms Laboratory, an offshoot of the Department of Electrical Engineering. Its early work, during World War II, focused on gunfire and guided missile control, radar, and flight trainer technology. Over the years, the scope of its research broadened.
Today, the Laboratory's fundamental research goal is to advance the field of systems, communications and control. In doing this, it recognizes the interdependence of these fields and the fundamental role that computation plays in this research. The Laboratory conducts basic theoretical studies in communication and control and is committed to advancing the state of knowledge of technologically important areas such as atmospheric optical communications and multivariable robust control.
Its staff includes faculty members, full-time research scientists, postdoctoral fellows, graduate research assistants, and support personnel. Undergraduate students participate in the research program of the Laboratory through the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP). Every year several research scientists from various parts of the world visit the Laboratory to participate in its research program.
As an interdepartmental laboratory, LIDS reports to the Dean of the School of Engineering, Professor Subra Suresh. The Acting Director of the Laboratory is Alan S. Willsky, Edwin Sibley Webster Professor of Electrical Engineering.
Currently, 20 faculty members, 20 research staff members, and approximately 110 graduate students are associated with the Laboratory.
